The Definitive Guide to Watching Batman Movies in Order
Batman, the Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne, the Caped Crusader – the character goes by many names, and to ensure fans of all ages can appreciate him, Batman films have come in just as many styles.
From the gritty thrills of The Dark Knight trilogy to the self-aware humor of The Lego Batman Movie, and from the campy antics of Adam West in the '60s to the iconic animated series, there’s a Batman movie or animated film for everyone. You will not be disappointed.
So, how should you watch the Batman movies in order? With so many options, you could really start anywhere; however, most “Bat-fans” recommend starting with Tim Burton’s Batman from 1989 and watching chronologically from there.
That’s a lot of movies to get through. If you need a refresher, here’s a list of all the Batman movies in order of release date, plus a bonus list of animated Batman movies for family movie night. We’ll also give a brief overview of each Batman film so you can skip around or just watch your favorite one or two.
Batman Movies by Release Date:
Tim Burton Films:
- Batman (1989)
- Batman Returns (1992)
Joel Schumacher Films:
- Batman Forever (1995)
- Batman & Robin (1997)
Christopher Nolan Films (aka The Dark Knight Trilogy):
- Batman Begins (2005)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
DC Extended Universe:
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
- Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Matt Reeves’ The Batman:
- The Batman (2022)
Animated Batman Movies in Order:
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
- The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
- DC League of Super-Pets (2022)
Tim Burton’s Vision of Gotham
Batman (1989)
The first Tim Burton Batman film stars Michael Keaton as the caped crusader and Jack Nicholson as his maniacal arch-nemesis, The Joker. This is the best place to start for first-time Batman viewers, as Keaton’s Batman set the standard for superhero films to come, and Burton’s gothic aesthetic and neo-noir take on Gotham City is visually stunning.
Michael Keaton on the set of Tim Burton’s Batman.
Batman Returns (1992)
Keaton dons the cowl once again to face off against the sultry Selina Kyle, a.k.a. Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, and the deranged political figure, Penguin, played by Danny DeVito, in Batman Returns. Pfeiffer and DeVito deliver iconic villain performances in this Burton-directed Batman film. Be warned, however, that Batman Returns may not be suitable for young children.
Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer on the set of Tim Burton’s Batman Returns.
Joel Schumacher’s Take on the Bat
Batman Forever (1995)
After the backlash Warner Bros. received for Burton’s dark take on Gotham, the decision was made to take a more mainstream approach to the next few Batman films. Enter Val Kilmer as the “Bright Knight.” In Batman Forever, Bruce Wayne teams up with orphan Robin, played by Chris O’Donnell, to fight crime. The acrobatic sidekick adds a youthful element to the film, along with plenty of cringe-worthy one-liners. Jim Carrey delivers an over-the-top comedic portrayal of The Riddler, and Tommy Lee Jones plays Two-Face, creating an absurd villainous duo for the film. Despite some behind-the-scenes tension between Carrey and Jones, their on-screen chemistry adds some zest to this mid-90s Batman flick.
Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones as The Riddler and Two-Face in Batman Forever.
Batman & Robin (1997)
Batman & Robin is the final film directed by Joel Schumacher and one that die-hard fans have a hard time forgiving. George Clooney stars as Batman, alongside Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone as Robin and Batgirl. The trio faces off against a cadre of campy villains, including Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze. The convoluted plot, odd artistic choices (Bat-suits with anatomical nipples? Chris O’Donnell as a thirty-something Robin?), and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s constant barrage of ice-related puns led Warner Bros. to put the film series on ice for nearly a decade. If you’re speed-running the Batman movies in chronological order, this is one you can skip.
American actors Alicia Silverstone, George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell on the set of Batman & Robin directed by Joel Schumacher.
The Dark Knight Trilogy
Batman Begins (2005)
Director Christopher Nolan took over the Batman franchise for a much-needed reboot, and Christian Bale became the definitive Bruce Wayne. Unlike other superhero films that briefly gloss over the origin story, Batman Begins delves deep into our hero’s journey. The film opens with a young Bruce Wayne, a spoiled billionaire orphan, choosing to leave Gotham and the pain of his parents’ death behind to train with Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows. Batman returns with his martial arts skills, deceptive gadgets, and some incredible tech from Wayne Enterprises to become a symbol of justice and bring hope to the corrupt city.
The Dark Knight (2008)
If you only watch one Batman movie, make it this one! The second installment in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy introduces the most iconic villain in the Batman film series: The Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger. This critically acclaimed film is stunning from start to finish and is one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. Ledger posthumously won an Academy Award for his groundbreaking performance, though sadly, he passed away shortly after filming.
The late Heath Ledger’s portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight is considered one of the best depictions of a comic book villain of all time.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
In the final installment of “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” director Christopher Nolan returns with Christian Bale as an aged Bruce Wayne, living a reclusive life while the city’s elite enjoy a time of relative peace. However, another masked member of the League of Shadows is coming, Bane, played by Tom Hardy. The Dark Knight Rises pits a weary Bruce Wayne against this powerful foe, but he’s not alone. Upstanding citizens like Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as curious cop John Blake join the fight to save the city from destruction.
“I am Gotham’s reckoning, here to end the borrowed time you all have been living on.”
DC Extended Universe (DCEU)
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Warner Bros. handed over the keys to the Batmobile to Ben Affleck for this Zack Snyder-directed sequel to Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill. Following up on some of the best Batman films like The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises is a tall order, but this film’s disjointed storyline and over-reliance on CGI-heavy scenes have divided fans for years.
Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
In 2021, after years of fan outcry and lobbying, Warner Bros. decided to release director Zack Snyder’s cut of Justice League on HBO Max. The original 2017 premiere, directed by Marvel Cinematic Universe director Joss Whedon, was met with mixed reviews and criticism, with many accusing it of prioritizing commercial motives over a faithful comic book adaptation. Snyder’s Justice League sees Ben Affleck’s Batman as the de facto leader of the Justice League, a superhero lineup that also includes Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman and Jason Momoa as Aquaman.
Matt Reeves’ The Batman
The Batman (2022)
Director Matt Reeves delivers a dark and brooding take on the Batman story. Robert Pattinson dons the Batsuit to lead an all-star cast, including Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon, Paul Dano as The Riddler, and Zoë Kravitz as the most nuanced Catwoman since Michelle Pfeiffer. The film’s dark aesthetic and cat-and-mouse plot are a perfect blend of comics like “The Killing Joke” and the original 1940s Detective Comics.
Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz star alongside an all-star cast in The Batman.
Animated Batman Movies
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
When reminiscing about the Saturday morning cartoon era of the 90s, Batman was always supreme, so no list is complete without including an animated film that reflects that cereal-and-pajamas nostalgia. However, times have changed, and parents should note that Batman: Mask of the Phantasm earned a PG rating in 1993 and presents some more mature themes than your typical children’s animated film.
Time magazine ranked Batman: Mask of the Phantasm as one of the 10 best superhero movies of all time
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
The Dark Knight returns from his hilarious cameo in The Lego Movie series to become the headlining star of the Lego universe. The Lego Batman Movie is a fantastical and family-friendly film that delivers plenty of laughs for kids and parents alike. The Joker, Harley Quinn, and your favorite Batman sidekicks also make an appearance in this lighthearted film.
DC League of Super-Pets (2022)
A part of the Warner Bros. DC animated universe, this film follows the Justice League’s pets as they team up to save their superhero owners. Unlike other Batman films, the focus is on the adorable sidekick super-pets, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Kate McKinnon, among others.
