Top 10 Best Batman Movie Villains

You've seen the gadgets, the Batmobile, the growly voice, but let's be real: Batman is only as good as the nightmare he's up against. Gotham has never been short on villains who bring chaos, brains, muscle, or pure psychological warfare to the party. Some wear clown paint. Some wear tailored suits. Some wear scars like a fashion statement. Each one has their own flavor of menace, and some have burned themselves into movie history with just a smirk, a monologue, or a well-timed backbreaking.

This list is your chance to weigh in. Which villains chewed the scenery, stole the spotlight, or made you forget the movie even had a hero? Vote for the ones who had you leaning in closer, maybe even rooting for the wrong side.

The Top Ten

  1. Heath Ledger's Joker - The Dark Knight

    Heath Ledger's Joker is the greatest movie villain of all time. When he was on screen, the movie was just so captivating to watch. With Nicholson's Joker, it was just Nicholson but a little more exaggerated. With Ledger, there was no Ledger left, only Joker.

    And while Nicholson got the Golden Age Joker spot on, all you people saying who the Joker is are wrong, as he is a violent psychopath today like Ledger's.

    1. Ledger

    2. Hamill

    3. Nicholson

    The best villain in history. Ledger nailed the role. Even though the Joker was already famous, Ledger made him reach new heights. I wanted to see him again, but... RIP Heath Ledger, and hats off, man.

  2. Jack Nicholson's Joker - Batman

    Don't get me wrong, Ledger was an okay character, though he wasn't the Joker. That said, THIRTY PERCENT? Are you people INSANE? I mean, I get that Ledger tried a more realistic approach, but that's just not how I picture the Joker.

    In my opinion, Jack and Hamill are the people other Joker actors should use as examples. Jack is not only creepy, but he's also hilarious and enjoyable. He's just more fun to be around. I mean, compare these quotes: "I... Am an agent of chaos." and "Whadda I want? (beat) My face on the one dollar bill..." The second one is just more interesting and, er, Joker-y.

    Overall, I'd rewatch Batman anytime, just so I could get some more laughs and some more shudders from Jack's performance. And Ledger... Okay, yeah, I don't like that performance. I dunno, crucify me if you want.

  3. Tom Hardy's Bane - The Dark Knight Rises

    So you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it. Moulded by it. I didn't see daylight until I became a man.

    The acting only with his eyes... guys, just think about that! Wonderful.

    He freaked me out. Scarecrow was the mask, Joker was the knife, and Bane was the backbreaker.

  4. Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent/Two-Face - The Dark Knight

    If it wasn't for Aaron Eckhart's portrayal of Two-Face, The Dark Knight wouldn't have been half as good as it was. His character perfectly embodied a man who started as the "white knight," putting away criminals, but eventually became worse than the criminals themselves as he descended into madness and embraced the anarchy the Joker spoke of.

    The scenes with Two-Face were the best, especially the driver scene. His psychosis and behavior were well-observed as he ultimately became a complete villain, making for the best portrayal of this character archetype.

  5. Danny DeVito's Penguin - Batman Returns

    DeVito is not only the best version of The Penguin but one of the best versions of any villain. He's crazy scary and really sympathetic. He should at least be in second place.

    DeVito and Burton added a lot of poetry and "gothic" elements to the character (originally a gangster) that make us empathize with this poor Oswald. And great acting by Danny DeVito.

    More realistic than that silly, goofy, over-the-top 1960s Adam West Batman Penguin. This Penguin should've been in The Dark Knight with Heath Ledger's Joker.

  6. Cillian Murphy's Scarecrow - Batman Begins

    Murphy was the first actor to actually capture the Scarecrow's true villainy and threatening atmosphere.

    I think he was perfect for the role. He can be creepy when he needs to be. My second favorite villain.

  7. Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman - Batman Returns

    Catwoman in Batman Returns brought good art to Michelle Pfeiffer. Super scenes, excellent fight sequences, and a strong presence as Catwoman.

  8. Jim Carrey's Riddler - Batman Forever

    He's the best thing about Batman Forever and perfectly captured the character of The Riddler. He should be higher.

    Riddler is green, masked Jim Carrey is a great part of the film, very happy style and speedy.

  9. Liam Neeson's Ra's al Ghul - Batman Begins

    He had such excellent fighting skills! He trained Bruce. Bruce became Batman. And Ra's even tried to destroy Gotham!

  10. Tommy Lee Jones's Two-Face - Batman Forever

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Paul Dano's Riddler - The Batman

  12. ?

    Jensen Ackles's Red Hood - Batman: Under the Red Hood

    13. The Contenders

  13. Anne Hathaway's Catwoman - The Dark Knight Rises

  14. Uma Thurman's Poison Ivy - Batman & Robin

    Can anyone match her level of sexiness?

  15. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze - Batman & Robin

    Easily the most intimidating, intelligent, and evil villain.

    What could be better than a movie filled with ice puns?

    Tonight's forecast: A freeze is coming.

  16. Mark Hamill's Joker - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

  17. Christopher Walken's Max Shreck - Batman Returns

    You really learn to like Max throughout the movie and his partnership with The Penguin. He should definitely be on the list.

  18. Cesar Romero's Joker - Batman: The Movie

  19. Frank Gorshin's Riddler - Batman: The Movie

    This guy had such a great laugh.

  20. Burgess Meredith's Penguin - Batman: The Movie

  21. Marion Cotillard's Talia al Ghul - The Dark Knight Rises

  22. Mark Hamill's Joker - Batman: The Killing Joke

    OBVIOUSLY! He's the best! This is my all-time favorite (not only Batman or DC but) superhero movie. Mark did a humongous job of excellence! I mean, he still can't beat TAS, but he is always great.

    Plus, Killing Joke is my favorite graphic novel. I really enjoyed this story, more than Alan Moore does (I do respect him a lot). So basically, I'll vote this forever. NUMBER 1!

  23. Robin Atkin Downes's Doomsday - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

  24. Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

  25. Jared Leto's Joker - Suicide Squad

  26. Jeep Swenson's Bane - Batman & Robin

  27. Tom Wilkinson's Carmine Falcone - Batman Begins

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