3) “… A Dark Knight” – The Dark Knight
What we really love Batman for though, even more than his physical prowess, is his heroic spirit. This man will do anything to protect his city. Even, as the moving final scene of The Dark Knight proves, sacrificing his own freedom and reputation.
You all know how it goes. In order to preserve Harvey Dent’s heroic image, Batman persuades Gordon to blame Two-Face’s murder spree on him. As Batman is chased away by GCPD and their dogs, it looks like this is the end of the hero forever. Cue what is now one of the most famous Batman movie quotes: “He’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now…”
In part a killer cliffhanger that we couldn’t wait to see resolved in The Dark Knight Rises, in part a perfect summation of just what makes Batman so amazing, this scene is the greatest ending of a Batman movie to date (and also the ending of the greatest Batman film ever made).