Film · in order
Batman Movies in Order
Every live-action Batman-led film in release order, spanning three separate continuities: Burton/Schumacher (1989-1997), Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012), and Matt Reeves's The Batman (2022).
Batman Movies in Order โ complete list
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Why this order?
There is no single Batman saga to binge. Across more than three decades, the Caped Crusader has been rebooted from scratch several times, and each version is its own self-contained world with its own Bruce Wayne, its own Gotham, and its own tone. That is why the default here is simple release order: it shows you how the character evolved on screen, from gothic fantasy to grounded crime epic to noir detective story.
The first continuity is the Burton/Schumacher run. Tim Burton's "Batman" (1989) and "Batman Returns" (1992) are stylized, expressionistic, and dark, while Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever" (1995) and "Batman & Robin" (1997) swerve hard into neon camp. These four share a loose continuity but swap actors and aesthetics along the way.
The second is Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy: "Batman Begins" (2005), "The Dark Knight" (2008), and "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012). This is a complete, deliberately closed story with a clear beginning, middle, and end, and it is the one most people mean when they say "watch the Batman trilogy." If you only have one weekend, watch these three in order.
The third continuity is Matt Reeves's "The Batman" (2022) with Robert Pattinson, a rain-soaked detective story that stands entirely apart from everything before it. One important gotcha: Ben Affleck's Batman is not here. He belongs to the shared DCEU ("Batman v Superman," "Justice League") rather than a Batman-led solo film, so head to our DCEU page for those. Animated features and the broader DC Universe reboot are tracked separately too.
Timeline 1989โ2022
Every entry plotted by release year โ see the gaps, clusters and revivals at a glance.
Where to play it today
Affiliate links (Bookshop.org for books, store links for games/films) slot in here.
Cameos & crossovers
Characters from Batman who also show up elsewhere โ see the full character atlas โ
- Batman / Bruce Wayne
The Dark Knight himself โ anchors the live-action films, the Arkham games, and the DCEU's Justice League.
- Joker
Batman's chaos-agent nemesis โ terrorizes the films, haunts the Arkham games, and crashes the DCEU's Suicide Squad.
- Alfred Pennyworth
Bruce Wayne's loyal butler, present across the Batman films, Arkham games, and DCEU.
- Bane
The back-breaking brute who menaces both the live-action films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Catwoman / Selina Kyle
Cat-burglar antiheroine who slinks between the live-action Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Commissioner Gordon
Gotham's honest top cop, a fixture of the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Mr. Freeze / Victor Fries
Cold-hearted scientist villain shared by the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Poison Ivy
Eco-terrorist seductress bridging the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Ra's al Ghul
Immortal League of Assassins leader linking the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Robin
Batman's caped sidekick, appearing in the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Scarecrow / Jonathan Crane
Fear-toxin psychologist who terrorizes the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - The Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot
Umbrella-wielding crime boss appearing in the Batman films and the Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham - The Riddler / Edward Nygma
Puzzle-obsessed villain spanning the Batman films and the Arkham games' trophy hunts.
Also in Batman: Arkham - Two-Face / Harvey Dent
Coin-flipping former DA, scarred villain across the Batman films and Arkham games.
Also in Batman: Arkham
Frequently asked questions
How many Batman movies are there?
This page lists eight live-action, Batman-led theatrical films: four in the Burton/Schumacher series (1989-1997), three in Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012), and The Batman (2022). It excludes Ben Affleck's DCEU appearances and animated features, which are tracked on separate pages.
What order should I watch Batman in?
Watch in release order to follow how the character evolved. But because the films span three unrelated continuities, you can also pick one series and watch it self-contained. If you want a single complete story, watch Nolan's trilogy: Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, then The Dark Knight Rises.
Are the Batman movies all connected?
No. They split into three separate continuities, each with its own Bruce Wayne and Gotham: the Burton/Schumacher run, Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and Matt Reeves's The Batman. You do not need to watch one series to understand another.
Where is Ben Affleck's Batman?
Ben Affleck plays Batman in the DCEU (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League), not in a solo Batman-led film, so those titles live on our DCEU page rather than this one.
Which Batman movie should I watch first?
For most viewers, Batman Begins (2005) is the best entry point. It's a clean origin story that launches Nolan's acclaimed trilogy. If you prefer something modern and standalone, start with The Batman (2022).
Is there a sequel to The Batman (2022)?
Matt Reeves's The Batman is the start of its own continuity, with a sequel in development. As a standalone reboot, it requires no prior viewing and can be watched entirely on its own.
Last updated · Sources: en.wikipedia.org, Wikidata
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