Though Harley Quinn originated in Batman: The Animated Series, she is now a much bigger part of the DC Universe. Harley has become so popular that she’s both starred in and headlined many shows and films over the past 32 years. Her very first appearance was in the Batman: The Animated Series episode “Joker’s Favor,” where she was played by the late Arleen Sorkin. Per Harley co-creator Paul Dini, Sorkin inspired the character through a dream sequence showing her dressed as a harlequin on Days Of Our Lives.
Dini explained: “I thought about a character kind of like her persona at the time, which was the snappy, wisecracking blonde.” Harley has certainly evolved since her introduction as the Joker’s henchwoman, with Margot Robbie, Lady Gaga, and more putting their stamp on the character. However, having so many interpretations brings the question: who did it best? Curated by revisiting previous DC media, here are the film and television adaptations of Harley Quinn ranked:
16 Honorable Mention: Ecco in Gotham
Portrayed By Francesca Root-Dodson
Though she was not technically Harley Quinn, Ecco is important to mention. Played by Francesca Root-Dodson, she first appeared in Gotham seasons 4 and 5. Her character serves as an in-universe prototype of the Harley character; “just a sketch, really,” if you want to call back to Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Gotham created the character largely out of necessity due to not being allowed by DC to use either Harley or the Joker. She recurred in the show’s final season as Joker stand-in Jeremiah Valeska’s assistant and devotee in much the same was as Harley does for her puddin’.
Aesthetically, Ecco is very similar to Harley, wearing her colors and clown-inspired costumes. Since she isn’t Harley, the character doesn’t make the cut for the ranking. Check Ecco out in Gotham, currently available to stream on Max and Tubi.
15 Birds of Prey
Portrayed By Mia Sara
The very first live-action Harley Quinn was played by Ferris Bueller’s Day Off star Mia Sara in the short-lived series Birds of Prey. This iteration of Harley was the psychiatrist to Helena Wayne, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman. After Helena reveals her secret superhero persona to Harley, the latter conspires to take over New Gotham City and destroy the Birds of Prey. This Harley later becomes a metahuman with hypnotic powers, which is a huge departure from her previous characterization. She’s eventually thwarted by the Birds Of Prey, but only after she hypnotizes the entirety of New Gotham City.
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Sara may have brought the character to life in live-action form first, but her portrayal is largely forgotten due to being in an older, less well-known series. Birds of Prey is streaming for free on Tubi.
14 The Lego Batman Movie
Portrayed By Jenny Slate
Harley Quinn’s appearance in The Lego Batman Movie keeps her largely relegated to the background. The film primarily focuses on Lego Batman, his family, and his rivalry with the Joker. As a result, Lego Harley, here voiced by Jenny Slate, doesn’t have a whole lot to do. However, she’s still a fun take on the character, serving as the Joker’s loyal henchwoman. Notably, this Harley is the only Batman villain who stands by the Joker throughout his entire plan.
Visually, Lego Harley has a unique design with red and black hair, a domino mask, and roller blades, and she wears a few outfits, such as a nurse’s uniform. While Lego Harley doesn’t stand out when compared to the other Harleys, she’s a fun addition to the list. The Lego Batman Movie can be watched on Max.
13 Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite
Portrayed By Laura Bailey
Unlike The Lego Batman Movie, 2013’s Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite is a direct-to video spinoff of the Lego Batman games. While it doesn’t have the same polish or heart as the former, the movie is a fun watch, particularly for younger viewers. Its Harley gets a leg up for being the same iteration of the character from the Lego Batman games. Once again, though, this Harley has limited agency and is largely tied to the Joker for the whole series.
The games’ version of the character scores bonus points for being an accurate portrayal of Harley, evem wearing her iconic jester suit. Her character doesn’t evolve much, but her presence adds to the overall experience of the games and films. Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Superheroes Unite is available to stream for free on Tubi.
12 Batman: Caped Crusader
Portrayed By Jamie Chung
Batman: Caped Crusader is an unusual entry into the Batman canon. The series intentionally tries to bring new and different elements to its characters. As a result, Caped Crusader’s Harley is devoid of ties to the Joker. Moreover, creator Bruce Timm intentionally made her the inverse of her previous depictions. Her Harley is grim and intense, while her therapist alter ego is cheerful and lively. Additionally, her motive is to steal from Gotham’s elite to benefit the poor. Interestingly, Harley also uses hypnosis to further her goals and treats a Wayne family member in therapy, like in Birds Of Prey.
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Those parallels are likely unintentional, but it’s interesting to note similarities between the various Harleys. Unfortunately, that’s where the similarities stop; this Harley is missing both the aesthetic and the personality fans love. Caped Crusader’s Harley is far from the definitive version, but she is a unique incarnation that is worth checking out for fans of the character. Batman: Caped Crusader is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
11 Batman Vs. Two-Face
Portrayed By Sirena Irwin
Harley Quinn’s role in Batman & Two-Face is very small, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its merits. Harleen Quinzel is introduced to the Batman ’66 franchise alongside fellow penitentiary doctor Hugo Strange, which is an interesting choice. Giving Harley connections within the larger Batman world that don’t entirely rely on her relationship with the Joker will always be a plus. Speaking of the Joker, Batman & Two-Face teased a more traditional portrayal of Harley in a sequel, with a post-credit scene showing her breaking the Joker out of prison. Sadly, a continuation was not to be.
Adam West’s tragic passing caused the Joker’s return to be left as a dangling thread. The Batman & Two-Face sequel was never made, and this version of Harley didn’t get the Joker team-up she deserved. Batman & Two-Face is streaming for free on Tubi.
10 Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Portrayed By Tara Strong
Harley Quinn made the cut to appear in Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The zany crossover balances the lighthearted Turtles with the serious Batman while incorporating the latter’s immense rogue’s gallery. Harley herself is again playing second fiddle to the Joker, who is developing a new variant of the Joker toxin. As a result, the climax sees multiple characters become mutated animal hybrids somewhat akin to the Turtles, she becomes a spotted hyena hybrid. Given Harley’s history of keeping hyenas as pets, this reference makes her already fun appearance more fitting.
This Harley isn’t as impactful as some of the others; however, she’s an enjoyable enough addition to the film. Unfortunately, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is not included in any streaming services, but it can be rented on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
9 DC Superhero Girls
Portrayed By Tara Strong
When considering the best versions of Harley Quinn, DC Superhero Girls wouldn’t top most fans’ lists. As a series designed specifically for little girls, it features DC heroes and villains attending a high school that trains them to be superheroes. Harley is reimagined as a troublemaker with a penchant for pranks. Her ties to the Joker are removed, and she’s less so evil than she is mischievous. Additionally, the series depicts her and Poison Ivy as adorable best friends.
Obviously, this adaptation is one of the less accurate takes on the character, but it’s a cutesy version that suits its target audience’s needs. DC Superhero Girls is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
8 Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Portrayed By Meghan Strange And Tara Strong
Batman: The Brave and the Bold puts Harley in the all-too-familiar role of helping the Joker. Voiced by Meghan Strange, she only features in a singular story, “Emperor Joker!” from season 2. Even so, a solid character redesign and actual story relevance place her higher on the list. This Harley gets a fun flapper-themed outfit and an achromatic color scheme that ties into the episode’s plot. Additionally, Harley is the one who saves the Joker from his equivalent of Bat-mite during the climax of the episode.
Her character later returned for a small cameo in the crossover film, Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold, in which Tara Strong takes over for Strange. Both Batman: The Brave and the Bold and Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold is available to watch on Max.
7 Joker: Folie à Deux
Portrayed By Lady Gaga
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This section contains spoilers for Joker: Folie à Deux.
Arguably the most unusual entry on this list, Harley is practically a different character in Joker: Folie à Deux. Instead of being the Joker’s psychiatrist, Harley, called “Lee” in this film, is an Arkham inmate like Arthur Fleck. Lee and Arthur form a relationship. The further it progresses, it becomes clear that Lee is more interested in the Joker persona than in Arthur, manipulating the circumstances that fostered their romance. Lee voluntarily committed herself to get close to Arthur, and she repeatedly lies to him to keep their connection going. However, she abandons him after he renounces the Joker mantle.
Related Does Harley Quinn Exist In Joker 2 Or Is She Just In Arthur’s Mind?
Joker: Folie a Deux frequently blurs the line between reality and illusion, but Harley Quinn’s existence is a little bit more complicated.
Lee’s change in personality makes her come across less like Harley and more like the Joker’s less popular girlfriend, Punchline. Regardless, Lady Gaga is a talented performer, and she is considered a highlight of the film despite being underutilized. Joker: Folie a Deux is currently still in theaters.
6 DC Animated Movie Universe
Portrayed by Hynden Walch and Tara Strong
The DC Animated Movie Universe is sprawling, so it’s no surprise that Harley Quinn pops up a couple of times. Most notably, she features in Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. Both films see Harley in her antihero era as part of Task Force X. Additionally, this Harley eventually assumes leadership of Task Force X following the death of Amanda Waller. By that point in the continuity, Harley is much more heroic, even being willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good.
With fun character designs and memorable lines, the DCAMU’s Harley is a solid adaptation of the character. She represents a more modern interpretation of the character than the classic henchwoman. Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV, while Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is available on Max.
5 The Batman
Portrayed By Hynden Walch
Perhaps a controversial placement, The Batman’s Harley Quinn was the first version of the character to receive a major revamp. Instead of meeting the Joker by being his psychiatrist, Harley is a television personality who runs a psychology talk show. She and the Joker meet after she publicly loses her job, and then their relationship is born when they hatch a revenge scheme. Harley remains Joker’s henchwoman for the remainder of the series.
The decision to include Harley in this series was also important as it helped cement that she would not be a relic from
Batman: The Animated Series
, but a vital Batman antagonist.
Though The Batman’s Harley doesn’t reinvent the wheel, her story is a good example of how to take the essential ingredients of her character and make something new. The decision to include Harley in this series was also important as it helped cement that she would not be a relic from Batman: The Animated Series, but a vital Batman antagonist. The Batman is available to stream on Netflix and Max.
4 Batman: Assault On Arkham (And the Arkhamverse)
Portrayed By Hynden Walch
Set in the same continuity as the Batman: Arkham games, Batman: Assault on Arkham sees Harley Quinn on a mission with Task Force X to take out the Riddler. The film introduces a love triangle, with Harley seducing Deadshot and using him to make Mr. J jealous. Surprisingly, it works–something uncommon in their shared stories–and the Joker takes every opportunity to fight Deadshot. Though Harley decides to stick with the Joker throughout all of this, the movie makes it a point to show her indecision and unease with her relationship.
Batman: Assault on Arkham crafts a compelling story around Harley. Likewise, the Arkham games give Harley a lot of fun screen time. As the franchise is a spiritual successor to Batman: The Animated Series, this version of Harley is just as chaotic and memorable as her counterpart in the cartoon. Batman: Assault on Arkham is free to watch on Tubi.
3 Harley Quinn: The Animated Series
Portrayed By Kaley Cuoco
Perhaps the penultimate representation of 2010s Harley Quinn, the series of the same name stars Kaley Cuoco as the most violent and irreverent Harley ever created. The series picks up with Harley giving up on her relationship with the Joker and relying on Poison Ivy to help her through the heartbreak. Her goal becomes making a name for herself as a villain without the Joker. For all of her abrasive behavior and crass humor, Harley has a lot of heart. Harley Quinn doesn’t shy away from examining why she fell for someone like Joker and the psychological affects of abuse.
Moreover the most special aspect of this series is that it lets Harley move on. She and Ivy have a messy yet compelling romance that is much healthier, and seeing Harley with a partner who values her is a highlight of the series. Harley Quinn is available to stream on Max.
2 The DC Extended Universe
Portrayed By Margot Robbie
The DCEU was riddled with hits and misses, including 2016’s Suicide Squad. Unfortunately, that film was Margot Robbie’s first appearance as Harley Quinn. Like Assault on Arkham, Suicide Squad places Harley Quinn on Task Force X, and the Joker derails her mission. Her next appearance was in Birds Of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which saw her reeling after a breakup with the Joker. Being without the Joker’s protection causes criminals to go after Harley, and she winds up in an unlikely team of heroes, including Huntress and Black Canary.
Related DC Now Has 2 Replacements For Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn In 2024
With no plans for Margot Robbie to return to the DCU, it’s up in the air who will play Harley Quinn, but there are currently two possibilities.
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Harley would return one more time for James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, again a member of Task Force X. This film had a better reception than the previous two, and it finally gave Robbie a film worthy of her performance. Robbie is beloved as Harley Quinn because she radiates the endearing yet chaotic nature of the character. Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad are available on Max, while Suicide Squad is available on Netflix and Max.
1 DC Animated Universe
Portrayed By Arleen Sorkin, Tara Strong, and Melissa Raunch
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Despite how much Harley Quinn has grown as a character, none of that would be possible without the solid foundation Batman: The Animated Series built. The original series establishes Harley as the Joker’s henchwoman and girlfriend who he acts abusive towards. Subsequent DCAU shows further clarify their dynamic by showing how the Joker manipulated Harley into becoming a criminal and falling in love with him. Notably, Harley is usually portrayed as sympathetic, with even Batman himself expressing care towards her. Additionally, Harley’s romance with Ivy only exists because of their wholesome friendship in Batman: The Animated Series.
Harley’s introduction to DC was memorable from her very first episode. Her striking design and unique voice set her apart from other throwaway villain lackeys, but what really made her iconic within the DC Universe was the love and care put into her character. See where her story begins with Batman: The Animated Series on Max or Amazon Prime Video.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Upcoming DC Movie Releases
- Joker: Folie a Deux
Release Date October 4, 2024
- Superman (2025)
Release Date July 11, 2025
- Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
Release Date June 26, 2026
- The Batman Part II
Release Date October 2, 2026
Joker: Folie a Deux
Superman (2025)
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
The Batman Part II