What is the best order for the Catwoman movies?

Ever since she first appeared in comics, way back in 1940, Catwoman has been an enduring character and a very important part of the Batman mythology. Sometimes she is depicted as a hero; sometimes as a villain; but she is always captivating, no matter her allegiance.

Outside of comics Catwoman has appeared on TV shows, in cartoons, computer games and movies. But what are all of the Catwoman movies and what is the best order to watch them?

Let’s take a look.

________

The ‘60s era

Catwoman made her feature film debut in Batman: The Movie (1966), a spin-off film from the popular Batman TV show featuring Adam West and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin respectively. In this film, Catwoman appears alongside the Joker, the Riddler and Penguin as one of four villains.

Here Catwoman is played to purr-fection by Lee Meriwether.

• Batman: The Movie (1966)

________

The Batman Anthology

Between 1989 and 1997, Warner Bros. Pictures produced four live-action Batman movies. Catwoman featured in one of these films, 1992’s Batman Returns.

In this movie Catwoman is played by Michelle Pfeiffer in what is best described as a scene-stealing turn. Pfeiffer shares screen time with Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Christopher Walken as Max Shreck.

• Batman Returns (1992)

________

Catwoman

In 2004, Warner Bros. Pictures gave Catwoman her own live-action solo movie. The film starred Halle Berry in the title role, alongside a cast that included Sharon Stone and Benjamin Bratt.

In this movie, Catwoman’s alter-ego is Patience Phillips. This is a break from the norm, where the character’s alias is traditionally Selina Kyle.

• Catwoman (2004)

________

The Dark Knight trilogy

Catwoman continues her live-action adventures with a role in The Dark Knight Rises, the third and final chapter in director Christopher Nolan’s epic Dark Knight trilogy. Here the character is a burglar and con artist played by Anne Hathaway.

• The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

________

The DC Universe Animated Original Movies

Over to animation now for a number of appearances throughout Warner Bros. ongoing collection of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Catwoman’s appearances are sporadic, with the character cropping up in a number of films, with different voice actors providing vocal duties.

• Batman: Year One (2011)
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2 (2013)
• Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)
• Batman: Hush (2019)
• Batman: The Long Halloween – Part 1 (2021)
• Batman: The Long Halloween – Part 2 (2021)
• Catwoman: Hunted (2022)

________

Lego

Batman has made quite a career for himself in Lego and where Batman goes, Catwoman is never far behind. The character has cropped up a few times in brick form, including a role within Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High.

• Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite (2013)
• The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
• Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High (2018)

________

Batman ‘66

Back to the 1960s now for two animated movies inspired by the Batman TV show – The Return of the Caped Crusader and Batman vs. Two-Face. Catwoman appeared in both films, where she was voiced by Julie Newmar – the first actress who originated the role on the ‘60s Batman show.

• Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
• Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)

________

Batman Ninja

Another animated feature and another appearance from Catwoman, who pops up amongst an ensemble cast of Batman’s nearest, dearest, and deadliest in Batman Ninja. There are two versions of this movie in existence – an English language edition and a very different Japanese language edition.

• Batman Ninja (2018)

________

Scooby-Doo

Scooby-Doo and Batman have shared the screen on a number of occasions (usually the small screen) and this time around Catwoman appears too. Villain such as Harley Quinn, the Joker and Poison Ivy also show up for this story, when the Bat meets the Doo.

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

________

Shorts

It is also worth noting that Catwoman appears in a couple of animated shorts that were released as bonus features alongside Batman movies.

The first is Chase Me – a six-minute, silent adventure set within the DC Animated Universe. Chase Me was included with the DVD release of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003).

The second is DC Showcase: Catwoman – a 15-minute tale that was included with the home video release of Batman: Year One (2011). Here Catwoman/Selina Kyle is voiced by Eliza Dushku.

________

Production order

And finally, if you want to watch all of the movies featuring Catwoman as they appear in production order, then use the following list:

• Batman: The Movie (1966)
• Batman Returns (1992)
• Catwoman (2004)
• Batman: Year One (2011)
• The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
• Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2 (2013)
• Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite (2013)
• Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
• Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)
• The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
• Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High (2018)
• Batman Ninja (2018)
• Scooby-Doo and Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018)
• Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)
• Batman: Hush (2019)
• Batman: The Long Halloween – Part 1 (2021)
• Batman: The Long Halloween – Part 2 (2021)
• Catwoman: Hunted (2022)

If you decide to work your way through these stories, you’ll see the character appear to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the events of each tale. The most important thing to remember is that the majority of Catwoman’s adventures can be watched as standalone features, so you can mix and match as you please without having to worry too much about continuity.

Purr-fect!

Read more: