Joker vs. Joker: Who Played the Better Joker in the Batman Movies?

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Joker vs. Joker: Who Played the Better Joker in the Batman Movies?

by SodaHead Celebs Posted July 09, 2008 22:23:02

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?

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+19 / -2 raves jimmy July 28, 2008 17:42:33 (edited)

Answered: 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.
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joey 4 days ago

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
Join the discussion! Leave a comment.
cap caveman 4 days ago

Answered: Jack Nicholson, the Joker
remeber the scrept is not up 2 the acters
sami malti November 01, 2009 16:33:47

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
jack nicholson is great but no one like heath ledger I think heath ledger is the best joker ever ledger rocksssssssss
Mike October 31, 2009 20:13:02

Answered: Jack 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.
ICU730 October 28, 2009 08:15:51

Answered: Jack Nicholson, the Joker
jack nicholson hands down. f^&k; broke back boy
eikachan October 28, 2009 02:54:48 (edited)

Answered: Heath 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.
ROBO October 22, 2009 06:39:37

Answered: 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 helped
Dale October 19, 2009 03:08:39

Answered: Heath 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.
eddy October 16, 2009 18:25:06

Answered: 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)
Doug October 06, 2009 05:53:34

Answered: Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Adam West...Holy Cow Batman!!!
+3 raves
cb September 29, 2009 04:07:19

Answered: 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 fun
Joker ~ Death ~ IMBIT September 25, 2009 00:47:20

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
His performance is more believable than Jack's.
+3 raves
Marcus Romero September 21, 2009 23:46:20

Answered: Jack Nicholson, the Joker
I think Jack Nicholson was the best Joker "eeeevvvvveerrrr!" His character was nuts...while Heath Ledger was just eerie.
K.K. September 16, 2009 02:05:25

Answered: 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.
+3 raves
red hulk September 02, 2009 09:39:41 (edited)

Answered: 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 stories
+1 raves
mr.girl.lover August 30, 2009 01:32:15

Answered: Heath 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 dog
Selene August 23, 2009 19:00:59

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath Ledger all the way! The Joker rullz :x
shanell August 23, 2009 02:30:40

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
heath ledger for sure
+2 raves
John August 21, 2009 00:18:41

Answered: Jack 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.
Dale to John October 19, 2009 03:24:18

I disagree. I grew up watching the old Batman movies and that was all I knew. When I thought of the Joker, I thought of Jack Nicholson. When The Dark Knight came out, I thought Heath Ledger's Joker blew Jack Nicholson's away. Last week I went back, watched Batman [1989] and The Dark Knight right after. While I will agree that Jack's is more true to the comic books and television series, Heath's was the essence of the Joker in that he represented chaos, fear, unpredictability, and confusion. He was real. He gets into the audience's mind and draws them in, making them side with him. With Jack's Joker, he seems like a crazed Mob boss playing dress up and using his persona as the Joker to incite fear, confusion, and chaos instead of making people feel it. Jack's Joker isn't emotionally stimulating or provocative. He is silly, which is worth the cheap laughs he gets from his toys and jokes and he is an aggravating prick, which makes you hate him. While hating the Joker is better for Batman, it does nothing for The Joker. A good villain is one who can make the audience think twice about siding with "the good guy" instead of merely filling the role of generic villain who fights a good guy for something as petty as vengeance.
+3 raves
JokingJester August 20, 2009 00:53:27

Answered: 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.
george to JokingJ... 7 days ago

ya... no.... lol, to be completely honest, none of the 2 were even close to the joker from the comics but then again both of them started new eras of jokers. seeing as they are 20 years apart and jokers have come a long way since then it's a lil hard to compare. BUT, seeing as though the 1989 one started it all it was more or less heading int he right direction while heath ledgers joker was like a friggin terrorist with the rpg launchers and all the friggin explosions. plus he whines like a girl about his past. now the thousands of jokers portrayed in the comics where all extremely sinister, all insane and homosidle you cant explain them but here you can explain the 2. jack's joker wasn't how should i put this... whacky enough for me (never mind that kick ass punching hand extendo thingy) in the comics the joker ALWAYS did some cool shit that you would never think of. like when he killed david letterman, but anyway. i rlly dont like any of them because i feel they havent been true to the comics (even if that wasnt the goal) i grew up reading those comics and it's hard to move from the best villain of all time to a terrorist... but hey, thats just me >_>
+1 raves
joker44567 August 16, 2009 15:57:01

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
he was totally awesome
jazzyd34 August 10, 2009 15:03:24

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
heath ledger was born for this role
+3 raves
Dead_One August 02, 2009 09:35:02

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
he did very well with his part he really put the insane in the joker wellll
j laney July 31, 2009 21:48:46

Answered: Heath 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.
Tyrone Thunder Baseball #18... July 25, 2009 22:55:59

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
even though i like jack nicholson,Heath Ledger was better and will never be forgotten.R.I.P.
Graziano July 24, 2009 10:45:39

Answered: Jack Nicholson, the Joker
Jack was the best Joker ever... just watch the old Batmans.... and TRAIN
+5 raves
theRipper July 19, 2009 21:37:12

Answered: Jack 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!!
+3 raves
Ayumi Vasquez July 19, 2009 03:13:25

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath's Joker is Epic.
+1 raves
Bob smith July 16, 2009 00:01:58

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath Ledger because Nicholsons Joker was kind of cheesy looking, but he did a good job too
TwilightLuver43 July 10, 2009 08:07:18

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
heath leader may rest in peace!!!!!!!!
kat July 07, 2009 07:33:11

Answered: 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.
+3 raves
LB July 03, 2009 22:20:50

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
Heath hands down.......... what a shame he's gone.....
swagstwilight!16 June 29, 2009 17:12:50

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
well they both did rly good!!
+4 raves
Paige June 29, 2009 05:17:45

Answered: 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.
ClamAttack June 28, 2009 09:03:31

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
obviously!
+2 raves
crysta June 25, 2009 01:32:29

Answered: 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.
+3 raves
kennya June 24, 2009 19:50:04

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
he was soo freakin awsome
+1 raves
mitch ledger June 20, 2009 06:52:05

Answered: Heath Ledger, the Joker
he was australian thats why his so good