Different individuals have played the Joker character in different movies over the years. As a result, the character has become one of the most controversial yet enigmatic characters in movie history. Several actors, including the Oscars, have won awards for playing the Joker.
Below are some of the best Joker movies, according to critics.
2016 – The Killing Joke
The Killing Joke movie is based on the graphic novel written by Alan Moore in 1988. The novel, illustrated by John Higgins and Brian Bolland, offers comic book fans the definitive origin of the character. The movie includes flashbacks where Joker had a family, including a wife, before he became mentally ill. Coming back to the present day, Joker breaks out of the asylum.
Soon after breaking out of prison, Joker tortures Commissioner Gordon to prove that noble people can also be pushed to madness and evil. First, he paralyzes Gordon’s daughter, Barbara, who was also a Batgirl; the ordeal ends her career. Then, to worsen it, he stripped her naked, took pictures of her, and showed them to her father.
2016 – Suicide Squad
Jared Leto played Joker in the Suicide Squad, coming off Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance’s heels. Several people wondered if he would perform as well as Heath Ledger or even better in his iteration of Joker.
The Suicide Squad is based on a group of villains, including Harley Quinn and Deadshot, who teamed up against Enchantress. Jared’s performance saw him covered in tattoos, a mouth grill, and almost always growling.
Joker’s part in the role went from being integral to getting almost cut out. Suicide Squad was a hit, even though critics panned it.
1989 – Batman
Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix were spectacular in their portrayal of Joker, but Jack Nicholson’s iteration still trumps theirs. His portrayal of the character in Batman is arguably the most iconic movie version of the Joker. Michael Keaton played Batman; the movie centers around his origin story, but the Joker soon took over the show.
Throughout the movie, Batman and Joker are at each other’s necks, with Batman trying to stop Joker from destroying Gotham City. Nicholson’s commanding presence overshadows the title character; he is undoubtedly one of the most loved iterations of Joker.
2020 – Birds of Prey
Birds of Prey mostly centers on Harley Quinn, played by Margot Robbie, who proved to the audience that she was born to play Joker. Harley teams up with the birds of prey, leaving Joker to fight a new villain, Black Mask. Audiences and critics enjoyed Margot’s performance, and the movie was a major hit then.
1993 – Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is based on and titled after the popular animated series in the ‘90s. The movie tells the story of Batman investigating a mysterious monster-murdering vigilante. The Joker is featured late in the movie when Batman figured out he was the vigilante’s next victim. Warner Bros originally intended to take it to video but decided to release it to theaters instead.
Now, you have the best Joker movies to choose from. The ball is in your court to decide which aligns with your interest; ensure you choose well.