Over the decades, Batman has stood as one of the most iconic characters in the superhero universe, setting his status as one of the most recognisable fictional characters in history. What adds to his long-lasting legacy are the villains the superhero encountered throughout the years. Hint: The Joker.
Without a doubt, The Joker holds a distinct place among the other villains, making him the most exceptional and iconic antagonist in Batman’s extensive gallery of foes.
Few characters have left a mark as indelible as The Joker, every Batman and DC Comics fan would agree. The famous villain, known for his maniacal laughter, anarchic disposition and erratic behaviour, has graced the screens in various interpretations over the years. Be it the early portrayals or the modern-day cinematic reimagining, The Joker has become a symbol of chaos.
From the charismatic Heath Ledger to the hauntingly intense Joaquin Phoenix, each actor has brought their signature essence to the role, contributing to the enduring legacy of one of fiction’s most loved antagonists.
On this day in 2009, Heath Ledger posthumously won an Oscar for his iconic performance as The Joker in “THE DARK KNIGHT” 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Vk3Mog6W5A
— Screen Off Script (@ScreenOffScript) February 22, 2024
Without further ado, here is the ultimate binge list if you wish to watch movies wherein The Joker creates havoc for Batman and his allies.
8 movies and TV shows where The Joker has made an appearance
Batman (1966) – The journey begins with a movie and a series
Portrayed by: Cesar Romero
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
In the 1966 Batman TV series and spin-off film, Batman (Adam West) and Robin must thwart the dastardly plans of the Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman, who join forces to attack the United World Security Council. The supervillains aim to turn the leaders into dust and hold the world ransom. Batman and Robin, with the help of their trusty Bat-utility belts, race against time to save the council members and stop the villains’ nefarious plot.
This first live-action iteration of The Joker, played by Cesar Romero, was a campy and colourful portrayal with darker undertones.
Batman (1989) – A blockbuster iteration
Portrayed by: Jack Nicholson
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
After experiencing the brutal murder of his parents in his childhood, millionaire Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) takes on the mantle of Batman in Gotham City. Disguised in a fearsome costume, he combats crime and instils terror in villains. However, Gotham falls under the control of a deformed madman Jack Napier, aka The Joker, and becomes Batman’s most powerful adversary.
Directed by Tim Burton, the critical and commercial success delved into Batman’s origins and his conflict with The Joker.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – A turning point for the DC characters
Voiced by: Mark Hamill
IMDb rating: 9/10
Batman: The Animated Series follows the adventures of Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy), as he protects Gotham City from a variety of criminals and supervillains. The series is known for its dark and atmospheric art deco style, as well as its mature storytelling. The superhero faces iconic foes such as The Joker, Harley Quinn, Two-Face and Poison Ivy.
The animated show also explores Batman’s origins and his relationships with allies like Commissioner Gordon and Robin. Each episode presents a standalone story, contributing to the overall character arcs.
The Dark Knight (2008) – An icon is born
Portrayed by: Heath Ledger
IMDb rating: 9/10
In Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight, Batman (Christian Bale) teams up with District Attorney Harvey Dent and Lieutenant James Gordon to combat organised crime in Gotham City. The trio’s efforts are complicated by the emergence of The Joker, the chaotic and anarchic criminal mastermind. The Joker’s plans force Batman into a moral dilemma, challenging his principles and pushing him to his limits. As the supervillain’s influence grows, the film builds to a gripping climax that leaves a lasting impact on Gotham and its characters.
Ledger was posthumously honoured with the Academy Award, BAFTA and the Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of The Joker, which remains iconic to date.
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Suicide Squad (2016) – One of the first movies with The Joker and Harley Quinn
Portrayed by: Jared Leto
IMDb rating: 5.9/10
Suicide Squad revolves around a secret government programme known as Task Force X. In response to the increasing threat of metahuman abilities, intelligence officer Amanda Waller proposes assembling a team of dangerous criminals with unique skills and abilities to undertake high-risk missions in exchange for reduced sentences. The recruited criminals include Joker, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang and Killer Croc, led by Colonel Rick Flag.
In the first iteration since Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance, Leto’s portrayal was much-discussed and controversial. The actor-musician brought new layers to the character, which had a fresher design approach, being covered with tattoos and a mouth grill.
Joker (2019) – A memorable origin story
Portrayed by: Joaquin Phoenix
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
The 2019 film is an origin story that explores the transformation of Arthur Fleck into the iconic DC Comics supervillain, The Joker. Set in the early 1980s in Gotham City, Arthur is a mentally troubled and impoverished stand-up comedian, who aspires to bring laughter to the world. However, he faces societal rejection, economic hardships and a lack of empathy. As Arthur grapples with his crumbling mental health, he is mistreated by society and abandoned by those who should support him. A series of tragic events push him towards a breaking point, leading to a descent into madness.
Joaquin Phoenix‘s performance as Arthur Fleck/The Joker earned him the Best Actor honours at both the Academy and Golden Globe Awards. Additionally, the film also bagged awards for Best Original Score at the Oscars and BAFTA.
Birds of Prey (2020) – A brief appearance
Portrayed by: Jared Leto
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
In Birds of Prey, Harley Quinn navigates life post-breakup with the Joker. Following their separation, Harley finds herself targeted by various criminals in Gotham City. To survive, she joins forces with three other women: Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya.
Despite being a crucial part of the story, Leto’s The Joker has hardly any screentime in the movie.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) – The saga continues
Portrayed by: Joaquin Phoneix
Joker: Folie à Deux, an upcoming musical psychological thriller, is set to serve as a sequel to the 2019 film Joker. The timeline of the new film remains uncertain, whether it unfolds years after the climax scene in Joker (where Arthur murders Murray Franklin).
Regardless, it has been disclosed that a majority of the sequel is situated within the confines of Arkham. The film is set to release in theatres on 4 October 2024. Phoenix returns to portray the Joker, while Lady Gaga takes on the role of Harley Quinn.
Other honourable mentions
In a four-hour Justice League (2021) director’s cut reflecting Zack Snyder’s true vision, Leto appears as The Joker in a single scene that takes place in a nightmarish apocalypse, aka the Knightmare Future, where Batman teams up with his archrival to redeem the timeline. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) pits the Dark Knight against a mysterious vigilante known as the Phantasm, who forces Bruce Wayne to confront his crime-fighting crusade and his traumatic past. Iconic DC voice actors Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill return as Batman and The Joker, respectively.
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(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– In what movie does Joker appear?
Joker has appeared in multiple Batman movies as a supervillain including the 1966 Batman: The Movie, Batman (1989), The Dark Knight, Joker, Suicide Squad and Joker: Folie à Deux.
– Which movie has the best Joker?
The Dark Knight and Joker featured two of the most notable Joker iterations, played by Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix, respectively.
– Which Joker movie should I watch first?
In case viewers want to watch The Joker movies chronologically, they should start with Joker (2019) starring Joaquin Phoenix as it serves as a brilliant origin story for the DC supervillain.
– When did the Joker first appear?
The Joker first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book, Batman (April 25, 1940).
