Every Live-Action Riddler Costume, Ranked From Worst to Best in 2026

I have spent way too much time thinking about Edward Nygma's wardrobe. In 2026, with Paul Dano's terrifying take still echoing in my head and Matt Reeves' Bat-universe still unfolding, I decided to rank every live-action Riddler costume from worst to best. The Riddler has always been a showman, a puzzle-obsessed narcissist who wants to be seen. His costumes reflect that. Some are glittery disasters. Some are grim warnings. A few are perfect. Here is my ranking, based on years of rewatching Gotham, The Batman, Batman Forever, and the classic 1966 series.

My Ranking at a Glance 🧩

7. Jim Carrey's Glitter Suit — Batman Forever (1995) 🟢✨

I have to start with the most baffling entry. Jim Carrey's final Riddler costume in Batman Forever is a lot. It boasts no lack of question marks across the entire suit, and then it gets blasted with glitter. The green mask is replaced with something sparkly. This is a character who lived for the performance, and the costume leans all the way into showmanship. I cannot say it is good in a traditional sense, but I can say it is unique and memorable. The iconic staff completes the look. For me, it ranks last because it feels like the suit is shouting over the performance instead of supporting it.

6. John Astin and Frank Gorshin's Original Suit — Batman TV Show (1966) 📺

The Batman TV show saw two actors portray the Riddler. Frank Gorshin took on the part for most of the series and the spin-off film, while John Astin briefly took over. Both used the same costume. It feels a lot like the early source material, with garish colors playing into the cartoonish aesthetic of the show. The classic bowler hat might be missing, but the purple gloves and belt complement the green suit very well. It looks dated now and a bit low budget, but it is certainly faithful to the character. Once again, a question mark walking stick accompanies the look.

5. Cory Michael Smith's Season 3 Suit — Gotham (2017) 🎭

Gotham was designed to show the origin stories of many of Batman's most violent thugs. Cory Michael Smith put in arguably one of the best portrayals of Riddler on screen yet, and his costume evolves throughout the series. The look he largely settled on was a stripped-back version of a modern incarnation. The bowler hat is very much present, and the showmanship of the criminal has been boosted with a variety of question mark canes. While his notable symbols are absent at this stage, the Riddler is dressed well in a green suit accented with black details. The leather gloves give the look a certain edge. He is not the gentleman many would assume him to be at first look.

4. Frank Gorshin's Upgraded Suit — Batman TV Show (1966) 🎩

Frank Gorshin's return to the role allowed for an impressive costume upgrade. The show moved away from the tight attire fans had previously seen the puzzle-maker battle Batman in. Instead, he received a fitted suit tailor-made for the villain's lifestyle. The suit is largely green and comes complete with a bowler hat and no shortage of question marks. The cane is still very much present, although even that is a more detailed version compared to what originally accompanied his wardrobe. It still looks a little cheap compared to something like Gotham, but I appreciate the ambition.

3. Jim Carrey's Basic Suit — Batman Forever (1995) ❓

If audiences are looking for a completely out-there performance complete with quippy quotes and garments that match, then Jim Carrey's take has to be up there with the greats. The costume worked in his favor because the physicality of the actor was emboldened by the simplicity of the design. It is completely wacky but works well. There is no doubting that this is the Riddler, with the red hair, green mask, and question mark covering. It is a lot more comic book accurate than his glitter suit and fits into the grungy world quite well. It is as if he designed this terrible suit in a basement somewhere as he plots his next scheme.

2. Paul Dano's Serial Killer Look — The Batman (2022) 🦇

The Batman put together a kind of Riddler audiences had not seen on screen previously. While there are comic book narratives that play into the serial killer tone Paul Dano's iteration went for, none were quite as terrifying as what was brought against the Dark Knight here. The costume's aesthetic married into that sadistic edge. The greens of Riddler are present, but the slicker suit has been replaced with weighty and clumsy coats and layers that remain consistent with the man beneath the mask. Indeed, the mask and gloves, accompanied by the use of tape, all add to the scary notion that this is a monster hiding in plain view of Gotham. In 2026, this remains the most unsettling live-action Riddler I have seen.

1. Gotham's Final Riddler Suit — Gotham (2019) 🏆

When I look at what has been achieved on the page with the character and try to find a costume that sums that up, Gotham's final version of Riddler has to be the strongest. While Jim Carrey wore a suit somewhat similar to this, the TV version is a notch above. It is whimsical and wacky, but still somehow slick and smart. The performer within the character combines with the intelligent gentleman he wants to show the world he is. There are greens and blacks like the earlier Riddler suits, but the question marks are in full force here, complete with every needed detail from the hat to the cane. Some glittery trousers even pay homage to past looks, while the overall feel manages to perfectly fit the endgame Gotham was looking for. This is the quintessential Riddler attire.

What This Ranking Says About the Riddler in 2026 🧠

I love that the Riddler cannot be pinned down. His costume changes with every era, every tone, and every actor. The 1966 suit is a cartoon. The Batman Forever suits are a fever dream. Gotham gives us a slow evolution from forensic nerd to kingpin. The Batman strips away the showmanship and leaves a nightmare in a hood. For me, the best Riddler costume has to balance all of those ideas: the clown, the genius, the criminal, and the peacock. As of 2026, no live-action Riddler costume has topped Gotham's final look. Paul Dano came close with pure dread. If a new film tries again, I hope it remembers that the Riddler's costume should be a clue, a joke, and a threat all at once.