Warning: This article contains spoilers for the movies discussed.
With12 theatrical films under his belt, Batman is by far one of the most reimagined and versatile superheroes ever put on film. With his first on-screen appearance nearly 80 years ago and his first feature-length theatrical debut as far back as 1966,the Caped Crusader has had many generations to inspire and influence. The character operates seamlessly through gritty detective stories, campy noir action, or outright superhero science fiction, and the perfect Batman story, let alone the perfect finale to a Batman story, means vastly different things to vastly different viewers.
The best movie endings are already under enough pressurewithout being attached to one of the most famous pop-culture characters of all time. Endings need to leave the audience wanting more, tie up loose threads, and bring home a film’s themes, all in a compact nature that leaves the audience buzzing on their way out. When done well, an ending can be the most memorable and iconic part of a film; when done poorly, it can ruin even a great movie right at the finish line.This list will rank the endings in every Batman moviebased on how satisfying and memorable they are, plus how they contribute to the Dark Knight’s overall legacy.
12’The Dark Knight Rises' (2012)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Widely considered the weakest entry inChristopher Nolan’sDark Knight Trilogy,The Dark Knight Riseshas aged quite poorly. It starts strong, as Batman (Christian Bale) prepares to sacrifice himself for Gotham in its darkest moments by using his Batwing to carry a nuclear warhead out of the city. The hero slyly reveals his identity to longtime ally James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and then flies off before an explosion in the distance supposedly seals his heroic sacrifice. Of course, that doesn’t stick.
The final shot of the film shows Alfred (Michael Caine) witnessing Bruce having dinner with Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway). Simultaneously,Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s John (Robin) Blake arrives at the Batcave.Cringe-inducing “Robin” name reveal aside, the idea of Bruce Wayne passing on his mantle and earning a happy ending can work, butit is severely underdeveloped. As the opening tells viewers, Batman hadalreadygiven up his mantle 8 years after the events ofThe Dark Knight. Instead of bravely fighting against adversity, then sacrificing himself for a city that hates him, thus earning his retirement,Bruce Wayne quit for 8 years, became Batman for a month, and then fled to Italy. It’s a weird sucker punch that, could definitely work but still muddled the trilogy’s themes.
The Dark Knight Rises
11’Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice' (2016)
Directed by Zack Snyder
Only Batman could earn top billing in a sequel to a film he wasn’t in.Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justicetells the story of an extremely gritty aged Batman, willing to kill his enemies after the loss of a Robin and pushed even further over the edge after witnessing the cataclysmic climax of 2013’sMan of Steel. Beginning as enemies, Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) (alongsideGal Gadot’s Wonder Woman) come together in the finale to defeat the newly created monster Doomsday, a fight which costs Superman his life. Bruce Wayne then attends Superman’s grave and promises to carry on his work.
On its surface, Superman’s sacrifice inspiring Barman’s heroism works well enough. Problems start to arise with the finale’s rushed nature and, crucially, its relationship to the film’s subtitle. Batman and Superman have exactly one dialogue scene and fight before they are suddenly lifelong allies. Batman is inspired by Superman, yet the only things they ever said to each other are the infamous “save Martha” and some MCU-esque jokes during their fight. Finally, as the film is subtitledDawn of Justice,Superman’s heroic sacrifice means next to nothingto the audience, as they know he has to be back forJustice League.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
10’Batman and Robin' (1997)
Directed by Joel Schumacher
ThoughBatman and Robinis often considered theworst superhero film of all time, the bulk of that damage is done long before the movie gets to its finale. In true Schumacher Batman fashion, the climax sees Batman (George Clooney), Robin (Chris O’Donnell), and the newly christened Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone) stop Mr. Freeze (Arnold Shwarzenegger) and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) from freezing the world with a giant laser. It’s the type of over-the-top melodrama that actually kind of works in Schumacher’s films, and if a viewer has made it that far intoBatman and Robin, they are definitely prepped for it.
What makesBatman and Robin’s climax slightly interesting, however, is not only that both of its villains initially survive the final fight (a rarity for superhero films of its era) but that Batman actually convinces Mr. Freeze to stop his evil machinations. It’s a much worse version of a sceneSpider-Man 2would nail years later, butBatman and Robinstill gets ample points forshowing superheroes being genuinely heroic and Batman’s desire for reformation. Mr. Freeze then enacts revenge on Poison Ivy himself, and a recreation ofBatman Forever’s final shot follows, this time with the full Bat-family trinity. Batman and Robin is an incredibly clunky and silly experience, but so are comic books.; it doesn’t make the endinggood, but it does make it Batman.
Batman and Robin
9’Batman Forever' (1995)
Batman Foreverpromised change for both the average movie-goer and for Batman fans alike. Right from the get-go, it was clear this new Batman would be lighter, more jovial, and more willing to embrace the superhero side. The signifier for all this change, the good and the bad, was the inclusion of Robin. At that time, best known forBurt Ward’s campy performance, Robin was so associated with the goofier side of Batman that he was largely excised from even comic books in the ’80s, with Dicky Grayson becoming NIghtwing.
Batman Foreverworks to reintegrate Robin and, by extension,the more fantastical parts of the Dark Knight’s mythos, and to this extent,its finale is imperfect but appropriate. When Batman and Robin go to stop The Riddler (Jim Carrey) and Two-Face’s (Tommy Lee Jones) brain-draining device, Robin has a chance to end Two-Face’s life but is ultimately convinced by Batman to spare the villain. Though Two-Face later dies, this moment of heroism and the Riddler’s survival help bring home thismore child-friendly and traditionally heroic take on Batman. The film ends with a dramatic shot of the newly formed dynamic duo running past the Bat-signal and towards their next adventure, capping off an uneven but enjoyable Batman chapter.
Batman Forever
8’Batman The Movie' (1966)
Directed by Leslie H. Martinson
Batman’s first feature-length theatrical filmis by far his silliest, and that is absolutely 100% a good thing.Adam Westand Burt Ward’s Dynamic Duo, alongside the amazing villain lineup ofCaesar Romero(Joker),Lee Meriweather(Catwoman),Frank Gorshin(Riddler), andBurgess Meredith(Penguin), are having a blast in this campy adventure, which never takes itself seriously. In a film that has already featured such iconic moments as shark-repellent bat-spray and the Caped Crusader refusing to bomb a school of ducks, the finale ups the ante by adding in an equally unserious take on social commentary.
The film features a devious plot by Batman’s dastardly rogues to kidnap the world security council by dehydrating them using utter sci-fi mumbo jumbo. The final moments see Batman and Robin not only defeat their assembled rogues gallery but also rehydrate this group of world leaders, only for them to immediately go back to arguing about world affairs, albeit with their speaking languages swapped. Batman considers his work here done, implies this may help bring about world peace, then “inconspicuously” exits through the window in broad daylight. It isa wonderfully cynical punchline to a movie-length jokethat perfectly encapsulates everything enticing aboutthese zany counterculture versions of Batman and Robin.
7’The Lego Batman Movie' (2017)
Directed by Chris McKay
The Lego Batman Movietackles a very simple idea that is crucial to the Dark Knight’s character development over his 80-year history. When Batman was introduced in 1939, it was a mere year before Robin joined him in 1940, making Batman’s tenure as a solo crime fighter a minuscule part of his comic book history.Lego Batmandirectly takes on this idea and translates to film one of the most classic Batman arcs:Bruce Wayne’s journey into a team player and leader.
DespiteLego Batman’s status as by far the most openly comedic take on Batman,its finale strikes a shockingly emotionally resonate chord. After struggling with the responsibility of caring forMichael Cera’s Dick Grayson and conflicting emotions aroundRosario Dawson’s Barbara Gordon,Will Arnett’s Batman fully opens up to the idea of letting others into his life again and assembles a family of his own.The Bat-family is most Batman fans' favourite aspectof the character, and his 80+ year history and seeing a Batman willing to grow past his brooding and lonerism, even if in LEGO form, is definitely a treat for those fans.
The Lego Batman Movie
6’Batman Begins' (2005)
Directed By Christopher Nolan
The first outing for the Caped Crusader afterBatman and Robin,Batman Beginshad to work overtime to create a grounded realitythat allowed audiences to take Batman seriously again. The film features very toned down versions of foes such asLiam Neeson’s League of Assassins (here the League of Shadows) and classic rogues gallery members such asCillian Murphy’s Scarecrow, alongside more military-based tech and gritty action. This muted world is what helps make the film’s final rooftop meeting between Christian Bale’s Batman and Gary Oldman’s James Gordon so exciting.
Debuting the newly created Bat-signal and recreating an iconic visual from the comics, Batman and Gordon meet on the rooftop of the GCPD building for the first time.Seeing this iconic duo is exciting enough, but Gordon’s talk of escalation and his handing of Batman a card belonging to the Joker is what really seals the deal. Despite its muted world,Batman Beginspromises growth and changefor the hero and his world. This ending does exactly what it should and leaves the audience wanting more while also directly tying into the film’s established themes of vigilantism, violence, and justice.
Batman Begins
5’Batman' (1989)
Directed by Tim Burton
To many,Tim Burton’s originalBatmanfilm is the definitive representation of Batman in live action. Burton perfectly encapsulates Gotham City’s anachronistic aesthetic and the gothic, brooding atmosphere of its inhabitants in a way that appears to leak the very essence of Batman directly off of the comic book page. While there are definite changes from the comic and his relationship toJack Nicholson’s Joker,Michael Keaton’s genre-defining take on the hero works in tandem with Burton’s signature aesthetic to create a memorable experience.
What makes this film’s climax memorable is the absolute standout score by composerDanny Elfman. His work on Batman producedone of the most iconic scores in superhero cinema. The tune, when paired with Burton’s framing of the iconic bat-signal and the hint of a well-earned happy ending for Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger), immediately createdsome of the most iconic imagery in Batman’s history. The shot of Batman gazing at the signal to Elfman’s score has been mirrored in everything from the animated series toThe Flash, making this a powerful finale on imagery alone.
4’Batman Returns' (1992)
Batman Returnsbuilds upon the haunting and gothic atmosphere of Tim Burton’s original Batman film and uses it to create what many see as one of the weirdest and best entries in Batman’s cinematic history. Like all great Batman stories,Batman Returnsis driven by its villains and how they reflect elements of the hero onto themselves.Danny De Vito’s iconic turn as the Penguin juxtaposes Bruce Wayne’s class status and matches his inner outcast status and lack of belonging. AndMichelle Pfeiffer’sgenre defining femme fatale Catwomanperfectly mirrors Batman’s duality and the freeing nature that Bruce Wayne’s alternate persona provides.
It is through Catwoman thatBatman Returnscreates one of the most powerful finales in Batman’s history as the Dark Knight attempts to prevent Selina Kyle from enacting revenge upon her killer,Christopher Walken’s Max Shreck. Throughout the film, Bruce Wayne has found what he believes to be a true soulmate in Selina Kyle due to their dual natures and willingness to wrestle with their inner darkness. Batman’s attempt and ultimate failure to prevent Selina from succumbing to this darknessgives the movie a very melancholic and poignant ending, as we see Bruce reflect upon this loss with Alfredagainst the film’s grim Christmas backdrop. The final twist of the knife that seals this finale’s excellence is thatCatwoman is still alive, a visual which is simultaneously hopeful and thematic.
Batman Returns
3’Batman: Mask of The Phantasm' (1993)
Directed by Eric Radomski & Bruce Timm
This feature-length film from the team behind the groundbreakingBatman: The Animated Seriesis considered by many to bethe best representation of Batman in film, and it lives up to that hype in many respects. Iconic performances fromKevin ConroyandMark Hamillare paired alongside a host of newcomers as the film focuses on an original mystery and delves deeper into Bruce Wayne’s psyche than many live-action films have ever dared to. As he battles a new villain, The Phantasm, and meets a forgotten lover from his past, Andrea (Dana Delany),Batman: Mask of the Phantasmdeals with Bruce Wayne’s self-loathing, double identity, and the grief he feels over his parents' deaths in shocking depth for an animated film.
The film’s final moments serve as explosive conclusions to both the film’s mystery and emotional swings, as Batman, The Phantasm, and The Joker do battle at a haunting, gothic worlds fair-esque setting. The ending sees Batman fail to stop the Phantasm/Andrea from seeking revenge against the Joker, ultimatelylosing another potential chance at happiness for Bruceto the consuming identity that is Batman. Rich, striking animation coupled with swelling music, brilliant vocal performances, and a tragic yet heroic depiction of Batman and his duty all work in tandem to create not only one of the best Batman endings butone of the best and most underrated Batman films, period.
