Catwoman is one of Batman’s most enduring foes and love interests. Since making her debut in Batman #1 in 1940, the character of Selina Kyle and her feline alter-ego Catwoman have been brought to life on screen by many talented actresses. Each one has left their mark and interpretation on the iconic role. With so many great performances to choose from, ranking the top Catwoman actresses can be a difficult task.
Ever since the character’s creation, Catwoman has taken on various roles from cunning cat burglar to disciplined hero. She has gone back and forth between being an enemy and an ally to Batman over the years. This complexity has allowed different actresses the opportunity to put their own unique spin on the character. Whether playing her as a villain, hero, or somewhere in between, these top actresses have captured Selina Kyle’s cunning and seductive qualities that make her such a fascinating part of the Batman mythology.
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10. Adrienne Barbeau
The acclaimed ‘Batman: The Animated Series‘ from the early 90s is still considered one of the best interpretations of the character. Selina Kyle’s voice in this version was Adrienne Barbeau. She captured the balance between Kyle’s cunning and flirtatious sides perfectly.
Even when working with Batman as an enemy, Barbeau gave her performance with complexity. Fans still fondly remember her sultry vocals bringing the animated Catwoman to tempting life. She showed mastery in voice acting for the classic cartoon.
9. Laura Bailey
Laura Bailey has proven herself as a versatile voice actress across numerous mediums. In the critically acclaimed ‘Batman: The Telltale Series‘ video game, she brought charm and complexity to the role of Selina Kyle. Players could explore Batman and Catwoman’s evolving relationship throughout the interactive story.
Bailey conveyed Kyle’s confidence and occasional vulnerability perfectly through her vocal delivery alone. She allowed audiences to view Catwoman from different perspectives depending on the choices made. Bailey’s performance helped elevate the character among interactive adaptations.
8. Sanaa Lathan
As a borderline parody animated series, ‘Harley Quinn‘ presented a new humorous take on Catwoman. Providing the voice was the talented Sanaa Lathan. Her Selina Kyle served as a cool and collected leader of Gotham’s criminal underworld. Though more aloof than her canonical counterpart, Lathan imbued her with smug charm.
She played beautifully off of co-stars Kaley Cuoco’s Harley and Lake Bell’s Poison Ivy with impeccable comedic timing. Lathan proved herself as a tour de force in voice acting by grounding an outlandish incarnation of Catwoman with memorable charisma.
7. Grey DeLisle
Grey DeLisle has provided her voice talent to countless animated roles over the years. However, her portrayal of Catwoman in the acclaimed ‘Batman: Arkham‘ video game series stands out as one of her most memorable.
In Arkham City, players can take control of Catwoman for certain missions where DeLisle brings her sultry vocals to the character. She conveys Catwoman’s confidence, wit and playful teasing perfectly. DeLisle returned for the sequel Arkham Knight, showcasing her singing abilities during one scene. Her voice work helped bring the character to thrilling life in the interactive games.
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6. Eartha Kitt
Long before her role in the 1960s Batman series, Eartha Kitt was already an icon. So when she took over the role of Catwoman from Julie Newmar for the show’s third season, she left her paw print. Kitt played the character as a cunning villain, often teaming up with others to take down Batman and Robin.
She brought her own distinctive flair and iconic voice qualities to the role. Kitt’s unforgettable cackle and way with words left audiences howling with her wickedly fun portrayals. She remains one of the most memorable Catwoman of that era.
5. Gina Gershon
While Adrienne Barbeau voiced Catwoman in the acclaimed animated show’s ongoing episodes, Gina Gershon took over for an episode that played out more like a feature film titled ‘Batman: Return of the Joker‘. In it, she voices a post-Joker’s Death incarnation of Catwoman who is more outright villainous than ever before.
Gershon brings the right mix of rebellious spirit and cunning needed for this darker take. Her vocal performance helped make Catwoman a truly formidable foe in the episode. It’s a villainous turn that is hard to forget.
4. Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether
For its first two seasons and the feature film, Julie Newmar owned the role of Catwoman on the classic 1960s Batman TV series. She perfectly captured the playful danger and wit of the character for the show’s campy yet fun tone. Lee Meriwether then took over the role for the film, bringing her own brand of lustful villainy.
Both actresses understood the lighthearted spirit needed to portray the iconic villain for that Era. While their actual scenes may pale in comparison to modern mediums, Newmar and Meriwether established the fun template by which future Catwoman’s would be based.
3. Zoe Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz has proved herself as one of the best live-action Catwoman with her acclaimed turn in ‘The Batman’. Playing a younger Selina Kyle who was closer to the comics, Kravitz impressed with her animalistic grace and mysterious charm. She and Robert Pattinson shared palpable chemistry.
Kravitz also previously voiced an animated version of the character in ‘The Lego Batman Movie‘, showing her versatility with the role from an early stage. Both performances displayed her mastery at portraying Catwoman’s mix of danger and cunning charm. Fans eagerly await to see where she takes the character next.
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2. Anne Hathaway
While playing a more subtle version of Selina Kyle than her comic counterpart, Anne Hathaway brought empathy and complexity to the role in The Dark Knight Rises. Her tour de force transformation from meek employee to confident thief was riveting. Hathaway and Batman star Christian Bale shared undeniable chemistry as well.
She managed to make audiences briefly root for the Cat and Bat’s romance, no easy feat. Hathaway found new shading to this familiar character and proved why she remains one of the all-time best big screen Catwoman’s.
1. Michelle Pfeiffer
For taking the character to gothic new heights and becoming the gold standard for sexy yet deranged femme fatales, Michelle Pfeiffer tops any Catwoman ranking as the absolute best. Her unforgettable cackle and delivery of campy one-liners cemented her terrifying screen presence. Pfeiffer also brought pathos to Selina’s backstory, making her transformation from victim to villainous vixen all the more chilling.
She dominated every scene and became the definitive big-screen Catwoman in the process. It’s telling that nearly 30 years later, Pfeiffer still holds the crown as the best actress to bring Selina Kyle to a terrifying yet enjoyable life.
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