All Theatrical Batman-Adjacent Movies Ranked

(UPDATED for 2024)

 In general, I prefer my Batman movies to feature Batman himself … with that said, his universe is an expansive one, with characters and stories that could possibly hold their own. In some other cases, Batman can serve as a supporting character as part of an ensemble film. 

Sense I reviewed all the theatrical Batman movies, I thought this would be the best time to stop and rank all those Theatrical films adjacent to either Batman or his universe. As a quick note … I will not be including either of the “LEGO Movies”, as I view that as a whole other series with licensed characters, and I won’t be including any direct to video films like “Batman: the Killing Joke”, which had limited theatrical runs. With all that said, here are all nine, theatrically released, Batman adjacent movies ranked from my least favorite to personal favorite.

 

#9 “Catwoman” (2004) 

Perhaps the most curious spin-off of Batman’s theatrical universe, as this is Catwoman in name only, and has no real ties to the actual anti-hero or villain of Gotham city. That would have been small potatoes if the film had been any good … but unfortunately, there’s a reason … a lot of reasons … why this flick is branded as one of the worst comic-book movies ever made. Boring, cringe, by the numbers and failing to deliver anything worthwhile for such a fan-favorite character. While I could see Halle Berry playing a potentially passable Catwoman, she was regretfully at the mercy of a bad script, and just couldn’t elevate this mediocre comic-book picture.

 

#8 “DC League of Super-Pets” (2022) 

When Lex Luthor's pet guineapig captures Superman, Batman and all the other Justice league members, it's up to Superman's Pet dog Krypto, along with Bat-Hound, to assemble a team of Super-pets to save the day. While not ranking very high on my little totem pole, there’s really nothing offensively bad about this animated superhero outing. It’s what you’d expect … a cute little animated offering for kids, with goofy sequences and colorful fight scenes. Keanu Reeves as the voice of Batman is one those curious choices that’s very welcome in animation form, and worth savoring. In general, this film is nothing demanding, and easy to forget about … but for what it is, and all it aimed to be … it was perfectly harmless.  

 

#7 “Joker” (2019) 

Kind of a HOT-TAKE here … but I’m not a fan of solo villain movies without their heroic adversaries. As such, a Joker origin movie without Batman … even when done well … just isn’t something that appeals to me. Also, I’ve been burnt-out on Joker content in general, and am ready for other rouges from Batman’s universe to get more attention. All that being said … the 2019 “Joker” movie wasn’t awful, and mostly earned its acolytes. I’d say Joaquin Pheonix earned his Oscar Winn for Best Actor in the leading role, but I must admit, the films nomination for Best Picture might have been a pinch much. Again, I wouldn’t call this a terrible movie … it just wasn’t something that won me over.   

 

#6 “Birds of Prey” (2020) 

Unlike the more villainous Joker, I feel Harley Quinn works better in the lead role of anti-hero, and with Margot Robbie back in her signature role, you got a generally engaging comic-book outing. This time around, she’s made enemies with Black Mask, who’s played with a great deal of energy and charisma by Ewan McGregor, but I must admit, the character lacked the same menace and sense of dread I always associated with Black Mask. That, and I hated that he frequently showed off his face, when his mask should be his permanent look. 

Also, I found the Birds of Prey themselves to be less interesting than Harley Quinn, and I feel the movie could have been stronger if it was just her own solo film, without the other team characters. That being said, this was an okay watch, with some highlights, including a memorable action set-piece in an elaborately designed fun house.

 

#5 “Teen Titans Go! To the Movies” (2018) 

I’m a long-time fan of the animated 2003 “Teen Titans” series, and admittedly wasn’t too interested in the goofy spin-off series “Teen Titans Go!” … but I will say, the movie was quiet enjoyable for what it was. It gave the films sinical take of Robin a decent story arc, and pitted him against his arch foe Slade, also known as Death Stroke, and there were just enough little Batman sprinkles throughout that were welcome, without being overdone. One particular joke involving the Wayne family going down their dark ally had me laughing hard. While this didn’t win me over to watch the show, I still felt it did it’s job, and was a delightful watch all it’s own.    

 

#4 “Suicide Squad” (2016) [Extended Cut] 

Time for another HOT-TAKE … I actually enjoyed the 2016 movie “Suicide Squad”. I should make it clear, I didn’t actually see this movie in the theater, and was introduced to it through its special 2016 extended cut. I don’t know if I was just in the right mood at the right time, but I had fun with what this movie had to offer. The cast is solid, with Will Smith being a reliable lead in the role of Dead Shot, and of course we got our introduction to Margot Robbie in her now iconic portrayal of Harley Quinn. 

While Jared Leto doesn’t rank high on the totem pole of live-action Jokers, I feel his character at least brought something new to the table, and at least gave him a unique persona when compared to all the others. The supporting characters like Katana and Killer Croc may not have been interesting, but they were at least cool looking characters to have present, and helped this movie win it’s Oscar for best hair and make-up. Aside from Ben Affleck’s extended cameo as Batman, this film really had an atmosphere and mood that felt right at home with Batman’s universe. Like I said, I know this is one of the lesser liked DC movie offerings … but I actually quiet enjoyed it for what it was.      

 

#3 “The Flash” (2023) 

When the Flash goes back in time to save his family, he unwittingly undoes reality, and goes on an adventure across several plains of reality. Along the way he encounters a second Flash, Supergirl, General Zod, Wonder Woman, and lots of different Batmen. We got Ben Affleck’s Batman, a glimpse of Adam West, a walk-in cameo from George Clooney as Bruce Wayne, and of course, Michael Keaton returns in his signature Batman role, along with his signature vehicles, and rousing Danny Elfman theme song. 

Honestly, I think this film could have worked as a solo Flash film, as it has the imagination and proper emotional moments that work. Having said that, it’s undeniably a treat to have classic Keaton Batman back in action, with updated effects, and he delivers a commendable performance in the role after all these years. 

 

#2 “The Suicide Squad” (2021) 

While I found myself enjoying the 2016 “Suicide Squad” for what it was … it was undeniably just the warm-up for its 2021 follow-up. James Gunn brought his signature voice and style to this film, and made “The Suicide Squad” a highly entertaining, very funny, action romp, with an even more charismatic cast then before, and a consistent tone … anything goes! Aside from Margot Robbie’s third portrayal of Harley Quinn, I’d say this film has the least in common with Batman … and I feel this film is all the better for it. It has its own strengths, its own style, and is all-together one of the better DCEU pictures.  

 

#1 “Justice League” (2017) [Zack Snyder’s Justice League] 

While the theatrical live-action movie “Justice League” was originally released back in 2017, and under the direction of Joss Whedon, I think most of us view Zack Snyder’s 2021 cut of the film the real version of the picture, and without question, it’s my favorite of Batman’s expanded universe movies. While the theatrical cut had one novelty in the form of Danny Elfman reprising the score for a Batman adjacent movie, the film overall was very standard and forgettable. As an alternative, Snyder’s-cut took his film and made something special out of it, even with it’s formidable run time. 

In my view, this is Ben Affleck’s best portrayal of Batman, and his supporting players like Jeremy Irons as Alfred, and J. K. Simmons as Commissioner Gorden all felt like memorable portrayals in their own right. Snyders cut of the film even gave Jared Leto one last moment to shine as The Joker, and for such a brief appearance, it suggested he could have been a great lead villain when given the right direction, and a better movie. It’s just a solid Superhero outing, with a large cast of heroes, each sharing great chemistry, high stake action, and it’s all around a satisfying payoff for this legendary team of heroes.

Coming Soon … “Joker: Folie à Deux”

Thanks for reading my countdown … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!