10 Most Impactful Quotes From Batman Movies, Ranked

Few characters are as iconic in pop culture as Batman and he has grown into one of the most beloved film characters as well. Over the years, several actors and filmmakers have brought Batman to the big screen with Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves as the most recent with the upcoming The Batman.

Some of these films have been more successful than others, but there are moments throughout Batman’s cinematic journey that have really stuck with fans. Certain lines from these movies perfectly capture this character and the world he exists in. Relive some of the best cinematic Batman moments with these unforgettable quotes.

10 “I’m Batman.” – Batman

This has become almost a catchphrase for the character and has been used very effectively in many different movies and television shows. In the character’s first appearance in Tim Burton’s Batman, Michael Keaton growls this line at a thug, cementing himself as the perfect actor for this role.

Christian Bale also gets to deliver his own iconic take on the line with his first appearance in costume. After taking out Falcone’s thugs, Batman corners the terrified gangster and introduces himself in an epic manner.

9 “Bats Frighten Me. It’s Time My Enemies Shared My Dread.” – Bruce

Batman has always separated himself from the other DC heroes for being a darker crime-fighter who wants to put fear in the hearts of Gotham’s criminals. This is best explored in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, which explores the origins of the hero.

After being traumatized by bats as a young boy, Bruce Wayne faces his fears and overcomes them. He then uses that symbol of his own fear to make a figure that the criminals of the city will never forget.

8 “When It Is Done And Gotham Is Ashes, Then You Have My Permission To Die.” – Bane

Though some found The Dark Knight Rises to be a somewhat flawed final chapter in Nolan’s trilogy, Tom Hardy’s Bane did make for a compelling villain and one who really posed a threat to Batman, more than any other foe he faced.

After Bane breaks Bruce, he takes him to the same prison he was kept in years ago. When Bruce asks him why he is being kept alive, Bane explains that his suffering is not yet over. He will stand by helplessly as Gotham is destroyed, and then he will be allowed to die.

7 “Have You Ever Danced With The Devil In The Pale Moon Light?” – Joker

Joker is a villain who is perhaps as iconic as Batman himself. Fans were just as excited to see Jack Nicholson bring the Clown Prince of Crime to life in Batman as they were to see the Caped Crusader himself. And Tim Burton added a dynamic way to connect villain and hero.

When Bruce and Joker meet for the first time, Joker asks him, “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”, the same thing the man who killed Bruce’s parents said years earlier. With that line, Joker is confirmed as the man who created Batman.

6 “Do You Bleed? You Will.” – Batman

The big-screen showdown of Batman and Superman was highly anticipated, but Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a messier movie than many fans had hoped for. Still, Ben Affleck received a lot of praise for his darker take on Batman.

When the two heroes finally meet, Batman shows the Man of Steel he isn’t going to play nice. He asks Superman if he bleeds and when Superman flies away, Batman coldly promises, “You will.” A Batman with bloodlust didn’t work for everyone but it was a unique take.

5 “Peace Has Cost You Your Strength. Victory Has Defeated You.” – Bane

One of the most memorable fights in all the Batman movies was the fight brawl between Batman and Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Bane was a more physically imposing character and he was going up against a Batman who was just coming out of retirement.

As he pummels Batman, Bane casually mocks him and makes a fascinating observation. He explains that his victory of cleaning up Gotham has made him soft. He is not the warrior he once was which is why he will lose. It suggests that Batman needs the fight to survive.

4 “Wait ‘Till They Get A Load Of Me.” – Joker

Jack Nicholson clearly had a fantastic time bringing Joker to life on the big screen. He gives an iconic performance that is both threatening and hilarious. No fan can ever forget that moment when he first emerges from the shadows with his white face, green hair, and ghoulish smile.

Reading the newspaper, Joker sees a headline about the public’s shock at the confirmation of Batman. Unimpressed, he gives the ominous threat, “Wait ’till they get a load of me.”

3 “Some Men Just Want To Watch The World Burn.” – Alfred

As phenomenal as Jack Nicholson was as Joker, Heath Ledger managed to take over the role in The Dark Knight and make it his own. This was a captivating new version of the character with a vague origin story and chaotic purpose.

As Bruce Wayne tries to get inside the head of this new foe, Alfred offers up a terrifying suggestion about what Joker’s motivations might be. He is not a criminal out for money or revenge; he just wants to “watch the world burn.”

2 “It’s Not Who I Am Underneath But What I Do That Defines Me.” – Rachel

Though many of us were likely already familiar with Batman’s origin tale, Batman Begins was a compelling and grounded way of bringing him back onto the big screen. It also helped to define the character in some thrilling new ways.

While Bruce Wayne was once a troubled and vengeful young man, he realizes a more noble path as Gotham’s hero. It is these words, spoken to him by Rachel Dawes that put him on that path.

1 “You Either Die A Hero Or Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain.” – Harvey

The Dark Knight was a film that showed how epic a comic book movie could be. But along with the amazing action, the film had some thought-provoking philosophy on Batman and what it means to be a hero.

Harvey Dent introduces the idea of “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” It is the idea that Batman will have to step down at some point or risk turning into something he fought against. However, in the end, it takes on a new meaning as he becomes a villain in order for Gotham to heal.

About The Author

Colin McCormick
(2030 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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