Counting the Joker: A Comprehensive Guide to the Movies

The Joker is widely considered to be the most iconic villain in fiction. But how many movies has he appeared in, and does he have any solo films?

"Wait 'til they get a load of me," cackled Jack Nicholson, his cheeks stretched in a sinister grin. This quote captures the essence of the Clown Prince of Crime, who is arguably the most prominent antagonist in pop culture.

Mark Hamill’s unforgettable voice acting in the original animated series, Zach Galifianakis’ unique portrayal in the LEGO movies, Troy Baker’s comical interpretation in Batman: Arkham Origins, and Heath Ledger’s iconic performance in The Dark Knight have all contributed to the diverse and divisive range of how the Joker character has been depicted over the years.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, the 2019 box office sensation directed by Todd Phillips, is now available on Netflix. As audiences revisit the film or discover it for the first time, you might be wondering just how many Joker movies there are. Well, we’re going to take a comprehensive look at each one, "one by one."

How many Joker movies are there?

Warner Bros.

In 2019, Joaquin Phoenix portrayed Arthur Fleck, a mentally unstable loner and sign-twirling street clown who unintentionally triggers a violent uprising against Gotham City's elite as he spirals into madness, in the movie "Joker". Another Joker movie, "Joker: Folie à Deux", is set to hit theaters on October 4, 2024.

In contrast to other adaptations (excluding 1989’s Batman), Joker is significant because it provides an origin story for a character known for his mysterious background, according to some fans.

The movie's ambiguous ending led to questions about the truth of its events, especially given Arthur's unreliable perspective on the world. However, it appears that some clarity will be offered in Joker: Folie à Deux (Joker 2, for the casual viewers), a musical sequel that will feature Arthur meeting his counterpart: Dr. Harleen Quinzel (portrayed by Lady Gaga), also known as Harley Quinn, a psychiatrist assigned to treat him at Arkham Asylum.

How many movies has the Joker appeared in?

The Joker has appeared in seven live-action movies and 32 animated films.

We’ve listed each live-action project below and a photo of the Joker in each one.

Batman: The Movie

20th Century Studios

Year: 1966

Actor: Cesar Romero

Batman

Warner Bros.

Year: 1989

Actor: Jack Nicholson

The Dark Knight

Warner Bros.

Year: 2008

Actor: Heath Ledger

Suicide Squad

Warner Bros.

Year: 2016

Actor: Jared Leto

Joker

Warner Bros.

Year: 2019

Actor: Joaquin Phoenix

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Warner Bros.

Year: 2021

Actor: Jared Leto

The Batman

Warner Bros.

Year: 2022

Actor: Barry Keoghan

Below you’ll also find a list of every animated movie featuring the Joker:

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)

Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths (2010)

Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

DC Super Friends: The Joker’s Playhouse (2010)

The Dark Knight Returns (2012–2013)

Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite (2013)

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Son of Batman (2014)

Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)

Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered (2014).

Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem (2015)

Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants (2016)

DC Super Friends (2015)

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom (2015)

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout (2016)

Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)

Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)

The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon (2017)

Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018)

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)

Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash (2018)

Batman Ninja (2018)

Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)

Batman: Hush (2019)

Batman: The Long Halloween (2021)

Injustice (2021)

Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! (2023)

Merry Little Batman (2023)

Joker is streaming on Netflix now. You can find out more about its sequel here.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of the Joker, I am thrilled to see the extensive cinematic journey of this iconic villain explored in this article. The Joker's presence in numerous movies, including both live-action and animated projects, is a testament to his enduring popularity and cultural significance. From the sinister grin of Jack Nicholson to the unforgettable voice acting of Mark Hamill, each portrayal of the Joker has added a unique dimension to this complex and captivating character.

The recent success of Joaquin Phoenix's Joker, with its exploration of the character's origin story and ambiguous ending, has further solidified the Joker's status as a cinematic icon. The upcoming sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, promises to delve even deeper into the Joker's psyche, with the introduction of Harley Quinn and a musical twist. I eagerly anticipate this next chapter in the Joker's cinematic legacy and can't wait to see how the character continues to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide.