How to Watch the Batman Movies in Chronological Order

1. Batman (1966)

Inspired by the popular TV series starring Adam West, Batman made his first appearance on the big screen in 1966, with West reprising his role as the iconic superhero. This film featured Batman and his sidekick Robin, played by Burt Ward, as they faced off against an ensemble of villains from the United Underworld, including the Joker (Cesar Romero), Riddler (Frank Gorshin), Penguin (Burgess Meredith), and Catwoman (Lee Meriwether).

Armed with a device that could dehydrate individuals into dust, these adversaries brought a whimsical yet sinister challenge to the Caped Crusader. Unlike the darker iterations of Batman seen in later films, this campy production reflected the lighter spirit of the 1960s.

2. Batman (1989)

More than two decades later, Batman made his comeback to theaters, directed by Tim Burton and featuring Michael Keaton as the iconic superhero. This film delves into the backstory of the Joker, establishing the central narrative: a dangerous cat-and-mouse chase between Batman and his arch-nemesis, the Joker.

Kim Basinger plays Vicki Vale, who becomes both Batman’s love interest and a target for the Joker. Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime garnered him a nomination for a Golden Globe.

3. Batman Returns (1992)

The second film in Tim Burton’s Batman series follows the story of Batman Movies in Order, showcasing Michael Keaton reprising his role as the iconic hero. This time, he faces off against the unsettling Penguin, portrayed by Danny DeVito, who allies with Catwoman, played by Michelle Pfeiffer, in a plot to ruin Batman’s good name.

Christopher Walken adds to the mix as the nefarious businessman Max Shreck. Despite featuring strong performances from its leading actors, this installment is considered one of the less commercially successful Batman movies.

4. Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm (1993)

The initial animated Batman film to hit theaters was The Mask of the Phantasm, which drew inspiration from the cherished Batman animated series of the 1990s. This movie was crafted between the first and second seasons of the show and premiered on Christmas Day in 1993.

The Mask of the Phantasm delves into the entwined stories of three key figures: Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy), Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill), and the enigmatic Phantasm (voice actor undisclosed to avoid revealing crucial plot points). Kevin Conroy, who sadly passed away in 2022, was widely regarded as the quintessential voice of Batman, skillfully bringing the character to life across three decades of animated series, films, and video games.

5. Batman Forever (1995)

Following the release of two films, Tim Burton left the franchise, paving the way for Joel Schumacher to direct his own set of Batman movies. Michael Keaton, citing creative disagreements with Schumacher, chose not to reprise his role for Batman Forever, which allowed Val Kilmer to take on the iconic character for the first and only time.

This film is particularly remembered for its memorable villains, featuring Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face and Jim Carrey as the Riddler. The two villains, armed with a mind-reading gadget known as The Box, find themselves in a constant chase by Batman and his sidekick Robin, played by Chris O’Donnell. Additionally, Nicole Kidman appears as psychologist Chase Meridian.

6. Batman & Robin (1997)

George Clooney took over the role of Batman from Val Kilmer, appearing alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in Joel Schumacher’s sequel, Batman & Robin. In this film, Batman faces off against Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy, who have a sinister plot to freeze the world and replace it with Ivy’s mutated plants.

On the side of justice is Batgirl, portrayed by Alicia Silverstone, while Freeze and Ivy are aided by Bane, a character brought to life by Robert Swenson, a towering professional wrestler weighing 400 pounds. Despite its impressive cast, Batman & Robin is often regarded as the weakest entry in the franchise, earning the least at the box office compared to other live-action Batman movies and holding the lowest rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

This film marked the conclusion of Schumacher’s direction and initiated an eight-year pause for Batman movies in order to return to theaters.

7. Batman Begins (2005)

After a disappointing reception to Batman & Robin eight years prior, DC’s iconic superhero made a much-anticipated comeback, helmed by director Christopher Nolan. With Christian Bale stepping into the role of Batman, audiences were presented with a darker and more realistic version of Gotham City.

The first installment of the trilogy, Batman Begins, explores the origins of the character and sets the stage for confrontations with notable DC villains such as Scarecrow, portrayed by Cillian Murphy, and Ra’s al Ghul, played by Liam Neeson.

The film also introduces key characters like Alfred Pennyworth, brought to life by Michael Caine, Lucius Fox, played by Morgan Freeman, and Commissioner James Gordon, portrayed by Gary Oldman. Bruce Wayne’s romantic interest, Rachel Dawes, is initially played by Katie Holmes before being succeeded by Maggie Gyllenhaal in The Dark Knight.

8. The Dark Knight (2008)

After his initial foray into the Batman franchise, Nolan delivered what many consider the finest Batman movie ever made. The Dark Knight showcases the ultimate clash between Batman and the Joker, with Heath Ledger delivering an Oscar-winning portrayal of a clever, menacing, and disturbingly charismatic Joker.

The chemistry between Ledger and Bale, combined with a gripping narrative and strong performances from Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, earned The Dark Knight the title of the greatest superhero film by IGN. It also ranks as the second highest-grossing Batman movie globally, amassing over $1 billion in ticket sales.

9. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy wrapped up in 2012 with the release of The Dark Knight Rises. In this final installment featuring Christian Bale as Batman, the hero confronts the formidable villain Bane, portrayed by Tom Hardy.

While the film had the challenging task of matching the acclaim of its predecessor, The Dark Knight, it still emerged as a significant success. It claimed the title of the highest-grossing Batman movie to date and ranks as the third-highest rated on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film not only brings back familiar characters from earlier entries in Nolan’s Batman series but also introduces new faces, including Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Officer John Blake.

10. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

After a four-year hiatus, Batman made his debut in the DCEU with the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This installment featured Ben Affleck portraying Batman alongside Henry Cavill’s Superman in an epic showdown between two of DC’s most iconic characters.

The film is a chaotic, action-packed spectacle that showcases several prominent figures from the DC Comics universe, including Wonder Woman, played by Gal Gadot, Lex Luthor, portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg, and Lois Lane, played by Amy Adams. Additionally, this movie acts as Zack Snyder’s precursor to the Justice League.

11. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

The LEGO Batman Movie stands as one of the two animated films featured on this list, delivering a delightful and cameo-filled journey that revolves around the classic rivalry between Batman and the Joker. Voiced by Will Arnett, Batman leads a talented ensemble cast directed by Chris McKay (known for Renfield).

The supporting voice actors include Zach Galifianakis as the Joker, Michael Cera as Robin, Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon, Channing Tatum as Superman, Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face, Conan O’Brien as the Riddler, and Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, who later reprised her role in 2022’s The Batman.

Additionally, The LEGO Batman Movie showcases a variety of characters from the LEGO universe, featuring iconic figures such as King Kong, Voldemort, Sauron, and Gremlins, among others. This animated film ranks as the second-highest-rated Batman movie on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassed only by the acclaimed The Dark Knight.

12. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Zack Snyder’s Justice League, commonly referred to as the Snyder Cut, is an enhanced and reissued version of the 2017 film Justice League. In this significant DCEU crossover, Ben Affleck returns as Batman, teaming up with Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman.

Together, they gather a group of heroes, including Henry Cavill’s Superman, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman, Ezra Miller’s Flash, and Ray Fisher’s Cyborg, to defend Earth against threats posed by Steppenwolf and Darkseid. Although we chose to highlight the 2021 Snyder Cut, it would hold the same ranking on the list as the original 2017 version.

13. The Batman (2022)

Matt Reeves kicked off his directorial journey with the 2022 film, The Batman, a dark and gripping crime thriller that received an impressive 10/10 rating from IGN. In this iteration, Robert Pattinson portrays a tormented and socially withdrawn Bruce Wayne/Batman, who is on a quest to solve the murder of Gotham City’s mayor, Don Mitchell Jr.

The cast also features Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as the Penguin, Paul Dano as the Riddler, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, Andy Serkis as Alfred, and John Turturro as the mobster Carmine Falcone. For fans of Batman, this film is essential viewing and marks the beginning of what DC’s head, James Gunn, has referred to as Reeves’s “Batman Crime Saga,” intended to unfold over three movies. It stands out as one of Robert Pattinson’s finest performances to date.

What About Animated Batman?

The 21st century has brought us numerous live-action adaptations of the Dark Knight, but there’s even more excitement on the horizon. Bruce Timm, the mastermind behind Batman: The Animated Series, has joined forces with director Matt Reeves of The Batman and J.J. Abrams to carry on the legacy of the beloved original cartoon. Fans can now enjoy the first season of their latest animated project, Batman: Caped Crusader, which is currently available for streaming.

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source: Gamerode

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