Batman. He's had many names throughout his near-century of dominance in the comic book world; Dark Knight, Caped Crusader, World's Greatest Detective. But, if it were at all possible to sum Batman up in just one word, he could be summed up with this one: Legend.
Few have achieved the levels of iconic that he has, and a large part of the reason for that is his legacy on the silver screen. Bruce Wayne has headlined more movies than any other comic book character, starring in nine solo live-action movies, over 30 animated movies and countless spinoffs and crossovers.
If you're hoping to take a trip to Gotham City to get acquainted with the Batman himself, you might understandably find it a bit overwhelming knowing where to start. But fear not future Gothamite, we have got you covered, with some Batman classics that you should definitely check out (as well as some you should probably skip along the way).
Batman (1989)
Verdict: WATCH!
Batman is credited as the first modern superhero blockbuster for good reason. The movie was tasked with taking the Caped Crusader back to his darker origins after the colorful '60s TV series redefined him for a whole generation. It had to showcase the broody hero in all his broodiness, bringing him into the modern era at the same time. To say it was successful would be an understatement.
The 1989 movie is a Noir crime thriller with art deco designs and a larger-than-life production. It's eerie to look at and yet oddly beautiful, like the supposed art that The Joker wants to make; destruction is his paintbrush and Gotham is his canvas. The only thing stopping him is Batman, who seeks to start a war on crime by stepping out of the shadows and bringing the evildoers to justice.
Batman is ambitious, compelling and thrilling. Jack Nicholson's outlandish performance as The Joker is one of the finest of his career, while Michael Keaton delivers a captivatingly stoic performance as The Dark Knight that still holds up as the best of them all. This 1989 classic is everything it needed to be... and so much more.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Verdict: SKIP!
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was released in 2016. It was essentially a sequel to Man of Steel, with Zack Snyder returning to direct in a bid to officially kick off Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe. It should have been a home run, as it brought to life the two biggest superheroes of all time, but it just wasn't to be.
In spite of committed performances from Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, the film was a grim, joyless affair that completely misunderstood its two central characters. There are certainly epic moments in there, particularly a Batman fight scene, the comic-accuracy of the suits, and the arrival of Wonder Woman, but the characterization of Batman himself is one of the biggest problems with this movie.
The extended edition is a heck of a lot better, but it you have limited time in your Batman marathon, then this one would unfortunately be a skip.
Batman Returns (1992)
Verdict: WATCH!
After the success of Tim Burton's Batman, the director returned for the 1992 sequel. This time, however, he had much more creative control, which made Batman Returns a much more immersive experience.
Michael Keaton makes a comeback as The Dark Knight as he faces multiple threats in the form of the evil revenge-driven Penguin, the power-hungry business tycoon Max Shreck, and the illusive wild card Catwoman. Unlike later Batman movies, though, it managed to balance all three of those villains well, showcasing complex (and macabre) backstories for each one of them, making them all formidable foes for the Caped Crusader.
It's a thrilling ensemble that highlights why, in a city as unhinged as Gotham City, the sanest option for a protector is a man who dresses like a giant bat. Keaton is particularly impressive here, with his reserved performance still managing to stand out amongst the larger-than-life personalities that Burton's film crafts. Danny DeVito is terrifying as The Penguin, while Christopher Walken is downright odious as Max Shreck. Michelle Pfeiffer's legendary turn as Catwoman, however, might just be the film's greatest accomplishment.
Batman Begins (2005)
Verdict: WATCH!
If you're unfamiliar with the Batman movies, you might think it strange to recommend a movie called Batman Begins right after Batman Returns, but that's the beauty of the Batman franchise: Reboot after reboot. And as far as reboots go, this just might be the best of them!
Batman Begins is the first film in Christopher Nolan's iconic Dark Knight trilogy. It was released in 2005 and stars Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader in a tale that did something no other live-action portrayal of the character had done at that point: Show us his origin story play out on screen. It makes for an exhilarating watch as you get to see how Bruce Wayne actually becomes the hero that vows to fight injustice and protect the innocent people of Gotham City from the crime and corruption that has overrun it.
With a gripping central narrative and an insanely star-studded cast (which also includes Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, and Tom Wilkinson), Batman Begins is a darker beginning for the Caped Crusader than the screen had seen before at this point, and it successfully kickstarts what ultimately became the most successful chapter of his cinematic career.
Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
Verdict: SKIP!
The DC Universe Original Animated Movies are widely-regarded as some of DC's finest work, but there are the occasional exceptions. Whether it's a film that simply can't overcome the height of expectations placed upon it or just a movie that doesn't quite get it right, there are the odd few missed opportunities in that franchise. Batman: The Killing Joke is somewhere in between both of those, as the film simply couldn't live up to the hype of its controversial source material and some elements that should have worked just didn't.
It's crazy to think that it received this kind of response considering that iconic Batman: The Animated Series stars Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill voiced Batman and The Joker in this one, but the story didn't do them justice. From the fact that The Killing Joke is a heavy, controversial story in the first place to the misguided attempt to spotlight Batgirl in the newly-written 30-minute first act that ultimately has the opposite effect, dehumanizing her and undermining the film in the process.
This is a divisive one, and it isn't an easy watch either. If you're looking for a good Batman movie involving The Dark Knight and The Joker, we recommend Batman: Mask of the Phantasm instead.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Verdict: WATCH!
You knew this one had to be a watch! One of the rare few superhero movies to earn itself a spot on the all-time great movies lists, The Dark Knight was a game-changer for both the superhero genre and cinema itself. The second movie in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, the film gave so much to audiences that already had high expectations, somehow managed to exceed all of them and set a a new standard for superhero movies, crime thrillers, and indeed film in general.
Christian Bale returns as Batman in his second outing, and this time he is pitted against The Joker, played by the late, great Heath Ledger. If you have been a Batman fan for a while, you probably know the respect and reverence with Ledger's performance as the Clown Prince of Crime is spoken of - and it deserves every bit of it, for there has never been a more chilling, and yet thrilling villain in the movie landscape.
The Joker's attempt to show Gotham a mirror of itself and expose the corruption from within creates anarchy, and only a figure like Batman is immune to his games. But with the lives of so many city officials on the line, The Dark Knight and his most trusted allies face their greatest threat of all in this absolutely revolutionary masterpiece.
Arguably the definitive Batman movie, and for good reason.
Justice League (2017)
Verdict: SKIP!
When the DCEU officially kicked off, fans had a lot of reservations about how quick it was moving. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a questionable movie and somehow we were getting Justice League the very next year. When the finished product made its way to screens in 2017, it became clear that those reservations were deserved; the movie was an absolute disaster, so much so that calling it "finished" feels like an underestimation.
Joss Whedon stepped in when the film's actual director Zack Snyder stepped away, and to call it a complete misunderstanding of the original vision for the movie could never fully capture how badly it dropped the ball. The plots were subpar, the dialogue was extremely on-the-nose, the tone was all over the place, and Batman himself never really had any purpose in this theatrical version. The CGI is notoriously horrendous as well.
Things just happened in Justice League with no real excitement or emotion. It goes through the motions until it doesn't, and when the credits roll, we're all better off for it. If you want to see how this movie should have looked, watch Zack Snyder's Justice League.
The Batman (2022)
Verdict: WATCH!
Matt Reeves took on the assignment of bringing Batman back to the big screen after the DCEU era had come and gone, and it was an assignment he took very seriously. Released in 2022, The Batman was originally intended to be part of that shared universe, but it was reimagined as a dark and gritty standalone that Reeves ensured gave us one of the most immersive, vivid adaptations of Gotham City yet.
The Batman is a crime-thriller that focuses on Bruce Wayne's early days as the city's protector. He's more driven by vengeance than anything else, and that makes it a compelling look at who Batman currently is compared to what we know he will become. To do that, though, he must take on the corruption that is rife in Gotham, and stop the terrifying new villain known as The Riddler.
Robert Pattinson delivers a thrilling performance as The Dark Knight in a movie that relies heavily on the character's skills as a detective. It thrives because of both of those things, showing Batman in a different light for moviegoers and starting a gripping new chapter in his on-screen story. That, and Zoë Kravitz's performance as Catwoman, makes this one a must-watch!