The TOP 13 BATMAN ’66 Episodes Ever — RANKED

It’s the anniversary of the show’s premiere…

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UPDATED 1/12/24: The 1966 Batman TV show premiered 58 years ago! This year, we bring you not only our annual presentation of THE TOP 13 BATMAN ’66 EPISODES — RANKED, but also 13 BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL BATMAN ’66 MOLLS (click here). The intro to the countdown below was written in anticipation of the show’s 50th anniversary in 2016 but it holds up just as well today. Dig it. — Dan

When I started doing this website in 2013, I knew I was going to write about Batman ’66. I just didn’t realize how much. Since then, we’ve already had, I think, three BATMAN ’66 WEEK celebrations, not to mention contests, podcast discussions, a broad variety of feature stories, as well as rides in the Batcopter and Batmobile. I’ve spoken at length with writers and artists and sculptors and superfans and merchandisers and reviewed a Batcave’s worth of Batswag.

Most importantly, I’ve had the joy of interviewing Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar.

Hey, they're making an announcement!

Hey, they’re making an announcement!

I love doing this. But with the 50th anniversary looming, I tried to think of something I haven’t done yet. And then I realized that I’ve never ranked my favorite episodes. I generally don’t do that sort of thing but I really wanted to celebrate the best of the best of the show.

So over 13 days, starting 12/31, we’re going to count down from 13 to 1, with that top choice publishing on 1/12/16 — the 50th anniversary of the show’s debut. I’m sure a lot of you will agree with my choices, just as I’m sure even more of you will disagree. So bring on those comments.

To the Batcave! Click the links below for features on each episode!

13. True or False Face/Holy Rat Race

12. Green Ice/Deep Freeze

11. The Wail of the Siren

10. That Darn Catwoman/Scat! Darn Catwoman

9. A Piece of the Action/Batman’s Satisfaction

8. Surf’s Up! Joker’s Under!

7. The Contaminated Cowl/The Mad Hatter Runs Afoul

6. Instant Freeze/Rats Like Cheese

5. Pop Goes the Joker/Flop Goes the Joker

4. Fine Feathered Finks/The Penguin’s a Jinx

3. The Joker Goes to School/He Meets His Match, the Grisly Ghoul

2. Hi Diddle Riddle/Smack in the Middle

1. The Purr-fect Crime/Better Luck Next Time

MORE

— 13 Bold and Beautiful BATMAN ’66 Molls. Click here.

— ADAM WEST Reveals His BATMAN ’66 Guest-Star Wish List. Click here.

Author: Dan Greenfield

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17 Comments

  1. As a lifelong fan of the batman tv series i couldn’t agree with you more I’m eager to see you’re choices on the top 13 episodes personally I’d put all of the riddlers episodes first lol thanks for the awesome post

    Post a Reply
    • I also completely agree with your listing, these are all excellent episodes.
      The Purr-fect Crime/Better Luck Next Time episodes would also top my list!

      Post a Reply
    • How could they leave off the introduction of Yvonne Craig as Batgirl?

      Post a Reply
      • A good episode and one I considered, for sure. But it’s more notable for being a first than being her best. She’s great, naturally, but Batgirl has a number of better episodes.

        Post a Reply
  2. This sounds exciting, Dan. Looking forward to reading your favorites. I’d also be interested in a Then-and-now type approach. When I was a kid, I hated the episodes with the secondary villains – but now, as a middle aged guy, they seem to be amongst my favorites.

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  3. Did you know that the actor who played Alfred the butler in the TV series was a Brummie from Harborne in Birmingham Alan Napier?

    Post a Reply
  4. What the heck happened to the classic 3 part ZODIAC CRIME. It featured Joker, Penquine, and Terry Moore as Venus with her fine self.

    Post a Reply
    • Almost made it. A childhood favorite, to be sure. But watching it now, the three-episode length actually works against it. There’s some flab and a lot of the jokes fall flat. Still, it was under heavy consideration because there’s a lot to love about it — especially the two deathtraps.

      Post a Reply
      • Great list! But if I were doing it, I would have included the episodes with Liberace as the (double) guest villain(s).

        Post a Reply
  5. I really need to re-watch these episodes, but it seems like there should be more than one Riddler episode in the top 13. After all, when it comes to Batman villains, there’s Frank Gorshin and there’s everybody else. Still, these are all great choices. I love that you even included the surfing episode! 🙂

    Post a Reply

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