Now That “The Batman” Is Out, I Ranked All The Movies In The Franchise
With the release of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, Gotham City and its inhabitants are once again reinvented. Much like James Bond movies, every few years or so the franchise is revamped with a different director, a fresh visual palette, and a new leading man. It seems like a good time to take a look at the franchise and see how things stack up.
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Criteria for ranking: Movies will be graded based on their story and overall quality, the specific performance/ interpretation of the actors' portrayal of Batman/Bruce Wayne, and of course, the villains and the actors bringing them to life.
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Disclaimer: Not included are the 1940s Batman serials; Technically they are serialized shorts edited together to create a feature length narrative. Also omitted from this list are cameos (like Suicide Squad), and any animated films, though Honorable Mention goes to the excellent The Lego Batman Movie!
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Leave now if you must, obvious SPOILERS ahead:
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11.Batman & Robin (1997)
George Clooney may be a super actor, producer, and director but somehow failed miserably as a superhero. Whether portraying Bruce Wayne or Batman, every scene feels as if Clooney put his cape on top of his ER scrubs and started talking in his matter-of-fact monotone way…which works for delivering bad news to patients' families, but not when you are trying to threaten the likes of Mr. Freeze.
On top of that, the camp level ranks almost as high as the 1960s series, but where that show seemed to realize exactly what it was doing, this film is unintentionally bad. Uma Thurman gets some kudos for what she brought to her vampy role as Poison Ivy (+9), but Schwarzenegger’s over-the-top Mr. Freeze (-5) has more ~chilling~ puns than you can count and just short of winks at the camera each time.
Director Joel Schumacher lets loose an arsenal of over-the-top action, pop colors, and theatrical set design in order to give us his version of DC’s Ice Capades. And of course, who could forget the newly redesigned Batman and Robin suits complete with nipples. Luckily they had sense enough to stop once it came to Batgirl’s costume.
Have An ICE Day!
Story: 4/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 3/10 | The Villains: 4/10
Average Score: 3.6/10
10.Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Ben Affleck’s morose Batman (dubbed Bat-fleck by some) holds a grudge against Superman for inadvertently wreaking havoc on the city while saving it from General Zod. Superman feels that the rogue Batman is a danger to the community; so both of them spend most of the movie being really pissy towards each other until…they discover that both of their mothers are named Martha. Yes, the entire crux of this movie is set up to establish the two men as equals thanks to their mommies. The rest of the film fills itself with Kryptonite, bat body armor, and a deus ex machina from Wonder Woman, all so they can set up for the creation of the Justice League movie.
A bit of credit is due for trying to take this Batman in a different direction, but making him an aged and jaded husk of who he once was just makes us pine for the fun of the Dark Knight we really want to see on camera.
Story: 5/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 4/10 | The Villains: 4/10
Average Score: 4.3/10
9.Justice League (2017) & Zach Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Whether we are talking about Joss Whedon’s trimmed down version or the over-bloated epic that Zach Snyder eventually released, one thing is clear: the Bat-fleck just isn’t very interesting. In this film he keeps his head above water with the combined strength of the rest of his team, but in general Ben Affleck’s interpretation of the caped crusader does not elevate the character. Sure, they may put him in a desert duster and goggles, but it is all window dressing to cover up the fact that the man behind the cowl is just phoning it in.
The Snyder Cut is definitely better than its predecessor, but even with its enhanced CGI and ultra slow-motion fight scenes, it still isn't enough to enhance our Batman experience.
As a tent pole popcorn movie, some could argue that it works at what it is supposed to do: combine multiple characters in an epic showdown of good and evil, but in the end it is really just all spectacle and no heart.
Story: 6/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 4/10 | The Villains: 4/10
Average Score: 4.6/10
8.Batman Forever (1995)
Although it did well at the box office, the darkness of Batman Returns scared WB into taking a new direction; ousting Tim Burton for Joel Schumacher and replacing Michael Keaton with Val Kilmer. Warner hoped to make the franchise lighter and more mainstream, which it did, but also lost something in the process. The magical realism of the Burton films was replaced with hypercolor comic book silliness. The movie is fun and enjoyable, but with scenery-chewing performances from Jim Carrey (The Riddler) and Tommy Lee Jones (Two-Face), the movie leans more into the realm of the '60s TV series camp and less into the somehow believable world that Burton and company created.
Val Kilmer was not the worst choice for Batman (he has the right mouth for the cowl at least), but he brings little to the table, not committing to the power of the bat and phoning in his scenes as Bruce. Chris O'Donnell is good '90s casting as Robin the boy wonder, but ages poorly on repeat viewings, the cheese factor running high in scenes like his karate fueled laundry session.
While Batman Forever is by no means the worst film in the franchise, it does open the door to the downfall of the '90s franchise. Dare I say the best thing to come out of this entry is the inexplicable inclusion of the Seal song, “Kiss From A Rose”, on the soundtrack…? Riddle me that!
Story: 6/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 6/10 | The Villains: 6/10
Average Score: 6/10
7.Batman: The Movie (1966)
The popularity of the 1960s TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward as the dynamic duo, paved the way for this full length feature film. Including pop art set design, campy acting, and outright silliness, this movie could easily be considered a 104 minutes episode of the tv show.
Though there are some fantastic episodes of the TV series starring all the same great actors (standouts from Burgess Meredith as the Penguin and Frank Gorshin’s *cough* bat-shit crazy Riddler), there is something lacking in this big screen adaptation. Maybe 25 minutes is just enough of the camp, whereas a nearly 2-hour film is just too many Pow, Bang & Zaps!
Story: 5/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 7/10 | The Villains: 8/10
Average Score: 6.6/10
6.The Batman (2022)
This iteration of the caped crusader really puts the “D” in Detective Comics. Combing the noir visuals with a Raymond Chandler style VO from our anti-hero, there are hard-boiled moments that feel more like a Sam Spade or Phillip Marlowe mystery, in which Batman is seeking out clues using his brain instead of his Batarang.
Multiple times it feels like an homage to David Fincher’s crime thriller, SE7EN, instead of a comic book movie. Moments where the cops read from The Riddler’s handwritten journal ramblings, giving himself up to the police as part of his master plan, and even his prophet-like explanation of his motives to Batman, all felt like carbon copies of Kevin Spacey’s John Doe. When Paul Dano’s Edward explains that he will finally be known to the world because of the murderous message he has spread, the Batman shoots him down; he will not give him the satisfaction of becoming famous from his bad deeds — this moment harkening back to Brad Pitt berating his own caught serial killer, “You’re no messiah, you’re a fucking T-shirt at best!” And in this case, of course, The Riddler and company have and will continue to be on T-shirts for years to come.
The overall plot is simple enough, yet somehow manages to be muddy at the same time. Pattinson’s emo interpretation of a young Dark Knight works well in Matt Reeves’ reinvention of the underworld of Gotham. Nothing wrong with throwing a little Nirvana in there to add more mood, too.
It hasn’t been that long since we were treated to some wonderful Batman movies, most notably Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, so many will ask, do we even need a new Batman at this point in time? The answer is not really, but Reeves does a good job of making it his own, even though he could have easily shaved 20 minutes off the 3-hour epic. Holy Runtime!
Zoe Kravitz is fine, but doesn’t bring anything interesting to Selina Kyle/Catwoman. She is a handy ally for our winged hero in his journey to solve the case, though their sexual chemistry is forced. This film gets major points (10!) for Reeves & Dano’s disturbing take on the classic Riddler trope, but loses points (-3) for the uninspired addition of Colin Farrell’s Penguin, who could easily be pulled out of the film without harming the plot at all.
Is this movie good? Yes. Is it the best Batman movie ever? Absolutely not… But at least there are no nipples on this bat suit.
Story: 7/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 7/10 | The Villains: 7/10
Average Score: 7.0/10
5.Batman Returns (1992)
Many of the ingredients remained from Tim Burton’s first outing with the caped crusader, but still something was missing to make this equal to its predecessor. Even with the great casting of Danny DeVito as The Penguin, and Michelle Pfeiffer's pitch purrrrfect take on Catwoman, there is perhaps too much cold from Gotham’s winter, both visually and thematically. Though there is plenty of fun to be had here, with Pfeiffer's feline mannerisms, Penguin's sewer mouth and Christopher Walken's...whatever you call what he does so well.
Once again, Michael Keaton is at his peak as Bruce/Batman. His connection to Selena/Catwoman feels genuine in this comic book world; both their own specific brand of freak. And when he rips off his cowl to reveal to her the man beneath the bat: ~chef's kiss~.
This movie did great at the box office, and though it gets a bad rap at times, it has nevertheless endured as one of the best Batman films in the franchise.
Story: 6/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 10/10 | The Villains: 9/10
Average Score: 8.3/10
4.The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
A bomb threatens to nuke Gotham, the burly Bane is a dangerous adversary, as he proves by breaking Batman’s back, and the ghost of Ra’s al Ghul returns in the form of his daughter. None of that is enough to stop our hero from rising up from the ashes and saving the day once again.
Christian Bale continues to be a great caped crusader, Anne Hathaway is surprisingly good at her version of Catwoman, and the back door inclusion of Joseph Gordon Levitt as a future Robin is just the right amount of boy wonder for a movie of this tone. It gives us just enough hope to know that the power of the bat will live on long after tinge credits roll.
It's doubtful that Christopher Nolan had a trilogy in mind when he began his Batman journey nearly 10 years prior, but even if he did there is no way he could have predicted exactly how this finally chapter would eventually turn out. Nevertheless, he was able to craft a worthy and satisfying conclusion to his overarching story. The film works well enough on its own, but the best parts weaves elements from the first two movies and eventually evolves enough to allow Batman to “retire” for the first time in the franchise's history. The ending does a brilliant job of allowing our hero to sacrifice himself for the city he loves, but also survive so he can finally enjoy the normal life he deserves. A one-two punch that makes us feel what Alfred feels; sadness, relief, and finally pride in knowing that our hero will live on in some form beyond what we will be able to witness on screen.
Story: 8/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 10/10 | The Villains: 8/10
Average Score: 8.6/10
3.Batman (1989)
Even though Richard Donner’s Superman had already been out for a decade, it was really Tim Burton who paved the way for the comic book cinema we know today. It's hard to believe it now, but in 1989 superhero movies were not the guaranteed box office gold that they are today. Even with a huge name like Jack Nicholson signed on, this big-screen adaptation was still a bit of a gamble for Warner Bros. Especially when the news that comedian Michael Keaton would be portraying the Dark Knight, fan backlash made it seem like the film would be in trouble before it hit theaters. But nevertheless, crowds came out in droves and it was a critical and audience success.
It was very noir, visually and thematically, yet funny and accessible. To no one’s surprise Nicholson nailed the role of the Joker, and much to fans' pleasant surprise, Keaton proved to be the gold standard for caped crusaders. Batman turned esoteric director, Tim Burton, from a goofy auteur into a household name. And Danny Elfman created the most iconic superhero theme outside of John Williams. This film fires on all cylinders and although its sequels would be (mostly) enjoyable, they would never live up to this masterpiece. At least not until the franchise got a 21st-century overhaul by Christopher Nolan…
Story: 7/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 10/10 | The Villains: 10/10
Average Score: 9/10
2.Batman Begins (2005)
After the unraveling of the franchise thanks to Batman & Robin, it was time for the formula to be reinvented. Batman’s history had been referenced in the past films, but a full-blown origin story had not yet been tackled. Enter up-and-coming auteur, Christopher Nolan, to breathe new life into the series with Batman Begins. A deep dive into Bruce Wayne’s past and the genesis of the caped crusader thanks to Ra’s al Guhl and the “League of Shadows”.
This film covers so much ground that it almost acts as two movies; one half origin story, the other full-blown Batman action and excitement. And at the core of it all, Christian Bale finds the perfect balance to portray playboy Bruce Wayne in public while letting his growling masked vigilante loose at night — the best interpretation of both halves of the character since Michael Keaton.
Nolan proved himself as one of the most talented writer/directors in current cinema. This film paved the way not just for the obligatory disconnected episodic sequel, but instead Warner Bros. nurtured the creation of a through-line of stories that became a trilogy of films. Filled with great character development, humor, setups and payoffs, betrayal and redemption, Batman Begins shows that comic movies can be layered, nuanced and not simply filled with neon. Nolan and company helped kick off the renaissance and superhero films.
Story: 10/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 10/10 | The Villains: 8/10
Average Score: 9.3/10
1.The Dark Knight (2008)
If Batman Begins was Christopher Nolan’s way of dipping his toe into the lore of Gotham, then The Dark Knight is him diving in head first.
Nolan brings his own sensibility to the table, while channeling the likes of Michael Mann’s epic crime drama HEAT, bringing gritty realism and palpable danger to a world threatened by the likes of a literal clown.
The stakes are raised in so many ways, in no small part by the inclusion of The Joker; a man who simply wants to watch the world burn. Villains with an agenda are scary enough, but when they have no motive they are even more frightening and become enigmatic. Heath Ledger’s performance somehow evolved past the perfection that Jack Nicholson brought to the character years before; it evolved and he made it his own. The fine line between The Joker’s confidence and instability made the character unique and unforgettable, winning Ledger a posthumous Academy Award.
Aaron Eckhart’s transformation from straight-laced Harvey Dent into the vengeful Two-Face is a hard act to follow, but works on its own level; adding more layers to the darkness that Batman has to traverse. Harvey’s evil acts at the end of the movie forces Batman to take the ultimate fall, becoming a scape-goat; “The hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.”
There are so many memorable moments in the film, from the semi truck flip, to the reveal of the Bat Pod, to the resurrection of Jim Gordon standing over the Joker with a shotgun…but when the newly hunted Batman rides into the distance and the screen cuts to black, Gordon crowning him “The Dark Knight”, there is very little to rival the feeling it gives the viewer. Watching it with an audience, you could feel the energy in the theater even before the crowd erupted into applause. A tour de force for any film, let alone a comic book adaptation.
It remains the gold standard.
Story: 10/10 | Batman/Bruce Wayne: 10/10 | The Villains: 10/10
Average Score: 10/10
So, Bat-fans, how did this list match up to yours? Signal us in the comments below.
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