From the campy charm of the 1960s to the brooding shadows of Gotham’s modern skyline, Batman has evolved more than any other superhero in cinematic history.
Every generation has its own Dark Knight from Adam West’s cheerful crime-fighter to Michael Keaton’s gothic guardian, Christian Bale’s grounded vigilante, Ben Affleck’s battle-hardened warrior, and Robert Pattinson’s raw detective still learning what justice means.
Across decades, the Caped Crusader has been reimagined by visionary directors like Tim Burton, Christopher Nolan, and Matt Reeves — each shaping a different face of Bruce Wayne’s legacy.
Whether it’s psychological depth, noir-style storytelling, or pure comic-book spectacle, every Batman film reflects the era that created it.
If you’re ready to follow Gotham’s hero through his cinematic evolution, here’s the complete guide to all Batman movies in order of release, complete with IMDb ratings, release dates, and directors from the bright beginnings of 1966 to the dark rebirth of The Batman (2022).
Batman Films in Release Order
| # | Movie | Release Date | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Batman: The Movie (1966) | July 30 1966 | 6.5/10 |
| 2 | Batman (1989) | June 23 1989 | 7.5/10 |
| 3 | Batman Returns (1992) | June 19 1992 | 7.1/10 |
| 4 | Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) | December 25 1993 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Batman Forever (1995) | June 16 1995 | 5.4/10 |
| 6 | Batman & Robin (1997) | June 20 1997 | 3.8/10 |
| 7 | Batman Begins (2005) | June 17 2005 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | The Dark Knight (2008) | July 18 2008 | 9.1/10 |
| 9 | The Dark Knight Rises (2012) | July 20 2012 | 8.4/10 |
| 10 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) | March 25 2016 | 6.4/10 |
| 11 | The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) | February 17 2017 | 7.3/10 |
| 12 | The Batman (2022) | March 4 2022 | 7.8/10 |
Batman: The Movie (1966)
| IMDb rating | 6.5/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | July 30 1966 |
| Director | Leslie H. Martinson |
Description
This campy, vibrant adaptation brings the TV series to the big screen.
The Dynamic Duo (Batman & Robin) face all-star villains — Joker, Riddler, Penguin, Catwoman — and a “Dehydration Device” threat. Light-hearted and stylised, it’s a fun relic of its era.
Batman (1989)
| IMDb rating | 7.5/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 23 1989 |
| Director | Tim Burton |
Michael Keaton dons the cape and cowl in Tim Burton’s gothic take on Gotham. Jack Nicholson’s Joker steals scenes.
This film re-defines Batman onscreen, combining dark atmosphere with blockbuster appeal and an origin of sorts for the Clown Prince.
Batman Returns (1992)
| IMDb rating | 7.1/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 19 1992 |
| Director | Tim Burton |
A sequel that pushes boundaries: The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) team up in Burton’s shadowy Gotham.
Rich visuals and bold villain choices make this one stand out, it’s less mainstream-friendly but has strong loyalty among fans.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
| IMDb rating | 7.8/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | December 25 1993 |
| Directors | Eric Radomski & Bruce Timm |
An animated gem rooted in Batman: The Animated Series lore.
Bruce Wayne wrestles with past love, a mysterious assassin, and his role as Batman.
Often considered one of the best Batman films in any medium thanks to its mature themes and sleek animation.
Batman Forever (1995)
| IMDb rating | 5.4/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 16 1995 |
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
Val Kilmer takes on Batman as Joel Schumacher introduces a brighter, more action-oriented tone.
Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones play The Riddler and Two-Face.
It’s flashy and polarising less brooding, more spectacle.
SEE ALSO:
- All Superman Movies in Order (1978–2027): Every Film Explained
- (Watch Order) Marvel Movies in Order | Chronological & Release Date
- (11) All Harry Potter Movies in Order: Chronological (With Release Dates)
Batman & Robin (1997)
| IMDb rating | 3.8/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 20 1997 |
| Director | Joel Schumacher |
Often considered the low point of the live-action Batman saga.
George Clooney as Batman, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy, the camp and cheesiness soar, with mixed results for serious fans.
Batman Begins (2005)
| IMDb rating | 8.2/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 17 2005 |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
A reboot that revitalised Batman onscreen.
Christian Bale becomes the Dark Knight, exploring Bruce Wayne’s training, fear, and rise.
Nolan brings realism, depth, and a grounded tone unmatched in previous films.
The Dark Knight (2008)
| IMDb rating | 9.1/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | July 18 2008 |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
Widely regarded as the best superhero film ever made.
Heath Ledger’s Joker and the escalation of stakes transform Gotham and the Batman mythos.
It’s dark, tragic, morally complex, and riveting.
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
| IMDb rating | 8.4/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | July 20 2012 |
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
The conclusion of Nolan’s trilogy. Bane (Tom Hardy) challenges Batman physically and ideologically.
Bruce Wayne must overcome personal loss, Gotham’s collapse, and his own self-doubt to rise one last time.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
| IMDb rating | 6.4/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | March 25 2016 |
| Director | Zack Snyder |
Ben Affleck takes over the cowl and faces off against Henry Cavill’s Superman.
It’s darker, more complex, and ambitious, introducing Wonder Woman and the wider DC universe, but the narrative and tone divided audiences.
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
| IMDb rating | 7.3/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | February 17 2017 |
| Director | Chris McKay |
A playful, clever animated take on Batman. Will Arnett voices Batman, parodying his own legacy while still honouring it.
Packed with jokes, Easter eggs, and heart, it stands out as one of the most fun Batman entries.
The Batman (2022)
| IMDb rating | 7.8/10 |
|---|---|
| Release date | March 4 2022 |
| Director | Matt Reeves |
Robert Pattinson’s darker, younger Batman investigates corruption, the Riddler (Paul Dano), and Gotham’s underworld.
Atmospheric, detective-focused, and stylish, it signals a fresh direction for the character.
Final Thoughts
From Adam West’s colorful 1960s caper to Pattinson’s gritty 2022 detective thriller, Batman’s cinematic journey has been varied and vibrant. By following the release order, you’ll experience how the character, tone, technology, and storytelling changed over decades.
Whether you’re revisiting favorites or discovering new ones, this guide helps you watch with full context and clarity.
If you like, I can pull together a watch-path suggestion (grouping by eras: Classic, Animated, Nolan, DCEU, Reboot) and provide a printable PDF version too.
Neha is a writer and a graduate of Philosophy Honors. She is an ardent follower of the fiction entertainment industry and loves to read and follow comics, anime, and TV series. Here, at Otakus’ Notes, she is responsible for planning and managing the team and content. Apart from working for Otakus’ Notes, she loves to invest her time in sketching and designing.
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