Watch Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy in release and story order: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), then The Dark Knight Rises (2012). These three films form a distinct continuity starring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne; other Batman movies are not part of this sequence.
The Dark Knight movies in order
- Batman Begins (2005)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
DC’s official Batman viewing guide identifies these as the beginning, continuation, and conclusion of Christopher Nolan’s trilogy. The years are the films’ title years, not dates for events within the story.
What happens in each film?
1. Batman Begins (2005)
The trilogy’s origin story follows Bruce Wayne as he becomes Batman and returns to Gotham to fight injustice. See DC’s official film page.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
Batman works with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent against organized crime, while the Joker destabilizes Gotham. See DC’s official film page.
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- Runtime: 457 minutes
3. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The final film completes the trilogy. See DC’s official film page.
Do you need to watch other Batman movies?
No. Nolan’s trilogy is its own continuity, which DC labels “Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Saga.” The Burton and Schumacher films, Ben Affleck’s appearances in the DC Extended Universe, and Matt Reeves’ The Batman are separate Batman projects; none needs to be added between these three films. Watch them separately if you want to explore other versions of the character.
Rank #2
![The Dark Knight Trilogy (Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / The Dark Knight Rises) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nBaHHD0YL._SL160_.jpg)
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Is there a different viewing order?
DC’s guide gives one sequence: Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, then The Dark Knight Rises. There is no alternate order to follow for Nolan’s three-film story. The guide establishes the trilogy’s progression, but not a detailed scene-by-scene fictional calendar, so the years above refer only to the films’ official title years.
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![The Dark Knight Trilogy - 5-Disc Box Set ( Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / The Dark Knight Rises ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - United Kingdom ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ahVvP9BcL._SL160_.jpg)
- The Dark Knight Trilogy - 5-Disc Box Set ( Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / The Dark Knight Rises )
- The Dark Knight Trilogy - 5-Disc Box Set
- Batman Begins / The Dark Knight / The Dark Knight Rises
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