The best Batman movies: 9 essential films, from 1966 to The Batman
The best Batman movies in release order, from the 1966 film and Tim Burton's Batman to The Dark Knight, the Lego Batman Movie and The Batman, with what makes each one essential.
Batman has hit the big screen in comedies, gothic fantasies, crime epics and animation. This list gathers nine essential Batman movies in release order, with posters, and tells you what makes each one worth watching.
How we chose
This is not a numbered ranking. We chose nine Batman films by critical reception, box office, awards and influence, across live action and animation, and listed them in release order.
Batman: The Movie (1966)
Adam West and Burt Ward in the colorful film version of the 1960s TV series. A playful, campy take on the Caped Crusader.
Batman (1989)
Tim Burton's gothic Gotham, with Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker.
Batman Returns (1992)
A darker, stranger sequel, with Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as the Penguin.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
An animated film for theaters, made from Batman: The Animated Series, with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman. Loved for its emotional story.
Batman Begins (2005)
Christopher Nolan's realistic origin story, with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Heath Ledger's Joker steals the film, and won him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Nolan's trilogy comes to an end, with Tom Hardy as the villain Bane.
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
A funny animated adventure, with Will Arnett as a lonely, overconfident Batman.
The Batman (2022)
Matt Reeves' noir detective story, with Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Paul Dano.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Batman movies?
Most critics and fans point to The Dark Knight, Batman Begins and The Batman, and Batman (1989) and Mask of the Phantasm are also among the favorites.
Which Batman movie should I watch first?
Start with Batman Begins for the origin, The Dark Knight for the best-known film or Batman (1989) for the classic gothic look.
In what order should I watch the Batman movies?
Release order works well. Christopher Nolan's films are one story in three parts: Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. The Batman (2022) is a separate story.
Rate these movies
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own lists.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
