Joker vs. Joker: Who Played the Better Joker in the Batman Movies?
The Joker, Batman's arch enemy, has played a key role in the Batman movies with his green hair, white skin and an evil, permanent smile. In 1989, the Joker, played by Jack Nicholson, became an icon...
The Joker, Batman's arch enemy, has played a key role in the Batman movies with his green hair, white skin and an evil, permanent smile. In 1989, the Joker, played by Jack Nicholson, became an icon who was a stone-cold killer while maintaining the persona of a humorous prankster. In 2008, the Joker is revived and played by Heath Ledger, and depicts an embodiment of evil and anarchy out to prove the absurdities of the wold, with no empathy for anyone.
Also, vote on: Batman vs Batman: Who played the best Batman?
And vote on Is Heath Ledger's Joker performance Oscar worthy? (more)
Also, vote on: Batman vs Batman: Who played the best Batman?
And vote on Is Heath Ledger's Joker performance Oscar worthy? (more)
Top Comment
View thread
-
Jack Nicholson, the Joker
alot of voters wont remember jack nicholsons performance as much and will still be buzzin from heath's. even if jack was better, he couldnt win it. ask the question 20 years down the line for a better indication.
Heath Ledger, the Joker
jack nicholson is great but no one like heath ledger I think heath ledger is the best joker ever ledger rocksssssssssJack Nicholson, the Joker
Seems the Academy was snookered by the sympathy vote...anyone who has seen both movies would be able to tell the better performance.Jack Nicholson, the Joker
jack nicholson hands down. f^&k; broke back boyHeath Ledger, the Joker
Honestly i don't know much about the old joker. But i do no that no one can top heath ledger. Also all the quality of the 80's movies weren't as good as today's movies. The joker represents insanity to me. And heath pulled it of so well. It was thrilling to watch someone perform that well.Heath Ledger, the Joker
A lot of people say this isnt close at all but i say actually there is no winner (dont say "why did you pick heath ledger on the pole thingy!??" ill get to that later). the origional batman series was amazing, no doubt, and Jack Nicholson is a beast; that much is obvious. but also Jackie represented, in my opinion, the Joker in a truer form, and will always be known as the true joker. to me, the Joker from the 89 film seemed like a villain who just hated the world and liked to crack jokes a lot. Heath ledger, on the other hand, represents a crazier joker. he really seemed to me from the very first scene like a crazy lunatic. where as in the 89 film, when the joker made a joke, everyone laughed happily, in the 08 film, you laughed at his jokes but at the same time were thinking "this guy is crazy! how can he make a joke at a time like that!?" if we all recall that thing the important guy on the production crew of batman begins said, "blah blah blah, and we wanted to make this series of batman movies more dark and creepy, blah blah blah" Heath ledger nailed this one if that was their goal for the dark knight also. in short, they are both so different that there is no true "best joker," although my personal favorite is heath, just because the jokes are somewhat funnier in a creepy way and he seems crazier, and all in all i was just stunned by his acting. hope this helpedHeath Ledger, the Joker
While Jack Nicholson's portrayal of the Joker is more true to the comics and television series, Heath Ledger's was infinitely more enthralling, provocative, interesting and ultimately entertaining. Jack Nicholson was the silly jokester which fit in with the style of the movie. But for those fans who enjoy the darker side of characters, Heath reigned supreme. Personally, I think Heath Ledger is a better Joker than Jack Nicholson could ever aspire to be. The character is so much better. While watching the Dark Knight, I felt drawn to Joker and found myself wishing that he would beat Batman and come out on top in the end. Of course I knew it wouldn't happen, but the Joker showed you his motives and his philosophy, convincing me to side with him and adopt his mindset. It made me crave chaos. Nicholson's role gave me only a few cheap laughs and a lasting impression that the Joker was a vengeful prick; another run of the mill criminal who plays dress-up to stand out among his peers. Heath Ledger's Joker stood out not only among criminals but he stood out among everything.Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Heath Ledger did a good job as an alternate Joker. No doubt that he did an excellent job. But the joker is a character that is very well explained and understood.The joker, according to Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the creators of the character, is a diabolically comical, prop-carrying murderer, constant laughing murderer.
Jack Nicholson's Joker, even though lavish and attention grabbing, tends to keep to himself and not speak too much of his life or complain, which is what psychopaths do, they keep their private lives to themselves. Ledger's Joker is too bitchy: "You know how I got these scars? Well, my father took a knife, and he was beating my mother one night" Yada yada yada. He sounds like a Maury episode. He is too serious. Too terrorist influenced with the putting bombs all over the place in hospitals and too “SAW” influenced with putting people in ships and forcing them to see who will blow the other up. Nicholson's Joker tried to kill a large amount of people with a carnival parade and balloons and music, more clownish. At the end of the 1989 movie, when Batman had the Joker cornered on the tower, he pulls out nerd glasses and says: "you wouldn't hit a guy with glasses would you?" joke-cracking till the end. What does Ledger do at the end when Batman cap... Heath Ledger did a good job as an alternate Joker. No doubt that he did an excellent job. But the joker is a character that is very well explained and understood.
The joker, according to Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger and Bob Kane, the creators of the character, is a diabolically comical, prop-carrying murderer, constant laughing murderer.
Jack Nicholson's Joker, even though lavish and attention grabbing, tends to keep to himself and not speak too much of his life or complain, which is what psychopaths do, they keep their private lives to themselves. Ledger's Joker is too bitchy: "You know how I got these scars? Well, my father took a knife, and he was beating my mother one night" Yada yada yada. He sounds like a Maury episode. He is too serious. Too terrorist influenced with the putting bombs all over the place in hospitals and too “SAW” influenced with putting people in ships and forcing them to see who will blow the other up. Nicholson's Joker tried to kill a large amount of people with a carnival parade and balloons and music, more clownish. At the end of the 1989 movie, when Batman had the Joker cornered on the tower, he pulls out nerd glasses and says: "you wouldn't hit a guy with glasses would you?" joke-cracking till the end. What does Ledger do at the end when Batman captures him? He starts rambling some inner-reflective consciousness bull about how he and Batman are actually alike and bla bla bla. Not the Joker. And Nicholson's "boxing-glove gun" when he hits the TV, he even had funny dangerous props. That is the real joker. Not some emo complaining psycho “I miss mommy” child services case. (more)
Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Adam West...Holy Cow Batman!!!Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Sorry Heath Ledger's Joker was just too much of a psycho. I just couldn't relate to him. Jack's joker was funHeath Ledger, the Joker
His performance is more believable than Jack's.Jack Nicholson, the Joker
I think Jack Nicholson was the best Joker "eeeevvvvveerrrr!" His character was nuts...while Heath Ledger was just eerie.Jack Nicholson, the Joker
I can not choose because both played great roles. People fail to realise (aka people who just started to get into batman) Jack and Heath played similar but different roles.Jack played the joker how he was protrayed in the comic book (and it was funny as hell and awesome)
Heath played a Joker that was well.....I guess more realistic and dark (also was awesome)
Either way they both played the same role, Crazy yet funny. And both did a hell of a job. So I can't pick.
Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Jack Nicholoson hands down is the best Joker and his performance award winning well he should got an award for it and his version is closer to how he is in the comic book storiesHeath Ledger, the Joker
well for one the old joker most likely didnt have da resources and the new joker did but in all heath ledger is a dogHeath Ledger, the Joker
Heath Ledger all the way! The Joker rullz :xHeath Ledger, the Joker
heath ledger for sureJack Nicholson, the Joker
eveyone on heath's dick get off he is dead. he od on the olseen twins dope. and he was a shitty joker. Jack was way better. Carasmatic, sinister and unpredictable. Watch the fucking movies again and imagin heath is alive. trust me you will see the better of the two. And all you sixteen to twenty year old females riding heaths dick. actually watch the 1989 batman and get a fucking clue.Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath Ledger, without a doubt. For one, Heath was a lot more sinister, and portrayed the Joker as a real villian, without crappy, non-realistic weapons such as that stupid "turn people into dust" gun Jack Nicholson used. Heath deffinitely captures the audience with his outstanding performance. He was an outstanding actor and is sorely missed, but he has my vote.Heath Ledger, the Joker
he was totally awesomeHeath Ledger, the Joker
heath ledger was born for this roleHeath Ledger, the Joker
he did very well with his part he really put the insane in the joker wellllHeath Ledger, the Joker
I though heath ledger played a better joker because the fact that he got into key with the part. he had to get into that dark and fucked up character which he did very well so i think jack nicholson got his ass kicked when it came to this part.Heath Ledger, the Joker
even though i like jack nicholson,Heath Ledger was better and will never be forgotten.R.I.P.Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Jack was the best Joker ever... just watch the old Batmans.... and TRAINJack Nicholson, the Joker
I think Jack Nicholson played the best joker cause hes badass!! and also cause he hasnt played a fag in a movie!!Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath's Joker is Epic.Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath Ledger because Nicholsons Joker was kind of cheesy looking, but he did a good job tooHeath Ledger, the Joker
heath leader may rest in peace!!!!!!!!Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath is the Joker of today. Jack was good in the films he did, But times have changed. The movie was awsome real live challanges making people decied on others fates. Turning good people / BAD. It's a tragic loss for everyone he was a talented actor. He will be missed by many. GOD BLESS HE TOUCHED MANY LIVES.Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath hands down.......... what a shame he's gone.....Heath Ledger, the Joker
well they both did rly good!!Heath Ledger, the Joker
He wasnt even playing the Joker anymore, he was the Joker, and for that dedication, he deserves the Best Joker title, he put himself so much into his work, it was amazing, Nicholson was good, but Ledger was amazing.Heath Ledger, the Joker
obviously!Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Its really unfair to compare the two because Nicholson played the laughing gas Joker while Ledger played the unpredictable crazy Joker. There is such a degree or originality and craft in Ledgers performance that it is almost joker like madness to have any opinion other than Ledger is the better of the too. Nicholson is a very fine actor, but the Jocker he palyed was only amusing; lacking the depth and focus of Ledgers. The Jocker of Ledger gave him a goal; to tarnish batman by proving that order and virtue can be tainted. The prior jocker was simply mad.Heath Ledger, the Joker
he was soo freakin awsomeHeath Ledger, the Joker
he was australian thats why his so goodHeath Ledger, the Joker
Hands down!Heath Ledger, the Joker
HELLLLOOOOO!!!! Are you stupid he is the bestest!!! WHY SO SERIOUS?!?!?!?Heath Ledger, the Joker
No doubt. But the way the Joker talked annoyed me more so than the other Joker.