Best Batman Movie Villains of All-Time

There is no comic book superhero with more iconic villains than Batman! Most heroes have one or two famous enemies, but the Caped Crusader has more than a handful that are now household names.

Most of Batman’s most dangerous adversaries have appeared in a film alongside the masked hero, but a few have starred in their own movies like ‘Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).’

While two actors have won Marion Cottillard.

With ‘Justice League’ or ‘Suicide Squad.’

Let’s begin!

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10) Ra's al Ghul - The Dark Knight Rises

While he starts off in ‘Batman Begins’ as Bruce Wayne’s mentor Henri Ducard, Christopher Nolan’s series, and even returned for a cameo in ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’

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9) Scarecrow - The Dark Knight

Also first appearing in 'Batman Begins,' Cillian Murphy's Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow, is the only villain to appear in all three of Christopher Nolan's 'Dark Knight' movies. The actor's menacing and realistic performance brought new dimensions to the scary comic book character.

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8) Riddler - Batman Forever

Jim Carrey stole every scene he was in, in the otherwise forgettable, ‘Batman Forever.’ As the Riddler, the comedian went “full-Carey” and delivered a fun and absolutely outrageous performance, which unfortunately was not enough to save the rest of the movie.

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7) Two-Face - The Dark Knight

The bar was set low for Two-Face after Tommy Lee Jones’ hammy performance in ‘Batman Forever,’ and Aaron Eckhart hit it out of the park. The movie allows us to see the origin of the character, and watch his evolution from heroic attorney, to disfigured man.

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6) Bane - The Dark Knight Rises

While 'The Dark Knight Rises' did not mark Bane's first on screen appearance, that unfortunately was 'Tom Hardy's performance is clearly the best. Putting the odd voice choice aside, the actor is physically commanding and completely believable as the man that broke Batman's back.

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5) Maximillian Shreck - Batman Returns

An original character created for Tim Burton's 'Batman Returns,' corrupt businessman Maximillian Shreck almost causes more trouble for Batman than Penguin and Catwoman. Played ruthlessly and with complete joy by the great Christopher Walken, he is an equal advisory for both Batman and Bruce Wayne, tries to get Penguin elected Mayor of Gotham, and is the reason Selina Kyle becomes the Catwoman.

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4) Penguin - Batman Returns

Taking what Danny DeVito portrayed Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin in Tim Burton's sequel. In fact, the actor's performance was so horrific and scary (as it should be), McDonald's refused to put toys of the character in their Happy Meals.

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3) Joker - Batman

Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix may have won Oscars for playing the Joker on screen, but to anyone who group up in the 80's and 90's, Jack Nicholson is the one true Joker. Not only was his performance hilarious and unexpected, taking the role set a precedent for other Oscar-winning actors to play comic book characters on screen.

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2) Catwoman - Batman Returns

While Michael Keaton and DeVito.

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1) Joker - The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger is the first actor to ever win an Oscar for playing a comic book character. As great as all the Joker actors were before him, and have been since, Ledger’s performance is still clearly the best. The actor channeled a chaotic madness that perfectly matched the character, and his one on one scenes with Christian Bale’s Batman are some of the best cinematic moments in the franchise’s history.