Batman , the Dark Knight , Bruce Wayne , the Caped Crusader — for a character with so many aliases , it ’s only fair that a range of Batman picture is uncommitted for fan of all ages to enjoy .
From the edge - of - your - seat natural action of the Dark Knight trilogy and the self - cognisant hilarity of " The Lego Batman Movie , " to the camp ' 60s Adam West flick and the iconic animate serial publication , there ’s no shortage of Batman movies and animated motion picture to go around .
So what ’s the best way to watch Batman movies in rules of order ? With so many choice , you may begin anywhere ; however , most hardcore " squash racket - fans " advocate get down with Tim Burton ’s 1989 " Batman " before keep through chronologically .
That ’s a lot of picture show though . If you need a refresher , here are all the Batman movies in order of release date , with a bonus list of animated Batman picture for kinfolk movie nights . Then we ’ll talk a niggling about each Batman movie , in case you want to skim a few or just watch one or two of your dearie .
Batman Films in Order of Release Date
The Tim Burton Films
The Joel Schumacher Films
The Christopher Nolan Films, AKA the Dark Knight Trilogy
The DC Extended Universe
Matt Reeves' Batman
Animated Batman Movies In Order
“Batman” (1989)
The first Tim Burton " Batman " flick stars Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader and Jack Nicholson as his maniac prankish - nemesis , the Joker . This is the best place to start as a new initiate to the creation because Michael Keaton ’s " Batman " sets the gold standard for superhero films to number , and Tim Burton ’s gothic aesthetical and neo - noir styling of Gotham City is dazzling .
“Batman Returns” (1992)
Michael Keaton don the mantle and cowl once more in " Batman Returns , " as he face off with seductive Selina Kyle , aka Catwoman , played by Michelle Pfeiffer , and Danny Devito as the psychopathic politician , Penguin . Michelle Pfeiffer and Danny Devito provide quintessential performance as outcasted antagonist for this last Burton Batman blockbuster . Fair warning : " Batman Returns " may not be the right Batman film for the kiddos .
“Batman Forever” (1995)
After Warner Bros. received considerable recoil from Burton ’s macabre portrayal of Gotham City , the studio apartment decided to rebrand with a mainstream approach with their next few Batman movie . come in the " bright horse , " Val Kilmer . In " Batman Forever , " Bruce Wayne is joined by an orphan male child - wonder , Dick Grayson , played by Chris O’Donnell . The acrobatic brother provides a youthful flair and more than a few speculative paronomasia . Jim Carrey , in his over - the - top , comedic take on the Riddler , and Tommy Lee Jones as Two - Face , squad up to foot the flyer for Big Bads in this wild drive . Although Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones suffered a few offscreen disputes , their onscreen chemistry added some energy to the mid-90s interpretation of Batman & Robin .
“Batman & Robin” (1997)
" Batman & Robin " is the final installment with Joel Schumacher at the helm and one that die - strong fan will never let him last down . George Clooney plays Batman alongside Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone , who take on the roles of Robin and Batgirl . The trio battle a menagerie ofzany villain , include Poison Ivy and Dr. Freeze , played by Uma Thurman and Arnold Schwarzenegger , severally . A convoluted secret plan , bizarre artistic choice ( a bat courting with anatomical nipples ? 30 - something Chris O’Donnell act Robin ? ) , and Arnold Schwarzenegger return unforgiving winter - ground puns forced Warner Bros. Studios to put the franchise on ice for nearly a decade . If you ’re shortsighted on time to watch over the Batman film in order , out of all the movies on this list , this is the one to skip .
“The Dark Knight Trilogy”
“Batman Begins” (2005)
Director Christopher Nolan drive the helm for this much - needed reboot of the Batman franchise , and Christian Bale becomes the quintessential Bruce Wayne . Unlike other superhero movies that briefly touch on blood line stories , " Batman Begins " gives a deeper insight into our hero ’s journey . This Batman plastic film begins with vernal Bruce Wayne , a spoiled billionaire orphan who chooses to forget Gotham and the sorrow of his parents ' death behind to train with Ra ’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows . Batman returns with his martial arts prowess , pecker of magic trick , and some incredible tech from Wayne Enterprises to become a symbol of justice in a corrupt city .
“The Dark Knight” (2008)
If you couldonly watch oneBatman movie , this should be it ! The 2d episode of music director Christopher Nolan ’s trilogy render when it introduces the most iconic villain in the Batman cinema series : the Joker , played by the late Heath Ledger . This critically acclaim movie is stun from start to finish and stands as one of the nifty superhero movies ever made . Although Heath Ledger tragically pass shortly after filming , he won a posthumous Academy Award for his groundbreaking carrying into action .
“The Dark Knight Rises” (2012)
The terminal moving picture in the Dark Knight trilogy open on a sober note with Christian Bale play an older Bruce Wayne , living a lonesome , secluded life sentence , while the metropolis ’s elite group enjoys their fourth dimension of proportional peace . However , a tempest is coming in the form of another cloak member of the League of Shadows , Bane , trifle by Tom Hardy . " The Dark Knight Rises " match the contuse - and - buffet Bruce Wayne against this formidable foe , but he ’s not alone . Noble citizens like Gary Oldman ’s Commissioner Gordon and Joseph Gordon - Levitt ’s inquisitive pig , John Blake , join the battle to save their city from destruction .
DC Extended Universe (DCEU)
“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
“Zack Snyder’s Justice League” (2021)
The first press release date of " Justice League " was 2017 . helm by director Josh Whedon from the Marvel Cinematic Universe , the original version meet sundry critique and recoil for commercial-grade motivation trumping an fair reimagining of the hardest - hitting heroes of DC Comics . An overwhelming fan - led petition squeeze Warner Bros. to release the director ’s cut of " Zack Snyder ’s Justice League " on HBO Max in 2021 . The Snyder Cut allows Ben Affleck ’s Batman to tread into the function of de facto drawing card of the Justice League , a multi-colored crew of supers , admit Gal Gadot ’s Wonder Woman and Jason Momoa ’s Aquaman .
“The Batman” (2022)
Director Matt Reeves provides a sorry and gritty approach to telling the narrative of Bruce Wayne ’s fledgling years of crimefighting in " The Batman . " Robert Pattinson become up to lead an all - virtuoso cast that include Jeffrey Wright as Jim Gordon , Paul Dano as the Riddler , and Zoe Kravitz in the most nuanced Selina Kyle functioning since Michelle Pfeiffer . The dark aesthetic and sadistic cat - and - computer mouse plot is an elegant mixing between graphic novel like the " Killing Joke " and the original detective comics from the ' 40s .
Animated Batman Films
“Batman: Mask of the Phantasm” (1993)
Batman forever reign supreme when you recall the ' ninety Saturday - morning - animated cartoon earned run average , so no list would be terminated adding an animated film that reflects that cereal - and - pj’s nostalgia . However , times change , and parent should be aware that " Batman : Mask of Phantasm " earned its PG military rating in 1993 and present a few more mature themes than your distinctive animated moving-picture show for shaver
“The Lego Batman Movie” (2017)
The Dark Knight returns from his screaming cameos in " The Lego Movie " invigorate films to take his much - deserve spotlight in the Lego creation . " The Lego Batman Movie " is a fantastical , family - friendly flick that provides loads of laughs for kids and parents alike . The Joker , Harley Quinn and all your best-loved Batman buddies are present for this promiscuous - hearted joyride .
“DC League of Super-Pets” (2022)
This Warner Bros instalment of the DC Animated Universe follow the journey of Justice League pets as they band together to preserve their superhero owners . Unlike other Batman film , the emphasis is on the adorable sidekick Super - Pets , sound by Dwayne Johnson , Kevin Hart and Kate McKinnon .
