The Batman film franchise is one of the most popular on the planet, going through several iterations. It makes sense, considering Batman himself is arguably the most iconic superhero ever created — only Spider-Man and Superman reach the same level. Thus, a lot of work and money goes into the Caped Crusader’s numerous film outings, resulting in the creation of some of the best superhero films with some of the best superhero scenes of all time.
Batman is an incredible hero who has redefined the superhero film genre time and time again, and that’s thanks to the quality of his films. Each iteration of Batman in both live-action and animation has scenes that are astounding and phenomenally executed, and many have gone down in superhero cinema history as some of the best and most widely recognized. These arethe most rewatchable Batman scenes throughout his long cinematic career, ranging from brutal battle sequences to thrilling chases down the streets of Gotham.
10The Warehouse Fight
‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ (2016)
The third act ofBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justiceis messy and more than a bit convoluted —the whole Martha thing still haunts fans' dreams. Still, there’s also a lot of good in it, mainly the spectacular action. The warehouse fight, in which Batman (Ben Affleck) takes down a bunch of thugs to save Superman’s (Henry Cavill) mother, Martha Kent (Diane Lane), is an incredibly rewatchable scene.
The fight scene is super entertaining and quite gritty. While Batman’s brutality can feel a bit out of character for some people (because most of those guys definitely died), it stillresults in a fight scene that is beautifully choreographed and highly enjoyable. It can feel weird to some, but that doesn’t keep it from being thrilling and memorable, which is much appreciated, especially in such a dull movie.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
9The Highway Chase
‘The Batman’ (2022)
One of the highlights of the first trailer forThe Batmanis the intense car chase that happens midway through the film. It’s a wild scene that is spectacular and an absolute highlight of the finished product. It also ends in what may be the best shot of the film, an upside-down look at Batman (Robert Pattinson) slowly approaching the camera. The scene also acts asthe debut of the Batmobile, and, boy, does it pay off.
The Batmobile is one of the most iconic gadgets that Batman has in his wide arsenal of gear, and the one featured inThe Batmanis super cool. Whether it’s the Batmobile driving off of a ramp through fire or crashing the Penguin’s (Colin Farrell) car,this chase isone of the most iconic and entertaining Batmobile scenesin Batman cinema.
The Batman
8"Vengeance blackens the soul, Bruce."
‘Batman: Mask of the Phantasm’ (1993)
At the end of the brilliantBatman: Mask of the Phantasm,Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy)is in a really rough place; he lost his fiancé to the darkness of Gotham City while being reminded of how easy it is to fall to revenge’s clutches. Attempting to help the hero feel comfort, Alfred Pennyworth (Efrem Zimbalist Jr.) decides to impart some much-needed wisdom broken hero.
“Vengeance blackens the soul, Bruce. I’ve always feared that you would become that which you fought against. You walk the edge of that abyss every night, but you haven’t fallen in, and I thank heaven for that.” It’s easilyone of the best quotes in any Batman film, showing why the character of Batman is so special. No matter how much pain and suffering he goes through,Batman never delves into the darkness of evil, no matter what.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
7Final Fight with the Joker
‘Batman’ (1989)
Tim Burton’sBatmanwas the first major theatrical outing for the Caped Crusader and really had to deliver if they were going to secure the character a future in the film industry. Luckily, it lived up to the lofty expectations, but when it came to wrapping it all up with a bow and leaving audiences wanting more, they really brought the best they had.
The final battle against the iconic Joker (Jack Nicholson) is one for the books.Jack Nicholsonis one of the most iconic adaptions of the Joker, and the scene really tests Batman’s (Michael Keaton) will as he faces off with the man who killed his parents. The encounter is filled with tension as Joker stands above Batman and Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) hanging from a building. It’s an iconic scene that shows why Batman is so great: rather than pull himself up to fight the Joker, he stays with Viki to protect her.
6Bane Breaks Batman
‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)
One of the most iconic Batman comic book stories is “Knightfall,” where Bane breaks Batman’s back and decommissions him for quite a while. So, when Bane (Tom Hardy) is introduced inThe Dark Knight Rises, it is pretty much a given that the film would pay homage to the iconic story in some way. Indeed, the film goes all in and features a sequence where Bane brutally fights Batman (Christian Bale) and breaks his back, much like he does on the page.
Not only is it awesome that the film adapts the iconic imagery found in the books but the fight leading up to it is visceral and really challenges Batman. Pinning him against someone who could match and surpass him physically is a great choice, especially consideringThe Dark Knight Risesis the end of the hero’s trilogy. It’s an incredible fight andone of the best moments inThe Dark Knighttrilogy overall.
The Dark Knight Rises
5Batman vs. Superman
With a film titledBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it is obvious that the eventual fight between the two DC titans would end up being the highlight. Lightly adapting the iconic fight fromThe Dark Knight Returns, the film sees Batman wielding a large suit built specifically to fight Superman.The fight is wildly entertaining and intense, making creative use of the space and the hero’s respective strengths.
The debate of who would win in this fight has been a topic since the earliest days of DC Comics and to see it come to life is awesome. While it may seem like a mere mortal like Batman wouldn’t be able to hold upagainst Henry Cavill’s Superman, Ben Affleck’s Batmancomes prepared and ready with kryptonite, proving that even man can face the gods. It’s intense and a great back-and-forth,a wonderful fight that is so much fun to go back and rewatch.
4Batman’s Introduction
The most iconic scene fromThe Batmanis easily the introduction. The opening monologue, paired with the various shots of this new Gotham City, sets the tone quickly and perfectly. But when a bunch of thugs are causing trouble, and Batman emerges from the shadows to show audiences this new Caped Crusader for the first time, it’s chilling and epic.
The beat-down that follows is one of the best and most intense fights in a Batman flick. He absolutely shows them what he’s made of, and his first line, “I’m vengeance,” is perfect. There’s a reason why this scene was initially used as a teaser for the film: it perfectly captures the character’s essence and is, by far,one of the best ways Batman has been introduced in a film.
3Joker’s Interrogation
‘The Dark Knight’ (2008)
The Dark Knightis known as one of the greatest comic book films of all time. It’s beautifully directed byChristopher Nolanand the role of Bruce Wayne is wonderfully performed by Christian Bale. But the absolute highlight of the film is, obviously,the Joker performance by the lateHeath Ledger. He delivers what is easily one of the greatest portrayals, not only in the superhero genre but in cinema itself, and the interrogation scene proves it.
After James Gordon (Gary Oldman) has no luck interrogating the Joker, he lets Batman into the room to get information from him. The Caped Crusader then proceeds to barricade the door and gets pretty brutal with the Clown Prince of Crime. Batman’s entrance is super chilling, standing behind Joker in the darkness and revealed when the lights are turned on. The discussion between the two isan almost perfect depiction of what makes the Joker/Batman dynamic so specialcompared to other hero/villain relationships.
The Dark Knight
2"I"m Batman"
One of the most iconic Batman scenes in 1989’sBatmanis the big introduction of Michael Keaton’s titular hero. As he gives a great beat-down that sets the tone of this Dark Knight, when asked who he is, his response is simply, “I’m Batman.” and it’s amazing.This moment became defining for Batman, to the point where it would be imitated and taken inspiration from for Batman films to come after.
Even people who aren’t huge fans of the character or keep up with his movies know of this iconic scene. It pretty much defined Keaton as one of the all-time best Batman actors and contributed to the film’s reputation as one ofthe best superhero movies of the 20th century. The fact thatthe moment is still remembered and honored to this dayis proof of how great of a scene it is.
1Bruce Wayne Becomes Batman
What is easily the most iconic scene in any Batman film actually comes from hisfirst animated theatrical outing,Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.The moment in which Batman dons the cape and cowl for the first time is chilling and legendaryboth in imagery and meaning; it isn’t hopeful but almost bittersweet and triumphant, a perfect definition of the character. The scene is everything a Batman introduction needs to be and more, coming up with much of the modern imagery audiences relate to the character.
The scene isn’t hopeful but almost bittersweet and triumphant, a perfect definition of Batman as a character.
Bruce’s alter-ego isn’t some Superman-like hero who radiates joyful hope. Instead, Batman isa hero who adapts to the darkness and rises above it, inspiring through action and giving hope that things will get better, and that is what this scene is all about. Plus, Alfred’s reaction to Bruce’s new look is incredible.Mask of the Phantasmdoesn’t get nearly enough credit for being the all-time best Batman movie, and it’s all because of meaningful scenes like this one.
