Batman's 10 Greatest Movie Villains, Ranked

With the recent passing of Adam West, and with the anniversaries of two Bat-movies upon us (Michael Keaton's "Batman Returns" turns 25 on June 19, and George Clooney's "Batman & Robin" turns 20 on June 20), we're reminded that, no matter which actor wears the cowl, a Batman story is only as good as its villains. Here they are, those larger-than-life bad guys and gals, some depicted more than once by various actors, ranked in order of badassery (Bat-assery?).

10. Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy)

Scarecrow is supposed to be a master at terrifying others, but as played by dreamy-eyed Cillian Murphy, he's just too adorable. Bonus points, though, for menacing Christian Bale's Batman in all three of Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" films.

9. The Cat (Anne Hathaway)

The actress you love to hate was surprisingly on point as the "Dark Knight Rises" version of Catwoman. Slinky, dangerous, and loyal only to herself (and maybe, sometimes, to Batman), she's an ideal frenemy to the Caped Crusader. She loses points here only because she barely qualifies as a villain. And what the hell did she ever do to earn happy ending status with Bruce in that European cafe?! 

8. The Penguin (Danny DeVito)

DeVito's vulgar, grotesque Penguin in "Batman Returns" has none of the suave sophistication of earlier incarnations of the character. Still, it's a fearless performance, one that dares you to pity the abandoned misfit who grew up to be a homicidal sociopath. Kudos to the actor for going that far, and to Tim Burton for letting him.

7. Bane (Tom Hardy)

We still didn't understand everything he said, since so much of it was muffled by a pain-killing mask worthy of Darth Vader. But it's hard to top Tom Hardy's "Dark Knight Rises" villain, the only one in any of the movies who makes us believe he's strong enough to break Batman -- literally, as it turns out.

6. Two-Face (Aaron Eckhart)

In "The Dark Knight," Eckhart nails Harvey Dent's transition from zealous defender of the law to horrifically disfigured and vengeful outlaw. Too bad his story gets such short shrift, upstaged by Joker's villainy.

5. Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie)

She doesn't have any special powers or gifts -- except for the unpredictable craziness and utter lack of boundaries she picked up from her boyfriend, the Joker. Still, that's enough, especially in Margot Robbie's mad-eyed performance, for her to be the breakout member of "Suicide Squad." Not even Batman is immune to her demented charms.

4. Ra's al Ghul (Liam Neeson)

It's fitting that Christian Bale's first nemesis, in "Batman Begins," is also the mystical mentor who taught Bruce Wayne everything he knows about fighting and stealth. It's also fun to see Liam Neeson undermine his usual Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn righteousness. And nice move, Ra's, disguising yourself as Ken Watanabe.

3. Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer)

Michelle Pfeiffer's femme fatale in "Batman Returns" remains the definitive modern Catwoman. Alongside Michael Keaton, she really plays up both the kink and the madness; their courtship is the romance of two damaged psyches finding one another and recognizing, to their mutual horror, that they're both just as monstrous without the latex.

2. The Joker (Jack Nicholson)

In 1989, Nicholson got top billing in "Batman." After all, Tim Burton's casting of goofy Michael "Beetlejuice" Keaton as the brooding hero seemed iffy, but having Jack play Batman's craziest, wickedest foe was a sure thing. Despite being unable to wipe the smile off his face, Nicholson's Joker exuded such menace that he didn't need to share the movie with another villain, making him unique among Bat-movie bad guys.

1. The Joker (Heath Ledger)

Bat-fans thought Nicholson's Joker could never be topped, but we were happily proved wrong with Ledger's brilliant and terrifying turn in "The Dark Knight." Nearly a decade later, Ledger's scarred, wormy-voiced, anarchist jester still haunts our dreams. It was the actor's crowning achievement and the only comic-book-movie bad guy performance that's ever won an Oscar. Try clearing that bar, future Bat-villains.