Batman is one of the most enduring characters in the history of pop culture. That means we’ve had a lot of Batman movies. Dating back to the days of Adam West, Hollywood has been producing films based on the DC Comics hero. There have been many movies produced over the years. Some bad (Batman and Robin) some great (The Dark Knight) and some divisive (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice).
It’s true that critics and fans don’t always agree but there is often a consensus on the matter. For many people, getting a sense of that consensus is best gathered by taking a gander at Rotten Tomatoes. So, here are the top 5 Batman movies of all time according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm – 84 Percent
Director – Eric Radomski
Critical Consensus – “Stylish and admirably respectful of the source material, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm succeeds where many of the live-action Batman adaptations have failed.”
This is perhaps the best example of Batman doing some of his best work in animation as opposed to live action. Set in the same universe as Batman: The Animated Series, Mask of the Phantasm is a brisk, thoroughly entertaining and downright excellent representation of the character.
Batman Begins – 84 Percent
Director – Christopher Nolan
Critical Consensus – “Brooding and dark, but also exciting and smart, Batman Begins is a film that understands the essence of one of the definitive superheroes.”
This was the beginning of a whole new era for the Caped Crusader. Following the failure of Batman and Robin, Warner Bros. spent several years trying to figure out what to do with the franchise. They eventually settled on a new origin story with Christian Bale in the leading role. The darker take on the source material proved to be a home run, paving the way for one of the most successful superhero movie trilogies in history.
The Dark Knight Rises – 87 Percent
Director – Christopher Nolan
Critical Consensus – “The Dark Knight Rises is an ambitious, thoughtful, and potent action film that concludes Christopher Nolan’s franchise in spectacular fashion.”
When talking to fans of the character, one would be hard-pressed to find people who love this particular film as the other entries that bookended it. Be that as it may, The Dark Knight Rises managed to round out Nolan’s trilogy in epic fashion, with Bruce Wayne taking on Tom Hardy’s Bane. It ultimately went on to become the highest-grossing Batman movie in history.
The LEGO Batman Movie – 90 Percent
Director – Chris McKay
Critical Consensus – “The Lego Batman Movie continues its block-buster franchise’s winning streak with another round of dizzyingly funny — and beautifully animated — family-friendly mayhem.”
And here we come back to the animation well. In the wake of the success of The LEGO Movie. Warner Bros. decided to give Batman the same treatment. That proved to be an excellent idea. Will Arnett returned as the character with an A-list supporting cast including Michael Cera as Robin and Zack Galifanakis as Joker. What resulted was one of the most loving representations of Batman the silver screen has ever seen.
The Dark Knight – 94 Percent
Director – Christopher Nolan
Critical Consensus – “Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.”
To the surprise of nobody, 2008’s The Dark Knight remains the cream of the crop. Not just for Batman movies, but for comic book adaptations in general. It is The Godfather II of superhero movies. While there is much to love, from the characterization of Gotham City to the memorable action sequences, this film will always be remembered, and rightfully so, for the powerhouse performance delivered by Heath Ledger as the Joker. Sadly, Ledger passed away to soon but he earned that Oscar ten times over.
So what do you think? Do you agree with the list? What’s your favorite Batman movie? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Twitter!
