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Ranking Batman Films

Batman has been a staple of American superheroics for decades, but surprisingly enough the movies that he got weren’t all that great, at least the majority of them. Because I find Nolan’s Batman movies very mediocre, this list is going to be just as controversial as the director’s ranked films were. But it is my opinion and I am sticking with it. Here are all Batman movies ranked, and I have taken into account only the theatrical releases.

11. Batman & Robin

Of course, this monstrosity ends up taking the last spot unsurprisingly so. Well, it’s not a monstrosity per say as I find some redeeming qualities about it and it’s certainly the most purely entertaining movie on this list, but for all the wrong reasons as it’s incredibly campy, stupid and just gay thanks to Joel Schumacher’s very questionable, ridiculous direction.

10. Batman Forever

While this movie is obviously better than the aforementioned entry, this is where Schumacher stepped in to replace Burton and the results were instantly ludicrous and campy. Though Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones are very amusing as The Riddler and Two-Face, Val Kilmer as Batman is horrible and the action is overwhelming and stupid.

9. The Dark Knight

Yes, The Dark Knight is the biggest controversial choice on this list, but I am sticking with it as I continue to find this movie absolutely mediocre in every aspect, and hugely overrated. It’s just a crime story, and certainly not an engaging superhero flick. The Joker isn’t like himself at all, the cinematography is frustratingly dark and the action is very bad.

8. Batman Begins

Almost everything I said above also applies here with the addition of this film being a needless origin story that’s more bland and dull than truly character-revelatory. The same goes for Christian Bale who has always been one of the worst Batmans we’ve had, not much better than Kilmer and Clooney really as he’s so bland and clearly uninterested in the role.

7. Batman (1966)

Whereas Batman & Robin was unintentionally silly and campy, this one was done intentionally so. Yes, it’s ludicrous, stupid and simply ridiculous in its every sequence, but that’s what’s truly amusing about it. The humor is very good as some one-liners are instantly memorable how hilarious they are.

6. Batman v. Superman

I actually really like this movie. I find it to be very messy in many areas, but ultimately solid, underrated and with a respectable, mature storyline and conflict to it. But as a Batman movie, it somewhat fails as he was introduced way too late in the DCEU with rushed results. But Ben Affleck is actually very strong in the role which caught me by surprise.

5. The Dark Knight Rises

Yes, this is another controversial choice but I honestly find this sequel the best entry in this trilogy by a mile. Yes, it still is overlong and dark as hell, but at least it’s much more entertaining this time around with a more interesting storyline as well. I found Tom Hardy’s Bane a terrific villain too.

4. Batman (1989)

Though hugely dated in almost every sense and very slow paced to a fault, this Batman flick was still a great showcase of Burton’s many talents, and in particular the film looks amazing with terrific costumes, sets and a great atmosphere to it. It’s a respectable adaptation, especially for its time, but nowadays its impact is somewhat blunted.

3. The Lego Batman Movie

Though at times obvious and way too crowded and action-packed, The Lego Batman Movie is still clearly the finest Lego movie we’ve gotten so far and actually one of the best Batman flicks period. It’s odd, but the truth, at least in my book. Not only is the movie incredibly funny, but it’s also quite poignant, and it simply gets the character of Batman and his relationships.

2. Batman Returns

Though cluttered with way too many characters and action set pieces, Batman Returns is otherwise a clear improvement upon its predecessor and the second best Batman flick we’ve gotten so far. Yes, the guy is shortchanged here in favor of the villains, but the Penguin and Catwoman are both truly amazing. The film’s interestingly quite dark and funny at the same time.

1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

The animated movie gets the first spot, and in my opinion it wasn’t even close. Yes, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is almost perfect in every way. Not only is the animation very artistic and the noir atmosphere strikingly strong, but the movie gets both Batman and especially the Joker who is here gloriously portrayed by the best guy in this role Mark Hamill. Though too episodic and short, it was beautifully approached with great action, characterization and a terrific mystery element to it. It’s classical in nature and downright superb. Thus it’s my best Batman.