Across the hero’s cinematic past, there have been many excellent Batman quotes that are severely underrated. As one of the heroes who helped shaped the modern superhero genre, there have been a wide assortment of movies featuring Batman, many of which proved seminal titles in the broader strokes of comic book movies. Batman’s influential nature and consistent popularity has made him a pop culture icon, and one whose stories typically resonate with audiences around the world.
Of the many actors who have played Batman in live-action, most have uttered at least one quote that stands out as a memorable or often-cited line of dialogue. However, there are also many excellent quotes from throughout Batman’s cinematic tenure that are generally overlooked, not just from the Dark Knight himself, but also from many of his supporting characters. With that in mind, here are the 10 most underrated Batman movie quotes.
10
“Vengeance Won’t Change The Past. I Have To Become More.”
Batman, The Batman (2022)
2022’s The Batman introduced Robert Pattinson’s grounded and gritty take on the eponymous vigilante, with Matt Reeves’ Gotham being a dark and unforgiving city plagued by corruption. The movie’s story sees a young Batman driven by an innate desire for revenge uncover a murderous plot to expose the corruption at work in Gotham, finding links to his own past in the process. By The Batman’s ending, he has learned to embrace his more heroic side.
After failing to fully foil the Riddler’s plan, Batman comes to understand that Gotham doesn’t need his vengeance, but his help. He realizes that by becoming a symbol, he has the opportunity to affect real change in Gotham, rather than simply fighting crime as an outlet for his rage. The quote, coming in Batman’s final monologue, succinctly summarizes his personal growth over the course of the movie, establishing his new mindset moving forward and setting up a new tone for the sequel.
9
“There Is No Defeat In Death, Master Bruce. Victory Comes In Defending What We Know Is Right While We Still Live.”
Alfred Pennyworth, Batman & Robin (1997)
When it comes to great quotes from Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies, the pickings are not as rich as other eras of the hero’s past. The two films made by Joel Schumacher are typically considered the worst in Batman’s history, with their wackier tone often cited as one of their major issues. However, both movies possess moments of poignancy, and in Batman & Robin, a seemingly dying Alfred offers a piece of key wisdom for Bruce Wayne.
“There is no defeat in death,” Alfred tells him. “Victory comes in defending what we know is right while we still live.” The quote is touching, particularly as it is poised to be one of the last things Alfred might say to Bruce. Encouraging his heroism while also reassuring him not to be afraid only reinforces the father-son bond between the two men, and makes for one of the movie’s most emotional moments.
8
“I’m Both Bruce Wayne And Batman. Not Because I Have To Be. Now… Because I Choose To Be.”
Batman, Batman Forever (1995)
Batman Forever is one of the most underrated movies featuring the hero, as it’s largely remembered for its inconsistent tone. For all the ways in which Val Kilmer’s brooding performance emulates the gothic nature of Tim Burton’s previous movies, Batman Forever’s cartoonish villains steal the show in the worst way. Even so, there are a number of poignant quotes in the movie, particularly in its climactic scene.
Fully revealing his identity to the Riddler, Batman tells the villain: “I’m both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Not because I have to be. Now… because I choose to be.” The quote is the payoff for the entire movie’s story, as it sees Wayne struggling to determine where one persona ends and the other begins. The line demonstrates him coming to terms with his role as Gotham’s protector, understanding that his heroism is less about his personal demons and more about choosing to do what is right.
7
“I Do Fear Death. I Fear Dying In Here, While My City Burns, And There’s No One There To Save It”.
Bruce Wayne, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
There are countless iconic quotes from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, though many from the first and last movies of the three-film arc are often overlooked. The Dark Knight Rises ended the trilogy with an epic finale that saw Christian Bale’s Batman face the formidable Bane, who was able to overpower and imprison him in the Pit. While there, Bruce Wayne ruminates on how the situation has changed his perspective, saying: “I do fear death. I fear dying in here, while my city burns, and there’s no one there to save it“.
Not only does the quote speak to the heroic nature of Batman, but it’s a key piece of character development. For most of the trilogy, Wayne was criticized for his lack of care for his own safety, recklessly putting himself on the line for the greater good. Acknowledging his fear of death from a perspective of selflessness was a perfect moment of character development that helped establish just how much he had grown over the three movies.
6
“I’m Sorry, I Mistook Me For Someone Else.”
Bruce Wayne, Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returns, the second of Tim Burton’s Batman movies, saw the introduction of Selina Kyle, chronicling her origins as Catwoman and her relationship with both Bruce Wayne and Batman. After rescuing her as Batman during Penguin’s first attack on Gotham, Bruce Wayne first meets Selina Kyle in Max Shreck’s office. After being introduced to her, Bruce instinctively replies that they’ve met, only to realize his error, and assert: “I’m sorry, I mistook me for someone else.”
The line is a comedic reference to Bruce Wayne’s double life, with the billionaire passing off his slip as simple eccentricity. The quote is characteristic of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne, highlighting his unique quirkiness in a brilliantly subtle moment. The turn of phrase is easy to miss, but it perfectly captures the spirit of Burton’s Batman movies, combining intelligent writing with light silliness that still serves as an interesting piece of character building.
5
“Give It To Me And I’ll Do What You Should’ve Did 10 Minutes Ago.”
Unnamed Prisoner, The Dark Knight (2008)
The Dark Knight featured arguably the greatest villains in the Dark Knight trilogy, with Heath Ledger’s Joker standing out as one of the greatest antagonists in movie history. One part of the Clown Prince of Crime’s plan to seed chaos in Gotham involves two ships: one full of civilian passengers and another full of convicted criminals. He gives each the remote to a bomb on the other’s ship, telling them to kill the others to save themselves. The issue is resolved when an unnamed prisoner offers to take the remote.
The quote marks a triumphant moment in the movie, as the inmate, who is assumed to be referring to his willingness to kill to save himself, simply throws the remote into the river. It’s an act that’s both defiant and heroic, and carries an important message on morality. It also marks the people of Gotham’s refusal to give in to the Joker out of fear, making it one of the movie’s best but most overlooked lines.
4
“Riddle Me This: The Less Of Them You Have, The More One Is Worth.”
The Joker, The Batman (2022)
Many actors have played the Joker in live-action, with 2022’s The Batman unexpectedly introducing a new iteration of the character. Barry Keoghan’s Joker appears, shrouded in shadow, in a brief cameo in which he consoles the Riddler from the next cell over. Instead of introducing himself, he responds to questions about his identity by saying: “Riddle me this: the less of them you have, the more one is worth.” The Riddler answers “a friend”, prompting laughter from the Joker.
The quote is great on multiple levels. It’s a perfect interaction between the villains, but the riddle also carries another meaning. It could also be interpreted to mean a joker, which is often used as a wild card, making the introduction make more sense. The subsequent laughter takes on a more sinister note at the Riddler’s potentially incorrect answer, and the quote stands out as all the more underrated as a result.
3
“It’s Not Who You Are Underneath. It’s What You Do That Defines You.”
Rachel Dawes, Batman Begins (2005)
Batman Begins is often considered the weakest entry in Christopher Nolan’s excellent Dark Knight trilogy, but the movie still features many excellent moments and lines of dialogue. One interaction between Rachel Dawes and Bruce Wayne sees one childhood friend offer advice to another. “It’s not who you are underneath,” she tells him as a response to his playboy-esque behavior, “it’s what you do that defines you.”
The line is somewhat cutting, especially as Rachel believes Bruce’s act to be his true personality. It later takes on an entirely new aspect, with Batman using the quote to subtly identify himself to Rachel after saving her. It’s a touching moment between the two childhood friends, adding depth to their dynamic that not just cements Rachel as an important and influential person in Bruce’s life, but also highlights how important it is to Bruce that she thinks well of him.
2
“Fear… Is A Tool. They Think I Am Hiding In The Shadows. But I Am The Shadows.”
Batman, The Batman (2022)
Matt Reeves’ The Batman examined the hero and his story in a whole new light, framing it as a neo-noir tale of vigilantism featuring grounded takes on the characters of the Batman mythos. As it took a novel approach to the source material, The Batman’s opening scenes needed to perfectly set the tone for the movie. This is achieved through a gravelly opening monologue.
Pattinson’s Batman, ruminating on his role in Gotham, is heard explaining: “Fear… is a tool. They think I am hiding in the shadows. But I am the shadows.” The quote is an excellent summation of Batman’s ethos, and in a tonal sense, it’s the perfect introduction to The Batman’s Gotham. Reeves’ movie is much darker than many other iterations, and the quote communicates that both subtly and succinctly. It’s not as iconic as other quotes from the Dark Knight, making it severely underrated.
1
“A Hero Can Be Anyone…”
Batman, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The ending of The Dark Knight Rises rounds off Christopher Nolan’s trilogy in emphatic fashion, with many memorable aspects to the climactic scenes. However, one quote that is severely underrated is Batman’s last words to Commissioner Gordon. The quote references the first time the pair met, when Bruce Wayne was nothing more than a grieving child shaken by the death of his parents, with Batman stating, “A hero can be anyone, even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy’s shoulders to let him know the world hadn’t ended.“
The quote directly speaks to Batman’s idea of everyday heroism and its importance, but it also means so much more. It outlines to Gordon exactly why Batman chose him as his trusted contact in the GCPD, and why he gave everything to defend the city. In terms of quotes from Batman movies that don’t get the recognition they deserve, it certainly ranks highly, as it carries so much meaning delivered in such a sincere and succinct manner.
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Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
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