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Movies & TV

22nd Mar 2016

21 movie rivalries that would inspire Batman and Superman to beat the heads off each other

Paul Moore

The best of enemies?

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is set to be an absolute smash-hit at the box-office as two of the most iconic characters in movie history go toe-to-toe, but the question remains, where will your loyalties lie?

Can Krypton’s most famous son prevail against the world’s best detective? Or will The Dark Knight crush the Man of Steel? Would you prefer to have Superman’s ability to fly or the Batmobile?

They’re both incredibly cool, but there’s no denying that this is going to be a superhero smackdown like no other.

With this in mind, here are some other memorable movie rivalries and a few lines about what made them so special.

Biff Tannen v Marty McFly (Back To The Future films)

Classic clash: It’s the eternal contest, a high school bully that revels in his status as a jerk against a slacker that’s effortlessly cool.

Most memorable moment: This still makes anyone watching BTTF perform a mini fist bump.

Biff shit

Happy Gilmore v Shooter McGavin (Happy Gilmore)

Classic clash: We’re fairly certain that neither Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus threatened anyone on the golf course the way these guys did.

Most memorable moment: “Go eat some hay, make things out of clay or lay by the bay”.

Clip via Movieclips

Andy Dufresne v Warden Norton (The Shawshank Redemption)

Classic clash: It’s polar opposites. Hope v despair, decency v greed, honesty v lies. Don’t be so obtuse.

Most memorable moment: Let’s go for a happy one. The moment when the penny finally drops for one of cinemas greatest ever villains. Andy did vanish like a fart in the wind though.

NortonOld School v The Dean

Classic clash: Ever since Mitch, Beanie and Frank the Tank locked Dean Pritchard in that dumpster, he’s had it in for them.

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeese!

Most memorable moment: God bless Frank because he really did put his body on the line for the cause. We wonder if his skin grew back though?

DeanAnakin Skywalker v Obi Wan Kenobi (The Star Wars films)

Classic clash: This one is only a minor scuffle. It’s not like the entire fate of the galaxy rests on these two Jedis getting along. Oh wait…

Most memorable moment: The circle is now complete.

EvilObi

Alfred Borden v Robert Angier (The Prestige)

Classic clash: The Prestige is like the eternal Messi v Ronaldo debate.

Both men are magical and inspired the other to do great things, but we don’t quite see the exact same ‘watery ending’ in store for the Real Madrid or Barcelona stars though.

Most memorable moment: Breaking point.prestige

Harry Potter v Lord Voldemort (The Harry Potter films)

Classic clash: This has been the most famous incarnation of good v evil in recent years, despite the fact that they’re both cut from the same cloth, horcruxicly speaking of course.

Yep, we just invented that word. Horcruxicly.

Most memorable moment: After three films that established the wizarding world and the rivalry between ‘He Who Must Not Be Named’ and ‘The Boy Who Lived’, their very first meeting in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was more than just a little bit special.

Goblet

John McClane v Hans Gruber (Die Hard)

Classic clash: The much-missed Alan Rickman could also be included on this list for his incredible portrayal of the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, but there’s a reason why Hans Gruber remains the most exceptional thief in film.

Most memorable moment: Yippe ki-yay!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEOVNmSR7_c

Clip via Movie Moments You Love

Dutch v Predator (Predator)

Classic clash: A superb intergalactic fight that’s governed by a strict set of rules which makes this rumble in the jungle seem strangely noble.

Most memorable moment: There’s a brief moment of respect between both warriors before the Predator tries to exact a fiery revenge.

Predator Arnie

Kevin v Buzz (The Home Alone films)

Classic clash: Most of us will have a sibling rivalry, but there’s something truly wonderful about how much of a jerk Buzz is to his little brother.

That scene when he deliberately eats Kevin’s pizza or his delivery of the word “phlegm-wad” is enough to get this guy on the list ahead of the Wet Bandits. We’ve a feeling that these two brothers still probably hate each other.

Most memorable moment: It could only be this.Buzz

The Goonies v The Fratellis (The Goonies)

Classic clash: Jerk alert! Thank god for Chunk’s incredibly strange friendship with Sloth to smooth things over between both groups.

Most memorable moment: It’s impossible not to laugh at this.

Or this…

Clips via Steam Pictures and dominooo385

Maverick v Iceman (Top Gun)

Classic clash: Who would you want as your wingman in the dangerzone? The cool, calm and calculated Iceman or the unpredictable, wild and roguish Maverick?

The answer is actually Goose. Great balls of fire.

Most memorable moment: Awwwwww!

Top Gun hug gif

Roy Munson v Ernie McCracken (Kingpin)

Classic clash: Despite Big Ern being an absolute jerk who puts sugar in Roy’s gas tank, causes him to lose an arm and ruins Munson’s entire life, it’s almost impossible not to root for him in Kingpin. After all, he’s above the law.

Most memorable moment: Bill Murray at his very best.

Clip via reb21286

Tyler Durden v Himself (Fight Club)

Classic clash: “It’s only after we’ve lost everything that we’re free to do anything”.

Most memorable moment: Where is my mind?

Tyler

Batman v The Joker (The Batman films)

Classic clash: “This is what happens when an unstoppable force… meets an immovable object”.

Most memorable moment: What else could it be?

Clip via brucebale1

Michael Corleone v Fredo Corleone (The Godfather films)

Classic clash: The most famous fratricide since the bible and it all ended with a kiss.

Most memorable moment: The most heartbreaking moment since the increase in the price of Freddo bars.

Fredo

Maximus Decimus Meridius v Commodus (Gladiator)

Classic clash: Polar opposites collide in Ridley Scott’s incredible swords and sandals epic. Commodus is sniveling, maniacal and utterly devious, while Maximus couldn’t be any different.

Most memorable moment: Joaquin Phoenix looks like he has seen a ghost.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7ghfcA-P1M

Clip via MastaUliazz15

Godzilla v Kong (The Godzilla and King Kong films)

Classic clash: Why use words to settle any argument when you can see two monsters beat the living hell out of each other?

Most memorable moment: We’re itching to see some of this in the upcoming film.

KingKongLt. Vincent Hanna v Neil McCauley (Heat)

Classic clash: Two codes of honour that are fiercely respected by the other man. Still though, “I do what I do best; I take scores, you do what you do best; try to stop guys like me”.

Most memorable moment: Heat delivered the scene that the entire world was waiting for.

Clip via Rob Rash

Ducks v Hawks (The Mighty Ducks)

Classic clash: Sport is the domain of great rivalries, but who doesn’t love a good underdog story?

Most memorable moment: Ducks fly together.

Quack

Rocky v Apollo Creed (The Rocky films)

Classic clash: Friends/enemies, love/hatred, rivals/reliant, champ/contender, life and death.

Most memorable moment: What else could it be?

Clip via carmine matarazzo

With all this tension, conflict and rivalry in the air, who else can’t wait to see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice?

We’ve got good news then, because it’s released in Irish cinemas on 25 March.

Clip via Warner Bros. Pictures

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