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All 5 Batman and Joker actor pairings ranked from worst to best

By Cody Schultz

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Film goers watch The Dark Knight featuring Heath Ledger during a public tribute outdoor movie night to the late actor at Burswood Park on February 12, 2011 in Perth, Australia. Australian actor Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in the movie The Dark Knight. Ledger died from an accidental toxic combination of prescription drugs on January 22, 2008. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 12: Film goers watch The Dark Knight featuring Heath Ledger during a public tribute outdoor movie night to the late actor at Burswood Park on February 12, 2011 in Perth, Australia. Australian actor Heath Ledger won a posthumous Oscar for his portrayal of the Joker in the movie The Dark Knight. Ledger died from an accidental toxic combination of prescription drugs on January 22, 2008. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) /
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Batman, Michael Keaton, Batman 1989
Photo: Batman / Warner Bros. Studios, Image Courtesy Fathom Events Press (Batman 80th Anniversary) /

2. Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson

One cannot say enough about the brilliance of Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson as Batman and the Joker.

Keaton’s brooding portrayal of the Dark Knight was a masterclass in subtlety. The way he was able to convey so much through his facial expressions despite being hidden behind a mask brought such depth to the character. He balanced the character’s tormented past as Batman beautifully with the suave playboy we saw in Bruce Wayne creating a believable duality in the two sides to the character.

Nicholson, on the other hand, brought this perfect unhinged energy to the Joker, embracing the chaos with devilish glee. His larger-than-life charisma contrasted brilliantly with Keaton’s quiet intensity, making every scene they shared pure magic.

WATCH Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson in Batman 89 on Max!

Together, Keaton and Nicholson perfectly accentuated each other’s strengths. Their performances didn’t just stand alone, they magnified each other’s impact, creating a magnetic dynamic that elevated the impact felt by audiences.

Decades later, their joint performances remain a shining example of how two incredible actors can elevate a comic book adaptation into a timeless masterpiece. For many, they’re the pinnacle of Batman performances and I’ll confess they nearly took the top spot on this list. There is no denying Keaton and Nicholson are two of the best to ever play their respective characters, so it’s of little surprise that their Batman/Joker duo is also of the most iconic rivalries in cinematic history.

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