It’s time for a Batman ranking since we’re getting small sneak peeks from the new movie starring Robert Pattinson. These are the best batman movies ranked according to Topazziworld.
I have been a huge Batman fan since I was a kid. Every morning I woke up to see an episode of Batman: The Animated Series. Even today, he is still my favorite superhero.
Now, I like to pay homage to the iconic hero by highlighting his best movies, both animated and live-action. I won’t include all of the animated films, because some of them weren’t that great. Only the best of them will be mentioned.
Best Batman Movies Ranked
16. Batman & Robin (1997)
Heroes & Villains: George Clooney (Batman), Chris O’Donnell (Robin), Arnold Schwarzenegger (Mr. Freeze), Uma Thurman (Poison Ivy), Alicia Silverstone (Batgirl), Michael Gough (Alfred), Jeep Swenson (Bane)
This is probably no surprise to anyone. Batman & Robin was just painfully bad with a lot of “ice puns.” Obviously this isn’t the best Batman movie, on the contrary, it’s ranked last.
As a kid, I use to love this movie. Although, according to many people, the target group of this film is no one, I still believe it’s a good watch for kids. When we’re young, we are easily amused by anything.
There is still one way to make this film enjoyable: invite some friends and make a drinking game out of it. I’m not even joking, I did this one and I honestly had a great time.
15. Batman Forever (1995)
Heroes & Villains: Val Kilmer (Batman), Tommy Lee Jones (Two-face), Jim Carrey (Riddler), Chris O’Donnell (Robin), Michael Gough (Alfred)
I don’t consider “Batman Forever’ to be good or bad. It’s an okay movie.
The villains were very cartoony, especially Jim Carrey. His acting style is often over the top, as it was in this film.
Val Kilmer was okay as Batman. Chris O’Donnell looked great as Robin, I actually liked his suit back then.
Should any Batman fan watch this film? I think they should, it’s still okay and enjoyable. Even I’m going to rewatch it one day.
14. Batman: The Movie (1966)
Heroes & Villains: Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Dick Grayson), Lee Meriwether (Catwoman), Cesar Romero (Joker), Burgess Meredith (Penguin), Frank Gorshin (Riddler), Alan Napier (Alfred), Neil Hamilton (Gordon)
This film is just great to have a couple of good laughs. A lot of stuff is just so random that it makes it hilarious.
That’s why I enjoyed this film. Seeing Adam West perform as the bat, but in a comedic tone and it is just awesome.
It’s a great watch.
13. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Heroes & Villains: Ben Affleck (Batman), Henry Cavill (Superman), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman)
I have so many mixed feelings about this one. This could have been so great but ended up being a disaster. The Ultimate Cut, on the other hand, was actually Solid, in my opinion. That’s why it’s higher on my list then Batman forever.
I did not like Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor or the fact that Doomsday was in this film. Batman v Superman should have focussed on them, but they brought a bigger villain into this.
Ben Affleck as Batman was a great choice. He was brutally ruthless, his fighting style was so good. This one was the strongest Batman we’ve seen. The biggest downside was that he was killing people, and I did not like that at all. It’s his most significant moral code, which is a part of who he is.
But this is the best Batman scene ever! If this list was about the best batman movies scenes ranked, this would have been number one.
Somewhere I wished, Ben Affleck had his own Batman film. I really wanted to see him in action in his own flick. But I’m excited about Pattinson’s Batman too. Can’t wait till we get to see him in action!
12. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Heroes & Villains: Will Friedle (Terry McGinnis/ Future Batman), Kevin Conroy (Batman), Mark Hamill (Joker), Angie Harmon (Old Barbara Gordon), Dean Stockwell (Old Tim Drake), Tara Strong (Batgirl), Matthew Valencia (Young Tim Drake/ Robin)
This film pays homage to the Batman Animated Series while it is taking place during the “Batman Beyond” period, where Bruce is an old man.
We get to see what happened to the sidekicks and supporting characters of the original Batman animated series.
It’s definitely darker than the original series and shouldn’t be overlooked.
11. Batman Returns (1992)
Heroes & Villains: Michael Keaton (Batman), Danny Devito (Penguin), Michael Pfeiffer (Catwoman), Michael Gough (Alfred)
Danny Devito is excellent as the Penguin. Sometimes even hard to watch because of how horrible he looked like.
We also get to see Catwoman in this film with Michael Pfeiffer, and she is one of the highlights of the movie.
Batman Returns is the sequel on the first Tim Burton film, but it isn’t as good. It is still a good watch, but with some flaws.
10. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Heroes & Villains: Will Arnett (Batman), Michael Cera (Robin), Rosario Dawson (Batgirl), Ralph Fiennes (Alfred), Zach Galifianakis (Joker), Jenny Slate (Harley Quinn), Jason Mantzoukas (Scarecrow), Conan O’Brien (Riddler), Doug Benson (Bane), Billy Dee Williams (Two-face), Zoë Kravitz (Catwoman), Kate. Micucci (Clayface), Riki Lindhome (Poison Ivy), Eddie Izzard (Voldemort, yes even he is in it), and click here for more cast members.
The first Lego movie came as a surprise to me. I had no interest in seeing it, but one day I came back from a party and with a friend we decided to watch The Lego Movie. This film was surprisingly good, I totally loved it. Never judge a book on its cover!
When I heard they were doing a Lego Batman movie, I got excited. And they did not disappoint!
It’s a sweet treat for Batman Fan with a lot of comic book characters. Kids and adults will love it!
9. Batman: Year One (2011)
Heroes & Villains: Ben McKenzie (Batman), Bryan Cranston (Jim Gordon), Eliza Dushku (Selina), Alex Rocco (Falcone), Jeff Bennett (Alfred), Robin Atkin Downes (Harvey Dent)
Batman: Year One has some great dialogue, it’s sharp and intelligent. The story is smart and compelling, and most characters are well written.
Especially Jim Gordon, who has an interesting story arc in this film.
This film is a dark, realistic, and fantastic installment from DC.
What drives this movie is the two main characters and how they develop. Even the music score fits right into the environment, and it actually does stand out.
8. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Heroes & Villains: Bruce Greenwood (Batman), Jensen Ackles (Red Hood), John DiMaggio (Joker), Neil Patrick Harris (Nightwing), Jason Isaacs (Ra’s al Ghul), Wade Williams (Black Mask)
The best asset of Under the Red Hood is the writing. It is just fantastic.
It is intelligent, profound, and complex. The story is based on a comic book story, and the movie kept the spirit of the Batman Comics.
The voice acting is excellent, we have Neil Patrick Harris as Nightwing or even Jensen Ackles from Supernatural as Red Hood.
Batman: Under the Red Hood is also a dark story, and I hope one day they will make a live-action movie out of it.
Note to yourself: never give Joker a glass of water.
7. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Heroes & Villains: Christian Bale (Batman), Gary Oldman (Gordon), Tom Hardy (Bane), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Blake), Anne Hathaway (Catwoman), Michael Caine (Alfred)
I still remember the day I was blown away by how Christopher Nolan ended his trilogy.
It’s not only the ending that was fantastic but the entire film. Tom Hardy, as Bane, looks threatening, and they made him smart as he should be. He wasn’t the dumb strong character of Batman & Robin.
The dialogue between the characters is intelligent and highly believable. The movie’s soundtrack is terrific and really exemplifies many of the movie’s scenes.
I loved all the Nolan films, but I have to admit that I prefer the other two movies.
Did anyone else get goosebumps when Batman returned in this trilogy?
6. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 (2013)
Heroes & Villains: Peter Weller (Batman), Ariel Winter (Robin), David Selby (Gordon), Wade Williams (Harvey Dent), Michael Emerson (Joker)
This second part of the animated movie adaptation of the Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. The plot is great and dark, the way it should be. There is plenty of action and two epic battles, bloody as well.
The movie is split into two parts. The first part is about Batman facing the Joker once again but both at an older age. The second part is Batman vs. Superman, how it should have been.
Peter Weller as Bruce Wayne/Batman, is flawless. Usually, I’m all for Kevin Conroy, but this man did an excellent job voicing Batman at an older age.
What I truly love about this film is that it’s pretty faithful to the comics. And this isn’t the case with all the animated DC films (yes, I am looking at you Killing Joke and Hush.)
5. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Heroes & Villains: Kevin Conroy (Batman), Mark Hamill (Joker), Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (Alfred)
It’s unbelievable how animated movies can be a masterpiece. This one even came out on the big screen.
The story is dark, darker than in Batman Returns, but it also had an excellent portrayal of Bruce Wayne/ Batman. It encourages us to look at the Batman story in a more personal and emotional way.
I had it ranked lower at first, but I’ve recently re-watched the film. And, I’m glad I ranked this one higher because it’s amazing.
4. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
Heroes & Villains: Peter Weller (Batman), Ariel Winter (Robin), David Selby (Gordon), Wade Williams (Harvey Dent), Michael Emerson (Joker), Mark Valley (Superman)
My favorite animated Batman film is without a doubt The Dark Knight Returns, part 1.
A fantastic translation of the Frank Miller novel brought to life on the screen. The animation was excellent, and the tone was perfect.
Why do I prefer it above part 2? It’s because the first part is more about Batman’s himself and his internal struggles. It shows us that due to his struggles, he will always be Batman. Therefore he takes up the cowl of the caped crusader once more.
3. Batman (1989)
Heroes & Villains: Michael Keaton (Batman), Jack Nicholson (Joker), Pat Hingle (Gordon), Michael Gough (Alfred)
Batman 1989 will forever be a classic.
Tim Burton’s Batman holds up very well. I saw this film as a kid because I wasn’t born back then. Obviously, I adored it, but later on, I started to admire it.
Michael Keaton as Batman, was mysterious and became one of the best adaptations.
Jack Nicholson as the Joker is awesome. He had a scary side to him, while you can still enjoy his presence on the screen. He has such charisma and appeal, his lines were perfectly delivered.
Tim Burton has a unique way of doing Batman, and I think most people can agree that it fits the characters and the story.
I wouldn’t argue with you if you ranked this film first on your best Batman movies list. Everybody has their favorite film and is entitled to it!
Click here for my Batman 1989 movie review
2. Batman Begins (2005)
Heroes & Villains: Christian Bale (Batman), Gary Oldman (Gordon), Michael Caine (Alfred), Liam Neeson (Henri Ducard), Cillian Murphy (Scarecrow), Tom Wilkinson (Carmine Falcone), Ken Watanabe (Ra’s Al Ghul), Tim Booth (Victor Zsasz)
Christopher Nolan exceeded my expectations of what a superhero movie can be. I was blown away about his realistic take on the caped crusader.
For the first time, we received a real origin story. The first part of this film is Bruce Wayne’s journey to becoming Batman. Nolan also puts a lot of trust in his audiences to stay put with this.
We really get to capture a sense of who Bruce Wayne is. And Christian Bale as the bat is fantastic. He is one of the most talented actors of his generation.
Click here if you want to read my “Batman Begins” movie review.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
Heroes & Villains: Christian Bale (Batman), Gary Oldman (Gordon), Michael Caine (Alfred), Heath Ledger (Joker), Aaron Eckhart (Two-Face)
Of course, my number one pick is “The Dark Knight.” I bet you’re not surprised!
My biggest regret is that I’ve never seen it on the big screen. I don’t even remember why, but I ended up renting it at a video store.
Everybody’s expectations were high, the Dark Knight exceeded them all. The story was exceptionally well written. It had depth and soul while still being a good superhero movie.
I still can’t believe to this day how Heath Ledger transformed himself into the Joker. It’s like he became someone else entirely. Seeing him will give you chills down to the spine.
The Dark Knight is the movie we deserved as Batman Fans, thank you, Nolan! And this is the best of all Batman movies, and therefore is ranked first ony my list.
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best batman movies ranked.
What is your favorite Batman movie?
Topazzi World 
Great list of Batman films! I wish Ben Afleck had got a solo Batman film as well, he got a raw deal with BVS and Justice League. Love the Dark Knight as well, but my favourite is still Batman (1989), such a brilliant film. 🙂
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Ben Affleck was truly amazin, but sadly we’ll never see a stand alone film of him. And Batman 1989 is indeed a brilliant film.
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