Batman is one of the few modern heroes who has captured both audiences and storytellers. Since his debut in a 1939 edition of Detective Comics by writer Bill Finger and illustrator Bob Kane, the Dark Knight has commanded attention. First in comics, then in TV, games, and, of course, movies. Because there are a lot of Batman movies out there.
If that sounds like a complicated history, it is, especially once the DC Multiverse is revealed. But don’t worry: we’ve put up a simple, step-by-step guide to watching all of the Batman movies in chronological sequence and by release date.
1. Batman (1943)
Director- Lambert Hillyer
During World War II, Japanese spy Dr. Tito Daka has gangsters working for the Japanese government in Gothan City. He intends to hijack an American prototype jet and grab a radium cargo for use in a dangerous weapon. Dr. Daka, the wicked doctor, uses a machine to transform people into zombies so that they can labour for him. Batman is the lazy millionaire Bruce Wayne, while Robin is his protegee Dick Grayson, who is accompanied by Alfred Pennyworth, the butler and chauffeur. Linda Page is Bruce Wayne’s love interest, and Dr. Daka kidnaps her uncle Martin Warren to assist him in his research, but when he refuses to participate, he turns him into a zombie.
2. Batman and Robin (1949)
Director- Spencer Gordon Bennet
Antisocial The Wizard, the black-hooded genius, and his gang steal Prof. Hammil’s Remote Control technology, which allows the user to take control of any motor vehicle within 50 miles. The Wizard must be prevented from collecting diamonds, which are needed as fuel for the device, while magazine photographer Vicki Vale must be rescued from frequent threats by Batman and Robin (who drive around in a regular convertible). What is the location of the Wizard’s base, which can only be reached by remote controlled submarine? Under the Wizard’s hood, which of numerous strange figures is hiding?
3. Batman: The Movie (1966)
Director- Leslie H. Martinson
The United Underworld’s arch-villains – the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and the Catwoman – join forces. They try to eliminate Batman and Robin as part of their incredible conspiracy to take control of the entire world. Penguin and his comrades commandeer a yacht equipped with a dehydrator. It can remove all moisture from individuals and turn them to dust particles. The villains transform the United World Building’s nine Security Council members into nine vials of colourful crystals! In their Batboat, Batman and Robin pursue the villains and unleash Batcharge missiles to bring the submarine to the surface.
4. Batman (1989)
Director- Tim Burton
Gotham is a fictional city in the United States. Carl Grissom, the town’s crime lord, is in charge, but there’s a new crime fighter in town: Batman. Jack Napier, Grissom’s right-hand man, is a nasty man who isn’t fully sane… Following a squabble between the two, Grissom has Napier set up with the cops. Napier is found dead in a vat of chemicals. He reappears as The Joker, though, and begins a reign of terror in Gotham City. Meanwhile, reporter Vicki Vale arrives in town for a storey about Batman. She immediately begins a relationship with millionaire Bruce Wayne, Batman’s everyday persona.
5. Batman Returns (1992)
Director- Tim Burton
After defeating The Joker, Batman now fights the Penguin, a twisted and distorted character determined to fit into Gotham society. Max Schreck, a crooked businessman, is persuaded into assisting him in becoming Mayor of Gotham. The two of them seek to cast Batman in a new light. However, earlier in the storey, Max’s secretary, Selina Kyle, is pushed from a building and transforms into Catwoman. A mysterious figure with the same psychological disorder as Batman. Batman must try to clear his name while also contemplating what should be done with Catwoman.
6. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Director- Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski
Batman, the masked crime fighter who prowls Gotham City’s night sky, soon discovers that another vigilante is robbing major underworld members. Despite the homicidal crusader’s scythe-like blade for a hand, a mechanical voice, and a cloud of smoke that follows the figure wherever it goes. The police and enraged authorities mistake him for Batman and demand that the city’s longtime hero be brought to justice. Andrea Beaumont, meantime, has returned to town. She is the long-lost love of Bruce Wayne, the rich playboy who is Batman’s alter ego. She played a key role in Wayne’s choice to don the cape and cowl ten years ago. Now she’s back in his life, causing as much disturbance as his old archenemy, The Joker. He has a vested interest in seeing this new vigilante, whatever it turns out to be, annihilated.
7. Batman Forever (1995)
Director- Joel Schumacer
Batman is once again tasked with defending Gotham City against the combined armies of criminals Two-Face and the Riddler. Former District Attorney Harvey Dent, who was scarred in a courtroom incident, is also known as Two Face. Edward Nygma, a former Wayne Tech employee, is out for vengeance after a project was turned down. Now they’ve banded together to drain the brainwaves of every citizen of Gotham while plotting Batman’s avenging. While fighting the nefarious team, Batman/Bruce Wayne must also contend with a romantic engagement with a seductive psychologist. Also, the excitement of a new young kid who will become his new sidekick Robin.
8. Batman and Robin (1997)
Director- Joel Schumacer
In Gotham City, new problems have arisen. First, there’s a new supervillain in town: Mr. Freeze, a former doctor whose blood has been infused with cryogenic liquid, allowing him to seem and feel chilly, who intends to freeze Gotham. Until he receives the funds he needs to finish researching a mysterious malady that has afflicted his wife. Second, Poison Ivy, a venomous villain with lovely lips, has arrived in Gotham with her monstrous servant Bane. They have plans to join forces with Freeze and pave the way for genetically improved plants. Third, Ivy has produced a schism between the Dark Knight and the Boy Wonder’s relationship. Finally, Batman’s faithful butler, Alfred, has contracted the same sickness as Freeze’s wife. In this moment of need, a new companion, Batgirl, steps forward to assist the two in once again ridding the city of evil.
9. Batman Begins (2005)
Director- Christopher Nolan
After the murder of his parents while he was a child, Bruce Wayne relocates to Asia and trains with his mentors, Henri Ducard and Ra’s Al Ghul, to fight injustice. He returns to a crime-ridden Gotham, and with the help of his old butler and estate caretaker, Alfred, and Lucius Fox, the C.E.O. of Wayne Enterprises Applied Science Division, he adopts the new persona of Batman to terrorise the criminals and corrupt. Bruce is able to take down the Mafia Don Falcone and the deranged doctor/drug dealer Jonathan Crane a.k.a. The Scarecrow with the help of rising detective Gordon, the Assistant District Attorney, and Bruce’s love interest Rachel Dawes. With the reappearance of Ra’s Al Ghul and his terrible goal to ruin Gotham by instilling terror in the hearts of the people. Batman must once again battle his mentor in order to restore peace to the city.
10. The Dark Knight (2008)
Director- Christopher Nolan
One year after the events of Batman Begins (2008), Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and District Attorney Harvey Dent plan to launch an attack on the mob by arresting the shady accountant of the mob, Lau. Lau is abducted from his building by Batman and is thrown into jail. Lau divulges the secrets which results in almost all the mob bosses thrown in jail. The desperate mob bosses turn to The Joker, a sadistic psychopath with green hair, completely yellow teeth, and a custom purple suit. The Joker kills a judge, the Police Commissioner, and tries to kill the Mayor and Harvey. The acts of The Joker produces anarchy and chaos in the people of Gotham. It is forcing Batman to come to terms to which may seem to be his greatest test to fight injustice. Also, to come closer to the fine line between hero and vigilante.
11. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Director- Christopher Nolan
Gotham is at peace eight years after the events of The Dark Knight (2008). This is due to Batman being blamed for the murder of Harvey Dent. However, a new evil force known as Bane has come in Gotham with the intention of taking over the city and revealing the truth about who Harvey Dent was. Bruce Wayne has grown nearly reclusive since Wayne Manor has been completely restored, seldom leaving the grounds. And, as a result of Bane’s forcible takeover of the city, Batman is forced to come out of retirement. His allies, on the other hand, are few and far between. Selina Kyle, an elusive jewel thief, may hold the secret to stopping Bane, but on whose side is she?
12. Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Director- Zack Snyder
When humanity, the residents of Metropolis, and billionaire Bruce Wayne witnessed Superman’s incredible power, the world changed forever. Now, two years later, the love storey appears to be over when Superman becomes embroiled in the complications of world politics, with lives lost in the midst of terrorists and rebels. A journalist Lois Lane tries to clear Superman’s record. Senate Hearings and the media force him to operate inside the system. Batman intensifies his war on crime in search of a way to eliminate Superman’s menace. Also, Lex Luthor appears to be pulling strings behind the scenes.
13. Suicide Squad (2016)
Director- David Ayer
Amanda Waller, a smart, merciless Intelligence Division operative, intends to form an elite team of meta-humans. The covert Task Force X, out of fear that the next superhero saviour may become terrorist. As a result, Waller hand-picks the worst of the worst from the country’s maximum-security jails, creating a circus of crazy, antisocial super-villains kept on a leash to execute the government’s dirty work. Of course, the Federals will deny everything if something goes wrong. The team will have to prepare for WWIII when the Enchantress, an all-powerful shape-shifting sorcerer, goes rogue and sets her sights on developing a lethal machine.
14. The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
Director- Chris McKay
Batman continues to protect Gotham City and battle crime in the Lego Universe. During his most recent mission to prevent Joker from destroying the city, he wounds his arch-feelings rival’s by telling him he isn’t as essential in his life as he believes he is, prompting Joker to seek ultimate vengeance on him. The next day, Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne, attends the city’s winter gala. It honours both Commissioner Gordon’s retirement and his daughter Barbara’s appointment as the city’s new police commissioner, only to be enraged by Barbara’s plans to restructure the police so that they can function without Batman.
With the exception of Harley Quinn, who vanishes during the turmoil. Joker crashes the party with the city’s other villains, all of whom surrender. Batman schemes to take Superman’s Phantom Zone Projector. A gadget that can transport anybody to the Phantom Zone. It is home to some of the most dangerous villains in the Lego multiverse.
15. Justice League (2017)
Director- Zack Snyder
Bruce Wayne enlists the support of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to battle an even bigger foe. It is inspired by Superman’s noble gesture and fueled by his restored faith in humanity. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman race to identify and assemble a squad of meta-humans to combat the threat that has emerged. Despite the establishment of this unique alliance of heroes. Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash. It may already be too late to save the globe from a global disaster.
16. Jack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Director- Jack Snyder
Bruce Wayne joins forces with Diana Prince to create a band of metahumans to protect the world from a looming menace of cataclysmic proportions, determined to ensure Superman’s ultimate sacrifice was not in vain. The mission proves to be more difficult than Bruce anticipated, as each of the recruits must confront the demons of their own pasts in order to overcome the obstacles that have kept them apart, allowing them to eventually unite and form an extraordinary league of heroes. Now that Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash have joined forces, it may be too late to save the globe from Steppenwolf, DeSaad, and Darkseid’s evil plans.
