Top 20 Most Rewatched Scenes In DC Movies

“Birds of Prey” (2020)
In order to escape being killed by mob boss Roman Sionis (sye-OH-niss), a.k.a. Black Mask, Harley Quinn agrees to retrieve a diamond stolen and then swallowed by pickpocket Cassandra Cain (cuh-SAWN-dra). The only problem? Young Cassandra is in police lockup. So, armed with a grenade launcher, confetti, and beanbag rounds, Harley storms the police station and shoots, kicks, and throws her way past cops and robbers alike to accomplish her objective. Bright, colorful, and sporting attitude and creative choreography both, this is a fight scene that many fans consider “poifect” for rewatching.

“Justice League” (2017)
Resurrecting Superman to combat Steppenwolf and his hordes seems like a good idea in theory and in practice, but it almost goes disastrously wrong! The team’s attempts to restore Clark Kent’s memories quickly escalate into a full-blown fight, as the amnesiac Last Son of Krypton perceives his would-be allies as enemies. The Justice League’s attempts at subduing Superman prove largely fruitless, but things start to look especially dire when the Flash goes super-fast and gets understandably freaked out when Superman’s eyes follow him and then proceeds to demolish him at his own speed. Thankfully, Batman arrives with Lois Lane to calm things down. Still, revisiting this darker turn for Superman is entertaining.

“Superman Returns” (2006)
After returning from Krypton, Clark Kent discovers that the world - and Lois Lane - have seemingly moved on without him. When the intrepid reporter covers a story about a space shuttle launching from a passenger plane, something goes wrong and the newly returned Man of Steel flies into action. After disconnecting the shuttle, Supes then has to steady the plane, which gets significantly more difficult when the wings snap off. Fortunately, he’s able to catch the falling aircraft before it crashes into a baseball game. Harrowing and engaging throughout, this sequence does an excellent job of letting us feel the horror of the passengers and getting us to root for Superman’s inevitable rescue, even if we’ve seen it before.

“Watchmen” (2009)
Exposition is usually dull or worse, distracting. However, “Watchmen” manages to set up its world in an entertaining and memorable way. Through a montage set to Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” we are shown a world in which costumed vigilantes are real, as well as the effects they’ve had on the 20th century. What’s usually a chore to experience suddenly becomes a dynamic and engaging sequence, conveying most of its information visually and with very little dialogue. Plus, the numerous little details and foreshadowing for later events in the movie make this “Watchmen” sequence very… rewatchable.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
While Superman urging Batman to save his mother may have been one of the most divisive moments of this incredibly divisive film, there’s one thing nearly everyone can agree on – that this scene is badass! Using the Batwing to infiltrate a warehouse where Martha Kent is being held by goons, Batman proceeds to outwit, outmaneuver, and outfight them at nearly every turn, although they do get a few licks and shots in at the Caped Crusader. The action is well-paced, expertly executed, and juuuussst violent enough. Honestly, it’s one of the best Batman fight scenes ever, which is probably why people keep rewatching it.

“Watchmen” (2009)
Rorschach is one of “Watchmen”’s most fascinating characters. The uncompromising and violent vigilante is eventually put away behind bars with many of the criminals he helped put away. Although there’s some concern about putting him into the general population because of this, enough that he’s psychoanalyzed, the authorities’ reservations were unfounded… at least in the way they thought. While getting lunch in the cafeteria, an inmate tries to attack Rorschach, only for him to easily dispatch him and then pour burning oil all over him. His assertion that he’s not locked up with them, they’re locked up with him is both incredibly badass and also kind of terrifying, which is Rorschach all over.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
After Harvey Dent claims that he is Batman, the district attorney is taken into protective custody. However, the Joker and his minions attack the police convoy. Thankfully, Batman intervenes. The Dark Knight defends the motorcade with his Batmobile, taking enough damage that he converts it into the Batpod mid-chase and manages to take down the Joker; allowing the clown criminal to be taken into custody. Full of explosive and jaw-dropping action, as well as some humorous color-commentary by police escorts and the Joker himself, this chase scene never fails to get us hyped.

“Batman” (1989)
Although it’s an origin story for its titular character, “Batman” also depicts the beginnings of its version of the Joker. Once known as Jack Napier, the mobster is dropped into a vat of chemicals by Batman that radically alters his appearance. Reveling in his joyfully insane new attitude, Jack gleefully takes out his former employer for setting him up. Then, upon seeing Batman’s exploits mentioned in the paper, Joker remarks that if they think his nemesis is terrorizing Gotham, just wait until they get a load of him. The menacing line is iconic and somehow made even more creepy by his nonsensical “oop-ing” and laughter.

“Superman” (1978)
After a helicopter accident, Lois Lane is left dangling from the edge of the aircraft over the side of a tall building. Down below, Clark Kent makes a quick change into his alter ego, Superman. It’s the Man of Steel’s first high profile rescue, and he does it in style, saving both Lois and the helicopter as they fall. Sure, the effects might be dated now, but it’s an iconic scene, boasting infinitely quotable lines of dialogue and further elevated by John Williams’ score. Superman has made some great saves over the years, but even decades later, this is one that continues to stand out.

“Shazam!” (2019)
In this unique superhero comedy, troubled foster child Billy Batson gains the incredible ability to transform into an adult superhero. With help from his new foster brother Freddy, Billy goes through a series of tests to determine the exact nature and limits of his newfound superpowers. The tests themselves are quite funny, and the rapid fire editing style only adds to the hilarity. This scene is an absolute blast to watch, and whether you’re a kid, or just one at heart, you have to admit that you’d probably do many of the same things as Billy. Plus the whole thing is set to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”, which perfectly sets the tone.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
The opening scene of this acclaimed Batman film sees criminals in clown masks robbing a bank. As each crook fulfills the role he’s been assigned, he’s promptly killed off by another member of the crew. One of the last goons standing tries to get the drop on his accomplice, only to be maneuvered into the path of a school bus by the last clown standing - who’s revealed to be none other than the man who hired them, the Joker! Tense and expertly crafted, this opening sequence is like a miniature heist movie inside an amazing superhero movie! And it makes for one heck of an introduction to the Clown Prince of Crime.

“Joker” (2019)
While we considered discussing the memetic wonder that is the stair dance, Arthur Fleck’s appearance on a talk show is arguably even more iconic. Arthur Fleck is invited onto a late-night talk show after a video of his awkward standup came to host Murray Franklin’s attention. Like much of the film, Arthur, now going by Joker, is tense and off-putting, but is now unabashed in displaying his opinions, telling tasteless jokes, and admitting to murders that have the whole city in an uproar. Arthur then proclaims that society gets what it deserves for mistreating mentally ill people like him, before shooting Murray live on air. Thousands of memes have resulted from the scene, as well as a ton of rewatches.

“V For Vendetta” (2005)
Now this is how you introduce a character! After being accosted by secret police in a dystopian version of London, Evey Hammond is rescued by a man in a Guy Fawkes mask. Her mysterious savior proceeds to dispatch the corrupt policemen with knives, a surprising level of brute force, and some theatrically harsh insults. He then goes on to introduce himself to Evey, in an amazingly delivered speech that uses what feels like every word beginning with the letter “V” in the English language. Vengeful, vivid, and occasionally vexing, V’s first scene has style, action, and lines of dialogue that we’re happy to hear time and time again.

“The Dark Knight Rises” (2012)
While “The Dark Knight Rises” has a lot of thrilling moments we could have discussed, from Bane breaking Batman, to Bruce Wayne’s prison escape climb, the movie’s opening is especially memorable. The CIA takes custody of several mercenaries and a nuclear physicist. While interrogating the mercs about Bane, one of them reveals himself to be the masked man himself. Bane’s men then board the plane from another one flying above it, while also abducting the physicist and crashing the CIA’s aircraft. Full of creative camera work, excellent action, notable quotables from Bane, and Hans Zimmer’s blood-quickening score, this is a scene.

“Watchmen” (2009)
Most of the heroes in the “Watchmen” universe aren’t super at all, but Dr. Manhattan’s abilities make him among the most powerful beings in any fictional world. The blue, glowing god-like man can reshape himself and the world around him. He also lives disconnected from time. During a narration of his origins, the former John Osterman observes his past, present, and future with little distinction between them. An accident at a nuclear plant disintegrates the physicist, and his gradual reassembly and reveal help put the “awe” in “awesome” - especially as the music swells. Say what you will about this divisive adaptation, it absolutely nails the majesty of this character.

“Batman Begins” (2005)
With the greatest respect to Michael Keaton’s Batman, who said it first, as well as Christian Bale’s wonderfully intimidating “swear to me!” moment, we have to go with the cooler sequence present in this origin story. Shortly after donning the cape, Batman pursues a mobster’s men as they unload a shipment of drugs from some shipping containers. Batman slowly stalking and picking off the criminals is incredibly cool and kind of terrifying. This is the Dark Knight operating in a manner worthy of his comic book counterpart. And topping it off by reaching into the head mobster’s car and introducing himself? EPIC. We’re here for it – all day, every day.

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
As famous and great as the Joker’s first “Why so serious?” scene is, this scene is possibly more rewatchable. During a meeting of mob bosses, the Joker strolls in with an unsettling laugh. He proceeds to not only kill a henchman with only a pencil, but also poke holes in the plans of the gangsters he’s robbed. The Joker then offers to kill Batman for them, but only for half of all their money. It’s hard not to hang on Heath Ledger’s every word and nuance whenever he’s onscreen and this scene has his talents on full display. Very few scenes manage to “blow” us away again and again quite like this one.

“Man of Steel” (2013)
After Clark Kent dons his iconic suit and cape for the first time, he decides to test his limits and attempts to fly for the first time, all while Jor-El offers his hopes for his Kryptonian son’s ability to give the people of Earth someone to strive for. As Hans Zimmer’s score soars along with him, it’s easy to imagine you’re flying right along with Clark. “Man of Steel” may have proven contentious among audiences, but we’d argue that few movie scenes have captured the wonder and hope the Superman character inspires quite as well as this one – and judging by how often people have rewatched it, fans definitely agree.

“Wonder Woman” (2017)
While attempting to go behind enemy lines during the First World War, Diana and her comrades are faced with the challenge of getting through No Man’s Land. Our heroine is told that it’s impossible to traverse and that the people suffering on the other side simply can’t be saved. But Diana decides to do it anyway, shedding her disguise and charging the German lines. Not only is this an amazing action scene, it’s arguably also the moment in which the character goes from being Diana to truly becoming Wonder Woman. Can you believe that director Patty Jenkins actually had to fight executives to keep this scene in the movie?!

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
The Trench, “Aquaman” (2018)
DC Goes Full Lovecraft

A Comedian Dies in New York, “Watchmen” (2009)
A Mystery & a Great Fight Scene in One

Town Fight, “Wonder Woman” (2017)
The Kaiser’s Best Can’t Match Diana!

“The Dark Knight” (2008)
Although “The Dark Knight” is essentially just one rewatchable and/or memorable moment after another, this is arguably the scene people come back to the most. Batman is allowed a chance to interrogate the Joker to locate Harvey Dent and the results are dramatic gold. Heath Ledger’s performance is absolutely magnetic; every line and little gesture from this scene now feels iconic. His masterful manipulation of Batman, even as the hero loses his temper and starts beating him, is incredible to watch in action. The scene is mostly just two men talking in a room, but it’s some of the greatest and most electric cinema the superhero genre has to offer.