Batman looks cool.

There is no arguing that at all, and I've even provided plenty of examples of just how cool he can look on the big screen.

But Batman doesn't just look cool himself; no, his gear is super cool too.  Just look at the simple, humble Batarang, which is one of the sweetest weapons in the entirety of pop culture. He's a man who knows how to brand, and that means he knows how to make himself some sweet vehicles too.

Because why bother looking cool if you aren't going to ride around in style too? Thankfully, with so many Batman films out there, we've seen plenty of awesome Batvehicles over the years, be it car, boat, or plane. Since I like to write about Batman, and how cool he is, I'm taking a look back at the pros and cons of each big screen Batvehicle.

As before, this will only be for live-action, theatrically released films, and only vehicles that are actually used in some capacity or another in the movie. For fun, I've also included some of the more memorable villain vehicles, so get your atomic batteries to power and turbines to speed, because we're going for a ride. Ready to move out.

Batman (1943)

A 1939 Cadillac Series 61 convertible serves as the first onscreen Batmobile, and the first onscreen Batvehicle period. Much like the early comics, it's the same car that Bruce Wayne drives around in, though the serial distinguished between Wayne being chauffeured and Batman and Robin investigating crimes by having the top down or up, respectively.

Pros:

• It's a cool car.
• Comic accurate, to a degree.
• Technically it's a limousine, which is neat.

Cons:

• It's just a car.
• Not incredibly inconspicuous, even (especially) with the convertible top.

New Adventures of Batman and Robin, the Boy Wonder (1949)

The second cinematic Batmobile was a 1949 Mercury, with a shorter cab and sleeker body than the '39 Cadillac. Like the previous serial, it's the only vehicle driven by the Dynamic Duo, with no attempt to make it look like anything other than a standard automobile.

Pros:

• Again, cool car.
• The body shape is a bit more appealing than the earlier Batmobile.
• More people probably drove one of these than a Cadillac limousine, so it would blend in better.

Cons:

• Again, just a car.
• Again, not terribly inconspicuous, if Batman and Bruce Wayne are riding in the same whip.

Batman: The Movie (1966)

For the 1966 film based on the classic television series, Batman: The Movie pulled out all the stops when it came to vehicles. In an attempt to exceed the bombast of the show, the film had multiple vehicles for the characters to ride around in, hero and villain alike, allowing for travel on land, sea, and air.

The Batmobile

Pros:

• Absolutely classic.
• What many, many people picture when they think of the Batmobile.
• Gadgets galore.
• Unique, memorable design.
• Looks like a Batmobile.
• Pure. West.

Cons:

• I don't own one.
• The open cockpit could be a nuisance when it's raining, I guess?

The Batcopter

Pros:

• Great Bat-theming, with the wings on each side as well as the bat ear silhouette on the cockpit window.
• Great way to show off the film's higher budget.
• Allows Batman and Robin to keep an eye on Gotham City from above.
• Dedicated maintenance crew.
• Stocked with a variety of repellent Bat-sprays.

Cons:

• Not as sleek as the Batmobile.
• Vulnerable to stray riddle missiles.

The Batcycle

Pros:

• Unique and creative design.
• Comes with sidecar so Robin is not left behind.
• Detachable cart in sidecar makes this two vehicles in one...

Cons:

• ...though said cart does not appear to have propulsion system or steering of its own.
• Somewhat bulky.
• Stored on the side of the road with only a bit of grass as camouflage, though far be it from me to question the wisdom of the Caped Crusader.

The Batboat

Pros:

• Design that's similar in spirit to the Batmobile.
• Nice colors.
• Handy for apprehending aquatic-based criminals.
• Comes with a sonic charge weapon.
• Sick flames on each side.

Cons:

• By nature, can only be used on water.
• Uhh, more sweet fins would be cool?

Penguin sub

Pros:

• Branding is on point.
• Has little kicking flippers at the back.
• Large enough to house the entire United Underworld and their henchmen.
• Runs silent and deep.

Cons:

• Obtained via subterfuge and through the disappointing carelessness of one of our men in uniform.
• Has the same limitations as any normal sub that does not look like a penguin.

Jet Umbrellas

Gallery

Pros:

• More terrific theming.
• Absolutely insane.
• Hilarious.
• Come in a variety of designs.

Cons:

• Questionable aerodynamics.

Batman (1989)

Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman helped usher in modern superhero cinema, and set itself apart from previous adaptations with its gothic production design, courtesy of the late Anton Furst. While the Julian Caldow-designed Batmobile is (rightfully) the most memorable vehicle from the film, it also contains an equally impressive Batwing, as well as no shortage of transportation for the villainous Joker and his crew of miscreants.

The Batmobile

Pros:

• Everything.
• It is perfect.
• This is the Batmobile, the best there's ever been in any medium.
• Anti-theft full-body shields included.

Cons:

• Nothing.
• Okay, maybe lose the guns. That's it.
• I don't own several.

The Batwing

Pros:

• As perfect a Batwing design as the film's Batmobile.
• Used in one of the greatest shots in the history of cinema:

Cons:

• While it has a decent amount of screentime, it's still not enough.
• Felled by a single shot from an impossibly long-barreled revolver.

Joker Van

Pros:

• Great colors.
• Terrific Joker logo.
• Large enough to carry the Joker, multiple members of his crew, and a boombox.

Cons:

• Large and bulky.
• Not exactly subtle, even if that's fitting for the Joker.

Joker Car

Pros:

• Again with the cool colors.
• Gets the job done.

Cons:

• Just a car, and not a particularly cool one at that.

Joker Helicopter

Pros:

• Love that Joker logo.
• Good for escaping from a towering cathedral...

Cons:

• ...unless one gets tied to a gargoyle on said cathedral's facade while attempting to climb a rope ladder, of course.
• Could use more purple, and maybe a different shade of green.

Batman Returns (1992)

Tim Burton and Michael Keaton's sophomore Batman effort was weirder than its predecessor, with Burton's morbidly macabre sensibilities being brought to the fore. The pitch perfect Batmobile is back, along with a few other Batvehicles and a unique villainous ride or two.

The Batmobile

Pros:

• See above.
• Comes with new features, like a CD burner.

Cons:

• Apparently very easy to hack and control from a remote location.
• Otherwise, nothing.

Batmissile

Pros:

• Very handy if you need to escape down a very narrow alley when you otherwise don't have any control over the Batmobile.
• After all, victory is in the preparation.
• It's a very, very striking image.
• I have seen this in person.

Cons:

• Other than use in a very specific circumstance, you're probably not going to cruise around Gotham in this.

Batskiboat

Pros:

• Super cool, very underrated design.
• One of the unsung coolest Batvehicles to ever hit the big screen.
• Handy for when you need to pursue criminals through the sewers.

Cons:

• Not much use anywhere else, I guess.
• Only used once, for a very short period of time.

Penguin Duck

Pros:

• Marvelously weird.
• Why a duck? Why not?
• Very memorable.
• Built-in raising platform.

Cons:

• But seriously, why a duck?
• Used for evil.

Bat O' Ride

Pros:

• Brings back childhood memories of going grocery shopping.
• Like the Duck and Batskiboat and the rest of the movie, memorably weird.
• Can control the Batmobile.

Cons:

• Used for evil.

Batman Forever (1995)

The departure of Burton and Keaton meant a new director and actor for the third Batman film in the series, with Joel Schumacher stepping behind the camera and Val Kilmer donning the cape and cowl, respectively. A new creative team means new designs and vehicles, with no shortage of bright lights and neon to match the new lighter tone.

Batmobile

Pros:

• Definitely a Batmobile.
• Kind of dig the stationary Bat symbols on the wheels.
• Love mah-cheen.
• Makes a cool toy.
• Chicks dig it, I'm told.
• Back half looks great, with terrific fins and a nice cockpit.
• Much better than some of the alternative designs.
• Can somehow drive up walls.

Cons:

• Can somehow drive up walls?
• Why mess with perfection?
• Can this even fit in a drive-thru?
• Shiny lights are weird.
• Ribbed design is also weird.

Batwing

Pros:

• Very bat-like in appearance.
• Good for giving a thumbs up.
• Lights work better than on the Batmobile.
• Being docked by hanging "upside down" is kind of cool.
• Better "updated" look of the two vehicles carried over from previous films...

Cons:

• ...but again, why mess with perfection?
• Not in the movie very much, and taken down pretty easily.

Batboat

Pros:

• Also there.
• Fits with the aesthetic of the other vehicles.
• Pretty sleek, with a good design given the choices made.

Cons:

• Also not in the movie very long.
• Also taken down pretty easily.

Two-Face Helicopter

Pros:

• Nice, solid chopper with plenty of armoring.
• Can be used for a clean getaway.

Cons:

• Vulnerable to crashing into large statues.
• Really, just a military helicopter with a yin-yang spray painted on the side.

Two-Face Car

Gallery

Pros:

• Love the 1950 Buick Roadmaster bodies used.
• Takes that sloppy spraypaint yin-yang and really runs with it.
• Seriously, using classic cars was a great choice.

Cons:

• Used for evil.
• Cannot drive up walls.
• Prone to exploding.

Batman & Robin (1997)

Schumacher's sophomore outing behind the camera sees George Clooney as the third Batman in as many movies. Chris O'Donnell returns to round out the Dynamic Duo, and the pair are joined by Alicia Silverstone's Batgirl to take on the villains Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman, and Jeep Swenson, respectively. The neon and camp are turned up to 11 this go around, with plenty of new vehicles to capture the toyetic nature of the film.

Batmobile

Pros:

• Definitely a Batmobile you'd expect to see in Batman & Robin.
• Supposedly looks really cool in person.
• Convertible top for leisurely cruising.
• Throw a canopy on the cockpit and it's really not a bad design, at least in silhouette.
• Love the fins.

Cons:

• Single-seater for some reason.
• Gaudy lights all over, and a spinning element at the front.
• Could be really good with some tweaks, but ultimately is not.

Redbird

Pros:

• Terrific design.
• Looks like the Batcycle from Batman: The Animated Series, translated and tweaked for live action.
• Great color scheme.
• Really, I love this thing through and through.

Cons:

• Can be controlled from the Batmobile, preventing a sick jump off the finger of a giant statue.
• Symbols on wheels don't match Robin's insignia, neat as they are.
• Handlebars could be set lower in the body, I guess.

Bathammer

Pros:

• Makes a cool-looking toy.
• Very much in line with this movie's whole vibe.
• Wings fold up to block ice rays, which is handy.

Cons:

• Clearly designed to be a toy.
• Not sure why it's called that.

Batskiff

Pros:

• Not a bad design at all, really.
• Could have other applications aside from icy conditions, with a bit of tinkering.

Cons:

• Robin logo is... upside-down, I think?
• Only seen very, very briefly.
• Also clearly meant to be a toy.

Bat-Blade

Pros:

• Solid cycle design.
• Most versatile of the final three vehicles, by far.
• The one time in the movie when Batgirl is wearing a cowl.

Cons:

• Very little screentime.
• Dispatched of pretty quickly.
• Doesn't actually look like it should be driven on ice, with those tires.

Shuttle

Pros:

• Doors double as surfboards.

Cons:

• Explodes.

Freeze Truck

Pros:

• Amazingly impractical design.
• Has a built-in freeze gun!
• And launching spike missiles for some reason!

Cons:

• Used for crashing cool parties.

Promotional Airplane

Pros:

• This really existed.

Cons:

• Was not used in the movie.
• Is no longer in service.

Batman Begins (2005)

After the poor critical reception and disappointing box office returns of Batman & Robin, the cinematic Caped Crusader was in limbo for the better part of a decade until Christopher Nolan stepped behind the camera for Batman Begins. Kicking off both a reboot and "grounded in reality" craze, the film was a back-to-basics approach to the Batman mythos with an almost obsessive attempt at verisimilitude. Almost every aspect of Batman's crimefighting equipment had a practical use and explanation, including the film's unique take on the Batmobile: the tank-like Tumbler.

Tumbler

Pros:

• Makes sense as a military prototype vehicle.
• That it was built in Nolan's garage is pretty cool.
• Handy "jump" feature.
• Has a cloaking mode...

Cons:

• ...which consists of turning off the lights, which all cars can do.
• Never got the bridge to work.
• Not very sleek or Batmobileish.
• I've been told it's surprisingly small in person.

The Dark Knight (2008)

The modest success of Batman Begins led to the absolute juggernaut that was The Dark Knight, which still stands as one of the greatest comic book films of all time. Following on themes of escalation and adaptability, Christopher Nolan brought back the Tumbler, which in turn was used to introduce a new vehicle in the Batpod. A sort of "escape pod" from the damaged Tumbler, the Batpod has since become synonymous with this series of Batman films and has one of the most unique and striking looks of any Batvehicle.

Tumbler

Pros:

• Has an "intimidation" mode, which is hysterical.
• Still the same vehicle from the last movie, for good or ill.

Cons:

• Still the same vehicle from the last movie, for good or ill.
• Gets exploded.

Batpod

Pros:

• Really cool introduction in the movie.
• Works well as a retrofitted part of the Tumbler.
• That sweet scene where Batman drives up a wall to turn around rules.
• This whole movie is just, like, super good.
• Cape looks sweet just billowing behind Batman's back.

Cons:

• Not sure if the way the wheels spin on their axes to move the thing sideways would actually work.
• Doesn't look very sleek either, though that's by design and function.

Joker Slaughter Truck

Pros:

• Great pun.

Cons:

• Otherwise, just a delivery truck.

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Closing out Nolan's trilogy is The Dark Knight Rises, which saw the return of the Batpod, different models of the Tumbler, and the introduction of the flying vehicle the Bat. Like the other two films in the trilogy, these vehicles strove for function over form, a sense of believability over outright fantasy.

Batpod

Pros:

• Same as before.
• Does a sweet jump off a trailer.

Cons:

• Same as before.
• Used to take out Bane, who goes out like a punk.

The Bat

Pros:

• Makes a certain amount of sense in this world.
• Handy for carrying off nuclear devices.

Cons:

• Looks like a flying lobster.
• Autopilot doesn't work.
• Should have been called the Batwing.

Tumbler

Pros:

• Different arsenals for different needs.

Cons:

• Same as before.
• Where did they all come from?

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

A year after Christopher Nolan finished up his Batman trilogy, and shortly after the Superman film Man of Steel dropped in theaters, it was announced that a new cinematic Batman would appear onscreen with Superman in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. With Ben Affleck stepping into the role, director Zack Snyder envisioned a broken, brutal Batman that existed in a world of aliens and other fantastical beings. A new take on Batman meant new takes on the Batmobile and Batwing as well, both of which attempted to marry real-world functionality with a bit more comic booky flair.

Batmobile

Pros:

• Definitely a Batmobile.
• Fits with this world's Batman.

Cons:

• So many guns.
• Looks like a go-kart with armor plating.
• Sleeker than the Tumbler, but still overdesigned and bulky.

Batwing

Pros:

• Based on an actual aircraft.
• Can be remote controlled from the Batcave.

Cons:

• So many guns.
• Looks kind of silly.

Suicide Squad (2016)

A few months after his debut in Batman v Superman, Ben Affleck's Batman made an extended cameo appearance in David Ayer's Suicide Squad. In the acclaimed scene, Batman uses the Batmobile to chase down the Joker and Harley Quinn, the latter of whom makes he big screen debut in the film.

Batmobile

Pros:

• Same as above.
• Doesn't have any visible guns, I don't think.
• Inspired this delightful and relatable anecdote.

Cons:

• Same as above.

Joker's Purple Smiley Car

Pros:

• Definitely purple.
• And a car.
• Looks exactly like a car this specific Joker would drive.
• Inspired a song.
• Part of one of the better scenes in the movie.

Cons:

• Said song kind of sucks.
• Associated with this specific Joker, who was a textbook example of wasted potential.

Justice League (2017)

Without the need to go into the well-known history of this movie, the theatrical Justice League movie brought back the vehicles Affleck's Batman used in previous movies, along with introducing the huge airship the Flying Fox.

Flying Fox

Pros:

• In effect, a giant, flying Batcave
• Makes sense to have with a large team
• Plenty of storage for other, smaller vehicles

Cons:

• Looks like a whale

Batwing

Pros:

• Same as above.

Cons:

• Same as above.
• Was this even in the movie?

Batmobile

Pros:

• Same as above.

Cons:

• Same as above, plus even more so many guns.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Four years after the theatrical Justice League film, director Zack Snyder's complete cut was finished and released on HBO MAX as Zack Snyder's Justice League. Most of the vehicles in the film were used in other films in the franchise, including the theatrical cut of Justice League, but some additional scenes and footage Snyder shot introduced other takes on Batman's preferred modes of transportation.

Flying Fox

Pros:

• Same as above.
• That shot right there is pretty cool.

Cons:

• Same as above.

Batmobile

Pros:

• Copy and paste from before.

Cons:

• Copy and paste from before.

Knightmare Batmobile

Pros:

• Looks like something this Batman would do.
• Fits with the tone and aesthetic for this scene.
• Actually looks more like a Batmobile with the additional armored plating.

Cons:

• Part of this scene, which I do not like at all.
• At least, I think it was, because I don't remember if it was even in the movie.

Bat Tank

Pros:

• Ripped right from The Dark Knight Returns.

Cons:

• Only purpose seems to be as a reference to The Dark Knight Returns.
• Scene is poorly lit and incredibly quick, so it's hard to even tell that this is what it is.

The Batman (2022)

For the 2022 film The Batman, director Matt Reeves eschewed the fantastic for grounded realism, going even further than Christopher Nolan in creating a "Batman in the real world." With a Batsuit that looks like it was pieced together by Batman actor Robert Pattinson himself, everything in the film has a lived-in quality, including the vehicles in Batman's garage.

Batmobile

Pros:

• As a car, it's pretty sick.
• Fits the tone and aesthetic of this movie.
• Has a hand-built quality to it.
• Makes for a sweet toy.

Cons:

• Really "just a car".
• Not going to be your favorite if you aren't already on board with the film's visual style.
• Isn't very Batmobileish except in the broadest sense.

Batcycle

Pros:

• Gets lots of use in the movie.
• Looks great and kind of comic booky, especially for how grounded this film was.
• Love the pointy "ears" on the front.

Cons:

• Makes the Batmobile even more disappointing, because this is pretty close to a perfect, reality-based Batcycle.

The Flash (2023)

The first Flash solo film featured not one but two returning Batman actors, as Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton give their (presumed) swan song performances as the Dark Knight(s). Affleck is featured in the opening action sequence, with vehicles new and old in tow, while Keaton's return to the role after 30 years brings his Batman's modes of transportation full circle with the 1989 film.

Flying Fox

Pros:

• Same as before.
• Only onscreen for a few seconds.
• That shot of the Batcycle coming out of the back hatch is pretty rad.

Cons:

• Same as before.
• Only onscreen for a few seconds.

Batcycle

Pros:

• Looks very much like a Batcycle this Batman would have.
• That shot of it coming out of the back hatch of the Flying Fox is pretty rad.

Cons:

• Really big and bulky.
• A step down from The Batman's simple, clean design.
• Kind of reminds me of that speeder Rey rode in The Force Awakens.
• Batman is wearing maybe the ugliest Batsuit ever while riding it.

Batmobile

Pros:

• Still perfect, all these years later.
• Keaton made the movie worth watching, and that includes seeing this Batmobile.

Cons:

• Is not actually used in the movie, except to sit around in.

Batwing

Pros:

• As far as modernized updates go, this one works pretty well.
• Keeps the same general idea of the '89 Batwing and tinkers with it without completely reimagining it.
• The rotating cockpit idea is kind of neat.
• Gets quite a bit of screentime.

Cons:

• Even though the design isn't bad, it's not nearly as good as the original.
• Have to see Keaton's Batman die multiple times while flying it, or immediately after crashing.

Rev up and sound off, readers: what are your favorite modes of Bat-transportation on film?