The Top 10 Batman Movies from Four Different Lists
These Are The Best Batman Films
The order of the below top 10 Batman Movies, as you will see, is flexible depending upon who is making the list. We based the first list on the Tomatometer results from Rotten Tomatoes. The next three lists are from other sites that rank Batman movies. You may disagree in the exact order of the films, which is perfectly all right. But in ALL the lists, one movie always is listed as #1.
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Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes List
"The Dark Knight" (2008)
Directed by the visionary Christopher Nolan, this film plunges the audience into a chaotic world where the Joker, masterfully played by the late Heath Ledger, seeks to unravel the very fabric of Gotham's society. Batman, played with unparalleled intensity by Christian Bale, struggles with profound ethical challenges as he seeks to maintain order and deliver justice. Ledger's performance, which deservedly won him a posthumous Oscar, left an indelible mark on the film industry. Critics were especially captivated by Nolan's adept direction and the intricate screenplay by David S. Goyer, with the New York Times hailing it as a "haunting portrayal of a city in turmoil". The film was a massive commercial hit, grossing over $1 billion globally.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #1 with an approval score of 95%.
"The LEGO Batman Movie" (2017)
Directed By: Chris McKay. In this computer animated adaptation, Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, learns to confront his fear of relationships while thwarting Joker's plans. Critics were charmed by its whimsical humor and clever deconstruction of Batman lore, with The Guardian praising it as "an unexpectedly heartwarming tale". It grossed over $311 million worldwide.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #2 with an approval score of 90%.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia The Lego Batman Movie page
"The Dark Knight Rises" (2012)
This film, the third and final of Christopher Nolan's films about the dark knight, finds Batman returning from an eight-year self-imposed exile to defend Gotham against the devastating nuclear threats of Bane, played by a menacing Tom Hardy. Some critics were divided over the film's length and complex plot, but many praised its emotional depth, including Peter Travers of Rolling Stone, who lauded the film as a "haunting, visionary finale" to the Nolan trilogy. It was a box office triumph, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #3 with an approval score of 87%.
Read this movie review from SoundWaves posted June 28, 2020.
"The Batman" (2022)
Directed by Matt Reeves who wrote the screenplay with Peter Craig and starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, this film is a dark, gripping and amazingly thrilling ilve action sequences. Batman ventures into Gotham City's underworld when a sadistic killer leaves behind a trail of cryptic clues. As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator's plans become clear, he must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued the metropolis.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #4 with an approval score of 85%.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia The Batman page
"Batman Begins" (2005)
In Christopher Nolan's initial foray into the Batman universe, we see an immersive exploration of Bruce Wayne's transformation from a traumatized child into a crusader for justice, compellingly portrayed by Christian Bale. Critics admired the deep psychological exploration of Batman's character, with Roger Ebert praising it as a "magnificent return to the character's dark origins". It breathed fresh life into the franchise and grossed over $374 million worldwide.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #5 with an approval score of 87%.
"Batman Returns" (1992)
In Tim Burton's 2nd Batman movie, Michael Keaton reprises his role as Batman, a tormented hero, facing off against the dynamic duo of Catwoman, brought to life by Michelle Pfeiffer, and the Penguin, who lives in the sewers beneath Gotham depicted by Danny DeVito. Critics were divided on its darker themes, but Pfeiffer's performance as Catwoman was universally praised, with Variety calling it "a magnetic, mesmerizing portrayal". The film brought in over $266 million at the box office.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #6 with an approval score of 81%.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia Batman Returns page.
"Batman: Mask of the Phantasm" (1993)
Also known as Batman: The Animated Movie - Mask of the Phantasm. It was directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, and written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves. The film is based on Batman: The Animated Series from 1992-1995. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was the first time DC put an animated feature into theaters.
This animated feature set in the 1940s, explores Batman's past, revealing a heart-wrenching romance and a mysterious vigilante named the Phantasm. Although it didn't perform well at the box office, critics lauded its mature themes and high-quality animation. Leonard Maltin, noted film critic, dubbed it "a powerful exploration of Batman's mythology".
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #7 with an approval score of 81%.
Read more about the movie on this wikipedia Batman: Mask of the Phantasm page.
"Batman" (1966)
Directed by Leslie H. Martinson, the film is based on the tongue-in-cheek, campy 1960's television series. In the film the Dynamic Duo, Batman & Robin, face four super-villains, Joker, Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman who plan to hold the world for ransom by kidnapping; the entirety of the United Nations Security Council with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people. To defeat them, Batman and Robin must avoid a series of equally dastardly attempts on their lives.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #8 with an approval score of 81%.
Read a 2017 Den of Greek review by Mark Allison about the movie which he consider as a post modern masterpiece!
"Batman" (1989)
This seminal film, directed by Tim Burton, showcases a grittier, darker Gotham City where Batman, convincingly portrayed by Michael Keaton, takes on the Joker, played with wild abandon by Jack Nicholson who often overshadows the title character.. Critics lauded the film's visual style and performances, with Empire Magazine celebrating it as "a landmark in the superhero genre". The film garnered over $411 million globally.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #9 with an approval score of 74%.
Read about the reviews of the film from IMDB users.
Or the review by Darren Franich January 12, 2022 from Entertainment.
"Zack Snyder's Justice League " (2021)
Directed by Zack Snyders, the film is the 2021 director's cut of the 2017 American superhero film Justice League. This version is intended to match director Zack Snyder's original vision for the 2017 film, which he departed due to the death of his daughter. A new director took over the 2017 production and there was subsequent studio interference as well. It became the fourth-most-streamed film on the HBO platform when it was released in 2021. Film critics prefered it to the 2017 version, praising Snyder's direction, visual style, action sequences, improved characterizations, along with the musical score, and balance of emotional weight and humor.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #10 with an approval score of 71%.
According to the Tomatometer at RottenTomatoes this film is #10 with an approval score of 71%.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia Zack Snyder's Justice League page.
So that is RottenTomato's Top Ten List.
Now here are some more Best Batman movies lists.
Best Batman Movies List from The Top Ten
- The Dark Knight
- Batman (1989)
- Batman Begins
- The Dark Knight Rises
- Batman Returns
- Batman - Mask of the Phantasm
- Batman: Under the Red Hood
- Batman Forever
- Batman: The Movie
- Batman: The Movie
- Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker
- Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice
- The Lego Batman Movie
- Batman: The Killing Joke
- Batman: Year One
- Justice League
- Justice League
Every Batman Movie Ranked List from Empire Online (actually not all the Batman films, but includes many)
By Ben Travis, Alex Godfrey, John Nugent, James Dyer, James White | Posted On 10 03 2022
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Batman (1989)
- Batman Begins (2005)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- The Batman (2022)
- Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm (1993)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
- The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
- Batman (1966)
- Batman Forever (1995)
- Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)
- Batman & Robin (1997)
10 Best Batman Movies Ranked List from The Mary Sue
By Rachel Ulatowski Nov 13th, 2022
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Batman Returns (1992)
- The Batman (2022)
- Batman (1989)
- Batman BeginsZack Snyder’s Justice League
- The Dark Knight Rises
- Batman (1966)
- Justice League (2017)
- Batman Forever (1995)
More Batman Films you might want to consider for your own list.
"Batman Forever" (1995)
Val Kilmer dons the cape and cowl as Batman, grappling with personal trauma while battling the Riddler, played by a manic Jim Carrey, and Two-Face, portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones. The film drew mixed reviews, with some critics unimpressed by its vibrant aesthetics and humor, but others appreciated its unique visual style, including Roger Ebert, who described it as "a welcome throwback to the campy charm of the Batman TV series". The film amassed over $336 million worldwide.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia Batman Forever page.
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016)
Directed by Zack Snyder and written by Chris Terrio and David S. It is a follow-up to Man of Steel, a 2013 film and is the second film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Like the original DC Universe in comic books, the DCEU was established to develope a series of superhero films and television series by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters.
Batman is played by a brooding Ben Affleck who perceives Superman as a threat to humanity and sets out to stop him, unknowingly falling into Lex Luthor's sinister plot. The film garnered polarized reviews, but many critics praised Affleck's performance and visual effects, with Screen Rant declaring Affleck's Batman as "the film's standout character". Despite mixed reviews, the film accumulated over $873 million worldwide.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice page.
"Batman & Robin" (1997)
Directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Akiva Goldsman. In this film, Batman, played by George Clooney, and Robin, portrayed by Chris O'Donnell, unite to thwart Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy's malevolent plans. Criticized for its campy dialogue and excessive action, it has nonetheless gained a cult following. Despite its chilly reception, it managed to gross over $238 million worldwide.
Read more about the movie on this Wikipedia Batman & Robin page.
Compile your own list of the BEST BATMAN MOVIES and see how it compares.
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