The Joker movie series, which is closely tied to Batman and features DC Comics’ iconic supervillain, is absolutely a must-watch. Below, we’ve compiled the best Joker movies and the recommended watch order:

For actors, portraying the Joker on the big screen is a great honor. Playing such an iconic character guarantees both challenge and acclaim. Older generations will fondly remember the legendary Cesar Romero, who first played the Joker in the 1960s Batman TV series. However, the modern Joker movie series began with Jack Nicholson, who portrayed Jack Napier/Joker in Tim Burton’s Batman movie. Since then, many actors have taken on the role of this legendary villain.

For those curious about the actors who have portrayed Batman’s greatest enemy, the Joker, and the best Joker movies of all time, we’ve prepared a detailed list of must-see Joker movies.

Joker movies you should definitely watch 🎬

Batman (1966) – Cesar Romero
Batman (1989) – Jack Nicholson
The Dark Knight (2008) – Heath Ledger
Suicide Squad (2016) – Jared Leto
Joker (2019) – Joaquin Phoenix
Birds of Prey (2020) – Jared Leto
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) – Jared Leto
The Batman (2022) – Barry Keoghan
Joker: Folie á Deux (2024) – Joaquin Phoenix

Movie List Index

1.Batman (1966-68)

Top Joker Movies You Must Watch: A Cinematic Journey Batman (1966-68)

Character actor Cesar Romero was the first to portray the Joker in the 1966 movie Batman. Unlike the more recent versions, Romero’s Joker was a lighthearted character. Interestingly, he even refused to shave his mustache for the role, and it remains visible beneath his white makeup. However, due to the playful and child-friendly nature of the series, Romero’s Joker was more of a prankster seeking laughs rather than a villain intent on chaos or destruction.

Information about Batman (1966)

Director: Leslie H. Martinson
Cast: Adam West, Burt Ward, Lee Meriwether, Cesar Romero
Release Year: 1966
Duration: 105 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy
Language: English
Age Rating: PG
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Similar Movies: Superman (1978), The Green Hornet (2011), Spider-Man (2002)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: Batman (1966) on IMDb

2.Batman (1989)

Top Joker Movies You Must Watch: A Cinematic Journey Batman (1989)

Jack Napier is portrayed as a ruthless gangster responsible for the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents in Tim Burton’s Batman. In a twist of fate, Napier becomes the Joker after falling into a vat of chemicals during a confrontation with Batman years later. Similar to Nicholson’s portrayal of Jack Torrance in The Shining, this version of the Joker deviates from the comics, becoming even more dangerous after transforming into a supervillain. While not as terrifying as other iterations, Jack Nicholson delivers a brilliant performance as the Clown Prince of Crime.

Information about Batman (1989)

Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl
Release Year: 1989
Duration: 126 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Adventure
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Similar Movies: Batman Returns (1992), Superman II (1980), Spider-Man (2002)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: Batman (1989) on IMDb

3.The Dark Knight (2008)

The Joker, portrayed by Heath Ledger, is the ultimate embodiment of chaos and a masterclass in acting. Ledger’s dialogue, movements, and overall demeanor were so powerful that even legendary actor Michael Caine admitted to forgetting his lines while acting opposite him. One of the factors that makes this Joker terrifying is the mystery surrounding his past — we never learn the real story behind his scars. This version of the Joker set a new benchmark not only for comic book villains but for cinema as a whole.

Information about The Dark Knight (2008)

Director: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Release Year: 2008
Duration: 152 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
IMDb Rating: 9.0/10
Similar Movies: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Logan (2017)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: The Dark Knight on IMDb

4.Suicide Squad (2016)

Jared Leto‘s portrayal of the iconic supervillain in Suicide Squad is arguably the most disliked adaptation of the Joker character to date. The Joker barely appears in the movie, and it’s widely rumored that many of his scenes were cut. Leto’s Joker is a crime boss, similar to Jack Nicholson‘s version, but with a modern twist. The character is instantly recognizable by his bright purple trench coat and numerous tattoos. Additionally, this movie introduces Harley Quinn, who has now become an iconic character as Joker‘s ex-girlfriend.

Information about Suicide Squad (2016)

Director: David Ayer
Cast: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis
Release Year: 2016
Duration: 123 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
IMDb Rating: 5.9/10
Similar Movies: Birds of Prey (2020), The Suicide Squad (2021), Deadpool (2016)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: Suicide Squad on IMDb

5.Joker (2019)

The 2019 Joker movie follows Joaquin Phoenix‘s character, Arthur Fleck, before he becomes the infamous villain. Set long before Batman rises to protect Gotham City, Fleck is portrayed as a failed stand-up comedian whose mental health deteriorates as he feels increasingly persecuted by the world. He suffers from a medical condition that causes him to laugh maniacally at inappropriate moments. Working as a clown, Fleck eventually snaps after being attacked, and his pent-up rage and violence transform him into the Joker, a figure embodying the absolute darkest side of humanity.

Information about Joker (2019)

Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 122 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Language: English
Age Rating: R
Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Similar Movies: Taxi Driver (1976), The Dark Knight (2008), American Psycho (2000)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: Joker on IMDb

6.The Batman (2022)

Barry Keoghan‘s Joker doesn’t get much screen time in Matt Reeves’ new Gotham City, but this emerging talent shows great potential as the clown prince of crime. Appearing briefly at the end of The Batman and in a deleted scene, we witness a Joker born with a disease that leaves a permanent smile on his face. This version of the character is primarily seen incarcerated in Arkham Asylum, adding a fresh and intriguing take on the iconic villain.

Information about The Batman (2022)

Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell
Release Year: 2022
Duration: 176 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Language: English
Age Rating: PG-13
Available Platforms: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Similar Movies: The Dark Knight (2008), Seven (1995), The Crow (1994)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: The Batman on IMDb

7.Joker 2

Joker: Folie à Deux hasn’t been released yet, but it’s highly anticipated to see how Joaquin Phoenix, who played Arthur Fleck in the previous movie, will perform. Rumors suggest that much of the movie will take place in the infamous Arkham Asylum. Lady Gaga will also join as Harley Quinn, adding excitement to the project. The original Joker told the origin story of the Clown Prince of Crime and was so successful that a sequel was greenlit. Despite being controversial for its divisive take on mental health, Joker won major awards. Phoenix won the Academy Award for Best Actor, and Hildur Guðnadóttir received the Best Original Score award. Made on a budget of $55 million, the movie grossed over $1 billion worldwide. Joker 2 is set for release on October 4, 2024. Writer/director Todd Phillips completed the script in 2022, and production is well underway. It’s said that Joker 2 has a production budget of $150 million.

Information about Joker 2 (Joker: Folie à Deux) (2024)

Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener
Release Year: Expected 2024
Duration: TBD
Country: United States
Genre: Crime, Drama, Musical
Language: English
Age Rating: Not Rated
Available Platforms: TBD
IMDb Rating: TBD
Similar Movies: Joker (2019), The Dark Knight (2008), A Star is Born (2018)
Trailer: YouTube Trailer
IMDb Link: Joker: Folie à Deux on IMDb

The Joker remains one of the most iconic villains in popular culture. Also known as the Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker has long been a menace to Batman and the people of Gotham City, viewing morality and society as nothing more than a joke. You can find and watch all the films featuring this legendary supervillain in our “Best Joker Movies” list.

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