Fine and Feline: Catwomen Ranked

Ten years ago saw the release of the phenomenally terrible Catwoman, the Halle Berry-fronted action flick that made Batman’s sexiest villain take center stage. (Sorry, Poison Ivy.) And, of course, it was awful, and Berry’s Catwoman could hardly live up to the legacy of those who preceded her (or even the one who came after her). In honor of the film’s tenth’s anniversary, here’s a definitive ranking of the live-action Catwomen on the big and small screens.

6. Halle Berry, Catwoman (2004)

Halle Berry followed up her Oscar-winning role in Monster’s Ball with a couple of clunkers (including the supernatural thriller Gothika), but it was Catwoman that really tanked her career for a while. Deviating from the femme fatale’s comic book roots, the film depicted Patience Phillips being supernaturally brought back to life by a cat in order to exact revenge on Sharon Stone. Sure!

Find out where to stream Catwoman on GoWatchIt.

5. Anne Hathaway, The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Let’s just agree to disagree about The Dark Knight Rises (I thought it was terrible!) which featured a particularly dry Catwoman ending up living happily ever after with a retired Batman.

Find out where to stream The Dark Knight Rises on GoWatchIt.

4. Lee Meriwether, Batman (1966)

After Julie Newmar originated the role of Catwoman on the live-action adventure series that aired on ABC from 1966 to 1968, but Lee Meriwether nabbed the role of the big-screen film featuring many of the show’s cast members. False Catwoman!

Batman is available for rental on Amazon Instant Video.

3. Eartha Kitt, Batman (1967-1968)

Eartha Kitt was the third Catwoman in the Adam West-fronted series (following Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether), but one most commonly associated with the character considering her sultry, feline-like voice, with which she easily sneered and purred her lines.

2. Michelle Pfeiffer, Batman Returns (1992)

Pfeiffer brought a broody sensuality to the role of Catwoman, most likely encouraged by moody director Tim Burton’s gothic sensibility. She’s probably the most fierce and multitalented of the Catwomen, showing her skill with a whip and a sewing machine.

Find out where to stream Batman Returns on GoWatchIt.

1. Julie Newmar, Batman (1966-1967)

The original, and unbeatable, Julie Newmar’s Catwoman was witty, conniving, and fashionable — making her a vital ’60s icon.