10. Batman: The Killing Joke
After his escape, Joker terrorizes the Gordon family drawing from his own descent into madness. Batman must put a stop to it. Based on the story from the praised graphic novel, The Killing Joke is haunting and engaging. Watch the troubling relationship between Batman and Joker unravel.
The talk: Batman sits down to discuss the nature of the natural enemies’ relationship.
9. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
8. Batman (1966)
A vastly different take on Batman, this campy flick is family friendly fun. Iconic from the Adam West era, there is a lot of POW! BAP! ETC! That said, the movie is not for everyone, but certainly holds a special place in bat history.
Nostalgia welcome: Batman has undergone many changes since the 60s, but if you’re feeling nostalgic, Adam West and Burt Ward can take you back in time.
7. Batman Forever
Riddler and Two Face make their debut, teaming up to exact revenge on those who’ve wronged them. Who will stop the wicked pair? You guessed it: Batman. Oh, and Robin. While sometimes considered a dark time in Batman’s history, there is still plenty of fun to be had. Jim Carrey plays the Riddler… need I say more?
Riddle me this: What do you get when Tim Burton’s Batman gets less Grim? A camping trip.
6. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
No one can argue with the brilliance that is Batman the Animated Series, so this feature set shouldn’t take much convincing. Bruce (Kevin Conroy), is set to marry the charming Andrea Beaumont. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure puts away Gotham’s most dangerous criminals. Maybe his days of crimefighting are up.
The end of Batman: Bruce contemplates life without the cowl.
5. Batman (1989)
The gangster turned madman, Joker (Jack Nicholson), comes to rise and the only one who can stop him is… a man dressed in black who can’t turn his head (Michael Keaton)? Jokes aside, Batman was the first time we got to see a glimpse at the true, dark character that is Batman. Though it can only break the ground once, it can still be enjoyed today.
In the pale moonlight: Batman and Joker dance with the devil.
4. The Dark Knight Rises
The final installment of Christopher Nolan’s epic trilogy, this move finds the Batman (Christian Bale) retired… but not for long. Batman faces his greatest threat yet when new villain, Bane (Tom Hardy), tears apart the city with plans on purging it completely.
Daylight Savings: Batman breaks his nocturnal cycle to fight the masked criminal.
3. Batman Begins
First in the trilogy, director Christopher Nolan explores the origins of the caped crusader in a modern setting. What would drive a man to dress as a bat and fight the evil within his city? The take is fresh and exciting and is more than just a comic-book movie.
Bats on bats: Batman uses his own fear to strike fear and panic into his enemies.
2. Batman Returns
Okay, maybe it isn’t exactly “better” than two movies from the Nolan Trilogy, but what really competes? Tim Burton’s Batman Returns does what it can by delivering the audience a creepy Penguin (Danny Devito), a show-stealing Catwoman (Michelle Pfieiffer), and a rejuvenated Batman. With more freedom, Burton, though straying from source material a bit, delivers an impressive story.
Goth phase: Batman and his foes go goth, but for some twisted reason, it works.
1. The Dark Knight
In the second installment of Nolan’s trilogy, Batman meets a new kind of villain and Gotham falls into chaos. With numerous twists and turns throughout, this movie will have you on the edge of your seat – and keep you there. Heath Ledger’s legendary (oscar-winning) acting will make you question everything you thought you knew about Batman’s worst foe. A brilliant story told as a suspenseful thriller, The Dark Knight is nothing short of a masterpiece – and bat fans can rejoice.
Interrogation: Batman sits down to speak with the Joker, but he isn’t really in the mood to just talk.
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