You may have noticed over the past few decades, but Batman is quite a popular character. You also probably already know the highlights: an alley murder, a cascading pearl set, a billionaire playboy who kicks butts with a long list of emotional issues that can’t be locked away in Arkham. But that hasn’t stopped audiences from clamoring for more Batman, a character that has changed actors and directors in much the same way as James Bond. With success Batman and excitement over its upcoming sequel, it might be time for a full bats refresh. If you’re wondering exactly how to dive, we’ve got you. Below you will find a list of how to watch each Batman movie live in chronological order and then how to watch them in release order. (Yes they relatively the same, but the exact continuity between them is worth explaining.)
Small note: the below does not include 1966. Adam West/Burt Ward command Batman: The Movie or 1993 animated film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm because both fit into their respective TV chronology, but they are both great and worth watching!
Batman films in chronological order of events
Batman
Of course, when we say “90s” this includes 1989 when Tim Burton introduced a brand new bat in the form of Michael KeatonA really upset Bruce Wayne. Batman The action takes place at the beginning of the career of the Caped Crusader, on the eve of the 200th anniversary of Gotham City. We also witness the origin story of Batman’s greatest nemesis, the Joker, played here with iconic vigor. Jack Nicholson.
Batman Returns
Possibly the strangest - and objectively most horny - Batman movie ever made by Burton. Batman Returns technically begins 33 years ago, as flashbacks show us the grotesque origins of Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin (Danny DeVito). The bulk of the story takes place shortly after Batman, as Keaton’s Dark Knight competes against both the Penguin and the best DC movie villain ever. Michelle PfeifferCatwoman.
Batman forever
Batman forever changes director Tim Burton to Joel Schumacherreplaces Keaton with Val Kilmer under the cape and hood, and introduces a whole new aesthetic to Gotham City’s Art Deco cocaine rave. Despite the tonal whip Batman forever does technically take place shortly after Batman Returnsintroducing the Riddler (Jim Carrey) and Two-faced (Tommy Lee Jones) to Batman’s Rogue Gallery. The film also marks the first appearance Chris O’Donnell as pal Dick Grayson, aka Robin.
Batman and Robin
Behind Batman and RobinSchumacher remained on board, but George Clooney took on the role of Bruce Wayne. Uplift after a few months Batman foreverin this sequel, the titular crime-fighting duo, now a well-oiled partner, take on the villainous pair of Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman). The final chapter of this particular era of Batman, Batman and Robin also marks the only live appearance of Batgirl played here Alicia Silverstone.
Batman Begins
director Christopher Nolan began his critically acclaimed trilogy with a young Bruce Wayne falling into a well filled with bats. Fourteen years later we meet Christian BaleBruce when he decides to leave Gotham, traveling the world and training with Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) in the League of Shadows. After seven years, Bruce returns to Gotham and begins his crusade against crime as Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy) amplifies his fear-based experiments under the alias Scarecrow.
The Dark Knight
Nolan’s second Batman movie is set to launch about six months after Batman Beginslike the JokerHeath Ledger), who was teased in the final scene of the previous film, is now a notorious criminal terrorizing Gotham.
Rise of the dark knight
The final chapter of the Nolan trilogy takes place eight years later. The Dark Knightwith Bruce Wayne coming out of a long bat in retirement thanks to the arrival of the terrorist known as Bane (Tom Hardy).
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Zack Snyder bring your batmanBen Affleck) to the big screen immediately after Man of Steelin which the final fight between Superman (Henry Cavill) and General Zod (Michael Shannon) levels much of Metropolis. AT Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewe meet Bruce Wayne, a crime-fighting, traumatized crusader in a deep-seated crime-fighting career who loosens his no-kill policy a bit.
Suicide Squad
While the main part Suicide Squad takes place exactly one year after Batman v Supermanparts involving Batman are told in flashbacks as he assembles villains such as Deadshot (Will Smith) and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie).
Justice League
Batman with Wonder WomanGal Gadot)trying to assemble a team of superheroes in Justice League two years after graduation Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Justice League Zack Snyder
See above and for more information go here.
Batman
What started as another DCEU entry with Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne eventually became Matt Reeves’ own view of the cloaked crusader. Replacing Affleck with a younger, more emo, Nirvana-loving Batman played by Robert Pattison, Batman explores Year 2 Batman, leaning much more towards the vigilante detective side. Completion of the cast Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle, who competes with Michelle Pfeiffer, Paul Dano like the Riddler Geoffrey Wright like Jim Gordon Colin Farrell like a penguin Andy Serkis like Alfred. With another film in development, the possibilities for where Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne will go are endless.
Batman films in order of release date
And here are all the Batman live-action films in the order they were released:
Batman - June 23, 1989
Batman Returns - June 19, 1992
Batman forever - June 16, 1995
Batman and Robin - June 20, 1997
Batman Begins - June 25, 2005
The Dark Knight - July 18, 2008
Rise of the dark knight - July 20, 2012
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice - March 25, 2016
Suicide Squad - August 5, 2016
Justice League - November 17, 2017
Justice League Zack Snyder - March 18, 2021
Batman - March 4, 2021
Teresa Lakson also contributed to this article.
Source: Collider
