The Batman has been around for over 80 years, and during that time he has kicked villainous butt and saved the day to a variety of different tunes. So today we are taking a look back at every Batman theme song while trying to work out which one is the best!
The only disclaimer is after being around for the best part of a century, we are only including theme songs for films with full cinematic runs and TV shows. So no video games or straight to video animated movies, otherwise it will take another 80 years just to read this article.
With that in mind, set atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed, and let's move out!
Honorable Mention: The Dark Knight Returns (2012)
A Batman list can feel incomplete without mentioning The Dark Knight Returns at least once, especially when Christopher Drake’s score for the animated adaption is so amazing. Alas, being an animated movie without a full cinematic run means it’s excluded from the list.
Honorable Mention: The Arkham Series (2009-2015)
Again, being a video game Nick Arundel and Ron Fish’s work on the Arkham games must also be excluded but is given an honorable mention for being embedded in the minds for a generation of Bat gamers.
The Adventures of Batman (1968–69)
The Adventures of Batman was a 60's animated show produced in the wake of the Adam West series. Nothing here but a 60s Saturday morning cartoon brass band playing a generic jazzy tune, produced by John Gart. Music like this would provide inspiration for Pharrell William’s Despicable Me soundtrack.
The New Adventures of Batman (1977)
This Filmation series actually featured Adam West, Burt Ward and…ahem, Batmite. Sadly, it lacked the glorious 60s theme song instead opting for Ray Ellis and Norm Prescott’s more generic Saturday morning trumpets, this time with a twangy guitar.
It doesn’t matter, as West's smooth vocals welcoming fans over the top is more than enough for the promise of high adventure!
Batman and Robin (1949)
The second Batman adventure-serial had pretty much your a-typical adventure-serial intro. A classic fanfare to get the story started. Musical Director Mishca BakalienKoff did a solid job with this one.
Batman (1943)
The first Batman adventure serial's introduction song tops the second thanks to the slightly gothic tones due to high strings and a low melody, a little reminiscent of Danny Elfman’s work in the years to come. This one was composed by Lee Zahler.
The Batman (Second Theme) 2006
The Batman’s third season shook things up with a new, slightly lighter and jazzier theme song. Listen closely and you can here a high-toned nod the 1966 theme's “na-na-na-na-nas” behind the surf guitar and bass.
Beware The Batman (2013)
A hint of James Bond underlies this Frederick Weidmann theme, with its repetitive overdrive guitar and female vocals on top. Nice, short and simple, Beware The Batman was a series that deserved far more than just one season.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Another one of the few Batman themes that have lyrics, and what lyrics they are! Will Arnett in his Lego Batman persona sings through this epic rock anthem called Who’s The (Bat) Man, written and co-performed by Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump. A perfect intro to The Lego Batman, although it may have been a bit out of place on other Bat soundtracks…
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
After delivering a brilliant, memorable Bat score for the Dark Knight Trilogy (more on that later) Hans Zimmer was given the unfortunate task after writing a completely new Batman theme for the horrible mess that was Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.
One thing this score does have is a “Bruce Wayne” part, a few sad notes which counteract the Man Of Steel theme, also written by Zimmer. A lack of memorable hook is why this theme is the lowest of the live-action movies, a feeling of build-up that never really gets there.
The Batman (2004)
The Batman had a lot to live up to following the Bruce Timm Batman shows which were arguably the most beloved Superhero cartoons ever made. To help the show distinguish itself from what came before it had a new art style, new character designs and of course, a new theme song by Thomas Chase. We rank this version above the second for its slightly darker, more mysterious tone.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008–11)
Batman: The Brave And The Bold decided to break away from the trend of dark Batman and harken back to a happy, brighter time. Self-knowing and brilliantly written, what at first seemed like a gamble that may alienate hardcore Batman fans paid off, becoming a love letter to the golden and silver age version of the character. The big brash intro, created by the music team of Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis, and Kristopher Carter, emulated the Saturday morning cartoons of yesteryear but was fun and catchy enough to stick in the mind.
Batman Beyond (1999–2001)
Batman Beyond is set in the futuristic world of approximately last year, 2019 (the show did debut in 1999 so to be fair it was futuristic back then). It’s the only Batman theme on this list were the cowl doesn’t belong to Bruce Wayne, but rather that of teenage protege Terry McGinnis. A more futuristic theme for a Neo-Gotham, a chugging, almost industrial riff with a distorted wailing guitar on top helps set the tone for this fan-favorite show.
Batman Forever (1995)
Taking over from Tim Burton, Joel Schumacher's first Batman film had a lot of changes, from the design aesthetics of Gotham, the Cave, and vehicles, to the Batman himself, with Val Kilmer taking over the reins from Michael Keaton. Another change was the soundtrack. Elliot Goldenthal was given scoring duties after Danny Elfman, and rather than continue with the same melodies and motifs, Goldenthal decided to rework the themes with his own creations. The results were actually rather good creating heroic and dark anthems that were sadly overshadowed by his predecessor's work.
Batman Begins (2005)
The Batman Begins soundtrack would go on to compliment the entire Dark Knight trilogy. Hans Zimmer’s masterpiece, like most of his work, is comprised of different sections. Heroic and uplifting, Dark and mysterious, but also evoking the feel of crime dramas and thrillers. As the series rolled on other characters were giving themes, such as the Joker's ever-increasing sustained note and Bane’s “fire rises chants.” It is Batman’s theme that his the most adaptable though, blasting loud and fully orchestral through the action whilst also being able to be condensed to minimal instruments in more emotional scenes.
Batman: The Animated Series (1992–95)
Batman: The Animated Series probably has the most pitch-perfect Batman score. Shirley Walker manages to capture the adventure, the bravery, the darkness and an element of sadness in her music for the Dark Knight. The story goes that Elfman originally turned down scoring the opening music, so Bruce Timm hired Shirley Walker, but after Elfman got his Simpsons theme money he soon changed his mind. Fortunately, Walker’s music would take the title spot for the second season, with the name change (or the name given, as season one didn’t actually have a title card) The Adventures Of Batman And Robin.
Batman (1966)
Nanananananananana BATMAN! Quite possibly the most prolific of all Bat songs, this theme was introduced in the 1966 series. Neal Hefti’s perfect blend of chase surf music and jazz has remained cemented in the minds of Bat Fans for over 50 years. It was a perfect theme song for the character at the time, and to this day conjures up the image of Batman and Robin running side by side on their way to punch crime in the face. Its impact is unquestionable, and has even been covered by the likes of The Who and The Kinks!
Batman (1989)
The reason Hefti is number two is that as prolific as it is, it feels out of place in a post-1986 “Dark Knight Returns” era. Frank Millar’s comic book cemented the dark threads and tones started by Dennis O’Neal and Neil Adams and alongside Alan Moore’s Killing Joke, laid down the blueprints for the first Tim Burton movie. Enter Elfman. The new Batman was darker and more gritty, but still very much a hero.
Elfman managed to capture all elements of the character, the erratic horns, and sweeping strings almost envoke the feel of a roller coaster. Elfman’s driving “march” makes you feel like you’re running across Gotham’s night skyline, or tearing up the streets in the Batmobile. It’s so iconic it transcended the Burton films and made its way into animated shows, video games, and other movies, most recently being implied in 2017’s Justice League movie. After 30 years it is still recognized as THE Batman theme and plays in the head of anyone who catches sight of the famous insignia to this day.