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This article was originally published June 18, 2018.
Its been updated with the addition of new Batman movies, includingMerry Little Batman.
First, some quick bits of housekeeping.
For this list, we decided to forgo the 1940s Batman serials.
Also, direct-to-video Batman animated movies didnt count.
This list was compiled by two people who think Batman is the best of all superheroes.
Were grateful that (for the most part) hes been represented so well at the multiplex.
15.Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice(2016)
Sheesh, where to start?
Or the glum tone of relentless, thudding dipshittery?
Or Jesse Eisenbergs manic, what-in-the-world-is-he-doingLex Luthor?
Or the Martha thing?
(Yeah, its probably the Martha thing.)
But for his second Batman film, Schumachers worst impulses took over.
Because Arnold Schwarzenegger was, deservedly, lambasted for his wooden portrayal as the pun-spouting Mr.
Freeze, history has forgotten how equally disastrous Uma Thurman is as the awkwardly slinky Poison Ivy.
WhenBatman & Robinopened in the summer of 1997,L.A.
Honestly, nothing happening at all is preferable to sitting through this monstrosity.
This is basically Batmans version ofLogan, only animated and without the emotional resonance.
Is that something you want?
Hamill taking the Joker into scarier places has its appeal, but not enough.
And U2 and Seal both had big hits on the soundtrack.
It happened 22 years ago … in the live-action Batman movie thats probably least remembered.
Other Caped Crusader films were bigger disasters, butBatman Forevers grandest failing is how disposable it is.
Freeze a goofy Austrian accent).
Your kids will love it, youll tolerate it, and youll both forget about it until next Christmas.
And Will Arnetts tongue-in-cheek portrayal of the oh-so-dark Batman was one of its consistent pleasures.
And Mark Hamill nicely channels Cesar Romeros lunatic laugh for his portrayal of the Joker.
(Before this film, it would have been impossible to imagine Robin in a Nolan universe.)
5.TheBatman(2022)
The comparisons toSevenandChinatownraise the bar too high, setting fans up for disappointment.
Robert Pattinson is a wonderfully gloomy Bruce Wayne, but the real star might beThe Batmans sumptuous visual style.
At three hours, the movie has its missteps.
But anyone who loves their Batman to be no-fuss and impossibly mythic, heres the film for you.
In retrospect, whats most satisfying aboutBatmanis that director Tim Burton got to have it both ways.
Whos to say which character is really the more troubled?
Thats when Warner Bros.announcedit was tapping Christopher Nolan to direct a new Batman film.
He is the most credible and realistic of the superheroes, and has the most complex human psychology.
His superhero qualities come from within.
Hes not a magical character.
And the follow-up was even better.
This remains the best comic-book movie of all time.
Everyones still trying to make this movie, for better and for worse.
