In the vast entertainment landscape, few characters have captured the public imagination quite like Batman. From the streets of Gotham City to the darkest corners of the human psyche, the Caped Crusader has dominated both the small screen and the silver screen for decades.
This is why, in this article, we decided to look at the top live-action Batman-related TV shows that have left an indelible mark on pop culture.
From the campy charm of the 1966 Batman series to the gritty realism of modern interpretations like Titans, each series offers a unique perspective on the iconic hero and his enduring legacy.
Gotham, Fox (2014 – 2019)
A lot of what we know about Batman revolves around his crime-fighting sprees around the city, usually whenever the Bat-Signal lights up the sky as a call for help from James Gordon, the police commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD).
Since his first appearance in the comics, Gordon has been an ally of Batman’s, bonded by their shared passion for freeing Gotham City of crime. However, how much do we really know about Gordon and his career in the GCPD?
Well, Gotham was created to tell that story.
Here, Gordon starts as a detective recruit and is tasked with solving crimes with his partner, Detective Harvey Bullock. The first season revolves around them solving the murder of Bruce Wayne’s parents, indicating that the timeline starts when Bruce is still a young teen.
Alongside that, we still see some familiar villain’s faces and their origin stories, like the Penguin, Ra’s al Ghul, Poison Ivy, Riddler, and the Joker, among others.
Batwoman, The CW (2019 – 2022)
We first heard of Batwoman in May 2018 when the Arrowverse crossover event Elseworlds was announced. Batwoman was set to appear in this event.
DC fans originally thought it would simply be a small guest role, but a few months later, it was confirmed that she would be getting her own show. And in 2019, Batwoman premiered on The CW.
In the series, it’s been three years since Bruce Wayne disappeared from Gotham City, along with the vigilante superhero Batman. In his stead comes Kate Kane, his fierce and straightforward cousin who has an equal passion for fighting social justice. She dons the crown as the caped crusader and is determined to protect Gotham at all costs.
Gotham Knights, The CW (2023)
Speaking of The CW, in 2023, the network debuted a brand new take on the Batman legacy with the short-lived series Gotham Knights.
The story in this series starts in the aftermath of Bruce Wayne’s death.
Here we follow Turner Hayes, Bruce Wayne’s adoptive son who is forced to forge an alliance with runaways Harper and Cullen Row, and the believed daughter of the late Joker, Duela, after Gotham City Police Department and District Attorney Harvey Dent frame them for Bruce’s murder.
In an attempt to clear their names, the four teens develop a close friendship. And with the help of Turner’s friend Stephanie Brown and classmate Carrie Kelley, who has secretly taken up the Robin mantle, they inch closer to the truth of who really killed Bruce Wayne. All while coming together to form Gotham Knights, a group of vigilantes who become Gotham City’s new protectors.
The Penguin, HBO (2024)
The newest show on this list is HBO’s limited series The Penguin.
Serving as a spin-off from the 2022 movie The Batman, the show is set just one week after the events of the film.
In the series, we focus on Oswald “Oz” Cobb, also known as The Penguin, and his rise to power in Gotham City.
Colin Farrell reprises his role from the movie, and in the series, we get to witness his complex motivations and ruthless tactics as he navigates the city’s criminal underworld.
Pennyworth, Epix/HBO Max (2019 – 2022)
One could rightfully argue that Bruce Wayne wouldn’t be who he is without Alfred Pennyworth, the Wayne family’s butler. After Bruce’s parents were murdered, Alfred was not just the loyal butler; he became Bruce’s surrogate father as well.
Alfred has been played by many notable actors, including Michael Caine, Jeremy Irons, and Andy Serkis, and now Jack Bannon is joining the list.
Pennyworth is Alfred’s story.
The story starts in the 1960s, before Alfred came to work for the Waynes. How many of us actually know that he was a former British SAS soldier?
When he first meet Bruce Wayne’s father, Thomas Wayne, Alfred is working security at an exclusive London club and is on the path to starting his own security firm. Wayne, impressed with Alfred’s skills and working in secret for the CIA, hopes to hire him.
How does that lead to Alfred becoming the Waynes’ butler? Find out on Pennyworth!
Titans, DC Universe/HBO Max (2018 – 2023)
You might be familiar with the Teen Titans comics, the resulting animated adaptation from Cartoon Network, and even the TV movie that was the series finale. Now we have a live-action version of that with Titans.
The show follows the superheroes in the titular Titans team as they rejoin forces – with both old members and new – to fight the forces of evil.
Though their missions take them to various locations, they’re mainly based out of San Francisco.
Titans primarily follows Dick Grayson (Robin/Nightwing), the leader of the Titans, as he fights crime with Beast Boy, Wonder Girl, Starfire, Raven, Hawk and Dove, and the new Robin.
Nightwing: The Series, YouTube (2014)
Before Brenton Thwaites started playing Nightwing on the aforementioned Titans, in 2014, there was a miniseries about this exact character.
Titled Nightwing: The Series, this dynamic 5-episode web series follows the journey of Dick Grayson as he evolves from Batman’s former sidekick, Robin, into the independent vigilante Nightwing; the show explores themes of identity, justice, and redemption.
Set in the gritty streets of Blüdhaven, Nightwing faces off against a myriad of adversaries, both old and new, while forging alliances and uncovering secrets from his past.
Birds of Prey, The WB (2002 – 2003)
One of the shortest series on this countdown is 2002’s Birds of Prey.
Based on the DC Comics team of the same name, this short-lived show is set in New Gotham City and follows Dinah Lance, aka Black Canary, Barbara Gordon, aka Oracle, and Helena Kyle, aka Huntress, as they fight to protect the city from various threats.
The show explores the backstories of these three female vigilantes and their interpersonal relationships while also showcasing their unique fighting styles and abilities.
Despite its cancellation after just one season, Birds of Prey remains a cult favorite among fans of the DC Comics universe, known for its strong female characters and action-packed storytelling.
Batman, ABC (1966 – 1968)
However, none of these shows would have been possible without the very first live-action Batman series, which was released in the 1960s.
The series burst onto the screens with an over-the-top comic book flair and brought Gotham City to life with Batman, Robin, and their iconic Batcave and Batmobile.
From the Joker’s maniacal laughter to Catwoman’s sultry purrs, each episode pitted the Dynamic Duo against a kaleidoscope of nefarious foes.
The show quickly captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, becoming a cultural phenomenon and cementing its place in television history as a beloved classic of the superhero genre.
Bonus: Arrow, The CW (2012 – 2020)
Finally, as a bonus entry, we also have to mention The CW’s Arrow.
This show was instrumental in setting up the TV version of the DC Universe (the Arrowverse), from which all the other DC series, including Batwoman, were spun off.
Arrow follows Oliver Queen, who returns to Starling City at the onset of the series after his disappearance five years prior. Unbeknownst to his friends and family, he takes up the role of the city’s vigilante crime fighter, the Green Arrow.