The Joker, Batman’s quintessential foe, debuted in 1940 and has become one of Gotham’s infamous criminals. Created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, The Joker, portrayed by actors like Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger, has left a lasting mark on cinema.
The Joker is known for his complexity, the character’s live-action adaptations showcase unique psychopathic traits and dark humor. For those excited to watch all Joker movies in the USA in order, here’s a concise guide to the chronological timeline.
- Batman (1966) – played by Cesar Romero
- Batman (1989) – played by Jack Nicholson
- The Dark Knight (2008) – played by Heath Ledger
- Suicide Squad (2016) – played by Jared Leto
- Joker (2019) – played by Joaquin Phoenix
- Batman (2022) – played by Barry Keoghan
If you want to experience the chronological history of the greatest mischievous mastermind, continue reading, but first, see how you can stream these movies from the USA.
Advertisement Everything You Need to Know Before Watching Joker
Joaquin Phoenix steps into the iconic role of the Clown Prince of Crime in Todd Phillips’ Joker. The film was set in 1981. It tells the dark and gripping story of Arthur Fleck. He is a struggling stand-up comedian who is shunned by society due to his mental illness. Arthur slowly transforms into the notorious villain we all know—Joker, as he spirals deeper into despair.
Before you dive into this powerful character study, here’s everything you need to know about Joker:
It’s a Standalone Film
In a world full of superhero franchises, Joker is a refreshing change. Unlike other DC movies that are connected to a larger universe, this film stands on its own. Director Todd Phillips purposely kept Joker separate from any other DC films, saying,
Instead of living in the shadow of big franchises, let’s do something different. It’ll be freeing.
Aiming for Awards Glory
From the moment Joaquin Phoenix was cast, it was clear that Joker was destined to be more than just a comic book movie. The film made a huge splash at the 76th Venice International Film Festival. It also earns an eight-minute standing ovation and winning the festival’s highest honor, the Golden Lion. As awards season approaches, Joker is already being talked about as a major contender. The Phoenix predicted to land a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars.
Inspired by Scorsese’s Classics
Joker draws heavy inspiration from classic Martin Scorsese films like Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy. In fact, Scorsese was initially set to produce the film but had to step back due to scheduling issues. With Bradley Cooper stepping in as producer and Joker channeling Scorsese’s gritty 80s vibe, fans of classic cinema will love the nostalgic feel.
Not Your Usual Superhero Movie
Joaquin Phoenix is known for avoiding blockbuster franchises. He usually prefers smaller, character-driven films. His version of Joker is unlike anything seen in superhero movies before. Instead of focusing on flashy action or superhero battles, this film is a deep dive into Arthur Fleck’s mind—a psychological drama about how a man’s descent into madness creates a notorious villain.
Arthur Fleck is No Hero
There has been plenty of debate about Joker. The film glorifies Arthur Fleck’s violent actions. Warner Bros. addressed these concerns by stating that neither the character nor the movie promotes real-world violence. They emphasize that Arthur Fleck is not meant to be seen as a hero or someone to look up to. His story is a cautionary tale about the consequences of neglecting mental health and social issues.
Now that you’re caught up, get ready to experience one of the most talked-about films of the year. Joker is a haunting and unforgettable ride that’s sure to leave you thinking long after the credits roll. Below we have discussed the correct order to watch Joker.
Your Go-to List to Watch All Joker Movies in Order!
For a complete Joker movie marathon, here’s the ultimate list of where to watch them in order.
Batman: The Movie (1966)
| Details | Information |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Comedy |
| Release Date | 30-Jul-66 |
| IMDb Rating | 6.5 |
| Director | Leslie H. Martinson |
| Cast | Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero |
Cesar Romero holds the distinction of being the first actor in history to portray the iconic Batman villain. Across three seasons in the late ’60s Batman television series alongside Adam West, Romero brought the Joker to life. Notably, he reprised this role in a feature film released during the series’ break between its first and second seasons.
The Batman series of that era embraced a campy style, reflecting the lighter tone prevalent when comic books were not as seriously regarded as they are today. Despite this, Romero’s portrayal of the Joker earned widespread praise. While some newer generations of Batman fans may overlook the campy style, Romero’s performance remains a noteworthy and celebrated part of Joker’s history.
Check out the trailer here:
Batman (1989)
| Details | Information |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 23-Jun-89 |
| IMDb Rating | 7.5 |
| Director | Tim Burton |
| Cast | Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson |
While not the initial live-action Batman film, Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” is frequently regarded as such for introducing a darker, more serious Caped Crusader to the cinema. Michael Keaton took on the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, while Jack Nicholson was honored to portray Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker.
It proved worthwhile despite Nicholson imposing certain conditions on the studio for taking on the role, such as selecting his shooting schedule. “Batman” became a massive critical and commercial triumph, with Nicholson’s performance as Jack Napier, aka the Joker, earning widespread acclaim.
The Dark Knight (2008)
| Details | Information |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Release Date | 18-Jul-08 |
| IMDb Rating | 9 |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Cast | Christian Bale, Heath Ledger |
Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” in 2005 marked the resurgence of Batman on the big screen. However, when Heath Ledger was announced as the Joker for the sequel, fans initially expressed dissatisfaction with the casting choice. Despite the initial pessimism, Ledger’s performance as the Joker earned widespread acclaim, with many fans considering him the best live-action Joker.
Tragically, Ledger passed away before the movie premiered. Still, he posthumously received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for portraying the Joker in the second installment of The Dark Knight trilogy. While it’s his only appearance as the Joker, many still regard “The Dark Knight” as one of the greatest superhero movies ever, making it advisable to watch “Batman Begins” before delving into this ultimate sequel.
Suicide Squad (2016)
| Details | Information |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Release Date | 5-Aug-16 |
| IMDb Rating | 5.9 |
| Director | David Ayer |
| Cast | Will Smith, Jared Leto |
After Heath Ledger’s iconic portrayal, it took eight years for another Joker to grace the big screen. Jared Leto, an Academy Award winner for “Dallas Buyers Club” in 2014, was initially slated to appear in “Batman V Superman” but was eventually cut, with a reference to his character included in the movie. He debuted as the Joker in David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad.” However, despite the film’s box office success, it garnered negative reviews, and Leto’s performance as the Joker faced criticism, unlike Margot Robbie’s praised portrayal of Harley Quinn.
Check out the trailer here:
Joker (2019)
| Details | Information |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Release Date | 4-Oct-19 |
| IMDb Rating | 8.4 |
| Director | Todd Phillips |
| Cast | Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro |
Following Jared Leto’s Joker not meeting expectations on the big screen, Warner Bros. shifted gears and greenlit a solo Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix, set outside the DC Extended Universe. Loosely based on the character’s source material, the film garnered widespread acclaim, with Joaquin Phoenix’s performance receiving high praise. The movie earned numerous nominations and accolades, with Phoenix winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. A sequel is currently in production.
Batman (2022)
| Details | Information |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Drama |
| Release Date | 4-Mar-22 |
| IMDb Rating | Not yet rated |
| Director | Matt Reeves |
| Cast | Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano |
Following the cancellation of the standalone Batman movie starring DCEU’s Ben Affleck, Matt Reeves took over, rewriting the entire film and casting Robert Pattinson as the new Batman outside of DCEU. Despite initial fan criticism, Paul Dano portrayed the Riddler, the movie’s main villain.
While the Riddler and Colin Farrell’s Penguin took center stage as the primary antagonists, the Joker, portrayed by Barry Keoghan, made a brief appearance in a scene set in Arkham Asylum. After the movie’s premiere, a deleted scene featuring more of Keoghan’s Joker was later released. The sequel is developing, with uncertainty surrounding Keoghan’s return to the role.
Where to Watch All Joker Movies in Order?
You can stream All Joker Movies in Order on HBO MAX. It is one of the popular streaming platform, which is combined with the content of HBO previously. Now HBO Max has a diverse range of movies, series and originals. On this platform you can witness a variety of series which includes Ghosts, John Wick 4, Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood and House of the Dragon.
This streaming site offer subscription packages, tailored according to fans convenience. HBO Max also provide a FREE TRIAL offer for its new subscribers. So don’t wait and grab this limited time offer. Here are the packages discussed below:
| Package | Price | Ads |
| Ad-Lite | $9.99/month | With ads |
| Ad-Free | $15.99/month | No ads |
FAQs
You can stream Joker on platforms like HBO Max, Prime Video, or rent it on services like Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube.
No, Joker is a standalone film, so you don’t need to watch any previous movies before diving in.
There are several films featuring the Joker, including The Dark Knight (2008), Suicide Squad (2016), Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), and Joker (2019), among others. Each version showcases a different interpretation of the character.
Sum Up
Watching all the Joker movies in order takes you on a fascinating journey into the mind of one of the most famous movie villains ever. Ultimately, the Joker isn’t just about a superhero movie marathon. It leaves a strong impression and might even make you feel sorry for the person behind the crazy makeup. It shows how the Joker character is so interesting and complicated, making the trip through his different stories an exciting and unforgettable movie experience.