Which Bat is Best?

In celebration of HBO Max releasing The Batman onto streaming this week, we will take a quick look at our Batman leaderboard. What are the top-rated, live-action films and/or series that featured Batman or had a cameo?

Our thoughts:

1) The Dark Knight – A boring pick just because it is always number one on all Batman lists. There is a reason for that. This is simply put the best superhero film ever made.

2) The Dark Knight Rises – This film is almost as good as The Dark Knight and yet it never gets the same credit. It’s an emotional and thoroughly satisfying conclusion to Nolan’s Batman trilogy. Hardy’s Bane was fantastic; his bold choices (yes, that voice) made him a great villain.

3) The Batman – If it wasn’t for the bloated runtime, it may have sneaked into the two-spot. This is a great film with an original and engaging take on Batman. It is dark and more detective noir than other films and Pattinson makes for an edgy, goth-like Batman.

4) Batman Returns – Heath Ledger’s Joker is the definitive winner as far as best villain performances but Michelle Pfeiffer is close behind with her iconic Catwoman performance in this.

5) Batman Begins – Christian Bale proved he was a great choice for the Caped Crusader after the dismal outings from George Clooney and Val Kilmer. This was a strong film that was just a tad soiled from that rote and somewhat boring ending.

6) Titans – Iain Glen made for an older, less physically commanding Batman, but his role as mentor to Dick Grayson was memorable and the series itself is intense and fun.

7) Batman – This one really started it all (sorry Adam West, but true). Tim Burton laid on the atmosphere, Danny Elfman nailed that iconic score and Michael Keaton made a great Batman. Jack Nicholson chewed all the scenery available as a goofy Joker.

8) Zack Synder’s Justice League – This iteration at least showed the promise of what could have been with Ben Affleck as Batman. His physicality brought something more dangerous to the role but it was never fully realized.

9) Suicide Squad – Again, this showed the potential with Affleck in a very quick but great cameo chasing down Joker and Harley.

10) Gotham – The show was up-and-down but it had some satisfying and emotional arcs along the way. Focusing on young Bruce Wayne for much of the series, this is more for Bruce than Batman.

11) Batman 1960s TV series and film – As cheesy as cheese gets, yet it was the official beginning and should be mentioned.

12) Batman vs Superman – The 60s series is above this one, so…. Yeah. My mom's name is Martha! Cool, let's be buddies!