So, you're ready to jump into the wild, colorful, and sometimes dark world of Harley Quinn and the Joker? It's a very exciting decision, honestly. These two characters, with their chaotic yet somehow magnetic connection, have really captured a lot of people's attention over the years. You might be wondering, though, how exactly do you watch their stories unfold on the big screen? It's a good question, as their appearances can seem a bit scattered across different films.
Well, if you're looking to get things straight about the **joker and harley quinn movies in order**, you've come to the right place. We're going to make things clearer for you, laying out the best ways to experience their adventures. From Harley's first big splash to the Joker's compelling origin, we'll cover all the films where these two very well-known figures show up. This post, you know, is presenting the viewing orders for all of the movies that feature Harley Quinn, and some that focus just on the Joker too.
Getting the right order can really make a difference in how you understand their complex relationship and individual journeys. We'll look at both the release order, which is often the simplest way to watch anything, and a chronological path, for those who prefer to see events unfold in story time. So, if you're looking to get to know the Batman universe through these two, or just want to make sense of it all, here's how to watch their adventures, basically.
Table of Contents
- Harley Quinn: A Character Who Grew
- The Joker: A Mind That Breaks
- Movies Where Harley Quinn Takes Center Stage
- Movies That Focus on the Joker
- How to Watch Joker and Harley Quinn Movies in Order
- Where to Find These Films
- Frequently Asked Questions
Harley Quinn: A Character Who Grew
Harley Quinn, you know, has really grown into one of the most well-known characters in the DC universe. She started out in the animated series, and from there, her popularity just soared. People seem to love her unique mix of humor, unpredictability, and, well, her very distinct style. She's a character who, in a way, represents a certain kind of freedom from rules, which is rather appealing to many.
Her story often revolves around her complex ties to the Joker, but also her own path to becoming an independent figure. She's been a villain, a sidekick, and sometimes, even a sort of anti-hero. This article, in some respects, hopes to make things clearer about the Harley Quinn movie order to help fans, whether they are new or have been following her for a while, find their way through her appearances on film. It's quite a journey she takes, really.
The Joker: A Mind That Breaks
The Joker, you know, is a supervillain and the main enemy of Batman. He first showed up in Batman #1 back in the spring of 1940. He was originally, basically, a very clever bad guy with a rather devious sense of humor. His character has been shown in many different ways over the years, but he always brings a sense of unpredictable danger.
Joaquin Phoenix, as a matter of fact, stars as this well-known comic book villain in a specific origin story that earned him his first Oscar for best actor. This film explores Arthur Fleck, a man played in a way that sticks with you by Joaquin Phoenix, who is having a hard time finding his way in Gotham's broken society. He's a failed comedian who begins a slow path into madness, becoming a criminal mastermind. The exploration of Arthur Fleck, you know, is of a man struggling with his life.
Movies Where Harley Quinn Takes Center Stage
If you are ready to watch movies featuring Harley Quinn, this is a very good order to watch them, especially her main appearances. These films give you a look at her journey, from her beginnings as the Joker's girlfriend to her own adventures.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Suicide Squad (2016), honestly, is the first movie with Harley Quinn in it. In this film, she's introduced as a very wild and unpredictable member of a team of supervillains put together by a government agency. She's still very much connected to the Joker here, and their intense, somewhat unhealthy relationship is a big part of her story in this movie. It's where we first see Margot Robbie's portrayal of the character, which many people really liked. This movie, you know, sets the stage for her later solo adventures.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020)
After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn, in this film, joins up with other female heroes like Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya. They team up to save a young girl from a very bad crime lord. This movie, you know, is all about Harley finding her own way after her breakup. It's a rather colorful and action-packed story that lets her shine on her own, showing her trying to figure out who she is without the Joker. It's basically a big step for her character, seeing her stand on her own two feet.
The Suicide Squad (2021)
Harley Quinn returns in The Suicide Squad (2021), a sort of standalone sequel that brings back some characters from the first film but tells a brand new story. She's part of another team of villains sent on a very dangerous mission to a remote island. In this movie, she's still very much herself, chaotic and funny, but also shows a bit more growth. It's a different kind of adventure for her, with a new director bringing a fresh take on the team. This film, you know, lets her have some really memorable moments.
Movies That Focus on the Joker
While the Joker often appears alongside Batman or Harley, he also has his own films that explore his character in depth. These movies tend to be more focused on his origin and the reasons behind his descent into madness.
Joker (2019)
Joker (2019), you know, is a very different kind of movie. It tells the story of Arthur Fleck, a struggling comedian who, over time, becomes the Joker. This film, basically, looks at how society and personal struggles can push someone to their breaking point. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Arthur is very intense and earned him a lot of praise. It's a dark and thought-provoking movie that gives a possible origin for Batman's main enemy. You can watch Joker on HBO Max, too.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
With a new sequel coming in 2024, there's another Joker story on the way. The teaser trailer for "Joker: Folie à Deux" is here, and it looks like a very interesting follow-up. This film, you know, introduces Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga, who becomes a key person in Arthur's life. She might even make his mental state worse, in a way. It explores ideas of love and who you are. This movie, you know, will likely be a musical, which is a rather unique choice for these characters. It's got Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, and Brendan Gleeson, among others.
How to Watch Joker and Harley Quinn Movies in Order
When it comes to watching these films, you have a couple of main choices. Both release order and chronological order have their own benefits. It really depends on what kind of viewing experience you prefer.
Watching by Release Date: The Usual Way
Many people, you know, say that release order is always the best way to watch anything. This approach lets you see how the characters and their stories developed over time, just as audiences first experienced them. It's a very straightforward way to go about it.
Here’s the list of **joker and harley quinn movies in order** by their original release date:
- Suicide Squad (2016): This is where we first meet Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. It sets up her initial connection to the Joker.
- Joker (2019): This film tells Arthur Fleck's story, before he becomes the Joker we know. It's a standalone film, not directly connected to the other movies in terms of story continuity, but it's a very important look at the character.
- Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020): This one shows Harley after she's broken up with the Joker, finding her own path.
- The Suicide Squad (2021): Harley Quinn returns for another mission with a new team.
- Joker: Folie à Deux (2024): This upcoming movie continues Arthur Fleck's story and introduces Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn within that specific universe.
This order, you know, lets you see the characters as they were introduced to the wider audience. It's a pretty natural progression.
Watching by Story Time: A Different Approach
If you prefer to see events unfold in the order they happen in the story, even if the movies were released at different times, a chronological order might be for you. However, it's important to remember that the Joker (2019) film and its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux (2024), exist in their own separate world, not directly connected to the movies where Margot Robbie plays Harley Quinn. So, you're basically looking at two different timelines.
For a story-based approach, you could consider this:
Timeline 1: The Arthur Fleck/Joaquin Phoenix Joker Universe
- Joker (2019): This is where Arthur Fleck's story begins, leading to his transformation.
- Joker: Folie à Deux (2024): This movie continues Arthur's story and introduces his version of Harley Quinn.
Timeline 2: The Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) Universe
- Suicide Squad (2016): This is Harley's first appearance in this particular film series, showing her still tied to the Joker.
- Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) (2020): This movie picks up after her breakup with the Joker.
- The Suicide Squad (2021): Harley is on another mission, continuing her journey.
This way, you know, you can follow each character's story in its own flow. It's a bit more complex, but some people really like seeing things this way.
Where to Find These Films
You can find out how and where to stream every Harley Quinn movie and TV show online by looking up the list on various streaming platforms. The films, you know, are usually available to stream online across a variety of services. You might need different subscriptions for each one, or you could rent or buy them digitally. For instance, Joker (2019) was available on HBO Max, which is pretty common for Warner Bros. films. You can also find offers to stream, buy, or rent these movies online in many places, which is rather convenient.
To learn more about the broader DC universe and its characters, you might want to explore more about DC Comics on our site. It's a very big world with many stories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all the Harley Quinn movies connected?
Yes, actually, the three movies starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn — Suicide Squad (2016), Birds of Prey (2020), and The Suicide Squad (2021) — are connected and belong to the same story world. They follow her journey through different phases of her life. The Joker (2019) and its upcoming sequel are, you know, in their own separate story world.
Do I need to watch Batman movies to understand the Joker and Harley Quinn films?
Not really, you know, for the specific films mentioned here. While the Joker is Batman's main enemy, the Joker (2019) is an origin story that stands alone. The Harley Quinn movies focus on her and her teams, so you don't need a lot of Batman background to follow them. If you want to get to know the Batman universe, though, I highly recommend watching Batman: The Animated Series.
Is Lady Gaga playing the same Harley Quinn as Margot Robbie?
No, basically. Lady Gaga will be playing Harley Quinn in "Joker: Folie à Deux," which is a sequel to the 2019 "Joker" movie. That film exists in its own distinct universe. Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn is part of a different set of DC films. So, they are, you know, different versions of the character for different stories.
