TheBatmanmovies have consistently been some of the most popular and groundbreaking superhero films out there. Being one of the most popular superheroes of all time,next to the likes of Spider-Manand the Avengers, it only makes sense that considerable care, money, and dedication are poured into his films. Thus, it’s safe to say Batman’s big-screen efforts have some of the best action sequences in superhero cinema.
Batman is special because he’s powerless. His action is grounded, real, and feels like what’s on-screen could genuinely happen in real life. He’s also a bit of a brutal hero at times, delivering attacks that hit hard and feel truly impactful in ways that make the audience feel like Batman is a true threat to the villains he faces. Not all the Batman movies are equally good in the action department, with some favoring humor or character building. However,the Batman movies with the best action all rank among the most thrilling in the superhero genre.
11’Batman: The Movie' (1966)
Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
Set in the world ofBatman ‘66,Batman: The Moviedelivers action that is far goofier than the type of fast-paced, hyper-realistic fare audiences are used to seeing in modern-day Batman films, especially in the post-Nolan era. While the action in this goofy movie is certainly engaging, it is also quite cartoonish and can feel a bit too much; at times, it feels as though a giant onomatopoeia will come out with every punch.
Whether Batman needs the shark-repellent Bat-spray to fight a shark off a rope ladder or he’s fighting against another one of the super villains from his rogues’ gallery, the Caped Crusader has his work cut out for him here. So what if everything is silly-looking?Batman: The Moviehas incredibly entertaining actionthat keeps audiences engaged, just in differentways than the current superhero films do.
Batman ‘66
10’Batman and Robin’ (1997)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
When the menacing Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) emerge in Gotham City to wreak havoc, Batman (George Clooney) and Robin (Chris O’Donnell) must team up to put a stop to their plans. Using silly gadgets and receiving some last-minute help from Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone), the dynamic duo ends the duo’s reign of terror.
The action here,while serviceable, is not very impressive compared to other Batman films. Much likeBatman: The Movie,Batman and Robinis far goofier than most Batman films, andit’s hard to take the action seriously enough to keep it compelling. While the film does have its moments, it doesn’t have much action that is memorable, at least not for the right reasons.Batman and Robinis one of the bestso-bad-they’re-good movies of the ’90s, but the action could be much better.
Batman and Robin
9’Batman Forever' (1995)
The Riddler (Jim Carrey) and Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) hit Gotham City inBatman Forever, ready to bring nothing but chaos.The action inBatman Foreveris quite exciting at timesbut not that impressive. Again, it’s hard to take what’s going on seriously, thanks to the campier approach that directorJoel Schumacherdecided to take with the franchise.
The bonkers plan that Riddler and Two-Face attempt to enact allows for some wild and wacky action in and of itself. The sequences are a tad lessgoofy than in the sequel, but ironically not memorable enough to really be considered all that great. What stands out does so for decidedly lighthearted reasons, withJim Carrey’s Riddler all but stealing the movie.
Batman Forever
8’Batman' (1989)
Directed by Tim Burton
Tim Burton’s originalBatmanfilm, starringMichael Keatonas the Caped Crusader, is iconic in so many ways. It set a lot of standards anddefined tropes that would come to be used in every Batman adventure to come. The action inBatmanis a ton of fun and just the right amount of out there for it to be a joy to watch while remaining compelling with its hard-hitting attacks.
The action is executed quite well for 1989, and it’s clear that Burton and the rest of the film’s crew cared a lot about how Batman would move and attack. Every fight and chase isnot exactly believable, but it seems at least plausiblewhile being the right amount of fun.The now-infamous Batman does make Keaton’s movements way too stiff for a lot of the sequences, but the filmmakers did what they could to work around this issue.
7’Batman Returns' (1992)
Michael Keaton and Tim Burton return to Gotham City inBatman Returnsto deliver a sequel that improves upon the action inBatmanquite a bit.With Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) entering the fray with a unique fighting style mirroring Batman’s, the action has a lot of variety. Not to mention, the crew got much better at working around the stiff Batman costume.
Batman Returnstook what was great about the action inBatmanand improved upon it while also learning from the mistakes and issues found in the first film.Catwoman’s whip brings a cool element to the action, and the final sequence where the penguins blow up The Penguin’s layer is quite well-realized. Burton’s incredible directing ability brought action to the screen that wowed audiences and got them excited to see more Batman.
Batman Returns
6’Batman Begins' (2005)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
The first installment in theChristopher NolanDark Knighttrilogy introduced not only a new,rough-voiced Batman inChristian Balebut a new type of fighting style for the Caped Crusader. Nolan and his crew clearly had a lot of fun playing with Bruce’s time with the League of Shadows, training to be the symbol of justice he would soon become whileintroducing a more grounded and brutal fighting style for Batman.
The more grounded spectacle found inBatman Beginswould come to set the standard moving forward for Batman action. The thrilling sequences feel real, helping audiences buy into what they’re seeing on screen much more. Unfortunately, the crew faced similar problems Tim Burton’s team once had: the Batman suit still feels incredibly stiff, making it difficult for Bale to turn his head in the suit. Thankfully, though, the lessons learned from the Burton franchise helped out Nolan quite a bit.
Batman Begins
5’The Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
The finale ofThe Dark Knighttrilogy was one packed full of action as the terrifying Bane (Tom Hardy) emerges in Gotham and effectively breaks the Caped Crusader while he’s at it.The third act pretty much turns into an all-out waras Batman and Bane fight for the heart of Gotham, and the action is incredibly compelling.
The Dark Knight Risesputs Batman against a foe that bests him physically in almost every way. This situation allows for action that truly hits hard and makes audiences fear for the well-being of Batman unlike they ever have before.The Dark Knighttrilogy featured mostly villains that couldn’t stand up to Batman physically, so Bane serves as a brutal contrast to everything Batman has faced in the past.The Dark Knight Risesis the most ambitious Batman movie to date, with Nolan pretty much trying to stage the French Revolution on the street of Gotham; it might not be a home run, but one can’t help to admire its ambition.
The Dark Knight Rises
4’The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
Directed by Chris McKay
Surprisingly enough,The Lego Batman Moviefeatures some ofthe most spirited and fun Batman action in cinema.While the goofiness of the Joel Schumacher films deteriorated from the quality of the films, the silly and gun nature ofThe Lego Batman Movieenhances the action sequences at play.
The action inThe Lego Batman Movieisfast-paced, colorful, unique and incredibly exciting.The creative opportunities that the Lego universe opens up allow for action sequences that simply cannot be found anywhere else. From chase sequences to elaborate setpieces,The Lego Batman Movieis perhaps the most refreshing entry in the series, andthe action is some of the most dazzlingthat people can’t help but love.
The Lego Batman Movie
3’The Dark Knight' (2008)
The sequel to the first film in the Christopher Nolan Batman franchise is packed full of action that vastly improves upon the style set forth inBatman Begins.The Dark Knighttakes everything that came before and adds to it. Whether it’s Batman taking on the construction complex full of goons with stealth or taking on a nightclub packed with baddies,The Dark Knightdelivers fights that are incredibly memorable.
The Dark Knight’s conflict primarily doesn’t involve the need for physical action, given the fact that the Joker (Heath Ledger) sets up situations that test Batman’s abilities in other ways. But when it does deliver an action sequence, they’re incredibly engaging and impactful. From the chase sequence where Batman races against the Joker to protect Harvey Dent’s (Aaron Eckhart) caravan to the opening heist sequence,The Dark Knightis a masterclass in tense-filled action.
The Dark Knight
2’Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' (2016)
Directed by Zack Snyder
WhileBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewasn’t received very positively by critics and fans alike, the action is executed very well. If there’s something directorZack Snyderknows how to do, it’s direct a good action sequence. The iconic battle betweenBatman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill)is one for the ages and super entertaining, even if it’s way too short.
Batman’s action outside the big anti-Superman suit is astounding as well.The warehouse fight scene, in which Batman fights to save Martha Kent (Diane Lane), isbrutal and represents the best of what Batman action can and should be.It includes hand-to-hand combat and the use of gadgets, acrobatics, stealth, and tactics, which is everything that makes for a good Batman fight.
