Key Takeaways
- Batman movies have had hits and misses, but Batman Returns and The Dark Knight stand out as some of the best.
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm offers a short, satisfying insight into Bruce Wayne’s life and serves as a great rewatch.
- The Lego Batman Movie is a love letter to fans with clever references and a reasonable runtime for multiple viewings.
Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes of all time, with his dark, brooding demeanor and mysterious personality making it clear why this hero has stood the test of time to become one of the most beloved heroes fans can’t get enough of. To this day, the hold Batman has on pop culture is incredible, with fans not getting enough of the Caped Crusader and his many live-action adaptations. One need only look at the sheer number of Batman movies to see just how marketable this superhero is.
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There have been a few duds when it comes to this superhero’s appearances on the big screen, but these have been few and far between. For the most part, players who check out a Batman movie will be more than pleased by what’s on offer in these films, letting fans enjoy the Dark Knight’s efforts to fight crime while battling his demons.
5 Batman Returns
Creative Control Helped Burton Do Justice To Catwoman And The Penguin
- Release Date: June 19, 1992
- Director: Tim Burton
- Runtime: 126 Minutes
- Genre: Action
The first Batman movie was a strong step forward for this brooding superhero, but it was clear that Burton had been held back during the development of this film. After gaining creative control, this talented director made a sequel that was darker, grittier, and more engaging than the first movie in every way. It’s amusing to see that the studio didn’t appreciate how mature this movie was since the modern perception of Batman is perfectly in line with his appearance in the first two Batman movies.
Not only does Batman Returns age incredibly well on a rewatch, but it also lets viewers enjoy excellent takes on the characters of Catwoman and The Penguin. Most fans agree that these two personalities overshadow Batman at times, but that should take nothing away from Keaton’s excellent portrayal of this hero.
4 Batman Begins
An Excellent Origin Story That Never Ceases To Be Engaging
Batman Begins
- Release Date
- June 15, 2005
- Runtime
- 140 Minutes
The idea of Nolan working on a Batman film excited many, and he didn’t disappoint with the first movie. Batman Begins provides an engaging origin story for The Dark Knight, showing Bruce struggling to find his way before eventually being taken in by the League of Shadows and trained by Ra’s Al Ghul. He supposedly loses his mentor and comes back to fight crime in Gotham, only to see the League and Ra’s come back to take over Gotham.
It’s a riveting watch with impressive villains and amazing direction that has aged like a fine wine. Watching Batman slowly become Gotham’s hero while trying to make sense of his personal life makes for a great time, and the Joker tease at the end is something that is tantalizing even if fans know what’s coming. Many people considered this to be the best Batman movie at that point, and it’s impressive that Nolan outdid himself with the sequel.
3 Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm
Short, Sweet, And Satisfying
- Release Date: December 25, 1993
- Director: Eric Radomski & Bruce Timm
- Runtime: 78 Minutes
- Genre: Action
For a movie to be rewatchable, its runtime also matters. Making an argument to watch the same movie once again when it can easily stretch for longer than two hours can be construed as unreasonable, which is why the animated DC movies are great for fans to sink their teeth into time and time again. Such is the case with Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, which serves as an intimate look into Bruce Wayne’s life as he tries to clear up Batman’s image after another violent vigilante starts operating in Gotham.
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Media outlets blame these attacks on Batman, prompting an investigation as The Dark Knight tries to clear his image. This leads to Bruce reuniting with his former lover, Andrea, and locking horns with the Joker once again. However, it’s not until later that Batman realizes that the murderous vigilante known as the Phantasm is none other than Andrea herself, leading to a massive fight in the finale that ends with an explosion. Left heartbroken after finding no trace of Andrea, Bruce dons the mask and resumes his crimefighting duties after Batman’s name is cleared.
2 The Dark Knight
One Of The Greatest Batman Movies Of All Time That Gets Better On A Rewatch
The Dark Knight
- Release Date
- July 18, 2008
- Runtime
- 152 Minutes
One of the most iconic movies of all time and arguably the best Batman movie ever made, The Dark Knight is a film that everyone has heard of at this point. Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker has gone down in history as one of the greatest villains in a movie to date, with his unhinged persona adding to the movie’s entertainment factor. Batman had faced his fair share of villains, but none of them came close to breaking him like the Joker.
It’s an incredible movie that holds up well on a rewatch, with many iconic scenes feeling as fresh as ever. From the interrogation scene that left many fans breathing heavily to Dent’s downfall, The Dark Knight shows why Batman is so beloved as a superhero. The final speech where Batman chooses to take the fall for Dent’s crimes to ensure that his hard work wasn’t undone is emotional and features one of the greatest monologues in movie history that fans can watch over and over again.
1 The Lego Batman Movie
A Love Letter To Batman Fans That’s Packed With References And The Like
The Lego Batman Movie
- Release Date
- February 10, 2017
- Director
- Chris McKay
- Runtime
- 104 minutes
The Lego Batman Movie had no business being so captivating, with its colorful vibes and undeniable charm turning it into a solid contender for the best Batman movie fans can feast their eyes on. While Bruce Wayne himself may not be the most captivating character in this film, it’s the film’s visual identity, clever references, and sense of flair that helps it stand out as one of the most rewatchable movies of all time.
The reasonable runtime ensures that fans won’t be bored as they peruse the background details of each shot and try to figure out all the references crammed into this epic Batman flick. Watching the hero overcome his fear of loving a family and teaming up with the Joker in a rare and gratifying moment makes this a Batman movie for fans, by fans. It’s easy to see why fans can watch this fast-paced movie over and over again without getting bored.
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