Ranking All 10 Batman Films

      Everyone has their own ranked list of every Batman film, from worst to best.

      Here’s ours.

      Did we overlook one? Share your thoughts in the comments.

      But First

      Credit: Warner Bros

      Before we begin, we want to clarify that we're excluding animated films, movies featuring Batman in a cameo, or those where he's part of a team. This includes The Flash (as mentioned above).

      Although we appreciated Michael Keaton's performance in it, of course.

      Now, let’s dive into our ranking.

      Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: Warner Bros.

      Let’s kick off our list with the one we consider the absolute worst. It’s a chaotic, CGI-laden disaster that takes the dark and gritty approach to an extreme and feels overly forced.

      We like Ben Affleck in the role, but the overly dense atmosphere left little room for him to operate. Everything about this film feels strained and unenjoyable, starting with its title.

      It might not even belong on the list of Batman films since it’s technically a sequel to the Superman installment Man of Steel. If you prefer to skip it, we’re okay with that.

      Batman & Robin (1997)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: Warner Bros.

      Conversely, this movie overcompensates in its attempt to be entertaining, cramming in endless puns from Mr. Freeze, silly costumes, and an overwhelming amount of carnival-like colors. While we admire Arnold Schwarzenegger, this Batman film doesn't quite hit the mark.

      George Clooney, who portrayed Batman, recently mentioned to GQ, “When I call ‘Batman and Robin’ a terrible film, I say, ‘I was terrible in it.’ Because I was, number one. But it also allows me to claim that none of the other elements worked either. You know? Lines like ‘Freeze, Freeze!’”

      Batman Forever (1995)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: Warner Bros.

      From here on, we believe every film on this list is enjoyable.

      Val Kilmer might not stand out as a memorable Batman, but he definitely ranks as a top Bruce Wayne. Jim Carrey's Riddler makes bold choices that are hard to hold a grudge against. Plus, it's amusing and odd to see Drew Barrymore and Nicole Kidman (as shown above) in the film.

      Tommy Lee Jones’s portrayal of Two-Face is perhaps overly exaggerated and he appears to be having a less than enjoyable time, but nevertheless, we like this film.

      Batman Forever is among the quirkiest Batman films, and we appreciate its unique style.

      Batman (1966)

      20th Century Fox – Credit: 20th Century Fox

      This movie is campy, absurd, low-budget, and utterly charming.

      For the early years of our lives, Adam West was the quintessential Batman—cool, steadfast, and incorruptible. We didn’t catch the campiness back then; it was delightful to see him shine on the big screen.

      We also adore Burt Ward as Robin and the original lineup of classic villains, including Cesar Romero as a mustachioed Joker, the brilliant Frank Gorshin as The Riddler, and Lee Meriwether as Catwoman (we also appreciate the other two Catwomen from the 1960s – Eartha Kitt and Julie Newmar). However, we might love Burgess Meredith’s Penguin the most, with his scene-chewing performance and cigarette holder.

      And let’s not forget: the shark scene! We truly love this movie.

      The Batman (2022)

      Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) attempts to restrain The Batman (Robert Pattinson). Photo by Jonathan Olley/DC Comics – Credit: Warner Bros.

      Robert Pattinson may be the finest Bruce Wayne/Batman after Christian Bale—his portrayal of the troubled, disoriented Caped Crusader grappling with his identity is remarkable. This internal conflict is the standout aspect of Matt Reeves’ film, which is heavily influenced by 1970s cinema and pays homage to conspiracy thrillers ranging from Klute to All the President’s Men.

      Given all the effort Reeves made to construct a fresh Batworld in this film—featuring the introduction of Zoë Kravitz's Catwoman and Colin Farrell's unrecognizable Oswald Cobblepot—we’re excited to anticipate what the sequels will bring.

      Plus, it led to the highly praised Penguin solo television series.

      Batman (1989)

      Warner Bros. – Credit: Warner Bros.

      Tim Burton deserves significant recognition for blending the two versions of Batman known to audiences in 1989: the campy portrayal from the 1960s TV series and the darker, tortured depiction emerging from Frank Miller's masterful 1980s DC Comics works like The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One.

      While Jack Nicholson is one of the greatest actors, his rendition of the Joker disrupts the