Best Batman Movies, Ranked (2025)

Batman’s a total legend in pop culture. He’s not just DC Comics’ top hero, but creators and fans can’t get enough of him. The guy’s been in tons of movies, from live-action to animated.

Each take on Batman has something cool to offer. Whether it’s the live-action films or the huge pile of animated ones, you can always kick back and enjoy the Dark Knight’s grim fight against Gotham’s bad guys.

11. Batman & Robin

Release Date: 27 June 1997
Director: Joel Schumacher
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 12%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 16%

Batman and Robin are out to save Gotham, but they keep butting heads over how to do it, which messes up their plans to stop a new batch of villains. Poison Ivy and her muscle-bound sidekick Bane are a handful, while Mr. Freeze is dead-set on turning Gotham into an ice cube.

Batman & Robin isn’t exactly a high point for Batman films. It leans way too hard into the silly stuff, making the story and characters feel like a cartoon for kids. Grown-ups might find it more confusing than fun.

10. Batman Forever

Release Date: 14 July 1995
Director: Joel Schumacher
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 41%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 32%

Batman’s back to take on Gotham’s criminals, this time facing off against Two-Face and the Riddler, two brainy bad guys who want to throw Gotham into chaos and turn it against the Dark Knight.

Val Kilmer’s turn as Batman and Bruce Wayne isn’t bad, but Batman Forever doesn’t quite deliver the dark vibe fans were hoping for. It’s got some fun moments if you’re into campy stuff, but a lot of fans are still holding out for that legendary Joel Schumacher cut that could’ve been deeper.

9. The Lego Batman Movie

Release Date: 4 February 2017
Director: Chris McKay
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 90%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%

Welcome to a plastic Gotham City, complete with classic Batman villains and a lone-wolf Caped Crusader. The Lego Batman Movie nails poking fun at Batman without crossing the line into trashing his legacy. It’s a blast for both kids and adults.

Will Arnett’s gruff Batman voice is a highlight as he deals with a crime-free Gotham, reheats lobster, and accidentally ends up with an orphan he’s not thrilled about. It’s a fun ride that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

8. Batman Returns

Release Date: 10 July 1992
Director: Tim Burton
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 82%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%

Gotham’s in trouble again, this time from the Penguin, a creepy guy from the sewers trying to take over the city through shady politics. Meanwhile, Batman’s got to deal with him and Catwoman, who’s got her own plans.

Batman Returns cranks up the dark and moody tone compared to the first film. Gotham feels grim, and Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer’s chemistry as Batman and Catwoman is spot-on, making for a thrilling adventure.

7. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Release Date: 25 December 1993
Director: Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 83%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 88%

Batman’s rep takes a hit when he’s blamed for a string of murders in Gotham. Bruce Wayne has to dig into his past and balance being the Dark Knight while tracking down the real killer, who might be tied to an old flame.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is beautifully animated and hits all the right brooding notes. Kevin Conroy’s voice is perfect as Batman, and the mix of action, drama, romance, and tragedy makes this a standout for fans of the Dark Knight.

6. Batman Begins

Release Date: 16 June 2005
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 85%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%

This reboot dives into a gritty Batman world, following a young Bruce Wayne who watches his parents get killed, pushing him to fight Gotham’s criminals. Batman Begins shows how he trains and builds the skills and mindset to become Batman.

It’s a solid origin story that lets you get into Bruce Wayne’s head, seeing his pain and growth. Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale kick off something special here, even if it’s not flawless.

5. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (Ultimate Edition)

Release Date: 25 March 2016
Director: Zack Snyder
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 29%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 63%

Batman feels helpless in a world where super-powered beings like Superman can wreck entire cities. Still shaken from Metropolis’ destruction, an older Batman decides Superman’s gotta go to save humanity, while Superman grapples with being both loved and hated.

The Ultimate Edition of is way better than the theatrical cut, adding context that makes the story click. It’s a bold movie with big ideas about power and morality, even if it splits fans.

4. The Dark Knight Rises

Release Date: 20 July 2012
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 87%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%

After being blamed for Harvey Dent’s death, Bruce Wayne ditches the Batman gig and sinks into grief. Eight years later, he’s forced to suit up again to stop Bane, a terrorist hell-bent on burning Gotham to the ground.

The Dark Knight Rises wraps up Christopher Nolan’s trilogy with a bang. Gotham turns into a warzone, and Christian Bale’s Batman faces his own limits in a gripping, intense story.

3. Batman (1989)

Release Date: 11 August 1989
Director: Tim Burton
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 77%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%

Gotham’s masked hero takes on the Joker, a total nutcase who wants to throw the city into chaos. Batman’s one-man crusade against crime hits a rough night as he faces the Joker’s wild schemes.

Batman (1989) is a classic that brought Batman’s dark side to the big screen, ditching the goofy ‘60s vibe. Tim Burton’s gothic style, plus Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson as Batman and Joker, makes this one endlessly rewatchable.

2. The Batman

Release Date: 4 March 2022
Director: Matt Reeves
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 85%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%

Matt Reeves’ take on Batman drops him into a grimy, corrupt Gotham where he’s gotta be more than just a scary shadow to save the city. He’s unraveling a string of murders tied to a masked killer targeting big shots.

The Batman is intense, with a killer mystery that pulls you in. Robert Pattinson and the whole cast bring this dark, grounded Gotham to life, making it a movie you’ll want to watch again.

1. The Dark Knight

Release Date: 21 July 2008
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 94%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%

With Batman cracking down on Gotham’s criminals, they turn to the Joker, a psycho who just wants to watch the world burn and drag Batman down with him. It’s a battle to keep Gotham from tearing itself apart.

The Dark Knight changed the game for superhero movies, proving they can be dark and gripping. Christopher Nolan’s epic is tense, unpredictable, and packed with stellar performances, making it the best Batman movie ever.