Batman Movies in Order: What Order Should You Watch Batman?

There is no single Batman movie timeline. Batman has been rebooted several times, and the films starring Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson do not all share one story. The safest approach is to watch each connected continuity in release order.

For most newcomers, the best starting route is:

1. Batman Begins (2005)
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
3. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
4. The Batman (2022)

That four-film route begins with the most self-contained live-action trilogy, then moves to Matt Reeves’ separate detective-noir interpretation. Afterward, you can explore the Burton–Schumacher films, Ben Affleck’s DCEU appearances, the 1966 Adam West movie, the 1940s serials and Batman’s many animated universes.

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The short answer: the best Batman watch order for a newcomer

If you want a strong, relatively uncomplicated introduction rather than every Batman appearance, watch these films:

1. Batman Begins (2005) — a complete origin story.
2. The Dark Knight (2008) — the central chapter of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.
3. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) — the trilogy’s conclusion.
4. The Batman (2022) — a separate, younger Batman in a detective-focused crime story.

This is an editorial recommendation, not an in-universe chronology. Nolan’s trilogy and Reeves’ film are separate reboots. They are placed together because both offer accessible, substantial Batman stories without requiring knowledge of a larger superhero universe.

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If you only want one Batman film

• Choose The Batman for detective noir, organized crime and a younger Bruce Wayne.
• Choose Batman Begins for the clearest complete origin.
• Choose Batman (1989) for gothic comic-book spectacle and Michael Keaton’s interpretation.
• Choose animated Batman: Mask of the Phantasm for a compact, emotionally rich Batman story.

Why there is no chronological order for every Batman movie

Batman’s film history is made up of separate continuities, not one uninterrupted biography. The 1966 Adam West film belongs to the world of the television series; the Burton and Schumacher movies form a broad intended continuation; Nolan’s three films rebooted the character; Ben Affleck’s Batman is part of the DCEU; and Robert Pattinson’s Batman belongs to Matt Reeves’ separate continuity. DC’s own live-action guide maps these as distinct eras rather than one timeline. DC’s continuity guide

Within a particular continuity, release order is normally the intended story order. Across continuities, however, a release-date list can be misleading. It may place unrelated versions of Bruce Wayne next to one another and make a reboot look like a sequel. The order below therefore separates connected films first and uses release order inside each group.

Batman live-action movies by continuity

1. The 1940s Batman serials — historical bonus viewing

These are fifteen-chapter theatrical serials rather than conventional feature films. They are important because they represent Batman’s earliest live-action screen appearances, but they are not required preparation for any modern Batman movie.

1. Batman (1943) — Lewis Wilson plays Batman and Douglas Croft plays Robin.
2. Batman and Robin (1949) — Robert Lowery plays Batman and Johnny Duncan plays Robin.

The 1943 serial contains dated wartime propaganda and racial stereotyping. It is best approached as historical material, not presented without context as ordinary modern superhero entertainment. DC discusses the serials’ place in Batman’s early screen history, while the AFI Catalog provides production details for the 1943 serial. A further history of both serials is available from Batman on Film.

2. Adam West’s Batman continuity

1. Batman: The Movie (1966), also commonly listed simply as Batman.

This colorful, campy and self-aware theatrical film is a continuation of the 1960s television series. You do not need to watch the entire television show first. It should not be treated as Batman’s origin or placed at the beginning of a darker modern timeline; its appeal is precisely its comic, exaggerated tone. DC lists it as its own live-action continuity. See DC’s Adam West guide.

3. Burton–Schumacher continuity

Watch these four films in release order:

1. Batman (1989) — Michael Keaton
2. Batman Returns (1992) — Michael Keaton
3. Batman Forever (1995) — Val Kilmer
4. Batman & Robin (1997) — George Clooney

Batman Forever is not best described as a completely unrelated reboot. It was made as a continuation of the earlier films, but the recasting, changed visual design, lighter tone and altered characterization make the continuity uneven. It is reasonable to call the four-film run an intended continuity, a soft continuation or a branching interpretation rather than a perfectly consistent timeline. DC describes the films as belonging to the same broad universe while acknowledging the change in actor and tone. DC’s breakdown of the Burton–Schumacher era

For a first pass, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin are optional if your interest is mainly Tim Burton’s gothic version. Completionists should watch both after Batman Returns.

How The Flash relates to this era

The Flash (2023) brings Michael Keaton back as a version of Batman and includes a brief George Clooney appearance. It is not a direct sequel to Batman Returns or Batman & Robin. Its multiverse story uses earlier Batman films as legacy material, so it is better saved until after the relevant DCEU and Burton-era films.

4. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy

1. Batman Begins (2005)
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
3. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Watch these exactly in this order. Nolan’s trilogy is a self-contained reboot starring Christian Bale. Each film develops Bruce Wayne’s career, allies, relationships and consequences from the previous chapter, making it the clearest connected live-action Batman trilogy. DC identifies Nolan’s films as a self-contained trilogy.

Optional companion: Batman: Gotham Knight

Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) is an animated anthology marketed as taking place between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It is not a required fourth Nolan film. Later films contradict some of its elements, so the most accurate description is an alternate or semi-canonical companion. DC’s animation guide discusses its uncertain position. Read the animated continuity guide.

5. Ben Affleck’s Batman and the DCEU route

For Batman’s major DCEU appearances, use this order:

1. Man of Steel (2013) — optional Superman setup
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
3. Suicide Squad (2016) — optional, because Batman’s appearance is brief
4. Justice League (2017) or Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
5. The Flash (2023)

Ben Affleck’s Batman debuts in Batman v Superman, returns in Justice League and appears in The Flash. Man of Steel helps explain the world and Superman conflict that shape Batman v Superman, but it is not essential if you are following Batman alone. Suicide Squad contains a short Batman appearance rather than a meaningful Batman subplot.

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Which version of Justice League should you watch?

Choose one version on a first viewing:

• Justice League (2017) is the theatrical release and the shorter mainstream route.
• Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) is a much longer director’s cut with a different structure and additional material.

Do not watch them as two consecutive story chapters. Zack Snyder’s Justice League is a revised director’s cut or alternate presentation of the 2017 story, not a sequel. DC described the 2021 release as restoring Snyder’s original vision. DC’s release announcement

Minimum and ideal routes before The Flash

Minimum route: Batman v Superman, then either cut of Justice League, followed by The Flash. Add Man of Steel if you want the Superman context.

Best context for the multiverse material: watch the Burton–Schumacher films as well as the Affleck route before The Flash. That gives the returning Keaton version and the film’s legacy references more meaning. You do not need to watch the Nolan trilogy immediately before it; Nolan’s Batman is not the same version of the character.

6. Matt Reeves’ Batman continuity

1. The Batman (2022)
2. The Penguin (2024 television series) — optional but recommended
3. The Batman: Part II — upcoming

The Batman is not connected to Nolan’s trilogy, the DCEU or the Burton films. It establishes a new Bruce Wayne, played by Robert Pattinson, in a grounded detective and crime-noir setting.

The Penguin is a television series rather than a movie, but DC describes it as part of Matt Reeves’ Batman Epic Crime Saga and as a bridge between The Batman and its sequel. It is not required to understand the first film, but it is the natural optional next step for viewers who want this continuity’s Gotham expanded.

As of August 10, 2026, The Batman: Part II is scheduled for U.S. theatrical release on February 18, 2028. The date has changed before and may change again, so treat it as current scheduling rather than a guarantee. When released, place it directly after The Batman; watch The Penguin between them if you want the fullest Reeves-era route. Variety’s current release-date report

Complete live-action Batman watch order

This is the most useful release-order checklist for live-action Batman films, with continuity boundaries made explicit. It is not one shared chronological story.

Solo and major Batman films

Major crossover films

These belong beside the solo list rather than being inserted into one universal Batman chronology:

1. Man of Steel (2013) — Superman film and optional DCEU setup before Affleck’s Batman.
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) — essential Affleck-Batman introduction.
3. Suicide Squad (2016) — optional Affleck cameo.
4. Justice League (2017) — theatrical DCEU route.
5. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021) — alternate director’s-cut route, not an additional sequel chapter.

Batman movies that are often mistakenly included

A broad superhero release list can create the impression that every film containing a Batman reference belongs in the main order. These are better treated separately:

• Joker (2019) includes a child Bruce Wayne, but Batman never appears as Batman. It is a separate story and is not required for any Batman continuity.
• Suicide Squad (2016) has a brief Ben Affleck appearance, so include it only for a complete DCEU or Affleck marathon.
• Birds of Prey references Batman, but he is not a substantial on-screen character.
• The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Movie 2 feature Batman as a supporting character. The relevant solo film is The LEGO Batman Movie (2017).
• Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) contains a background or cameo appearance, not a Batman story.

DC’s official live-action guide excludes Joker and Suicide Squad from its main Batman list while acknowledging why viewers may search for them. Consult DC’s scope and exclusions.

Animated Batman movies: do not force them into the live-action timeline

There is no single animated Batman continuity either. The term DCAU properly refers to a specific animated universe associated with Batman: The Animated Series and related shows. Other films belong to the DC Animated Movie Universe, the Tomorrowverse, LEGO continuities, the Adam West animated continuity, the Batman Ninja films or entirely standalone settings.

DC’s current animated guide separates these universes, which is why a release-date list is useful as a filmography but not as one chronological story. See DC’s animated continuity map.

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Best animated starting points

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) — the best entry point to the classic animated interpretation.
• Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) — a darker standalone family-and-consequences story.
• Batman: Year One (2011) — a focused origin adaptation.
• The Dark Knight Returns – Part One (2012) and Part Two (2013) — a complete two-part adaptation of an older Bruce Wayne’s final campaign.
• The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) — the accessible comedic choice.
• Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018) — a Victorian alternate-world mystery.

DCAU route

For the main Batman-focused animated films tied to Batman: The Animated Series and Batman Beyond, use:

1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
2. Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
3. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
4. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
5. Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)

The first four are tied to the earlier television continuities; Batman and Harley Quinn is a later DCAU continuation. You do not need to watch every episode of either series to follow the films, although the shows provide additional context.

DC Animated Movie Universe route

The Batman-centered entries are:

1. Son of Batman (2014)
2. Batman vs. Robin (2015)
3. Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
4. Batman: Hush (2019)

For the full shared-universe experience, begin with Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and continue through the DC Animated Movie Universe until Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. The four Batman-focused films can be understood on their own, but they omit much of the universe’s larger character and continuity development.

Tomorrowverse Batman route

1. Batman: The Long Halloween – Part One (2021)
2. Batman: The Long Halloween – Part Two (2021)

These two films form a complete Batman-focused story within the Tomorrowverse. Watch Part One before Part Two.

Other animated continuities

• The Batman vs. Dracula (2005) is connected to the animated television series The Batman, not to the 2022 Robert Pattinson film.
• Batman Ninja (2018) leads into Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League (2025).
• The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) belongs to the LEGO Movie continuity.
• Merry Little Batman (2023) has its own animated setting.
• Scooby-Doo and Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018) is tied to the animated Batman: The Brave and the Bold television universe.
• Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009) and Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010) form a self-contained two-film continuity.

Complete current full-length animated Batman film release order

The following is a release-order filmography, not one shared timeline. It follows DC’s September 2025 definition of full-length animated Batman films and excludes shorts, television episodes repackaged as movies and films in which Batman is only a supporting character.

1. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
2. Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
3. Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
4. Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
5. The Batman vs. Dracula (2005)
6. Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
7. Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (2009)
8. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)
9. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)
10. Batman: Year One (2011)
11. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part One (2012)
12. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – Part Two (2013)
13. LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite (2013)
14. Son of Batman (2014)
15. Batman: Assault on Arkham (2014)
16. Batman vs. Robin (2015)
17. Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts (2015)
18. Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem (2015)
19. Batman: Bad Blood (2016)
20. Batman: The Killing Joke (2016)
21. Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants (2016)
22. Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
23. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
24. Batman and Harley Quinn (2017)
25. Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)
26. Scooby-Doo and Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2018)
27. Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018)
28. Batman Ninja (2018)
29. Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
30. Batman: Hush (2019)
31. LEGO DC Batman: Family Matters (2019)
32. Batman: Soul of the Dragon (2021)
33. Batman: The Long Halloween – Part One (2021)
34. Batman: The Long Halloween – Part Two (2021)
35. Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons (2022)
36. Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham (2022)
37. Merry Little Batman (2023)
38. Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League (2025)
39. Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (2025)

Specialized Batman watch routes

I only want a good Batman story

1. Batman Begins
2. The Dark Knight
3. The Dark Knight Rises
4. The Batman

I want every solo live-action Batman film

1. Batman: The Movie (1966)
2. Batman (1989)
3. Batman Returns (1992)
4. Batman Forever (1995)
5. Batman & Robin (1997)
6. Batman Begins (2005)
7. The Dark Knight (2008)
8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
9. The Batman (2022)

Then add the crossover films separately: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, one version of Justice League and The Flash. Add the 1943 and 1949 serials only if you want a complete historical screen marathon.

I want Batman’s story with the Justice League

1. Man of Steel (optional context)
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
3. Justice League (2017) or Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
4. The Flash

Add Suicide Squad only if you want every notable Ben Affleck Batman appearance.

I want the funniest or lightest Batman

1. Batman: The Movie (1966)
2. Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016)
3. Batman vs. Two-Face (2017)
4. The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

The two Adam West animated films continue the television-series style and continuity. Merry Little Batman is another option for a more family-oriented animated setting, although every household should check the relevant local rating and content description.

Release order versus story chronology

Release order is best when you want to understand Batman’s film history and see how audiences encountered each interpretation. It preserves the progression from the 1966 camp style through Burton’s gothic spectacle, Nolan’s realism, the DCEU crossover era and Reeves’ detective drama.

Continuity order is best for watching a story. Within each connected group, use the order listed above. Do not try to calculate one chronological timeline for the entire franchise: Batman’s origin and career are repeatedly restarted, and the actors portray different Bruce Waynes.

In-universe chronology across the whole franchise is therefore not a useful viewing method. Even the apparent continuity between the Burton and Schumacher films is complicated by the recasting and tonal changes. Calling those four films an intended continuity is more accurate than insisting that every detail fits perfectly.

What should you watch before The Batman: Part II?

Watch The Batman first. The Penguin is optional, but it is recommended if you want the intervening Gotham crime story and the bridge DC has identified between the first film and its sequel. Do not watch Nolan’s trilogy or the DCEU first for continuity reasons; those are different universes.

The currently reported U.S. release date for The Batman: Part II is February 18, 2028, subject to change. It is not yet a film that can be placed into a completed watch order. Check the current date report.

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What about DC’s upcoming The Brave and the Bold?

The Brave and the Bold is a separate planned Batman film for James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe. DC announced it as a Batman-and-Damian-Wayne story inspired by Grant Morrison’s comics. It is not Robert Pattinson’s version and should not be placed after The Batman. As of the research date, there is no reliable public release date to include without a new official announcement. See DC Studios’ announcement.

Where can you watch the Batman movies?

Streaming rights change by country, service and date, so a permanent platform list would quickly become inaccurate. For the United States, use JustWatch’s current Batman availability guide, then verify the title and edition in your own region. This is particularly important for the two versions of Justice League, which may be listed separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Batman Forever connected to Batman (1989)?

Yes, in the broad production and story sense. Batman Forever was made as a continuation of the earlier Burton films, but Val Kilmer replaces Michael Keaton and the tone, design and characterization change substantially. Treat it as a soft continuation or branching version rather than perfectly consistent canon.

Do I need to watch Man of Steel before Batman v Superman?

No. Man of Steel is optional if you are following Batman alone, but it provides useful context for Superman, the destruction of Metropolis and the world that Bruce Wayne enters in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Should I watch both versions of Justice League?

Not on a first pass. Choose either the 2017 theatrical Justice League or the longer 2021 Zack Snyder’s Justice League. The 2021 film is a revised director’s cut or alternate presentation of the 2017 story, not a sequel. Watch both later only if you want to compare the versions.

Is The Batman connected to the Nolan trilogy?

No. The Batman (2022) is a separate continuity starring Robert Pattinson. It is not a sequel to Christian Bale’s trilogy, nor is it part of the Ben Affleck DCEU timeline.

Is The Penguin required before The Batman: Part II?

No, but it is recommended for viewers who want the fullest Matt Reeves continuity. DC describes The Penguin as part of the same Batman Epic Crime Saga and as a bridge between The Batman and its sequel.

Is Joker a Batman movie?

Not in the usual sense. Joker (2019) includes a child Bruce Wayne, but Batman does not appear as Batman. It is a separate story and is not required for any live-action Batman watch order.

Where do the animated Batman films fit?

They should be watched in their own continuity groups, not inserted into the live-action list. Start with Mask of the Phantasm for the DCAU, The Long Halloween Parts One and Two for the Tomorrowverse, or Under the Red Hood as a standalone film.

What was the first Batman movie?

The first live-action Batman screen production was the 1943 Columbia serial Batman, a fifteen-chapter theatrical serial starring Lewis Wilson. A sequel serial, Batman and Robin, followed in 1949. These are historical serials rather than conventional feature films.

What is the best Batman movie to start with?

For most newcomers, start with Batman Begins and continue through Nolan’s trilogy. If you want only one film, choose The Batman for detective noir, Batman Begins for an origin story, Batman (1989) for gothic spectacle, or Mask of the Phantasm for animation.

What order should children use?

For a lighter route, try Batman: The Movie (1966), Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, Batman vs. Two-Face and The LEGO Batman Movie. Content and age ratings vary by country, and many other Batman films contain intense violence, frightening villains or mature themes, so check the local rating and parental guidance before choosing.

Which Batman films are appropriate for younger viewers?

The 1966 Adam West film, the two Adam West animated films, The LEGO Batman Movie and, depending on the child and local rating, Merry Little Batman are generally the lighter choices in this list. Nolan’s films, The Batman, Joker and several animated titles are aimed at older viewers or contain darker material. Always use the rating in your country rather than assuming that animation means a film is for young children.

The Bottom Line

Do not search for one universal Batman chronology. Start with Batman Begins, watch Nolan’s trilogy in order, then explore The Batman, the Burton–Schumacher run, the Affleck DCEU route and the separate animated continuities according to your interests. For The Flash, choose the DCEU route first and add the Keaton-era films for the fullest multiverse context.

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