10 Best Batman Villains Who’ve Never Been in a Movie, Ranked

For nearly 90 years, Batman has been DC Comics’ most popular superhero. First appearing in 1939, the iconic hero has battled a gallery of dangerous villains, many of whom – like The Joker and Catwoman – have become famous in movies. Despite appearing in the most films (16) of any DC character, there are still plenty of Batman villains who haven’t made it to the big screen yet. Fortunately, several new Batman projects are in development, including Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, The Brave and the Bold, Dynamic Duo, and a film focusing on Clayface.

This fall will see a new Batman villain make their first live-action movie appearance, thanks to a script by horror master Mike Flanagan. This got us thinking: what are the best Batman villains who haven’t yet had a major theatrical release? We’re including animated movies like Batman: Mask of the Phantasm and spin-off films like Birds of Prey in our consideration, but we’re leaving out brief appearances in movies like The Lego Batman Movie and any of DC’s many direct-to-video releases, such as Batman: Under the Red Hood. Also, since Clayface will be featured in a movie very soon, we won’t be including him on this list.

10. The Court of Owls

Debut: Batman #6 (2012), Creators Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo

The Court of Owls, also known as the Parliament of Owls, are a relatively new group of villains, but they’ve had a huge impact on Batman. Their connection to Bruce Wayne (which we won’t reveal!) dramatically changed the character and kicked off DC’s “New 52” reboot. They’re ranked lower on this list simply because they seem most likely to appear in a movie soon.

This mysterious organization has been subtly referenced throughout Matt Reeves’ Batman universe, most recently in the Penguin spin-off series. It’s likely to play a central role in the plot of The Batman Part II. Beyond the comics, The Court of Owls has appeared in TV shows like Gotham and Harley Quinn, and in video games such as Gotham Knights and LEGO DC Super-Villains. It remains to be seen whether Reeves will incorporate this group into his vision of Gotham City, or if they’ll be held back for a different DC movie.

9. Hugo Strange

Debut: Detective Comics #36 (1940), Creators: Bill Finger & Bob Kane.

Hugo Strange is a surprisingly underused villain, especially considering he first appeared in 1940 in Detective Comics #36. He’s essentially the original “mad scientist” archetype in Batman stories, a character obsessed with the Dark Knight himself. While Strange has shown up in numerous animated series like Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited, The Batman (2004), and the Gotham TV show, he’s never been a central villain in a live-action Batman movie. His brief appearance in The Lego Batman Movie doesn’t really count as a proper film role.

Hugo Strange is best known as the main villain in the video game Batman: Arkham City, where he controlled Gotham’s massive prison. He’s also one of the few characters who knows Bruce Wayne is Batman, a secret he’s used against the hero repeatedly in comics and on TV. Because Strange has access to Arkham Asylum and interacts with so many of Batman’s enemies—like the Joker and Two-Face—he’s a versatile character who could fit into almost any Batman story. This makes it likely we’ll see this unstable doctor appear in a future Batman movie.

8. Firefly

Debut: Detective Comics #184 (1954), Creators: France Herron & Dick Sprang

Garfield Lynns, better known as Firefly, came closer to appearing in a movie than any other villain on this list. He was cast as the main villain in the now-canceled Batgirl film, which was fully filmed with Brendan Fraser in the role. Unfortunately, Warner Bros. decided to cancel the HBO Max film and take a tax loss instead. Although Firefly isn’t one of Batman’s most famous enemies, he’s become well-known in other media outside of the comics.

Firefly appears in various Batman adaptations, including the animated series The New Batman Adventures and The Batman (2004), the recent Batman: Caped Crusader, and video games like Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight. While essentially a man with a jetpack and flamethrower, the character offers filmmakers many creative possibilities. This is exemplified by the more elaborate version of the villain, known as “Phosperous,” which debuted in the Season 5 episode “White Heat” of The Batman.

7. Scarface & The Ventriloquist

Debut: Detective Comics #583 (1988), Creators:John Wagner, Alan Grant & Norm Breyfogle

The idea of a middle-aged man and his unsettling ventriloquist dummy might seem unusual, but Arnold Wesker has become a surprisingly effective way to explore real-life anxieties in a comic book. The story particularly focuses on issues like mental health and the problems with America’s healthcare system. The pairing of Scarface and the Ventriloquist is compelling because it showcases both the gritty gangster side of Gotham – often featured in classic Batman stories – and what makes Batman such a complex and interesting character. It reminds us that Batman isn’t simply about physical violence; it’s about something much deeper.

I’ve always been fascinated by how Bruce Wayne tries to genuinely help the villains he fights. It’s not just about locking them up; he sees people like Wesker – and so many others in Gotham – as victims of a broken system. We’ve seen versions of Wesker in shows like The Batman and the Arkham games, but the most touching portrayal, for me, was in The New Batman Adventures. Seeing Bruce actually give Wesker a job after he served his time? That really showed a side of Batman we don’t always see. It’s a tragic, hopeful story, and honestly, it feels exactly like the kind of thing DC Studios should be building on for the future.

6. Mad Hatter

Debut: Batman #49 (1948), Creator: Bill Finger, Bob Kane & Lewis Sayre Schwartz

Though often compared to the Joker, Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter, is a distinct and long-standing Batman villain. He’s a truly unique threat thanks to his ability to control minds with his hats and cards, and his own unstable mental state. This is especially evident in the creatively designed levels of the Batman: Arkham video games and in episodes like “Perchance to Dream” from Batman: The Animated Series, which is frequently ranked among the best episodes of the show.

I’m really hoping we get to see the Mad Hatter on the big screen! He’s already appeared in a few shows, like the classic Batman series and Gotham, but I think James Gunn or Matt Reeves could really make him a star, right up there with villains like Two-Face, Bane, and the Penguin. Honestly, with his unique look and style, he seems like a perfect fit for the brighter, more colorful world Gunn is building. But what’s so exciting about what DC Studios is doing right now is that anything feels possible – they can explore any villain, any tone, any story, and it could all work!

5. Solomon Grundy

Debut: All-American Comics #61 (1944), Creators: Alfred Bester & Paul Reinman

Everyone recognizes the old rhyme about Solomon Grundy – born on Monday, baptized on Tuesday, married on Wednesday. In DC Comics, Solomon Grundy is a powerful, monstrous villain. He’s actually a man named Cyrus Gold who was cursed in the nearby Slaughter Swamp. He’s one of the more straightforward villains, and James Gunn has demonstrated a liking for horror elements in the DC Universe, as seen with the inclusion of Frankenstein’s Monster in Creature Commandos. Grundy has also appeared in various TV shows, including Justice League (2001), The Batman (2004), and Gotham.

He’s perhaps best known for appearing in the video game Batman: Arkham City as the first boss players face. In that game, he was controlled by The Penguin, a character who plays a significant role in Matt Reeves’ Batman world. While it’s unlikely Colin Farrell’s version of the character will be battling Batman with monsters anytime soon, there are definite parallels between the two. It’s more probable this large creature would appear in James Gunn’s DC universe, alongside characters like Clayface and Swamp Thing, who are already getting their own spin-off projects. Solomon Grundy would be an ideal addition to further emphasize horror elements in DC films.

4. Baby-Doll

Debut: Batman: The Animated Series, Season 2, Episode 9 (“Baby-Doll”, 1994), Creator: Paul Dini

Baby Doll is one of two villains created for Batman: The Animated Series. She’s a sad figure, a young actress named Mary Louise Dahl who became famous as the star of the TV show “Love that Baby.” She has a rare condition that prevents her from aging, which ultimately ended her career when the show was canceled. Driven to desperation, she adopts the identity of Baby-Doll and kidnaps everyone who used to be on the show, hoping to recreate the good old days in a deadly reunion.

This storyline was definitely one of the show’s most unusual, but Paul Dini’s heartfelt writing made it stand out. The story’s exploration of a child star’s struggles remains powerful and relatable even now. It also offered a clever look at the popular sitcoms of the late 20th century. Ultimately, the story’s themes and characters are best suited for a very particular kind of narrative.

Don’t expect to see Robert Pattinson’s Batman dealing with behind-the-scenes Hollywood issues anytime soon. However, characters like The Ventriloquist really highlighted Batman’s strengths. Batman shines when he understands his enemies, and the storyline with ‘Baby-Doll’ is surprisingly emotional—even longtime DC fans might shed a tear. James Gunn has already brought quirky villains like Ratcatcher II and Polka-Dot Man to life, so anything could happen with his new DC Universe.

3. Lock-Up

Debut: Batman: The Animated Series, Season 2, Episode 14 (“Lock-Up”, 1994), Creator: Paul Dini

Lock-Up, also known as Lyle Bolton, was the last character created for Batman: The Animated Series to appear on this list. He first appeared in his own episode in 1994 and was later included in the official Batman comic books in 1996. Lyle started as a cruel and overly aggressive guard at Arkham Asylum – so violent, even inmates like Scarecrow, Harley Quinn, and the Mad Hatter were afraid of him. After Bruce Wayne got him fired, Lyle sought revenge on Gotham City as a vigilante, becoming a far more dangerous opponent than Batman faces with villains like the Condiment King.

The character’s connection to Batman’s world and his straightforward, soldier-like design would make him a natural addition to a movie. With Matt Reeves’ Batman universe leaning more into the villains and atmosphere of Arkham Asylum – already featuring characters like The Riddler, Joker, and Sofia Falcone – it feels like a good fit. We’ve seen how easily Arkham’s security can be compromised in films like Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy and Batman: The Animated Series. Adding Lock-Up to The Batman Part II or a future movie could explore the darkness of Arkham in interesting ways, and also raise questions about Batman’s own involvement with the flawed system.

2. Red Hood

Debut: Batman #357 1983, Creators: Gerry Conway & Don Newton

The upcoming 2028 film, Dynamic Duo, will feature Jason Todd alongside the original Robin, Dick Grayson, but that’s still a few years away. Todd’s version of Robin is a famously tragic character in DC Comics. He first appeared in the early 1980s, but quickly became unpopular with readers due to his more aggressive personality. This tension came to a head in 1987 with the iconic “Death in the Family” storyline, where DC actually let fans vote on whether Todd would live or die – and they shockingly chose to kill him off.

The Joker brutally attacked Todd with a crowbar and left him to die in an explosion, and Batman couldn’t reach him in time. The image of Batman holding Todd’s body is a famous and heartbreaking moment in comic books. However, death isn’t permanent in the comic world, and Todd was brought back to life by Ra’s al Ghul using the Lazarus Pit. After his resurrection, Todd became the Red Hood and began a plan to get revenge, a story told in the 2005 storyline, “Under the Red Hood.”

The story was later turned into the 2010 animated movie with the same title. A significantly altered version then appeared in live-action during the third season of the Titans TV show. It will be interesting to see how much of that version influences the upcoming Dynamic Duo film. However, since James Gunn’s DC Universe doesn’t currently include Batman, it’s unlikely we’ll see this specific story adapted into a film anytime soon.

1. Man-Bat

Debut: Detective Comics #400 (1970), Creators Frank Robbins & Neal Adams

Batman has always been a natural fit for horror, especially the unsettling sub-genre of body horror, as seen with villains like Clayface and Killer Croc. Man-Bat, who first appeared in Detective Comics #400, is another great example. He helped bring Batman back to its darker, gothic origins after the character became more focused on space adventures in the 50s and then became campy with the 60s TV series. The original stories, created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams, blended classic Batman themes with the feel of those classic “mad scientist” monster movies from the 1930s and 40s.

Man-Bat isn’t a forgotten villain; he’s appeared in various Batman adaptations beyond the comics, including the video game Batman: Arkham Knight and the animated series The Batman (2004) and Batman: The Animated Series. In fact, Man-Bat was the first villain faced by Kevin Conroy’s Batman in Batman: The Animated Series. His debut episode, “On Leather Wings,” is strong enough to be developed into a full movie. Mike Flanagan, the director, was inspired by a two-part Batman: The Animated Series episode about Clayface when creating his version of the character. While Matt Reeves’ darker, more realistic Batman films might not suit Man-Bat’s monstrous nature, this character would be a great fit for James Gunn’s broader, more comic-book-faithful DC Universe.

2026-03-29 20:10