The Joker has faced numerous different deaths throughout his cinematic history in the DC Universe, with some becoming iconic movie moments. As Batman’s primary adversary, the Joker has been a central part of most of his movie excursions. Regularly appearing in both animation and live-action Batman movies, the Joker has had some thrilling and dynamic death sequences befitting the Clown Prince of Crime.
The Joker has appeared in seven live-action movies and 32 animated films. As many of these are primarily aimed at younger audiences, his inevitable defeat typically involves his incarceration in Arkham Asylum. However, as Batman reached the mainstream after Tim Burton’s 1989 movie and the celebrated Batman: The Animated Series starring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, more mature narratives have depicted the famed Clown Prince of Crime reaching a more permanent end. The Joker has been killed in movies on 10 different occasions, with the very best quickly becoming iconic parts of DC’s animated movie universe.
Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths depicts an inverted rendition of the DC Universe, where the Justice League are a criminal network known as the Crime Syndicate, while the DC villains have become the heroes. The Joker appears in the opening sequence, where hehas adopted a superhero persona known as Jester. As Jester and Lex Luthor attempt to infiltrate the Criminal Syndicate’s base, he nobly sacrifices himself to allow Luthor to escape, bidding him farewell before blowing up the building with a Joker bomb.
Jester’s death in Crisis on Two Earths is underwhelming compared to his others. However, it is notable just for depicting the Joker assuming a heroic position. His honorable sacrifice is the complete opposite of his typical antics, wherein his own survival always takes precedence. Though brief, Jester’s role in Crisis on Two Earths was memorable, even if his death wasn’t especially spectacular.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm follows Batman as he reconciles with his former lover, Andrea Beaumont, while she works as a new Gotham vigilante known as the Phantasm. This becomes vastly more complicated when the Joker becomes involved in political schemes – all while setting booby traps he hopes will kill Batman. Mask of the Phantasm culminates when Batman and Andrea confront the Joker in his fairground. Joker prepares to destroy the fairground with explosives but is seized by Andrea, and they are both consumed by the flames.
Joker’s death in Mask of the Phantasm is certainly dramatic, but not one of his most dynamic. The emotional weight the scene carries is primarily from Batman’s grief over Andrea, rather than the Joker. While the explosive conclusion was thrilling in its day, numerous subsequent death scenes have proven to be far more cinematic and captivating.
In Batman: Assault on Arkham, the Joker’s death takes audiences by surprise, particularly since the movie was supposed to serve as a precursor to the Batman: Arkham video game series, where the Joker plays a prominent role. Despite an expectation of his survival, Jokermeets his demise in a chilling and unexpected manner. Pinned to a falling helicopter by Deadshot, Joker’s maniacal laughter echoes hauntingly as he plummets to his fiery death.
What makes this Assault on Arkham scene particularly memorable is the disturbing nature of Joker’s laugh, which reverberates through the chaotic backdrop of the moment. While Joker’s death itself may not be especially dynamic, his laughter during his downfall adds a layer of unsettling intensity. This unexpected twist not only subverts audience expectations but also serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability and volatility inherent in the Joker’s character, making his demise in Batman:Assault on Arkham a standout moment in his cinematic history.
Batman: The Killing Joke is an animated adaptation of the iconic graphic novel by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland. The movie delves into the complex relationship between Batman and the Joker, exploring the origins of the Clown Prince of Crime and his infamous attack on Barbara Gordon. One controversial aspect of the movie is its ambiguous ending, which leaves the fate of the Joker open to interpretation.
After a confrontation between Batman and the Joker inside Arkham Asylum, the screen fades to black as they share a laugh over a joke. Some viewers interpret this as implying the death of the Joker, while others believe it suggests a moment of shared understanding between the two adversaries. Those who believe the Joker died suggest that this is the titular Killing Joke, where Batman is pushed to his limits and finally kills Joker. While unconfirmed and off-screen, Joker’s potential death is a poignant moment following his despicable actions throughout Batman: The Killing Joke.
Batman: A Death in the Family is an interactive movie adaptation based on the iconic comic storyline. Viewers are presented with a gripping narrative where Jason Todd’s Robin faces a tragic demise at the hands of the Joker. Audiences can decide Robin’s fate, with varying possible outcomes. One of these depicts Jason Todd seeking vengeance against the Joker for his brutal actions.
If viewers choose this path in Batman: Death in the Family, they witness a gripping confrontation between Todd as Red Hood and the Joker, culminating in a dramatic showdown where Red Hood exacts his own brand of justice, ultimately killing the Clown Prince of Crime. This outcome adds a layer of complexity to the story, exploring themes of morality, redemption, and the consequences of unchecked violence. Dispatched simply with a gunshot to the head, Joker’s death represents Todd finally getting his revenge against the Clown Prince of Crime, years after the notorious comic book story that killed him off.
In The Dark Knight Returns Part 2, the climactic confrontation between Batman and the Joker reaches a brutal crescendo, culminating in the Joker’s demise. Their savage fight in the fairground serves as a visceral representation of their ideological conflict, with Batman grappling with his own moral boundaries while confronting the chaos embodied by the Joker. As Batman savagely beats Joker, Joker responds by repeatedly stabbing the Caped Crusader in one of the most brutal fights between the pair outside the comics.
As the battle reaches its climax, the Joker, driven by madness and a twisted desire to destroy Batman’s public image, deliberately breaks his own neck in a dramatic and horrifying act of self-destruction. This shocking moment underscores the Joker’s nihilism and utter disregard for his own life, as well as his obsession with Batman – beautifully represented by the Tunnel of Love setting. It’s a haunting scene that encapsulates the toxic symbiosis between the two characters, highlighting the profound impact they have on each other’s lives.
In the censored version of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, the iconic villain meets his demise in a dramatic and electrifying confrontation with Batman. As the Joker attempts to corrupt Tim Drake’s Robin seemingly succeeds, it appears all is lost for the Bat-Family. However, during a confrontation with Batman, Joker becomes entangled in loose water pipes and is promptly electrocuted.
This version of the Joker’s death was altered from the original edit due to concerns that it was too graphic for the movie’s young audience. Nevertheless, this rendition proved to be a dynamic and fitting demise for the iconic villain, with a sense of poetic justice and thematic resonance. The electrification serves as a fitting end for a character whose chaotic nature often leads to his own downfall. While not as strong as the original ending, the censored Return of the Joker is still a captivating climax.
In the restored cut of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Joker’s death is a fittingly ironic and poignant moment. After manipulating Tim Drake into becoming his protégé and orchestrating a twisted plan to corrupt him, the Joker’s hubris ultimately leads to his downfall. While encouraging the Joker-infused Tim to shoot Batman, Joker is instead shot by his own flag gun – a weapon he had used countless times to wreak havoc and sow chaos.
This death encapsulates the Joker’s ultimate failure to corrupt Tim Drake and the enduring heroism that defines the Bat-Family. Despite the Joker’s relentless efforts to break their spirit, Batman and his allies remain steadfast in their commitment to justice. It’s a moment that underscores the triumph of good over evil but comes with a harrowing cost. Tim Drake collapses, emotionally broken by his ordeal and the lengths he was pushed to in order to end it.
Joker’s death in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman remains iconic decades later, etched into cinematic history as the Clown Prince of Crime’s inaugural demise on the big screen. In a climactic showdown atop Gotham City’s cathedral, Batman confronts the Joker, leading to a gripping struggle between the two archenemies. As Batman thwarts Joker’s plans, the villain’s fall from grace is both literal and metaphorical, culminating in his fatal plunge into the depths below.
This cinematic moment is revered for its dramatic intensity, with Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker capturing both the character’s madness and his vulnerability in the moments before his death. The significance of this death lies in its impact on the narrative and as a metaphor for Batman reconciling his past to become a better hero. This classic scene endures as one of the most striking and memorable Joker scenes, earning its place as the second-best Joker death in cinematic history.