The Batmobile comes in many shapes and sizes, but which iteration of Batman’s classic vehicle is truly the best of them all?
The Batmobile is arguably Batman’s closest ally. It’s a means of chasing down the bad guys of Gotham City, helping him get to the scene of the crime on time, and escaping law enforcement any time the GCPD decide to target him for his war on crime. It’s always there when he needs it.
Originally appearing in the pages of DC Comics during The Dark Knight’s debut in 1939, it was originally little more than a red car. But over time, it has taken on a life of its own, evolving with the times to become a much more intimidating vehicle designed to strike fear into the hearts of Gotham’s most wanted, and protect Bruce Wayne as he traverses the streets of the city. While he has had many vehicles over the years, this car has remained the most popular.
Like Batman himself, the Batmobile has also made the jump from page to screen, appearing alongside him in all of his cinematic and TV appearances thus far. And just like its comic book counterpart, it has evolved over time, taking on many appearances in the hero’s adventures.
With Batman Day still lingering in our minds, let’s look back at the best (and worst) of the cinematic and TV Batmobiles (and rank them while we’re at it).
10. The Arrowverse Batmobile
Appeared in: Batwoman (seasons 2 – 3)
Batwoman‘s first season didn’t feature the Batmobile because it would have been pretty expensive to make one on a TV budget. However, the second season officially introduced it, revealing that it was hidden within the walls of the Batcave this whole time.
Again, we have to acknowledge that we’re talking about the second season of a network TV series here, so the budget wasn’t big enough to include a cinematic Batmobile, but they did the best with what they could.
The Arrowverse show opted for a modified Corvette C7, so its completely believable that it would be able to speed through the streets of Gotham in the way that it does. It’s smooth, sure, but it also features some impressive weaponry, including Bat-cables, and a powerful booster that allows it to make seemingly impossible jumps.
Perhaps its best feature is the black and red modifications that make it feel like a real throwback to the classic Batmobile form the 1966 TV series. A welcome tribute to one of the most iconic versions of the legendary vehicle.
Yes, it’s not the most Bat-tastic of the Batmobiles, but considering everything Batwoman had to work with, it was a welcome addition to the legendary collection of Batmobiles. And it was a delight to see Javicia Leslie’s Ryan Wilder get behind the wheel whenever she did.
9. The DCEU Batmobile
Appeared in: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, Justice League, Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy was always going to be a tough act to follow in every sense, so it’s not really a surprise that the DC Extended Universe came out of the gate stumbling with all things Batman. Its Batmobile, however, wasn’t one of those elements, because it really was quite the spectacle to behold.
With enormous tyres on its back-end and a longer body, this felt like the logical next step for the vehicle’s live-action evolution. It was the perfect blend between the older Batmobiles of eras gone by (which still dominated the comics) and the bulkier, more destructive one in Nolan’s movie trilogy. However, it doesn’t feel quite as finished as the ones that came before it.
It might be the rather flat look of everything on the surface, its grey coloring, or maybe it’s the tank-like weaponry on the front, but this Batmobile didn’t quite hit the mark in the way that some of the others did. Oh, don’t get us wrong, it was both durable and effective, but it fell short in some areas while having too much going on in others.
Nevertheless, it was a realistic ally that Ben Affleck’s Batman could rely on. We just wish we got to see it in action much more than we did.
8. The second Schumacher Batmobile
Appeared in: Batman and Robin
The Batmobile used in the 1997 film Batman and Robin is a perfect microcosm of the movie itself: It looks cool but it doesn’t really make any sense. Yet another attempt to make the Batman franchise appeal to a young audience, this version of the vehicle took things much further than Batman Forever did.
The original idea of the long-bodied car remained from the Tim Burton movies, but that’s about all that was recognizable. There were two large spiked fins at the back of the Batmobile while its front was a lot sharper looking than the previous iterations. It also featured a spiral light effect containing oranges and reds (which, as you can probably tell, didn’t really fit in on The Dark Knight’s means of transport).
Adding to the confusion, the Batman and Robin Batmobile had just one seat and no sliding canopy, so Batman was just sitting there, exposed for all of Gotham to see whenever he sped down the crime-ridden streets. Not only is that a huge problem for when he is in high speed chases, it means there is no room for anyone he rescues (or heck even Robin) to hitch a ride in.
Style over substance, which is Batman and Robin in a nutshell.
7. The second DCAU Batmobile
Appeared in: The New Batman Adventures
Everything that the world of both Batman: The Animated Series and the DC Animated Universe touched turned to gold. That includes the Batmobile, as its original incarnation is rightfully considered among the most iconic adaptations to feature on any screen (and believe us, we will get to that shortly). One that we often overlook, however, is the Batmobile featured in The New Batman Adventures.
The sequel show to the original animated series had all of the character and location designs revamped to match Superman: The Animated Series. The Batmobile was part of that overhaul as it featured a new look that still maintained the character of its predecessor but with some new features specific to this new design.
The one common denominator in all of The New Batman Adventures‘ redesigns was sharpness, which is also present in the new Batmobile. Both the back tailfins and the front of the vehicle are much sharper, and it’s a bit shorter than the one seen in the previous animated series (although the main body of the vehicle is still very long). It’s also a slightly different color, with the navy look dropped for an all-black paint job, while the front of the car features a Bat-like face – a callback to the classic Batmobiles from the early comics.
This one also sped through the streets more like a racing car and is one of the few animated outings not to feature some kind of fire-breathing exhaust on the back end.
It’s not as well-remembered as its predecessor, but this Batmobile was a welcome replacement, offering something new while holding onto most of what made the original so special.
6. The Batman
Appeared in: The Batman (2022)
Sometimes less is more. That’s a lesson that The Batman had no problem teaching us with its simple but effective iteration of the Batmobile.
Yes, it’s shorter than the image of the Batmobile that most fans are used to, and it doesn’t appear as heavily armored either, but that makes complete sense for the world in which it is set. The Caped Crusader is just starting out in his war against crime in Matt Reeves’ saga; he doesn’t have everything figured out like a veteran vigilante (which is why it was so refreshing to see Robert Pattinson’s hero struggle a lot throughout the ultimate test from The Riddler).
With that in mind, it feels appropriate that the Batmobile wouldn’t be the high-tech marvel with advanced weaponry. It’s simply a vehicle designed to patrol the streets, one that subtly blends into the corrupt streets of Gotham but also stands out enough to let the villains around him know that he is coming for them.
It’s terrifying to look at when it’s shrouded in darkness, with its headlights making it look all the more evil. That, coupled with the shrill shrieks of its engine when it’s on the move (and the blue exhaust flame roaring from the back), gives it a very Mad Max feel, which makes it right at home in Matt Reeves’ Gotham.
Its shape also resembles the 1966 Batmobile, which is a welcome and subtle tribute.
5. The first Schumacher Batmobile
Appeared in: Batman Forever
Undoubtedly the most underrated of all the Batmobile designs, the Batman Forever iteration was perfect for the world in which it was set. The bright and colorful world full of neon lights and cartoonish villains. Yes, it’s not exactly giving dark warrior out for justice, but it is attention-grabbing in a way that would put villains on notice. It also just looks really, really cool.
The first sequel after the Burton movies, Forever‘s Batmobile borrows heavily from its predecessor, also featuring an incredibly long body and sliding canopy into the vehicle. But it also spices it up a great deal, opting for much longer Bat fins protruding from both of its back fenders. It also boasts one longer jagged spike as the centerpiece of its backend (that also folds down into two diagonal jagged Bat ears throughout the movie).
The blue flourescant light display that flowed throughout its main body was another unique aspect that gave it its own identity. Yes, it was divisive among fans because it was so darn colorful, but, again, it worked in the world of Batman Forever. And let’s face it, the incredibly long flame exhaust looked really cool when it hurtled through the streets of Joel Schumacher’s Gotham.
Easily the most underrated Batmobile of them all.
4. The Tumbler
Appeared in: The Dark Knight Trilogy
“I gotta get me one of those!”
Those weren’t just the sentiments of Sergeant James Gordon when he first laid eyes on the Batmobile in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, they were the thoughts and feelings of all the fans watching the 2005 movie.
The giant monstrosity of a vehicle is known as The Tumbler, and for good reason, because it has no problem tumbling its huge wheels over everything and anything in its path throughout Nolan’s The Dark Knight Trilogy. It’s bigger than the other Batmobiles, for sure, but it’s also incredibly smooth-sailing for its size, as those giant tyres allow it to cruise through the streets of Gotham pretty smoothly.
Another thing that it is is durable, which should come as no surprise since Wayne Enterprises produced them for military purposes. Heck, it was able to withstand a complete showdown with the GCPD and take out many of the attacking vehicles in its way. Its advanced weaponry system also makes it the most deadliest of the Batmobiles, ensuring that nobody would want to end up on the wrong end of this one.
Yes, fans didn’t love the idea that Batman himself wasn’t involved in its design (meaning that its black, spiky look was just convenient) but that doesn’t take away from how much of a perfect fit this was for Christian Bale’s tactical and prepared Dark Knight.
3. The first DCAU Batmobile
Appeared in: Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman and Mr. Freeze: SubZero
While this list is mostly comprised of live-action TV and movie adaptations of the Batmobile, the fact that animated movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm was released in movie theaters gives this one a pass. But honestly, as we mentioned earlier with its successor, it doesn’t need one, because anything tied to the legendary world of Batman: The Animated Series deserves a place on any Bat list.
The Batmobile used in the animated movie is the same one from the classic series. To say it is a work of art might be a bit on-the-nose, but it’s true. It takes its design from the Tim Burton movies but it also adds its own features, unique to the world Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski and Paul Dini created.
The long, sleek body is identical to the live-action Batmobile of its era, but its much more rectangular, with sharper lines and edges. The sliding canopy is also similar, but with the addition of its own tailfins (a.k.a. Bat ears), making the back of the vehicle that much more spiky than its live-action counterparts.
If you grew up watching Batman: The Animated Series, that image of the long Batmobile speeding towards the exit of the Batcave, with its eerie yellow headlights illuminating the path ahead, in the show’s opening credits is likely forever etched into your memory. And for good reason; it’s absolutely legendary.
2. The original Batmobile
Appeared in: Batman (1966 – 1968), Batman: The Movie
We’ve spent a lot of time appreciating the big screen’s Batmobiles, but the very first Batmobile to explode onto it actually first made its presence felt on the small screen. And that is just one of the reasons why it might just be the most iconic representation of the vehicle.
Designed by George Barris, the Batmobile used for the 1966 Batman TV series was a modified Ford Lincoln Futura. If you have seen the original car, you can see why it served as the perfect base for Batman and Robin’s ride, with its unusual winged shape, the curved fins on the back, and the eye-like headlights all making it a great fit for the live-action Batmobile.
The black and red look is nothing short of iconic, and the nose-like fixture on the bonnet really finished it off beautifully (which was a nice nod to the face-like Bat shields the vehicle often featured in the comics). The siren was also a nice touch since this version of Batman was a duly-deputized agent of the law. And perhaps its coolest attribute was the Emergency Bat-Turn lever overhead, which would allow the Dynamic Duo to make a complete 180 turn in the middle of the road and chase down enemies behind them.
The classic ’66 Batmobile served Batman and Robin well throughout all three seasons of the show (as well as the movie) and it’s easy to see why it’s still so beloved to this day. The first real live-action Batmobile, it remains one of the greatest iterations we’ve ever seen.
1. The Burton Batmobile
Appeared in: Batman (1989), Batman Returns, The Flash (2023)
That brings us to the top spot and, of course, the most iconic of all the Batmobiles: The Burton-verse Batmobile. It had to be this one, because it’s single-handedly become the most recognizable version of the car, and set the standard for what a good Batmobile should look like, which is why it’s no surprise that so many subsequent versions of the vehicle borrowed from it.
The moment that it first appears is 1989’s Batman just highlights how majestic it is, with Danny Elfman’s theme reinforcing that. From its long body to the sliding canopy that opened upon the Dark Knight’s command, the Batmobile fit right in on the crime-ridden streets of that movie’s Gotham City. And it’s eerie yellow headlights were the perfect finishing touch, highlighted beautifully by that haunting scene in which it charges through the woods back to the Bat-Cave.
It also looked even more at home in Batman Returns‘ redesigned Gotham City, showcasing Batman as the grim reaper of justice that Burton’s gothic sequel needed. And to see it make a cameo appearance in 2023’s The Flash was one of the many fulfilling moments of that movie for fans who grew up with this Batmobile.
This incredible version of the Batmobile is the benchmark for what the vehicle should be, and both the endless supply of weaponry stored within its many compartments and its sleek-but-scary look make it the perfect ally for Batman in a world where he didn’t have many. This is the Batmobile at its very best.
Which Batmobile has been your favorite to see on-screen? Are you a fan of of the more modern interpretations or the classics?