Ranking All 8 Catwoman Actresses, From Good to Purrfect

      Here are all eight actresses who have portrayed Catwoman, ranked.

      We will only consider live-action performances, but we will include all Batman and Catwoman movies and TV series.

      Let’s get started. But first…

      A Note of Caution

      In our opinion, there are no poor portrayals of Catwoman. However, there are certain interpretations of the iconic character — first introduced as "The Cat" in Batman #1 in 1940 — that we find more enjoyable than others.

      Unlike most of Batman’s foes, Catwoman has always occupied a gray area as an antihero — or even a misguided hero. Her relationship with Batman involves a complex dynamic, where she occasionally lures him toward a life of crime, while he consistently attempts to steer her back into the light.

      What remains consistent across various adaptations is that while Bruce Wayne/Batman is from great wealth, Catwoman is self-made and has had to make compromises that the Dark Knight does not. This aspect often makes her a more intriguing character than Batman and his most fascinating opponent.

      Now, let's rank the Catwoman actresses from good to great.

      8 – Camren Bicondova in Gotham (2014-2019)

      We have no qualms about Camren Bicondova's portrayal in the series; however, we feel the whole Gotham endeavor feels misguided. The show focuses on the early years of Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) alongside a roster of characters, including Bicondova's young Selina Kyle.

      We simply aren't fans of the "young Batman" premise or the idea that Batman and Catwoman have had a relationship since childhood. We much prefer the classic portrayal where Batman is already an established crimefighter, encountering the complexities of his simplistic views of criminals through the empathetic figure of Catwoman, who steals to survive.

      Bicondova performs her role well; it's the overall concept of Gotham that we find lacking.

      7 – Zoë Kravitz in The Batman (2022)

      Similarly, we have no complaints about Kravitz’s performance. Yet, it evokes Heath Ledger's Joker's famous line: "Why so serious?"

      The Batman presents a view of Catwoman that resonates with Frank Miller’s excellent series Batman: Year One, where Kyle is depicted as a desperate thief turning to masked crime as an alternative to sex work.

      While The Batman doesn’t take her character to the same extremes as Year One, it clarifies that Kyle has limited choices in life. She stands in stark contrast to billionaire Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson).

      Our only concern with the film's portrayal is that it lacks the character’s signature wit. Catwoman's dark humor is part of her charm, and her cynical yet funny outlook enhances her character.

      6 – Halle Berry in Catwoman (2004)

      Halle Berry remains the only actress to portray Catwoman in a standalone film and, amid a twist of fate, received a Razzie for Worst Actress shortly after winning an Oscar for Best Actress for Monster’s Ball.

      We don’t subscribe to the Razzies; they often miss the essence of significant performances, and that was the case with Catwoman. Berry approached the character as if embodying a cat — purely instinctual and reactive — while the film’s issues lie in its typical 2000s quick cuts and flashy style, not Berry's performance.

      Moreover, the acclaimed actress demonstrated a true Catwoman-like boldness and great humor when she accepted her Razzie in person.

      5 – Eartha Kitt in the Batman TV Show (1967-68)

      Eartha Kitt’s portrayal of Catwoman leans more towards a cartoonish interpretation, but her full commitment to the role is captivating.

      More than any other actress portraying Catwoman, Kitt grasped the raw charisma of the character. She understood that dressing up in a mask and catsuit to steal diamonds could be genuinely enjoyable. Kitt infused the role with more glamor and camp than any other portrayal, and we admire her for it. She is seen above with one of our favorite actors to play the Joker.

      Kitt took over the role in the third season of the Batman TV series, succeeding the next actress on this list.

      4 – Julie Newmar in the Batman TV Show (1966-1967)

      Julie Newmar was the first to bring the live-action, swinging '60s Catwoman to life, setting the standard for all who would follow.

      Her captivating portrayal made her one of the most alluring Catwoman actresses; her version aimed to entice Batman (Adam West) into a life of crime, and we would have understood if he did.

      We also appreciated her interactions with Pussycat (Lesley Gore), who was somewhat akin to Catwoman’s Robin — and of course, she shared a more innocent, will-they-or-won’t-they dynamic with Burt Ward’s Robin. It was all delightfully silly.

      3 - Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns (1992)

      Director Tim Burton encouraged Pfe