The Ultimate Guide To Catwoman In Movies: Ranking Every Live-Action Selina Kyle From 1966 To Zoë Kravitz

Few characters in the Batman mythos have captured the public imagination and sparked as much debate as Catwoman. Known by her civilian name, Selina Kyle, she is the quintessential anti-hero: a master thief, a moral enigma, and the most compelling romantic foil to the Dark Knight. Her cinematic journey is a remarkable chronicle of Hollywood's changing relationship with female power and villainy, spanning over five decades and multiple iconic portrayals. As of December 10, 2025, the conversation remains vibrant, driven by the most recent, grounded performance and tantalizing rumors of future appearances in the DC universe.

The character’s enduring appeal lies in her duality—a vigilante with a criminal streak—making each new actress's interpretation a fresh, high-stakes event. From the campy charm of the 1960s to the gritty realism of 2022, here is a definitive look at every live-action Catwoman who has graced the big screen, cementing her legacy as one of Gotham City's most complex figures.

The Complete Cinematic Biography: Every Catwoman in Live-Action Movies

The role of Catwoman, or her alter ego Selina Kyle, has been played by a select group of talented actresses in feature films. This list focuses exclusively on the live-action movie adaptations, distinct from the various TV series appearances (such as Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Camren Bicondova) who also defined the character's legacy on the small screen.

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• Lee Meriwether: Batman: The Movie (1966)

Meriwether holds the distinction of being the first actress to play Catwoman in a feature film. Stepping in for Julie Newmar from the television series, her portrayal was a perfect fit for the movie’s high-camp, colorful tone. Her Selina Kyle used a variety of disguises and was a core member of the villainous United Underworld alongside The Joker, The Penguin, and The Riddler.

• Michelle Pfeiffer: Batman Returns (1992)

Michelle Pfeiffer’s performance is widely considered the gold standard and a cultural touchstone. Directed by Tim Burton, her version of Selina Kyle was an emotionally broken secretary who is resurrected by cats after being pushed out of a window by her boss, Max Shreck. Her stitched, psycho-sexual catsuit and chaotic, unhinged energy redefined the character for a modern audience, emphasizing her tragic anti-hero status.

• Halle Berry: Catwoman (2004)

This standalone film featured a new, non-Selina Kyle character named Patience Phillips. The movie presented a radical departure from the established Batman canon, with Patience gaining supernatural cat-like abilities after being killed and revived. Despite being a box office and critical failure, Berry's athletic performance brought a unique, albeit controversial, take on the feline vigilante.

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• Anne Hathaway: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

As part of Christopher Nolan’s grounded "Dark Knight Trilogy," Anne Hathaway portrayed Selina Kyle not as a costumed villain, but as a pragmatic, cynical master thief and morally ambiguous survivor. Her character arc focused on her quest for a clean slate and her complicated, flirtatious partnership with Bruce Wayne, culminating in a memorable ending.

• Zoë Kravitz: The Batman (2022)

The most recent cinematic Catwoman, Zoë Kravitz’s portrayal in Matt Reeves’ neo-noir epic is heavily influenced by the Batman: Year One comic. Her Selina Kyle is a street-smart, tough, and fiercely loyal nightclub waitress and burglar. The film explores her backstory, her connection to the criminal underworld, and her motivation as a vigilante seeking justice for her friends, establishing a deep, grounded relationship with Robert Pattinson’s Batman.

The Evolution of the Catsuit: From Camp to Neo-Noir Realism

Catwoman’s iconic catsuit is arguably the most recognizable costume in comic book history, and its cinematic evolution mirrors the changing sensibilities of the films themselves. Each iteration of the suit reflects the era’s approach to the character’s morality and sexuality.

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The 1966 catsuit worn by Lee Meriwether was a shimmering, gold-accented, full-body suit with a simple, cowl-like mask and cat ears. It was a playful, theatrical design that perfectly matched the pop-art aesthetic of the Batman TV series. The look was more about spectacle than practicality.

Michelle Pfeiffer's Batman Returns (1992) suit represented a dramatic shift. It was a distressed, stitched-together, black vinyl masterpiece, symbolizing her character's psychological breakdown and rebirth. The exposed stitching and sharp claws gave her a dangerous, anarchic edge, making it one of the most provocative and enduring looks.

The Halle Berry (2004) costume was the most controversial. Featuring an open-front leather bra and low-slung pants, it prioritized overt sexuality over the character's traditional stealth and mystery. The design was widely criticized for moving too far away from the classic comic book aesthetic and Selina Kyle's grounded nature.

Anne Hathaway’s look in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) was the most functional and realistic. Her costume was essentially high-tech, reinforced black tactical gear. The famous "ears" were simply her high-tech night-vision goggles flipped up, giving the appearance of cat ears, which was a clever way to ground the fantastical element in Christopher Nolan's realistic universe.

Finally, Zoë Kravitz’s The Batman (2022) catsuit is a blend of realism and comics accuracy, heavily referencing the *Year One* look. Her early "costume" is a practical, DIY leather outfit with a simple, functional mask and pointed ears. This utilitarian design emphasizes her role as a working-class vigilante, a woman fighting for her community in the dark, crime-ridden alleys of Gotham.

The Future of Selina Kyle: The Batman Sequel and Unconfirmed Rumors

The story of Catwoman on the big screen is far from over. Zoë Kravitz’s critically acclaimed performance has set the stage for a continuation of her story, and the buzz around the character remains incredibly high.

The Matt Reeves Universe: The ending of The Batman saw Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne part ways, with Selina heading to Blüdhaven, but the door was left wide open for her return. It is highly anticipated that Kravitz will reprise her role in the upcoming sequel, The Batman Part II (expected 2025), further exploring the intense, complex, and often adversarial romantic dynamic between the two vigilantes. Her character's anti-hero morality—her willingness to cross lines that Batman won't—is a perfect dramatic foil for the next chapter of the saga.

The Return of Hathaway? In a surprising twist, Anne Hathaway has publicly expressed interest in returning to the role of Catwoman, even suggesting a small cameo in a future DC Comics movie. While *The Dark Knight Rises* provided a definitive conclusion to her story, the possibility of a Multiverse appearance or a brief return remains a tantalizing "what if" for fans of Nolan's trilogy.

Addressing the Rumors: Online speculation has recently centered on a rumored standalone film, sometimes titled Catwoman (2025), with actress Sydney Sweeney being fan-cast in the role. It is important to note that videos and trailers promoting this concept are currently fan-made or conceptual and there is no official confirmation from Warner Bros. or DC Studios regarding a new, separate Catwoman film or Sweeney's casting. This buzz, however, underscores the character's enduring popularity and the constant desire for new interpretations.

Catwoman’s journey through cinema is a testament to her versatility. Whether she is a campy villainess, a tragic figure of vengeance, a pragmatic thief, or a grounded street fighter, Selina Kyle continues to evolve, ensuring she will remain one of the most compelling and essential figures in the superhero movie landscape for decades to come.