Ranking Every Version of Catwoman from Worst to Best!

Among the impressive female characters in comic books, Catwoman from DC Comics stands out as one of the finest. This complex character who often appears alongside Batman has had an enduring presence and her development over time as both a character and Batman’s romantic interest has been skillfully portrayed by numerous talented writers and artists. As a result, she has truly earned the status of an iconic symbol.

This piece highlights different portrayals of Catwoman across multiple forms of media, such as comics, films, animations, and TV shows. We’ll be zeroing in on these diverse interpretations for this article, providing a rundown of our favorite renditions of Catwoman that we’ve had the opportunity to witness. The list will encompass solo stories as well as those centering around the Dark Knight. However, it’s worth noting that while some versions have solely spotlighted Catwoman, others have featured the Dark Knight prominently. Here is our selection of top-notch interpretations of Catwoman.

13. Catwoman (2004)

2004 marked the premiere of the movie “Catwoman,” featuring Halle Berry as the lead character. Unfortunately, this was a dismal day for cinematic history. The film deviated significantly from its comic book counterpart. Instead of the usual Catwoman we know, Berry portrayed Patience Phillips, a timid and empathetic fashion designer. Following her discovery of a hideous beauty cream formula, she met an untimely end only to be reborn as Catwoman.

Through their association with the Egyptian goddess Bastet, patience can draw strength and transform into a more assertive, appealing, and self-assured individual, as demonstrated by an Egyptian cat owner. The movie subtly references past portrayals of Catwoman, notably during a scene where Patience encounters various depictions of prior Catwomen, such as Michelle Pfeiffer from “Batman Returns.

In my perspective, the storyline of this movie bears no resemblance to Batman or his beloved city, Gotham. Sadly, it flopped at the box office, receiving harsh criticism from both professional reviewers and dedicated comic enthusiasts. To me, it seems to be one of the most poorly made films I’ve ever seen.

To put it simply, let’s just act as if 2004’s Catwoman never existed for Halle Berry’s sake, since it seems everyone else has chosen to forget about it too. The film was so poorly received that there are hardly any words in English that can express its disastrous horror akin to Lovecraftian tales. We’ll stop here, as there’s not much more to say about it.

12. LEGO universe (2013-present)

The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite.” Initially, she was seen with Harley Quinn, the Riddler, Two-Face, and the Penguin. However, later on, she teamed up with Penguin, Two-Face, Harley, the Riddler, Bane, and Poison Ivy. In this movie, Katherine Von Till provided the voice for Catwoman.

In addition to that, she makes an appearance in “The LEGO Batman Movie,” a film not connected to other LEGO movies. Her character is given voice by Zoë Kravitz, who later portrayed Catwoman in live-action. She has a minor role, featuring as one of Batman’s villains under the Joker’s command. Incidentally, she often says “meow, meow” throughout the movie.

In essence, despite having only two minor roles that didn’t significantly impact the storyline, and even though Zoë Kravitz voiced Catwoman in The LEGO Batman movie, this portrayal of Catwoman doesn’t rank higher due to a lack of character development. It’s worth noting that the “meow meow” version from The LEGO Batman movie is not our focus here; we’re essentially ignoring its existence. On this list, this Catwoman falls at the bottom because it’s been amusing but not as impactful as other versions (excluding Halle Berry’s, which we’ll pretend never happened).

11. DC Animated Movie Universe (2011-present)

Due to varying interpretations of the character, we’ll simply present the occasions when Catwoman appeared, along with the actresses who lent their voices to each version.

Eliza Dushku voices Catwoman in Batman: Year One, and the short film DC Showcase: Catwoman.
Selina Kyle, albeit not as Catwoman, appears in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, where she is voiced by Tress MacNeille.
Julie Newmar reprised her role as Catwoman in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, which served as an animated continuation of the 1960s television series. The movie also includes a brief reference to the Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt versions of the character when a hit on the head causes Batman to see a triple image of Catwoman, although they do not appear in the movie. Newmar reprised her role in Batman vs. Two-Face.
The Brave and the Bold version of Catwoman reappears in the Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold movie, with Nika Futterman reprising her role.
Selina Kyle appears in the animated adaptation of the famous Gotham by Gaslight graphic novel, where she is voiced by Jennifer Carpenter, with Grey Griffin serving as her singing voice.
Catwoman appears in the anime film Batman Ninja, voiced by Ai Kakuma and Grey Griffin in Japanese and English respectively.
Catwoman appears in the animated film Batman: Hush, voiced by Jennifer Morrison.
Catwoman appears in the two-part animated film Batman: The Long Halloween, voiced posthumously by Naya Rivera.
Catwoman appears in the animated film Injustice , voiced by Anika Noni Rose.
An anime version of Catwoman appears in Catwoman: Hunted, with Elizabeth Gillies voicing the character.

While Catwoman didn’t officially debut within the DCAMU as defined, we employ the term broadly to encompass various animated movies that aired during the specified timeframe. The inconsistency and lackluster character development across these versions led us to rank them quite low, but it’s important to note that not all versions were of equal quality.

10. Batman: The Telltale Series (2016-2018)

The “cat burglar” is the main adversary in the game, and she makes her debut in the city when she’s given orders by the Penguin to sneak into the town hall and carry out a theft at the security post. By doing so, she can gain access to the office of the corrupt Mayor Hill, who is working with mafia boss Carmine Falcone. Her objective is to obtain evidence that could incriminate Falcone.

In this scenario, the thief is caught by Batman in a fierce battle. After a hard-fought struggle, Batman overpowers her and takes both the stolen goods and the incriminating evidence that Hill had on Falcone, which was being used to frame Falcone. However, during the fight, Catwoman manages to slip away from Batman by vanishing. Subsequently, due to minor but obvious injuries they’ve both sustained in the fight, when Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle encounter each other later, they will recognize one another, thereby uncovering their hidden identities.

A little while after, the duo will join forces to thwart Penguin’s plan of capturing Catwoman due to her failing to carry out a task he assigned. Towards the finale of the second installment, you’ll have to choose between saving Selina from Penguin’s henchmen or Harvey Dent, who is being targeted by Penguin himself.

If you opt for Dent instead of Catwoman, she’ll receive a shoulder wound from a second shot fired by one of Penguin’s henchmen but will somehow escape, leaving her bruised and harboring animosity towards Batman. On the other hand, if you decide to rescue Catwoman, she’ll continue to be friendly with Bruce Wayne. After Selina’s attack, he’ll take her to recuperate at Wayne Manor. A sense of mutual understanding might develop between them. Laura Bailey provides her voice.

This interpretation of Catwoman by Laura Bailey was quite strong, though it leaned towards a familiar pattern. It’s as good as Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal and contemporary comics versions. Her voice acting aligns well with the progression of the Catwoman character in these two video games. However, we wish there had been more opportunities to see her in action.

9. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

In “The Dark Knight Rises,” Anne Hathaway portrays Selina Kyle, a character who appears in this sequel to both “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight.” In this storyline, Selina Kyle is an expert cat burglar, infamously known as “The Cat,” who is wanted for thefts across multiple locations. Driven by the desire to obtain a computer program that can wipe her digital footprint, Selina seeks redemption and a fresh start in life.

Cat, a character inspired by her comic book background, showcases her skills repeatedly. Initially, she’s depicted undercover as a maid to sneak into Wayne Manor, snatching fingerprints and the precious pearl necklace of Bruce’s mother. Later, we see her swiping jewels and leaping across the rooftops of Gotham’s skyscrapers before facing off against Bane’s troops in combat.

She openly showcases her questionable ethics, much like in the comics, and is among the two prominent female characters who harbor feelings for Bruce Wayne/Batman. Eventually, Bruce successfully clears Selina’s criminal past, and they embark on a new life away from Gotham City together.

Although Hathaway’s portrayal generally stayed true to the comics and preserved the character’s origins, it fell short of making a significant impact in Nolan’s universe. Consequently, Catwoman is often overlooked when discussing characters from the trilogy, which is why we couldn’t rank her higher on our list.

8. Gotham (2014-2019)

As a dedicated cinephile, I’d like to share that in the captivating TV show Gotham, it was Camren Bicondova who brought Selina Kyle to life for me. In this gritty urban landscape of Gotham City, Selina is a street-smart 14-year-old thief, affectionately known as “Cat”. The series introduces us to her character in its very first episode when she bears witness to the heinous murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne. Post this shocking event, Selina can be seen circumnavigating the boundary walls of Wayne Manor.

Gordon sets up a stay for her at Wayne Manor, where she forms a bond with young Bruce Wayne. However, when a group of assassins comes to the mansion seeking to kill her due to witnessing the demise of Bruce’s parents, they flee into the city. Despite Detective Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth successfully rescuing Bruce, Selina goes back to the streets to conceal herself.

In the flow of events, I find myself back at Wayne Manor, returning items I’d inadvertently taken from Bruce. As our farewell moment unfolds, I seize an unexpected opportunity and plant my first kiss on him. Fast forward to season two, where a thorny rivalry with Silver St. Cloud, Bruce’s new love interest, is overcome. We transition into a formal partnership. However, the bond between us dissolves in season three, when Selina’s mother resurfaces in Gotham, destitute and pleading for money to evade a menacing pursuer.

A more youthful take on Catwoman fit seamlessly within the realm of Gotham. Although this particular portrayal of Catwoman wasn’t flawless, it was Bicondova’s charm that set it apart. Her portrayal was a unique and genuine reinterpretation that continues to shine among other renditions. The only thing missing was a finishing touch, but that was just how Gotham was – when Batman arrived, the series had to conclude.

7. Batman (1966-1968)

In the 1966 “Batman” series, Julie Newmar portrayed Catwoman in both the 1966 and 1967 seasons, while Eartha Kitt took on the role for just three episodes prior to its cancellation in 1968. Throughout the series, Catwoman stood as one of the primary antagonists, sharing similarities with other villains but not sparing attempts to eliminate Batman, unlike her fellow adversaries. In the 1966 movie adaptation, Lee Meriwether played the character instead.

This adaptation of Catwoman perfectly embodied the campy flair characteristic of the Adam West and Burt Ward series, standing out as rather daring for its era. The show’s concept itself was innovative, introducing Catwoman as a sly feline and a temptress. Though the portrayal had a humorous undertone, the dynamic between Catwoman and Batman retained the chemistry that is still relevant today. Although some casting alterations led to initial confusion, overall, this interpretation elevated Catwoman’s status and expanded her role beyond her comic book counterpart of the time.

6. Batman: Arkham (2009-present)

1. The character is spoken by Gray DeLisle. Timewise, she debuts in “Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate”. Although Catwoman isn’t featured in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”, pieces of her costume are found within the ancient Arkham Asylum manor and need to be discovered to solve one of the Riddler’s riddles, which will reveal her backstory.

2. Gray DeLisle lends her voice to the character. In terms of chronology, she makes her first appearance in “Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate”. Catwoman doesn’t show up in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”, but parts of her costume can be found inside the old Arkham Asylum mansion. These pieces are used to solve one of the Riddler’s riddles that will eventually unveil her biography.

3. Gray DeLisle voices the character, with her first appearance being in “Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate” from a time perspective. Catwoman doesn’t feature in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”, but parts of her costume are found within the Arkham Asylum mansion for solving one of the Riddler’s riddles that will disclose her background information.

4. The character is voiced by Gray DeLisle, and she makes her initial appearance in “Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate” according to the timeline. Catwoman doesn’t materialize in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”, but pieces of her costume are found inside the old Arkham Asylum mansion that help solve one of the Riddler’s riddles, which will reveal her life story.

5. Gray DeLisle provides the voice for the character and she is first seen in “Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate” chronologically speaking. Catwoman doesn’t show up in “Batman: Arkham Asylum”, but parts of her costume are found within the Arkham Asylum mansion to help solve one of the Riddler’s riddles that will uncover her backstory.

The character is mentioned by the Joker when he sends Venom as a gift from her and is listed among Arkham inmates freed by Harley Quinn. In the game Batman: Arkham City, she makes an appearance as a playable character. Her first scene is in the prologue, where she breaks into a safe belonging to Two-Face to retrieve plans for Hugo Strange’s seized goods vault, which contains Selina’s stolen goods, overseen by the prison warden.

Yet, Catwoman gets spotted by Two-Face in the act and is seized as a hostage within his courthouse. Suspended over a vat of acid, Catwoman endures a sham trial orchestrated by Two-Face, until Batman swoops in for her rescue. With the plans now in her possession, she turns to Poison Ivy for aid. Eventually, Ivy consents to assist Catwoman in gaining access to the vault.

But when Catwoman gets located, she follows Hugo Strange’s Genocide Protocol 10, feeling compelled to leave behind her stolen treasures in order to save Batman, trapped under debris and believed to be dead. After rescuing him, she intends to gather her possessions from her apartment and escape the city, but finds a bomb left by Two-Face instead.

After making it through the blast, she resumes her pursuit of Two-Face, inflicting injuries on his face before departing to retrieve her possessions. Subsequently, she appears as a playable character in Batman: Arkham Knight. The Riddler then gets in touch with Batman and reveals that he’s keeping Catwoman captive. To save her, Batman must solve a sequence of challenges instead.

As each trial she tackles, Catwoman earns a key that disables one of the bombs attached to her. Eventually, Batman and Catwoman gather all nine keys, granting Catwoman freedom from the orphanage where she was captive. Despite this, she reappears when Batman returns to challenge the Riddler, and together they manage to overcome him.

Following their confrontation, Catwoman and Batman share a kiss, but Batman quickly withdraws, warning her that their encounter marks the end of their paths crossing. Later that evening, Batman removes his mask and appears to take his own life. Subsequently, Catwoman emerges as a playable character in the additional mission titled “Catwoman’s Revenge”. In a Riddler hideout while he is incarcerated, Catwoman sneaks in, locates his robot factory beneath the surface, pilfers all of his fortune, and ultimately demolishes the establishment.

We found the portrayal of Catwoman from “The Batman: Arkham” series particularly appealing. She was captivating, seductive, self-reliant, and skillfully crafted. The creators gave her substantial screen time in the games, even though they primarily revolved around Batman; she even had a separate adventure with the Riddler, which was impressive on all fronts. We were eager for more of her story, but overall, this interpretation is one of the finest we’ve seen.

5. The Batman (2022)

In this discussion, we’re not giving away too many secrets. Zoë Kravitz portrays Catwoman in Reeves’ adaptation of “The Batman,” a role she also voiced in the “LEGO Batman” film. Her character plays an essential part in Batman’s probe into the Riddler’s plot, and the tension between them is quite evident. Given the movie’s popularity right now, we won’t be disclosing any spoilers for the time being.

If you’re familiar with Matt Reeves, you know he excels at creating compelling characters. A testament to this is Kravitz’s portrayal of Catwoman in “The Batman.” Not only does her character shine within the film, but in multiple scenes, she even outshines Pattinson’s Batman. Kravitz delivered a remarkable performance as Catwoman, staying true to modern interpretations of the character while providing a screen adaptation of Selina that lives up to comic book standards.

4. Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

In the widely praised ’90s cartoon show inspired by Tim Burton’s film, Selina Kyle is portrayed as a thief, antagonist, and love interest for Batman, all while avoiding violent acts and demonstrating care for him. She resembles Michelle Pfeiffer with her blonde hair, but her costume differs slightly. Adrienne Barbeau voiced this character in the series.

In “The New Batman Adventures,” Selina Kyle, more famously known as Catwoman, sported a short black hairstyle instead of the long blonde tresses from the earlier series. Her appearance as Catwoman in this series was largely modeled after Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal in “Batman Returns.” In this new series, like its predecessor, it remains unclear if Selina is a hero or a villain because she doesn’t aid Batman in any of his missions. However, she appears intolerant towards any harm coming to Batman.

Indeed, she carries over the complex dynamic from the initial show, yet it’s devoid of some sensuality seen earlier. Interestingly, even though Catwoman didn’t physically appear in Batman Beyond or reveal her ultimate destiny, her influence was palpable throughout the series.

Just as all the TAS characters were outstanding, Barbeau’s Catwoman was equally impressive. Unlike Michelle Pfeiffer’s latex-clad Catwoman, the TAS version presented a more subdued take on the character. However, she still possessed all the qualities you’d expect from such an iconic figure. Her portrayal was detailed and precise, and the episodes where she appeared were consistently engaging and enjoyable.

3. Batman Returns (1992)

In the film “Batman Returns”, Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, Selina Kyle, is an isolated and compliant secretary working for wealthy man Max Schreck. Schreck has a sinister plan to seize Gotham City’s electricity using a capacitor, falsely presenting it as a massive power generator. When her boss uncovers her secure documents, he ends her life by throwing her out of the office window.

Due to barriers that cushioned her impact, similar to tires and snow, she didn’t suffer a fatal blow. When she collapsed in an alley, she was found by strays who began licking and nibbling at her fingers, which surprisingly roused her from her coma. Later, Selina resumed her usual routine upon returning to her apartment.

Listening to the messages on her answering machine, the reminders of her past lifestyle filled Selina with hidden anger, causing her to suddenly lose control and destroy her home, discarding everything that connected her to her former life. Later, in her closet, she found a black vinyl trench coat, which she transformed into her Catwoman costume.

Throughout the movie, Catwoman charms both Batman and Bruce Wayne, yet struggles internally due to her multiple personas. By the end of the film, she appears vulnerable, disoriented, and hints at a loss of rationality. Consequently, she chooses to forsake Batman/Bruce Wayne in pursuit of her twisted desire for retribution, ultimately taking the life of her superior.

Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman was extraordinary and marked a significant shift in the character. Instead of being a comically seductive feline, she transformed Catwoman into a captivating anti-heroine, bold and enigmatic. It was Michelle Pfeiffer who brought this compelling version of the character to life, setting a benchmark for all future adaptations.

2. Prime Earth (2011-present)

Starting in September 2011, DC introduced a fresh lineup of titles called “The New 52“, marking a departure from previous storylines and offering a reboot. The standalone “Catwoman” comic persisted, but it delved into Selina’s early years as Catwoman instead of explaining her origin. In the initial issues, Selina is portrayed battling the Russian mafia, yet it’s also revealed that she and Batman share a romantic relationship.

The debut comic issue depicts for the first time an overt scene of Batman and Catwoman together. In “Catwoman” #0, Catwoman’s origin story was slightly modified based on that seen in “Batman Returns.” Later on, Steve Trevor extends an invitation to Catwoman to join the newly formed Justice League of America led by Amanda Waller.

Initially, Selina hesitates, but eventually consents when Trevor guarantees he’ll locate a person who will impersonate her. It’s disclosed later that she was summoned to the Justice League exclusively to vanquish Batman, should the new Justice League ever collide with the original JL. This confrontation is depicted in the “Trinity War” comic series.

In the latest and ongoing comic book adaptation of Catwoman from Prime Earth, she’s yet to solidify her position. While her larger wedding saga demonstrated her relevance, it doesn’t compare to the impact of the Loeb-Sale’s The Long Halloween series, which peaked with Catwoman: When in Rome. Once this new version receives a storyline similar in depth, we can reconsider our perspective on her.

1. New Earth (1985-2011)

In 1987, the fresh take on Catwoman’s background emerged in the comic “Batman: Year One,” penned by Frank Miller. This revised storyline portrays Selina as a former prostitute and cat lover who transforms into a jeweler burglar upon witnessing Batman at work. It’s also revealed that she was a victim of sexual abuse, perpetrated by her own father.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself closely connected with a minor character named Holly. Tragically, she became a victim of a heinous act, being raped. However, her spirit was unbroken, and in a bid to escape the clutches of her tormentor and forge a new life, she drew inspiration from the city’s latest guardian: Batman. Intrigued by his methods, she decided to create a disguise emulating the Dark Knight, channeling his vigilantism as a symbol of hope in her own struggle against oppression.

1989 saw the launch of a standalone series for this particular incarnation of Catwoman, penned by writer Mindy Newell. In this narrative, Selina’s transformation into Catwoman took center stage, along with her personal development, character growth, and interactions with various other characters.

If a character like yours has a rich, layered narrative as in Loeb-Sale’s series, culminating in a self-contained story where you confront The Riddler physically, it’s evident that you’ve achieved something remarkable. Among all iterations of the Catwoman character, the New Earth version stands out for its complexity, range, and progression, which is why we ranked her at the top.

2025-05-19 09:48