Batman Movie Rankings – Part 1

By Reggie's Take on November 19, 2025 • ( 0 )

Several actors and directors have given us there version of the Dark Knight, Batman. Today I reveal my rankings of the live-action Batman films and I’m pretty sure I’m going to upset someone. Here we go!!

The live-action Batman franchise has evolved from the campiness of Adam West to the grounded interpretations of Keaton, Bale and Pattinson. Michael Keaton’s films established a darker tone under Tim Burton, while the Joel Schumacher films starring Val Kilmer and George Clooney returned to a more visual campy, look. The franchise was brought back from the grave with Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, featuring Christian Bale. Ben Affleck portrayed an older, more brutal Batman in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films, appearing in several crossover movies but never getting a standalone movie. Robert Pattinson is most recent actor to explore the character’s detective roots in more of a noir-style.

This post covers only the movies I’ve ranked from ten to six. I know not everyone will share my opinions or agree with the order I’ve chosen—after all, film preferences are personal, and my list will likely differ from most readers’. If you agree with my choices, that’s great! If not, that’s perfectly okay too. My only request is that any comments left remain respectful.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a polarizing film. The movie’s plot and a lack of narrative cohesion contributed to a disjointed viewing experience. The film attempts to serve as both a sequel to Man of Steel and an introduction to Batman, while simultaneously laying groundwork for the Justice League. Remind anyone of Iron Man 2? This results in limited character development and hastened conflicts in my opinion. The depiction of Batman as a brutal, gun-wielding figure was controversial among some fans. While the movie offers striking visuals and dynamic action, its intricate storyline and tonal decisions led the movie to unrealized potential.

Due to the concerns outlined above and the fact that this is not a standalone Batman film for Affleck, I have ranked it tenth. In my view, following The Man of Steel, it would have been more effective to release either a direct sequel (MOS2) or a solo introduction to Affleck’s Batman; I believe this was a missed opportunity by Warner Bros. and Snyder.

Batman & Robin (1997) attempted in my opinion to revive the campy style of the 1960s but failed significantly, due to its excessive, self-aware approach. Director Joel Schumacher’s vision resulted in a movie that felt less like a homage to the Adam West era and more like a cartoonish, nonsensical mess. Unlike the 1966 Batman movie, which possessed a witty, sincere charm, and knew what it was, 1997’s Batman and Robin wallowed in cheesy one-liners and “nipple suits”. The lack of a grounded story and coherent tone made it impossible for someone like myself to invest in the characters or plot. Ultimately, the film flopped critically, and its box office failure nearly killed the Batman film franchise.

If George Clooney happens to read this and I know he won’t, please stop apologizing for the movie. You as an actor was not the issue or the cause of the film failing.

Batman: The Movie (1966) starring Adam West, Burt Ward and Cesar Romero fully embraced its campy nature, a decision that gave it a delightful self-awareness and charm that holds up decades later. The film wisely leaned into the pop-art aesthetic and lighthearted tone that made the concurrent television series a cultural phenomenon. It knew exactly what it was, never taking itself seriously, which allowed for a cohesive and entertaining experience. The wonderful cast of classic villains, the Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman all working together provided a fun, over-the-top performance that perfectly matched the film’s playful energy. As an entry in the Batman pantheon, its sincerity and witty execution are why it’s remembered so fondly by fans today.

Batman: The Movie is ranked eighth in my list, placed above Batman & Robin because it maintained consistency with its television origins and did not attempt to diverge from its established identity.

Batman Forever (1995) saw director Joel Schumacher take over from Tim Burton, shifting the franchise from Burton’s dark tone to a more vibrant one. Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Bruce Wayne / Batman was a grounded portrayal. The movie saw the introduction of Robin, played by Chris O’Donnell as Dick Grayson who was seeking justice for his family being murdered. But it was Jim Carrey who obviously stole the show with his performance as the Riddler, whose performance was reminiscent of the 1960s TV show’. Carrey’s performance, alongside Tommy Lee Jones’s Two-Face, often overshadowed Kilmer as Batman and the film’s overall plot. While it saw success at the box office, the movie’s visual style and mixed tone make it a divisive but memorable installment in the franchise.

Between the two films directed by Schumacher, Batman Forever stands out as the superior choice. Although it may not be considered a great Batman movie, it’s still enjoyable if you approach it with the right expectations.

Batman Returns (1992), directed by Tim Burton, has one of the more memorable cast of antagonists, featuring Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, who has a complex combination of vulnerability and hate. The film’s production design and dark themes brought out many mixed reactions from fans and critics, with some complaining it was too dark and disturbing for a mainstream superhero movie. This led Warner Brothers to make a shift in the franchise’s direction with its next movie, aka Batman Forever. Batman Returns remains a celebrated Batman film for fans of Burton’s distinctive dark take on the character.

I recognize that some people consider this movie one of their top five, but with so many exceptional Batman films out there, I could only rank it sixth. Sometimes, you have to place a movie lower than you’d prefer simply because other strong contenders come before it—unfortunately, that’s the case for Batman Returns in my ranking.

How do you feel about my rankings so far? Do you love them, dislike them, or think they’re just okay? If you’re inspired to leave a comment, I kindly ask that you keep it respectful. I’m eager to hear your thoughts!

Look for Part 2 of my rankings of the Batman films in the coming days.