Top 30 Greatest Joker Moments Ever

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95)
There have been countless times when the Joker has nearly killed the Dark Knight, and in Almost Got Im he shares one of these tall tales with his fellow villains over a game of cards. He reveals how (in signature Joker fashion) he held an entire studio hostage and strapped Batman into an electric chair. Spoiler alert, Batman didnt end up getting fried, but that shouldnt take away from the level of detail Joker put into designing such an elaborate death trap. If anything, it just goes to show how much Joker cares about him. After all, he doesnt go all out for just anyone. Though he still came up short, were giving Joker an A for effort here.

Gotham (2014-19)
Though he and his twin brother Jeremiah would never quite get to morph into a fully-realized version of the Joker, Jerome was still simply incredible as the Proto-Clown Prince of Crime. And there hasnt been a moment in Gotham quite as iconic as Jeromes not-so-humble beginnings. When circus performer Lila Valeska[a] is found murdered, the GCPD conducts an investigation into who did it. But the real kicker is the end when her son Jerome reveals that it was actually him. He suddenly goes from a meek little kid to a scheming psychopath all with the flip of a switch. This moment proved that Cameron Monaghan had the makings of a fantastic Joker, and more impressively, he pulled it off here without the iconic look too.

Joker (2019)
The Joker movie is a wild ride that documents Arthur Flecks descent into madness, culminating in the creation of his alter ego the Joker. But when everything is said and done, its what happens after the fact that shows just how changed Arthur has become. While being held in a mental health facility, Arthur laughs wildly while smoking a cigarette. When his psychiatrist asks him a question, he responds in an interesting way. Its a moment that shows him in control. Hes really no longer Arthur, hes the Joker, and shockingly, hes happy. Its probably better if his way of healing wasnt by becoming a psychotic clown who incites mob violence. But hey, what are we going to be able to do about it?

Batman: Arkham City (2011)


When Joker loads himself up on Titan formula during the events of Arkham Asylum, the choice comes back to bite him during Arkham City. Now infected by it, his life gets put in danger. Even though Batman actually intended to save him, the Joker eventually succumbs to the poison in the end. For as evil as he is, his death is surprisingly bittersweet. Its a pivotal moment in the Arkham franchise that haunts Batman in future games. Death is hardly permanent in the superhero genre, but Joker really did die here, which makes this moment all the more impactful. So long, Mister J.

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Joker is infamous for his sadistic methods and particularly hostile treatment towards the Robins, and one of the most startling instances comes from Return of the Joker. Flashbacks reveal how he and Harley kidnapped and tortured Tim Drake. Essentially, he brainwashed him into a mini version of himself. If that wasnt traumatizing enough, Joker ordered Tim to kill an injured Batman. Thankfully Tim would manage to muster up enough strength to rebel against Joker and shoot him in the chest, seemingly killing him. Its another instance where the clown dies that is just downright chilling. You might find a little bit of humor in him getting shot by his own gun but the amount of psychological damage he inflicted up until this moment remains haunting.

Harley Quinn (2019-20; 2022-)
If you thought that Joker wanted to learn Batmans secret identity, you were wrong. Well, at least in regard to the version of him from the Harley Quinn show. When he successfully captures Batman, Scarecrow excitedly unmasks him, much to Jokers anger. The situation then devolves into a comical rant where he airs his grievances against Bruce Wayne and WayneTech. We really hate to admit it but some of his complaints (namely the electric cars) are actually pretty solid. The Joker figuring out Batmans identity wouldve been iconic either way, but the little comedic subversion that happens here is arguably one of the funniest moments in the entire show.

Joker (2019)
We know that Joker 2 is going to be big on music, but you can totally see music in a huge way with this moment from the first movie as well. After killing several businessmen that were attacking him, Arthur flees into a bathroom. While the atmosphere is tense at first, the scene then takes a big moodswing. No doubt filled with adrenaline, Arthur finds himself inspired to break out into an impromptu dance number. The way he moves in rhythm with the Academy Award-winning score in the background gives off an eerie vibe. Its like were watching his descent into madness in real time. And when you add the ambiance of the dingy bathroom to the mix, you get an iconic aesthetic.

Batman: Arkham Knight (2015)
What, just because Joker died in Arkham City you expected him to be gone forever? Think again! In Arkham Knight, its revealed that after a blood transfusion, Batman becomes infected by the Jokers blood, which is one hell of a way to leave your mark! As the infection spreads, the Dark Knight experiences numerous haunting hallucinations. They include multiple memories of the twisted clown torturing his loved ones, and at some points Batman is urged by him to kill. Got to hand it to him, even when hes six feet in the ground, the Joker still finds a way to spread his signature blend of chaos everywhere.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Heath Ledgers Joker is generally considered to be the best portrayal of them all, and thats in no small part thanks to his ability to toy around with Batman. He plays mind games against everyone in Gotham, and that mental manipulation factors in again during this scene. With Batman close enough to strike, Joker dares the hero to hit him with the batcycle. Its definitely not smart to urge someone to run you over but Joker just doesnt care. He actually doesnt have any real reason to be scared anyways because he knows that Batman wouldnt actually hit him. Hes taking sick pleasure out of taunting him, and its that kind of dominance Joker possesses that has made him such a dangerous villain.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
While its not actually the last time we saw the DCAUs Joker, this ominous moment from Mask of the Phantasm sure made it look like it was going to be. Finally caught by Andrea Beaumont[b], aka the Phantasm, the bloodthirsty vigilante seeks vengeance for her fathers murder. However, the amusement park theyre in starts to collapse all around, placing them in imminent danger. With certain doom sinking in, Joker simply takes the moment in stride. Its pretty clear that he doesnt even care what happens to him in the end. Laughing even in the face of total destruction, its the Joker way!

Joker (2019)
After adding his former coworker Randall to his growing body count, Arthur Fleck fixes his clown makeup, throws on a colorful suit and heads out to his TV interview. But before getting in front of a camera, he decides to dance out his feelings on a long set of stairs. But Arthur's joyful and manic moves have a dark undertone to them. As he dances down the steps with blood on his hands, he descends deeper into insanity. Arthur's dance resonated with audiences so much that fans went to the real-life shooting location in New York City to imitate him. Although the locals weren't too pleased with the tourists, they couldn't stop Joker's dance from becoming a cultural phenomenon.

Batman (1966-68)
The Joker was always a fan of theatrics. In the villain's grand scheme to hijack the S.S. Gotham, The Joker baits Batman and the Boy Wonder to the Gotham City Opera Company, where he knew they'd attempt to capture him. Having been defeated by Batmans gas pellets earlier in the episode, the villain decides to get even with some chemicals of his own. Subduing the two with sneezing powder, Joker now plans to unveil Batman and Robins secret identities on live television. This puts quite a twist on the show's typical death trap cliff hanger, and is a scheme worthy of the Crown Prince of Crime.

Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
Most villains know better than to make a deal with the Joker, but after nearly being assassinated by the Red Hood, Black Mask decides to ask the clown for help. Black Mask gathers his henchmen and breaks into Arkham Asylum to talk to an imprisoned Joker. When the clown is asked if he could handle taking out the new villain, he murders all the goons in the room. Once they're all dead, Joker agrees to accept the job... if Black Mask gives him more henchmen. This short scene perfectly captures how unpredictable and sadistic the clown can be. The Joker is so manic and terrifying that even the intimidating Black Mask will give the clown whatever he wants.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Shortly after stealing money from every mob boss in Gotham, the Joker crashes their private meeting. He offers to make up for his intrusion by showing them a magic trick with a pencil. After the mob chooses a volunteer, the Joker makes the pencil disappear into the volunteers eye. His brutal magic trick was a great way to show how reckless Heath Ledger's Joker was. Even when he's outnumbered, this version of the clown prince wont hesitate to satisfy his most primal desires. Unsurprisingly, the Jokers brutality and boldness eventually wins the mob over and they hire him to kill Batman. Let's just hope they didn't hire the clown to do any magic shows.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Seeing an empty yet functional hospital explode should be a tragedy, but the Joker managed to turn the event into a properly funny moment. After throwing on a nurse's outfit, the not so serious one detonates the massive number of explosives he placed inside of Gotham General Hospital. While walking away from the flames, the explosions suddenly stop. A confused and disappointed Joker messes around with the detonator until the explosions begin again. The way the Joker reacts to everything in this scene is priceless. He has fun setting off the explosives and seems genuinely surprised when they start up after the delay. Heath Ledger's fantastic comedic timing kept us laughing throughout this explosive scene, even though it feels so wrong.

Joker (2019)
Throughout 2019s Joker, Gotham's poorest citizens are mistreated and neglected by the rich. So, when Arthur kills three wealthy businessmen while wearing clown makeup, the disenfranchised citizens of Gotham see him as a hero. They are so dedicated to their murderous idol that they even break him out of police custody. When Arthur finds himself surrounded by his new fans, he paints a bloody smile on his face and greets them as the Joker. Although it's unclear if this crowd scene was real or one of Arthur's frequent delusions, the news reports throughout the film paint an undeniable truth. The Jokers twisted actions inspired people to embrace their worst instincts.

Death of the Family (2012-13)
If your arch nemesis ever invites you over for supper, just politely decline. After capturing most of the Bat Family, Nightwing, Robin, Red Hood and Batgirl in 2012s Death of the Family The Joker forces Batman to surrender, subsequently electrocuting him and knocking him unconscious. When The Dark Knight wakes up, he finds that the Joker has seated him at a mock dinner party, surrounded by his friends, whose faces are covered with bloody rags and been doused in gasoline. The Joker, with the help of a brainwashed Alfred, serves the gang up with what he claims to be their own severed faces. If that isnt the stuff of nightmare fuel, we dont know what is.

Batman (1989)
While we cant say enough good things about Heath Ledgers portrayal of The Joker, Jack Nicholsons performance in the 1989 Batman film is just as haunting and memorable. When crime boss Carl Grissom conspires to have his rival Jack Napier killed during a heist gone wrong, Jack is reborn as the Joker. Imagine Grissoms surprise when Jack shows up in his office, alive and seemingly well. It is revealed however that being doused with toxic waste and the subsequent reconstructive surgery left him with a very unique appearance, and quite the personality disorder.

Batman #1 (1940)
One must ask themselves: has The Joker always been this maniacal and random? Well, his first appearance in 1940s Batman #1 as Gotham's most twisted crime boss shows us that, yes, yes he was. The Joker makes his own grand introduction via a live radio broadcast, announcing the murders and crimes he plans to commit. Besides this, he also takes down some city's most infamous gangsters and abducts Robin all at the same time. The villain is eventually captured by Batman and sent to prison, and thus begins one of the most interesting hero/villain relationships in comic book history.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Heath Ledger's Joker loved to get deep. Working on orders from the Joker to kill each other off as they work their way through a bank heist, one henchman remains by the end. Revealed to be none other than the Joker himself, the clown prince of crime is soon given the chance to share part of his strangle outlook on life. Joker's reply could be his way of telling us that a violent past turned him into an unpredictable criminal, but his philosophy could just as easily apply to Bruce Wayne's batly motivations. After surviving a traumatic past, whats stranger than dressing up like a bat every night? No matter how you choose to interpret it, Joker's post-heist philosophy lesson is strangely genius.

Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013)
The Joker, tired of losing to Batman, decides to quote try it on easy mode and go up against Superman instead. In Injustice: Gods Among Us, The Joker murders Supermans pal Jimmy Olsen and kidnaps a pregnant Lois Lane. Using Kryptonite-infused Scarecrow toxin, the Joker tricks the now delusional Man of Steel into killing Lois Lane. As if that wasnt funny enough, Joker rigged a nuclear bomb to detonate in Metropolis when Lois dies, destroying Supermans home. Yikes. Superman kills The Joker in reprisal, but this was all part of The Jokers plan, as because he was never able to defeat Batman, maybe an enraged and insane Superman will do it for him.

The Dark Knight (2008)
During Dark Knights iconic interrogation scene, the Joker is asked why he tried to kill Batman. The madman laughs and insists he never wanted to murder the bat. The Joker then quotes Jerry Maguire and tells Batman you complete me. In three short words, Joker gives us huge insight into his relationship with the Bat. Joker commits horrendous crimes in Gotham in order to get Batmans attention. The Dark Knight is forced to confront the fact that his twisted dynamic with the clown prince has cost innocent people their lives. This scene is a brilliant encapsulation of Batman and Jokers relationship. And to think, it all began with a quote from a rom com.

Batman (1989)
After killing Thomas and Martha Wayne, Jack Napier asks Bruce Wayne Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? Years later, the Joker asks Bruce the same question. Once Batman realizes Joker and Jack are the same person, he becomes more determined to take the clown down. But the catchphrase that set Batman off is a great metaphor for the Joker. Its dramatic, thought-provoking and insanely memorable. But the real irony of the phrase is that theres no actual meaning behind it. The Joker just asks the question for fun. Unfortunately for him, he gets a taste of his own medicine when Batman delivers the moonlight question with a side of punch.

Batman: Arkham City (2011)
Batman and the Joker have never been able to see eye to eye when it comes to humor, but irony is something the two can both appreciate. In one last desperate attempt to steal the serum that would cure him of Venom sickness, The Joker blindsides Batman with a knife, which only results in the hero dropping the antidote to the floor. Devastated and hopeless, the villain attempts to sip on the last few droplets left from the spill while Batman reminds the Joker that he would have never chosen to let him die.

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (2012)
Batman's deepest internal battle is remaining a symbol of justice, and The Joker's prime directive is to persistently challenge that very notion. Like we saw in our previous entry, The Joker has met his demise at various points in his mythos, however none of these other instances stack up to his death in Frank Millers The Dark Knight Returns. In a desperate struggle, Batman was forced to snap The Joker's neck, but only enough to paralyze him. Opting not to kill him as it would destroy his moral code as well as public appeal, the Joker finishes the job himself as one last parting gift to dear old Bats.

Joker (2019)
Aspiring comedian Arthur Fleck dreamed of being on the Murray Franklin show. Unfortunately, that wish only came true when a video of his comedy routine was presented and mocked by the talk show host on national TV. When Arthur's invited to appear on the show, he requests Murray call him Joker... and packs a gun. After the interview inevitably goes south, Joker shocks the audience by killing Murray on live TV. It's impossible to look away from either the carnage or Joaquin Phoenixs Academy Award-winning performance as Arthur in this scene. His realistic and chilling acting helped cement the moment Arthur went past the point of no return and truly became the Joker.

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
If there's one thing the Joker can't stand, it's those that just dont laugh at his humor. In 1988s The Killing Joke, the villain decides to bring none other than Commissioner Gordon into his construct of madness by shooting and paralyzing his daughter in their own home. To add injury to insult, The Joker takes pictures of Barbara Gordon's crippled body, and forces her father to view them on his twisted carnival ride. Not only is this horrifying event every parents worst nightmare, but the physical and mental damage the Joker inflicted upon Barbara would become a permanent aspect of her character.

The Dark Knight (2008)
As eloquent as he is maniacal, the Joker really knows how to tell a story. And while we may never know the truth behind how he got his scars, we cant deny the tension he created when he told his tale at Harvey Dents fund-raiser while pulling a blade to Rachel Dawes mouth. However, its an earlier scene in which he recounts an entirely different version of his scars origin to Gambol that still gives us chills to this day. Those last three words, which he repeats to terrifying effect just before ending the African mafia boss life, really set the stakes for the remaining associates, who are left to battle it out to the death for a chance to join the Joker.

Batman #427 (1988)
As ruthless and cold as we know this villain to be, there's no getting past how utterly disturbing this moment in comic book history was. In A Death in the Family, Jason Todds Robin parts ways with Batman in order to find his real mother. After reuniting with her, The Joker kidnaps the two and brutally beats Jason halfway to death with a crowbar. Batman arrives on the scene just a moment too late as The Joker blows both Jason and his mother up in a fiery explosion. Out of every act of villainy the Joker has committed against Batman and his allies, this was one of the ones that cut the deepest.

Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)
Alan Moores groundbreaking graphic novel follows the Jokers attempts to drive Jim Gordon insane. After Batman saves the commissioner, the mad clown delivers a memorable speech where he insists one bad day can drive a person crazy. But the highlight of the story comes when Batman offers to help his longtime enemy. Joker politely refuses and tells a joke. Instead of ignoring him, Batman shocked everyone by laughing. His laughter could indicate that he finally snapped. Then again, maybe Batman had a genuine moment of connection with the Joker. Both the comic and movie adaptation let the audience decide how this wonderfully complex story ends. By making Batman laugh, Joker created an iconic moment between the duo that comes with a multiple-choice conclusion.


Is there an all-time classic Joker moment we missed? Spread the lunacy in the comments!