Batman has become one of Hollywood’s most enduring characters, appearing in many different styles of films over the past decades. Each director has brought their own vision to Gotham City – some dark and gritty, others colorful and fun. Through all these changes, Batman’s core story of a hero fighting to protect his city has kept audiences coming back to theaters again and again.
Every new Batman film tries something different with the character, from Burton’s gothic fantasy to Nolan’s crime drama to Reeves’ detective noir. Some of these creative choices turned into huge successes that changed superhero movies forever, while others didn’t quite hit the mark. In this ranking of all theatrical Batman films from 1966 to 2022, I’m looking at how each movie holds up today and what makes it special or disappointing.
The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight changed superhero movies forever by turning a Batman story into an intense crime thriller. Heath Ledger’s Joker became instantly iconic, creating chaos that felt terrifyingly real. The movie tackles big ideas about heroism and human nature while delivering amazing action scenes. Director Christopher Nolan proved that comic book movies could be both smart and exciting.
The Batman (2022)
Robert Pattinson’s Batman works as a detective in a dark, rainy Gotham that feels like a real city with real problems. The serial killer mystery plot gives the movie a unique noir feeling that sets it apart from other Batman films. Paul Dano’s Riddler creates genuine tension as a villain who attacks Gotham through puzzles and mind games. The nearly three-hour story keeps you guessing while building a new, younger version of Batman.
Batman Begins (2005)
This origin story made Batman feel more real than ever by showing how Bruce Wayne became the Dark Knight. The movie takes time to explore Bruce’s fears and training, making his transformation into Batman believable. Christian Bale brought new depth to both Bruce Wayne and Batman, while Liam Neeson made Ra’s al Ghul a compelling mentor-turned-villain. The realistic take on Gotham City created a perfect setting for future Batman stories.
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton’s Batman created a totally unique gothic version of Gotham City that still looks amazing today. Michael Keaton surprised everyone by making a great Batman, while Jack Nicholson’s Joker stole every scene. The movie perfectly mixed dark themes with Burton’s weird style and Danny Elfman’s unforgettable music. This film proved superhero movies could be both dark and fun.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The final chapter of Nolan’s trilogy brings Bruce Wayne’s story to an epic close. Tom Hardy’s Bane provides a different kind of threat – a villain who can beat Batman physically and strategically. The movie raises the stakes by breaking Batman down completely before letting him rise again. The ending gives all the major characters satisfying conclusions while leaving room for imagination.
Batman Returns (1992)
Burton’s second Batman film is even darker and stranger than the first. Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s Penguin make perfect tragic villains for this twisted fairytale version of Gotham. The Christmas setting adds to the movie’s unique gothic atmosphere and memorable visuals. This might be the most Tim Burton-style Batman movie ever made.
Batman Forever (1995)
Val Kilmer brought a lighter touch to Batman in this more colorful take on Gotham. Jim Carrey’s Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones‘ Two-Face make an entertaining pair of villains, even if they’re a bit over the top. The movie tries to balance the darkness of Burton’s films with more family-friendly action and humor. Chris O’Donnell’s introduction as Robin adds a new dynamic to Batman’s story.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Ben Affleck introduced an older, more brutal version of Batman to the DC movie universe. The fight between Batman and Superman delivers some exciting moments even if the story gets complicated. The warehouse fight scene shows Batman’s combat skills better than in any previous movie. The darker take on Batman divides fans but fits the movie’s serious tone.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
This four-hour version gives Batman a proper role as the leader bringing heroes together. The longer runtime allows for better character development and more epic action scenes. Batman works well as a normal human among godlike heroes, using his brains and technology to help save the world. The movie shows how Batman can work in a team while staying true to his character.
Batman (1966)
This movie version of the TV show embraces pure camp and comedy. Adam West‘s Batman takes everything super seriously, which makes the silly situations even funnier. The movie includes all the famous villains from the show working together for the first time. While very different from modern Batman movies, it perfectly captures the fun spirit of 1960s Batman.
Batman & Robin (1997)
George Clooney took over as Batman in this heavily criticized sequel. The movie leans hard into camp with colorful sets, bad ice puns, and rubber-suited villains. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy are memorable for all the wrong reasons. While the movie failed with critics and fans, it has gained some appreciation as a so-bad-it’s-good cult classic.
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