Complete List of Batman Movies in Release Order
The Batman film franchise spans multiple studios and eras, beginning with the 1966 Columbia Pictures release starring Adam West. Warner Bros. Pictures has produced the majority of modern Batman films through its DC Studios division, with the latest installment, The Batman, released in 2022 and directed by Matt Reeves. The complete list of Batman movies in order includes the 1966 Batman: The Movie, Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Batman & Robin (1997), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), and Batman (2022). These films have collectively generated over $6 billion in global box office revenue according to Box Office Mojo. The franchise is currently being rebooted under DC Studios with new projects announced by CEO James Gunn and co-CEO Peter Safran.
Streaming availability for the Batman film series has expanded across major platforms, with Max (formerly HBO Max) serving as the primary home for Warner Bros. DC content. The 1966 Batman film and the Tim Burton-era films have appeared on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV for digital rental or purchase. The Dark Knight trilogy remains available for streaming and purchase through Warner Bros. Discovery platforms and digital storefronts. The 2022 film The Batman is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and has been available on Max following its theatrical window. For current licensing details and platform availability, refer to the official Warner Bros. Discovery streaming page.
Batman Films by Actor and Director
Adam West Era
The 1966 Batman film, produced by 20th Century Fox and directed by Leslie H. Martinson, introduced the campy Adam West version of the character to theaters. The film was based on the ABC television series and featured Burt Ward as Robin. It was a commercial success, earning $40 million at the box office against a $1.5 million budget. The film's style and tone differ significantly from later darker interpretations of the character.
Tim Burton Era
Warner Bros. Pictures released Batman in 1989, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film grossed $411 million worldwide and featured Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Batman Returns (1992) continued with Danny DeVito as Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman. Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) shifted toward a lighter tone under director Joel Schumacher, starring Val Kilmer and George Clooney respectively. The Burton-era films collectively earned over $1.2 billion in global box office.
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy
The Dark Knight Trilogy Overview
Christopher Nolan directed a grounded, realistic trilogy for Warner Bros. Pictures, beginning with Batman Begins (2005). The trilogy stars Christian Bale as Batman, with supporting roles by Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman. Batman Begins grossed $373 million worldwide and was followed by The Dark Knight (2008), which earned over $1 billion globally and became the highest-grossing Batman film at the time. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) concluded the trilogy with $1.08 billion in worldwide receipts. The trilogy is widely regarded as a defining interpretation of the character and has influenced subsequent DC film projects.
Box Office and Production Details
The Dark Knight trilogy had a combined production budget of approximately $330 million and generated over $2.4 billion in global box office revenue. The Dark Knight (20