When it comes to the most popular superheroes, not even Superman and Spider-Man can match up against Batman. Ever since his comic book debut in Detective Comics #27 back in 1939, the Dark Knight has been on an upward trend to becoming one of the biggest and most memorable fictional characters out there. It’s no wonder, then, that the Caped Crusader has dominated the world of feature films as well.
Whether you prefer animated flicks or live-action spectacles, campier takes on the character or those grounded in realism, there’s no denying that the DC Comics hero is the most prolific in terms of feature productions. And with so many different Batman movies out there, we’re blessed with the fact that there are far more hits than misses. But if you’re looking for the very best of the Dark Knight on the screen, then look no further than these 10 Batman movies that are basically perfect.
10
‘Batman: Year One’ (2011)
An adaptation of Frank Miller‘s groundbreaking four-part origin story, Batman: Year One follows Lt. Jim Gordon (Bryan Cranston) as he stands up to internal corruption within Gotham City, all while a mysterious vigilante begins terrorizing those who believe themselves above the law. With future Gotham star Ben McKenzie voicing the Dark Knight, Year One marvelously pulls from the pages of Miller’s comic story, with a near-perfect panel-to-screen translation that only changes a select few details for the censors. Even still, the changes work.
With a 64-minute runtime, Batman: Year One is one of the shortest film on this list, but it’s arguably the tightest. While not the only Batman origin story on this list, Year One is the undisputed template for how to address the Dark Knight’s complicated origin, not to mention the corruption of Gotham itself. Whether you’re familiar with the Frank Miller comic or not, Year One is a great place to start if you’re looking to get into Batman’s more adult animated adventures.
9
‘Justice League: Doom’ (2012)
A bit of a cheat, Justice League: Doom is not just a Batman-specific movie, but the Caped Crusader is the most central character of the narrative. Doom showcases not only his ability to work alongside other costumed heroes, but his tactical prowess, as Vandal Savage (Phil Morris) steals his plans to take out the Justice League if necessary. The cast — which includes the legendary Kevin Conroy as the Dark Knight — is largely made up of actors reprising their roles from the DC Animated Universe, so that’s fun too.
Based on Mark Waid‘s “Tower of Babel” story from JLA, the 77-minute Justice League: Doom was penned by Dwayne McDuffie as a modernization of the tale, and he certainly out-does himself here. Not only does Doom highlight the complexities of Batman’s professional relationships, but also notes his straight-up creative genius. Sure, Batman probably should’ve told his allies about the plans to defeat them if they went rouge, but it’s not at all surprising that he doesn’t.
8
‘The Batman Superman Movie’ (1997)
Technically three episodes of Superman: The Animated Series spliced together into a feature film (“World’s Finest”), The Batman Superman Movie kicked off the modern on-screen partnership between the Man of Steel (voiced here by Tim Daly) and the Dark Knight (Conroy) in style. While this 64-minute story works fine as a three-part television adventure, it’s much more engaging when edited together as an hour-long feature film that showcases the brilliance of the DC Animated Universe in bringing its two biggest heroes together.
As the Joker (Mark Hamill) is hired by Lex Luthor (Clancy Brown) to kill Superman, Batman arrives in Metropolis to save the day as the two caped wonders join forces against the criminal elements. Everything you could wish for in a Batman/Superman team-up is present here in “World’s Finest.” If you grew up in the late ’90s or early 2000s when this flick was a popular rental at Blockbuster, then you know how much of an instant classic it became. No wonder they did three more crossover episodes after this.
7
‘Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker’ (2000)
When Batman Beyond hit television screens, there’s no denying that the project was always going to be a gamble. Following an entirely different cape-less Batman in a futuristic Gotham City post-Batman: The Animated Series? However you market that, the concept has to work if you don’t want to completely alienate your audience. Thankfully, Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle) caught our attention, fighting crime against a memorable new rogues’ gallery for three seasons before the release of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
As the Clown Prince of Crime (Hamill) returns to Gotham and sets his sights on both Batman and the elderly Bruce Wayne (Conroy), Return of the Joker balances the tragic past of Wayne’s Batman with the optimistic future of McGinnis’. Although the PG-13 cut was heavily edited following the 1999 Columbine school shooting, it’s the 75-minute “not rated” cut that deserves the highest praise. Everyone performs at their very best here, and watching the Joker’s antics in a high-tech Gotham is something of a dream come true.
6
‘Batman’ (1989)
When Tim Burton‘s Batman hit theaters in 1989, “Batmania” had swept the nation. Folks everywhere were enthralled by this darker, gothic take on the Caped Crusader (played by Michael Keaton), and we can completely understand why. Keaton’s screen presence as the Dark Knight is unparalleled, and he effortlessly stalks the lowlifes of Gotham to a rousing score by Danny Elfman that has come to define the character. Even if it’s not your favorite Batman flick, you have to admit that Batman is just about everything a fan could ask for.
Although some may argue that the personal connection of Jack Nicholson‘s Joker to the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents knocks this one down a peg, it actually heightens the rivalry between the hero and villain here. As Batman faces off against his sworn enemy, the nearly two-hour Batman is to the Caped Crusader what the 1978 Superman is to the Man of Steel. It’s an instant classic that all other Bat-pictures are held against, even if the sequels were less than stellar.
5
‘Batman: Under the Red Hood’ (2010)
There were a few years there in the early 2010s where DC Animation was simply killing it in the Batman department. One of the very best is Batman: Under the Red Hood, which adapts the “Under the Hood” story by Judd Winick (written by Winick himself) as a standalone epic that pits the Dark Knight (Bruce Greenwood) against his most violent protoge, Jason Todd (Jensen Ackles). As Batman comes to terms with the fact that his former Robin is now a murderer, Under the Red Hood meditates on the question as to why Batman has never killed the Joker (John DiMaggio).
This 75-minute thriller achieves something momentous in the world of DC Animated Original Movies. Not only does it bring to life one of the most horrific moments in Batman comic book history (the “Death in the Family” story), but it juxtaposes the effectiveness of more traditional costumed heroes like Batman and Nightwing (Neil Patrick Harris) against that of an antihero like the Red Hood. This battle of morality is what makes Under the Red Hood a must-watch for any serious connoisseur of Batman media.
4
‘Batman: The Dark Knight Returns’ (2012-2013)
Originally released in two parts between 2012 and 2013 (because a single film wasn’t enough), Batman: The Dark Knight Returns — The Deluxe Edition expertly adapts Frank Miller’s iconic DC Comics epic in a stunning animated format. As Bruce Wayne (Peter Weller) returns to the cowl after decades of retirement, he battles old and new adversaries alike, including a gang of Mutants, Two-Face (Wade Williams), the Joker (Michael Emerson), and even his old ally Superman (Mark Valley), all alongside a new Robin (Ariel Winter) who can more than take care of herself. If “The Dark Knight Returns” is the definitive Batman tale, then this is the definitive adaptation of it.
With a total runtime of about two and a half hours, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns delivers on all fronts. Although other films and animated projects have adapted elements of the story, only this DC Universe Animated Original Movie brings it to life in full. Technically, it’s a sequel to Batman: Year One, as both films together show the respective beginning and ending of the Caped Crusader’s career. Oh, and Weller is simply perfect for the older Batman role.
3
‘Batman Begins’ (2005)
If Batman: Year One is the perfect animated and streamlined take on Batman’s origins, then Batman Begins is the perfect live-action and expansive version of the story. Kicking off Christopher Nolan‘s epic trilogy of Christian Bale-led Batman movies, Begins is vastly underrated and deserves its proper attention as a grand epic of Batman psychology. As Bruce Wayne learns how to effectively fight crime, he returns to Gotham City at a time when the organized criminal element is at its worst. And yet, one man can make all the difference.
The two and a half hour Batman Begins ushered the DC Comics hero into the 21st century. It redefined the general audience’s perceptions of Batman after several failed live-action sequels had effectively ruined the brand. It also blessed us with Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard‘s exceptional score, proving that superheroes could enjoy more than one distinct theme on the big screen.
2
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Nolan’s highly-anticipated follow-up to Batman Begins has often been considered one of the greatest superhero films (and one of the greatest films, period) ever made, and for good reason. The Dark Knight is a masterclass in cinematic thrills and gritty superhero fare that has sparked a whole generation of imitators. As Batman (Bale) goes up against the mysterious Joker (Heath Ledger), his entire life is turned upside down. It’s one of those films that you would kill to see again in theaters for the very first time.
With a slightly longer runtime than its predecessor, The Dark Knight pushes the boundaries of what audiences had come to expect from a Batman film. “You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain,” becomes the anchoring theme of the picture, as the titular Dark Knight Detective is tempted to become something he no longer recognizes. It really is that good.
1
‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ (1993)
Whenever “best of” lists show up concerning Batman’s appearance in film, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm usually reigns supreme as the very best. Spinning off from Batman: The Animated Series, this feature-length thriller follows the Caped Crusader (Conroy) as he deals with a new threat that has come to Gotham: the Phantasm. This mysterious vigilante begins killing all over the city, putting Batman in an impossible situation as he is framed for the new murders. To make matters worse, the love of Bruce Wayne’s old life, Andrea Beaumont (Dana Delany), has returned to town, haunting our hero with his old memories.
Directed by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski from a screenplay by some of the best Batman: The Animated Series scribes out there, Mask of the Phantasm is a noir thriller that speaks to Batman’s pulpy origins while also adding a modern flare to the world of Gotham. Made even better by the addition of Mark Hamill’s Joker, the 76-minute motion picture is arguably the best Batman movie to date. It may not have done well at the box office, but it has become the standard that many fans hold the Dark Knight to this day.