Batman in film#Christopher Nolan

| Lewis Wilson

| Lambert Hillyer

| colspan="2" |Victor McLeod, Leslie Swabacker and Harry L. Fraser

| Rudolph C. Flothow

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman and Robin

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1949|6|26|}}

| Robert Lowery

| Spencer Gordon Bennet

| colspan="2" |George H. Plympton, Joseph F. Poland and Royal K. Cole

| Sam Katzman

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Based on the 1966 television series

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1966|7|30|}}

| rowspan="3" | Adam West

| Leslie H. Martinson

| colspan="2" |Lorenzo Semple, Jr.

| William Dozier

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2016|10|10|}}

| rowspan="2" | Rick Morales

| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | Michael Jelenic and James Tucker

| rowspan="2" | Michael Jelenic, Benjamin Melniker, Sam Register, James Tucker and Michael Uslan

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Batman vs Two-Face

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2017|10|10|}}

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | 1989–1997 film series

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1989|6|23|}}

| rowspan="2" | Michael Keaton

| rowspan="2" | Tim Burton

|Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren

| Sam Hamm

| Jon Peters and Peter Guber

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman Returns

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1992|6|19|}}

| Daniel Waters

| Daniel Waters and Sam Hamm

| Denise Di Novi and Tim Burton

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman Forever

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1995|6|16|}}

| Val Kilmer

| rowspan="2" | Joel Schumacher

|Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler and Akiva Goldsman

| Lee Batchler and Janet Scott-Batchler

| Tim Burton and Peter MacGregor-Scott

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman & Robin

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|1997|6|20|}}

| George Clooney

| colspan="2" |Akiva Goldsman

| Peter MacGregor-Scott

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Standalone animated features

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

| style="text-align:left" | December 25, 1993

| rowspan="2" | Kevin Conroy

| Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm

|Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves

| Alan Burnett

| Benjamin Melniker and Michael Uslan

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Batman: The Killing Joke

| style="text-align:left" | July 25, 2016

| Sam Liu

|Brian Azzarello

| Alan Moore

| Bruce Timm, Alan Burnett, and Sam Register

|-

!scope="row" style="text-align:left" | The Lego Batman Movie

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2017|2|10}}

| Will Arnett

| Chris McKay

| Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Jared Stern and John Whittington

| Seth Grahame-Smith

| Dan Lin, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and Roy Lee

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | The Dark Knight trilogy

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman Begins

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2005|6|25|}}

| rowspan="3" | Christian Bale

| rowspan="3" | Christopher Nolan

| Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer

| David S. Goyer

| Charles Roven, Emma Thomas and Larry Franco

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | The Dark Knight

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2008|7|18|}}

| rowspan="2" | Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan

| rowspan="2" | Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer

| rowspan="2" | Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | The Dark Knight Rises

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2012|7|20|}}

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | DC Extended Universe films

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2016|3|25|}}

| rowspan="4" |Ben Affleck

| Zack Snyder

| colspan="2" |Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer

| Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Suicide Squad

| style="text-align:left" | {{Start date|2016|08|05|}}

| colspan="3" | David Ayer

| Charles Roven and Richard Suckle

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Justice League

| style="text-align:left" |{{Start date|2017|11|17|}}

| Zack Snyder
Joss Whedon (uncredited)

| Chris Terrio and Joss Whedon

| Chris Terrio and Zack Snyder

| Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Jon Berg and Geoff Johns

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Zack Snyder's Justice League

| style="text-align:left" |{{Start date|2021|3|18|}}

|Zack Snyder

| Chris Terrio

| Chris Terrio, Zack Snyder and Will Beall

| Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | The Flash

| style="text-align:left" | June 23, 2023

|Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, and George Clooney

| Andy Muschietti

| Christina Hodson

|John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold

| Barbara Muschietti and Michael Disco

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Joker films

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | Joker

| style="text-align:left" | October 4, 2019

| Dante Pereira-Olson

| rowspan="2" | Todd Phillips

| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | Todd Phillips and Scott Silver

| rowspan="2" | Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper, Emma Tillinger Koskoff

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |Joker: Folie à Deux

| style="text-align:left" |October 4, 2024

| {{N/A}}

|-

! scope="col" colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" | Batman Epic Crime Saga

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" | The Batman

| style="text-align:left" | March 4, 2022

| rowspan="2" | Robert Pattinson

| rowspan="2" | Matt Reeves

| colspan="2" |Matt Reeves and Peter Craig

| rowspan="2" |Dylan Clark and Matt Reeves

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |The Batman – Part II

| style="text-align:left" | October 1, 2027

| colspan="2" |Matt Reeves and Mattson Tomlin

|-

! colspan="7" style="background-color:#ccccff;" |DC Universe film

|-

! scope="row" style="text-align:left" |The Brave and the Bold

|TBA

|TBA

|Andy Muschietti

|TBA

|TBA

|James Gunn, Peter Safran and Barbara Muschietti

|}

File:Lewis wilson son.jpg played Batman in the first film appearance of the character in the 1943 movie serial Batman]]

File:Robert Lowery in Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise.jpg played Batman in the second film appearance of the character in a 1949 movie serial Batman and Robin]]

{{main|Batman (serial)}}

Batman was a 15-chapter serial film released in 1943 by Columbia Pictures and was the first appearance of the comic book character on film. The serial starred Lewis Wilson{{Cite web |last=Viglione |first=Joe |title=Three Spidermen and a Bat – A Film Discussion {{!}} TMR Zoo |date=March 14, 2022 |url=http://www.tmrzoo.com/2022/75345/three-spidermen-and-a-bat-a-film-discussion |access-date=March 14, 2022 |language=en-US}} as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin. Being a World War II era production, the movie serial like many of this period was used as war-time propaganda and had an anti-Japanese bent with J. Carrol Naish playing the Japanese villain, an original character named Dr. Daka. Rounding out the cast were Shirley Patterson as Linda Page (Bruce Wayne's love interest), and William Austin as Alfred. The plot is based on Batman, a US government agent, attempting to defeat the Japanese agent Dr. Daka, at the height of World War II.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

The film is notable for being the first filmed appearance of Batman and for providing two core elements of the Batman mythos.{{cite book |author-link=Les Daniels |last=Daniels |first=Les |title=Batman: The Complete History |publisher=Chronicle Books |year=1999 |isbn=0-8118-4232-0 |pages=57–59}} The film introduced "The Bat's Cave" and the Grandfather clock entrance. The name was altered to the Batcave for the comic. William Austin, who played Alfred, had a trim physique and sported a thin mustache, while the contemporary comic book version of Alfred was overweight and clean-shaven prior to the serial's release. The comics version of Alfred was altered to match that of Austin's, and has stayed that way.

{{main|Batman and Robin (serial)}}

Batman and Robin was another 15-chapter serial film released in 1949 by Columbia Pictures. Robert Lowery played Batman, while Johnny Duncan played Robin. Supporting players included Jane Adams as Vicki Vale and veteran character actor Lyle Talbot as Commissioner Gordon.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCgSDgAAQBAJ&q=batman+and+robin&pg=PA169|title=Encyclopedia of American Film Serials|last=Mayer|first=Geoff|date=February 7, 2017|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-2719-9|language=en}} The plot dealt with the Dynamic Duo facing off against the Wizard, a hooded villain whose identity remains a mystery throughout the serial until the end.

{{main|Batman (1966 film)}}{{See also|Batman (1966 TV series)}}File:Adam West 1967.jpg played the first television version of Batman in the 1966-1968 Batman series as well as the 1966 film of the same name]]

Batman (also known as Batman: The Movie) is a 1966 film adaptation of the popular Batman television series, and was the first full-length theatrical adaptation of the DC Comics character. The 20th Century Fox release starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, as well as Lee Meriwether as Catwoman, Cesar Romero as the Joker, Burgess Meredith as the Penguin and Frank Gorshin as the Riddler.{{cite book|title=The Batman Filmography, 2nd ed.|last=Reinhart|first=Mark|publisher=McFarland|year=2013|location=Jefferson, NC|pages=193}}

The film was directed by Leslie H. Martinson, who also directed for the series a pair of season one episodes: "The Penguin Goes Straight" and "Not Yet, He Ain't".Reinhart, The Batman Filmography, p. 223.

In the late 1970s, Batman's popularity was waning. CBS was interested in producing a Batman in Outer Space film. Producers Michael Uslan and Benjamin Melniker purchased the film rights of Batman from DC Comics on October 3, 1979. It was Uslan's wish "to make the definitive, dark, serious version of Batman, the way Bob Kane and Bill Finger had envisioned him in 1939. A creature of the night; stalking criminals in the shadows."{{cite news|first = Bill|last = Ramey|url = http://www.batman-on-film.com/interview_muslan_2.html|title = An Interview With Michael Uslan – Part 1|work = Batman-on-Film|date = November 8, 2005|access-date = May 4, 2008|archive-date = September 27, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927101837/http://www.batman-on-film.com/interview_muslan_2.html|url-status = dead}} Richard Maibaum was approached to write a script with Guy Hamilton to direct, but the two turned down the offer. Uslan was unsuccessful with pitching Batman to various movie studios because they wanted the film to be similar to the campy 1960s TV series. Columbia Pictures and United Artists were among those to turn down the film.{{cite news|first = Bill|last = Ramey|url = http://www.batman-on-film.com/interview_muslan_3.html|title = An Interview With Michael Uslan – Part 2|work = Batman-on-Film|date = November 11, 2005|access-date = May 4, 2008|archive-date = September 27, 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130927101835/http://www.batman-on-film.com/interview_muslan_3.html|url-status = dead}}

A disappointed Uslan then wrote a script titled Return of the Batman to give the film industry a better idea of his vision for the film. Uslan later compared its dark tone to that of The Dark Knight Returns, which his script pre-dated by six years. In November 1979, producer Jon Peters and Casablanca FilmWorks, headed by Peter Guber, joined the project.{{cite book|first1 = Nancy|last1 = Griffin|first2 = Kim|last2 = Masters|title = Hit & Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony For A Ride In Hollywood|publisher = Simon & Schuster|location = New York City|year = 1997|pages = [https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif/page/114 114, 158–174]|isbn = 0-684-80931-1|chapter = Hit Men|chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif/page/114}} The four producers felt it was best to pattern the film's development after that of Superman (1978). Uslan, Melniker and Guber pitched Batman to Universal Pictures, but the studio turned it down.{{cite AV media|first1=Michael|last1=Uslan|author-link1=Michael Uslan|first2=Benjamin|last2=Melniker|author-link2=Benjamin Melniker|first3=Peter|last3=Guber|author-link3=Peter Guber|first4=Tom|last4=Mankiewicz|author-link4=Tom Mankiewicz|first5=Sam|last5=Hamm|author-link5=Sam Hamm|title=Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight—The Road to Gotham City|date=2005|publisher=Warner Home Video|medium=DVD}} The project was publicly announced with a budget of $15 million in July 1980 at the Comic Art Convention in New York. Casablanca FilmWorks was absorbed into PolyGram Pictures in 1980. Guber and Peters left PolyGram Pictures in 1982 and took the Batman film rights with them, although PolyGram would retain at least 7.5% of the profits of said rights due to a contractual agreement. Guber and Peters immediately set up shop at Warner Bros., which finally decided to accept Batman.

Tom Mankiewicz completed a script titled The Batman in June 1983, focusing on Batman and Dick Grayson's origins, with the Joker and Rupert Thorne as villains, and Silver St. Cloud as the romantic interest.{{cite news|author = Stax|title = The Stax Report Special Edition: Script Review of The Batman|work = IGN|date = December 1, 2001|url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/036/036038p1.html|access-date =October 24, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081206080334/http://movies.ign.com/articles/036/036038p1.html| archive-date= December 6, 2008 | url-status=live}} Mankiewicz took inspiration from Steve Englehart's and Marshall Rogers's 1970s run in Detective Comics (later reprinted in the trade paperback Batman: Strange Apparitions), ({{ISBN|1-56389-500-5}}),{{cite news|first= Taylor L.|last=White|title = Batman|work = Cinefantastique|pages=33–40|date = July 1989}} with Rogers himself being hired to provide concept art. The Batman was then announced in late 1983 for a mid-1985 release date on a budget of $20 million. Originally, Mankiewicz had wanted an unknown actor for Batman, William Holden for James Gordon, David Niven as Alfred Pennyworth and Peter O'Toole as the Penguin, who Mankiewicz wanted to portray as a mobster with low body temperature. Holden died in 1981 and Niven in 1983, so this would never come to pass. A number of filmmakers were attached to Mankiewicz' script, including Richard Rush, Ivan Reitman and Joe Dante.[https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/batman-movie-never-made-bill-murray-eddie-murphy-180019186.html The 'Batman' that never was: When Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy almost played the Dynamic Duo] Reitman wanted to cast Bill Murray as Batman. Eddie Murphy and Michael J. Fox were candidates for the role of Robin. Nine rewrites were performed by nine separate writers. Most of them were based on Strange Apparitions. However, Mankiewicz's script was still being used to guide the project.{{cite book|last = Hanke|first = Ken|title = Tim Burton: An Unauthorized Biography of the Filmmaker|publisher = Renaissance Books|year = 1999|pages = 75–85|id = 1-58063-162-2|chapter = Going Batty in Britain}}

File:Michael Keaton Cannes.jpg starred as Batman in Batman and Batman Returns, and would later appear as the character again in The Flash.]]

{{main|Batman (1989 film)}}

{{see also|Bruce Wayne (1989 film series character)}}

Tim Burton took over as director of the first Batman film in 1986. Steve Englehart and Julie Hickson wrote film treatments before Sam Hamm wrote the first screenplay.{{cite web|title= Batman|work= SteveEnglehart.com|url= http://www.steveenglehart.com/Film/Batman%20movie.html|access-date= November 25, 2007|first= Steve|last= Englehat|quote= So I got to do the second treatment with just the characters that eventually hit the screen: Bruce Wayne, the Batman, Silver St. Cloud, Boss Thorne, and the Joker. |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214111803/http://www.steveenglehart.com/Film/Batman%20movie.html |archive-date= December 14, 2007|url-status=live}} Numerous A-list actors were considered for the role of Batman before Michael Keaton was cast. Keaton was a controversial choice for the role since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers doubted he could portray a serious role. Jack Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated a high salary, a portion of the box office profits and his shooting schedule. Nicholson's final salary is reported to be as high as $50 million.{{cite news|last= Rebello|first= Stephen|title= Sam Hamm – Screenwriter|work= Cinefantastique|pages=34–41|date= November 1989}}{{cite news|last= Johnstone|first= Iain|title= Dark Knight in the City of Dreams|work= Empire|pages=46–54|date= August 1989|url=http://www.batman-online.com/index.php?articles;id=5 |access-date= May 14, 2008}} Principal photography took place at Pinewood Studios from October 1988 to January 1989.{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Morgenstern|date=April 9, 1989|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/04/09/magazine/tim-burton-batman-and-the-joker.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm|title=Tim Burton, Batman and The Joker|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=October 26, 2008}} The budget escalated from $30 million to $48 million, while the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike forced Hamm to drop out. Rewrites were performed by Warren Skaaren, Charles McKeown and Jonathan Gems.Salisbury, Burton, p.145 Batman received positive reviews, broke numerous box office records, and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The film grossed over $400 million, and left a legacy over the modern perception of the superhero film genre.{{cite news|last= Boucher|first= Geoff|title= Tim Burton talks about Johnny Depp, 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The Dark Knight'|work=Los Angeles Times|date= October 15, 2008|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2008/10/15/tim-burton-talk|access-date= August 4, 2012}}

{{main|Batman Returns}}

Burton originally did not want to direct a sequel because of his mixed emotions over the previous film. Sam Hamm's first script had the Penguin and Catwoman searching for hidden treasure.{{cite magazine|first=Jeffrey|last=Resner|date=August 1992|title=Three Go Mad in Gotham|magazine=Empire|pages=39–46}} Daniel Waters delivered a script that satisfied Burton, which convinced him to direct the film. Wesley Strick went uncredited for writing the shooting draft, deleting the Robin character, reworking the Penguin's characterization and "normalizing" all dialogue. Strick remained as the on-set writer throughout the production process and received top-billing screenplay credit the early trailers, while Waters had sole story credit.{{cite magazine|first=Judy|last=Sloane|date=August 1995|title=Daniel Waters on Writing|magazine=Film Review|pages=67–69}}{{cite book|last=Hughes|first=David|title= Comic Book Movies|publisher= Virgin Books|location=New York City|year= 2003|pages= 33–46|isbn= 0-7535-0767-6 |chapter= Batman}} Various A-list actresses lobbied hard for the role of Catwoman before Michelle Pfeiffer was cast, while Danny DeVito signed on to portray the Penguin.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1991/08/09/clawing-catwoman/|title=Big-Game Hunting|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 9, 1991|access-date=August 14, 2008|first1=Pat H.|last1=Broeske|first2=Anne|last2=Thompson|archive-date=October 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013215612/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,315097,00.html|url-status=live}} Filming started at Warner Bros. in Burbank, California in June 1991. Batman Returns was released with financial success, but Warner Bros. was disappointed with the film's box office run because it earned less than its predecessor.Salisbury, Burton, p.102-114 However, Batman Returns was released to generally positive reviews, with praise for its action sequences, performances, Danny Elfman's score, effects and villains, although its dark tone and high level of violence for a PG-13 film was criticized. McDonald's shut down its Happy Meal tie-in for Batman Returns.{{cite magazine|first=Olly|last=Richards|date=September 1992|title=Trouble in Gotham|magazine=Empire|pages=21–23}}

{{main|Batman Forever}}

File:Val Kilmer Cannes.jpg portrayed Batman in Batman Forever (1995)]]

Although Batman Returns was a financial success, Warner Bros. felt the film should have made more money. The studio decided to change the direction of the Batman film series to be more mainstream. Joel Schumacher replaced Tim Burton as director, while Burton decided to stay on as producer.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1993/10/01/batman-3/ |title=Batman 3 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=October 1, 1993 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921055255/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C308195%2C00.html |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-status=live}} However, Michael Keaton did not like the new direction the film series was heading in,{{cite magazine|last=Gordinier |first=Jeff |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/07/15/val-kilmer-takes-over-batman-forever/ |title=Next at Batman |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 15, 1994 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080921055249/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C302969%2C00.html |archive-date=September 21, 2008 |url-status=live}} and was replaced by Val Kilmer as Batman. Chris O'Donnell was introduced as Robin, Jim Carrey starred as The Riddler, while Tommy Lee Jones starred as Two-Face. Filming started in September 1994, and Schumacher found Kilmer and Jones difficult to work with.{{cite magazine|last=Svetkey |first=Benjamin |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,293237,00.html |title=Holy Happy Set! |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 12, 1996 |access-date=August 16, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907051616/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C293237%2C00.html |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |url-status=dead}} Batman Forever was released on June 16, 1995, with financial success, earning over $350 million worldwide and three Academy Award nominations. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with criticism directed towards the CGI, Kilmer's performance, costume designs and tonal departure from previous films, but praising the visuals, action sequences and performances of Carrey and Jones.

{{main|Batman & Robin (film)}}

File:George Clooney 2000.jpg took over the role of Batman in the critically maligned Batman & Robin (1997)]]

After the release of Batman Forever, Warner Bros. started development on Batman & Robin, commissioning it on fast track for an adamant June 1997 release.{{cite news|last= Fleming|first= Michael|url= https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/helmer-s-3rd-at-bat-1117435255/|title= Helmer's 3rd At Bat|work= Variety|date= February 21, 1997|access-date= November 11, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120212162411/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117435255 |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |url-status=live}} Val Kilmer did not return, because of scheduling conflicts with The Saint,{{cite AV media|people=Joel Schumacher, Peter MacGregor-Scott, Chris O'Donnell, Val Kilmer, Uma Thurman, John Glover|title=Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 6-Batman Unbound|date=2005|publisher=Warner Home Video|medium=DVD}} and was replaced by George Clooney. Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as Mr. Freeze, while Uma Thurman played Poison Ivy, Alicia Silverstone played Batgirl, and Robert Swenson played Bane. Chris O'Donnell reprised his role as Robin. Michael Gough and Pat Hingle are the only cast members to appear in all four films as Alfred Pennyworth and Commissioner Gordon respectively. Principal photography began in September 1996{{cite magazine|last=Pener |first=Degen |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,294102,00.html |title=Holy Hearsay |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 13, 1996 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011035858/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C294102%2C00.html |archive-date=October 11, 2008 |url-status=dead}} and finished in January 1997,{{cite news|first=Anita M.|last=Busch|url=https://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117433911|archive-url= https://archive.today/20081216115559/http://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117433911|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2008|title=Schumacher on 'Popcorn'|work=Variety|date=January 10, 1997|access-date=November 11, 2008}} two weeks ahead of the shooting schedule.{{cite news|first1=Michael|last1=Mallory |first2=Mike Jr.|last2=Fleming|url=https://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117343043|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081218103425/http://www.variety.com/vstory/VR1117343043|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 18, 2008|title=Holy caped caper, IV|work=Variety|date=March 5, 1997|access-date=November 11, 2008}}

Batman & Robin was released on June 20, 1997, and received primarily negative reviews. Observers criticized the film for its toyetic and campy approach, and for homosexual innuendos added by Schumacher.{{Failed verification|date=September 2022}} The film was a financial success,{{cite magazine|last=Karger |first=Dave |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,288644,00.html |title=Big Chill |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 11, 1997 |access-date=November 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121132930/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C288644%2C00.html |archive-date=November 21, 2008 |url-status=dead}} but remains the least commercially successful live-action Batman film. Batman & Robin received numerous nominations at the Razzie Awards{{Cite web |title=FilmAffinity |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/award-edition-movie.php?edition-id=razzie_1998&movie-id=159422 |access-date=June 23, 2022 |website=FilmAffinity |language=en}} and ranks among the worst rated superhero films of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/features/special/2007/comic/?r=88&mid=1077027 |title=Comix Worst to Best: Batman & Robin (1997) |work=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=November 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014023200/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/features/special/2007/comic/?r=88&mid=1077027 |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last= Fear|first= David|url= http://movies.msn.com/movies/superhero/|title= Men in Tights|work= MSN Movies|access-date= November 14, 2008|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081006184846/http://movies.msn.com/movies/superhero/ |archive-date= October 6, 2008}}

During the filming of Batman & Robin, Warner Bros. was impressed with the dailies, prompting them to immediately hire Joel Schumacher to reprise his directing duties for a third film. Writer Akiva Goldsman, who worked on Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, turned down the chance to write the script. In late 1996, Warner Bros. and Schumacher hired Mark Protosevich to write the script for a fifth Batman film. A projected mid-1999 release date was announced.{{cite news|last= Fleming|first= Michael|url= https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/helmer-s-3rd-at-bat-1117435255/|title= Helmer's 3rd At Bat|work= Variety|date=February 21, 1997|access-date=October 17, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120212162411/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117435255 |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |url-status=live}} Los Angeles Times described their film as "continuing in the same vein with multiple villains and more silliness".{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-08-ca-batman8-story.html |title=Rescuing Batman |last=Greenberg |first=James |date=May 8, 2005 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202014002/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/08/entertainment/ca-batman8 |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=live |page=E-10}} Schumacher, however, later claimed that the film would have been darker and closer in tone to the first two films in the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-begins-secret-history-movies-almost-got-made-802032|title=Before 'Batman Begins': Secret History of the Movies That Almost Got Made|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 14, 2015|language=en|access-date=March 25, 2020}} Titled Batman Unchained but often incorrectly referred to as Batman Triumphant, Protosevich's script had the Scarecrow as the main villain and the Joker would return as a hallucination in Batman's mind caused by the Scarecrow's fear toxin. Harley Quinn would appear as a supporting character, written as the Joker's daughter trying to kill Batman to avenge her father's death.{{cite news|last= Linder|first= Brian|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/07/27/rumblings-from-gotham|title= Rumblings From Gotham|work= IGN|date= July 27, 2000|access-date= June 11, 2018}} The film would have depicted the Scarecrow and Harley Quinn teaming up to drive Batman insane and have him committed to Arkham Asylum. After their defeat, the film would have ended with Bruce Wayne traveling to Bali and entering a cave, where he allows himself to be swarmed by bats to symbolize that he has conquered fear. Clooney, O'Donnell, and Silverstone were set to reprise the roles of Batman, Robin, and Batgirl.{{cite news|last= Fleming|first= Michael|url= https://variety.com/1997/voices/columns/schumacher-trims-sails-1116680121/|title= Schumacher trims sails|work= Variety|date= November 11, 1997|access-date= November 11, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120203212438/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1116680121 |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |url-status=live}} Schumacher had also approached Nicolas Cage for the role of Scarecrow in Batman & Robin as a cameo appearance to set up an appearance in Batman Unchained,{{cite news |last= Toro |first= Gabe |url= http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/nicolas_cage_was_sought_for_the_scarecrow_role_in_aborted_batman_sequel |title= Joel Schumacher Says He Wanted Nicolas Cage To Play Scarecrow In The Aborted 'Batman Triumphant' |publisher= IndieWire |date= October 5, 2011 |access-date= September 1, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141006133952/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/nicolas_cage_was_sought_for_the_scarecrow_role_in_aborted_batman_sequel |archive-date= October 6, 2014 |url-status=dead}} before ultimately casting Coolio.{{cite web|first=Aaron|last=Couch|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/coolio-was-courted-play-scarecrow-scrapped-batman-robin-sequel-973978|title=Coolio Was Courted to Play Scarecrow in Scrapped 'Batman & Robin' Sequel|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=March 1, 2018}}

A fifth film would likely have been released 18 months to two years after the fourth. When Batman & Robin received negative reviews and failed to outgross any of its predecessors, and a $150 million Superman film was canceled three months before shooting began, Warner Bros. became unsure of its plans for the fifth film.{{Citation needed|reason=this entire paragraph has no citation, if one of the other references mentions this then it should be included here as well|date=July 2024}}

Despite Warner Bros. and Schumacher's interest with Year One, Lee Shapiro, a comic book fan, and Stephen Wise pitched the studio with a script titled Batman: DarKnight in mid-1998. DarKnight, which was largely inspired by The Dark Knight Returns, had Bruce Wayne giving up his crime fighting career after becoming disillusioned with his alias's inability to inspire fear and mystique in his enemies, and Dick Grayson attending Gotham University. Dr. Jonathan Crane uses his position as professor of psychology at Gotham University and as head psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum to conduct his fear experiments (this element would later appear in Batman Begins). During a vengeful confrontation with a colleague, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, Crane unknowingly initiates Kirk's transformation into the creature known as Man-Bat. Citizens of Gotham believe Man-Bat's nightly activities to be Batman's "bloodthirsty" return. Bruce once again becomes Batman "to clear his name," and solve the mystery of Man-Bat. Kirk struggles with his "man-vs.-monster" syndrome, as he longs to both reunite with his wife and get revenge on Crane, while Crane exacts revenge on those responsible for his dismissal from both Arkham and the university while encountering truths about his past. As with Schumacher's idea for Batman Unchained, the film would have had a darker tone. Warner Bros. Pictures formally decided not to move forward with the project in 2001, and passed on Batman: DarKnight in favor of other projects.{{cite news|first= Bill|last=Ramey|url= http://batman-on-film.com/interview_lshapiro.html|title= Interview: Lee Shapiro|work= Batman-on-Film|date=July 28, 2005|access-date= October 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925094024/http://batman-on-film.com/interview_lshapiro.html|archive-date= September 25, 2008|url-status=dead}} In 2015, the screenplay was released on Amazon.{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/batman-movies-canceled-never-made/|title=10 'Batman' Movies That Never Got Made|date=August 19, 2017|website=Movieweb|language=en-US|access-date=March 25, 2020}}

Chris O'Donnell revealed in a 2012 interview with Access Hollywood that a Robin spin-off had been considered; the project was canceled after Batman & Robin.{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Eric|title=Chris O'Donnell On Why His 'Robin' Spin-Off Never Happened & Passing On Men In Black|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/chris-odonnell-on-why-his-robin-spin-off-never-happened-and-passing-on-men-in-black_article_69822|publisher=Access Hollywood|date=September 13, 2012|access-date=September 8, 2014}}

In December 2021, Keaton was revealed to be appearing in the DC Extended Universe film Batgirl, reprising his role from Batman and Batman Returns.{{Cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Counch |first2=Aaron |date=December 22, 2021 |title=Michael Keaton Joining 'Batgirl' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michael-keaton-batgirl-batman-1235034943/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222220855/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michael-keaton-batgirl-batman-1235034943/ |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |access-date=December 30, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Keaton had been expected to first reprise the role for the DCEU in The Flash prior to that film's delay to 2023. Batgirl was ultimately canceled in post-production.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

{{main|Batman OnStar commercials}}

The Batman OnStar commercials were a series of six television commercials featuring Batman, created by ad-agency Campbell-Ewald and aired from 2000 to the beginning of 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.autonews.com/article/20000619/ANA/6190804/batman-boosts-onstar-online|title=Batman boosts OnStar online|date=June 19, 2000|website=Automotive News|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}

The ads were based on the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films of the 1980s and 1990s, and used aesthetics, props, and settings from the series, in addition to the Elfman theme from the Tim Burton films. Actor Bruce Thomas portrayed Batman in these ads, while Michael Gough reprised his role of Alfred Pennyworth in one of the ads. Baywatch actress Brooke Burns played Vicki Vale in an ad as well. Actor Brian Stepanek played the Riddler in one ad and Curtis Armstrong played the Joker in another.{{cite web|url=https://batman-on-film.com/2103/onstar-batman/|title=Batman History - "OnStar Batman"|last=Ramey|first=Bill "Jett"|date=April 7, 2018|website=BATMAN ON FILM|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}

In 1999, new Warner studio head Alan Horn promised five tent-poles a year. He wanted to revive the Batman and Superman franchises as tentpoles.{{r|greenberg20050508}} Wolfgang Petersen was to direct Superman: Flyby,{{cite magazine|first1=Brian M.|last1=Raftery |first2=Nancy|last2=Miller |title=Dynamic Duel |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,321972~1~0~holyfranchiseinsidebatman,00.html |date=July 9, 2002 |access-date=February 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106114014/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C321972~1~0~holyfranchiseinsidebatman%2C00.html |archive-date=January 6, 2008 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last= Linder|first= Brian|title= More Batman, Superman Insanity at WB|work= IGN|date= August 9, 2001|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/302/302177p1.html|access-date= February 4, 2008}} but Andrew Kevin Walker pitched Warner Bros. an idea titled Batman vs Superman with Peterson as director. Superman: Flyby was put on hold, and Akiva Goldsman was hired to rewrite Walker's Batman vs. Superman.{{cite book|last= Hughes|first= David|title= Tales From Development Hell|publisher= Titan Books|date= March 2004|location= London, England|pages= [https://archive.org/details/talesfromdevelop00davi/page/192 192–211]|chapter= The Dark Knight Strikes Out|isbn= 1-84023-691-4|chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/talesfromdevelop00davi/page/192}}{{r|greenberg20050508}}

Goldsman's draft, dated June 21, 2002, had Bruce Wayne going through a mental breakdown after his five-year retirement from crime fighting. Dick Grayson, Alfred Pennyworth, and Commissioner Gordon are all dead, but Bruce finds some solace in his fiancée, Elizabeth Miller. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is struggling because of a recent divorce from Lois Lane. Clark and Bruce are close friends, and Clark is Bruce's best man. After the Joker kills Elizabeth on their honeymoon, Bruce swears revenge, while Clark tries to hold him back. Bruce blames Clark for her death, and the two go against one another. Ultimately, Lex Luthor is revealed to have masterminded the entire plot to get Batman and Superman to destroy each other. The two decide to team up and stop Luthor.{{cite web|first=Akiva|last=Goldsman|author-link=Akiva Goldsman|title= Batman vs Superman 2nd Draft|work= Daily Scripts|url= http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/asylum.pdf|date= June 21, 2002|access-date= October 11, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070928014936/http://www.dailyscript.com/scripts/asylum.pdf|archive-date= September 28, 2007|url-status=live}} Bale was approached to portray Batman,{{cite news|first=Adam|last=Smith|title=The Original American Psycho|work=Empire|date=July 2005|pages=74–80, 82, 84, 87}} while Josh Hartnett was offered the role of Superman.{{cite magazine|first1=Daniel|last1=Fierman|first2=Nancy|last2=Miller|first3=Brian M.|last3=Raftery|title=Stallville?|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,432553~1~0~itsburdenitspain--its,00.html|date=March 14, 2003|access-date=February 8, 2008|archive-date=October 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011082255/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C432553~1~0~itsburdenitspain--its%2C00.html|url-status=dead}}

Filming was to start in early 2003, with plans for a five- to six-month shoot. The release date was set for the summer of 2004.{{r|greenberg20050508}}{{cite web|last=Linder|first=Brian|title=Batman vs. Superman in '04|website=IGN|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/364/364349p1.html|date=July 9, 2002|access-date=February 4, 2008}} However, Warner Bros. canceled development to focus on individual Superman and Batman projects after J. J. Abrams submitted another draft for Superman: Flyby.{{cite book|last=Hughes|first=David|title=Tales From Development @#!*%|isbn=1-84023-691-4|publisher=Titan Books|pages=[https://archive.org/details/talesfromdevelop00davi/page/205 205–8]|year=2003|url=https://archive.org/details/talesfromdevelop00davi/page/205}} According to Petersen "[Warner Bros.' chief] Alan Horn was so torn, because it's such a fascinating concept to do a Batman versus Superman film".{{cite news |last= Jacks |first= Brian |url= http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/15/christian-bale-superman-wolfgang-petersen-batman-vs-superman/ |title= EXCLUSIVE: Christian Bale Met For Superman Role In Wolfgang Petersen's 'Batman Vs. Superman' |work= MTV News |date= March 15, 2010 |access-date= March 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203092314/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2010/03/15/christian-bale-superman-wolfgang-petersen-batman-vs-superman/ |archive-date= December 3, 2013}} Horn reportedly preferred Abrams' optimistic Superman script to the darker Batman vs. Superman script; studio executives voted 11-1 for the former. David S. Goyer said, "'Batman Vs. Superman' is where you go when you admit to yourself that you've exhausted all possibilities ... somewhat of an admission that this franchise is on its last gasp". Since the decision left the studio without a Batman film for 2004, Warner quickly made Catwoman, which performed poorly at the box office and is considered among the worst films ever made.{{r|greenberg20050508}}

The studio decided it was best to consider a live-action Batman Beyond film{{r|greenberg20050508}} and an adaptation of Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. Warner Bros. would then greenlight whichever idea suited them the most. By September 2000, Warner Bros. was developing a live action screen adaptation of Batman Beyond, written by Paul Dini, Neal Stephenson and Boaz Yakin, with the possibility of Yakin directing.{{cite news|last= Harris|first= Dana|url= https://variety.com/2000/film/news/wb-sends-pi-guy-into-the-bat-cave-1117786714/|title= WB sends Pi guy into the Bat Cave|work= Variety|date= September 21, 2000|access-date= October 17, 2008 |url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120117093609/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117786714 |archive-date=January 17, 2012}}

Despite interest from Schumacher, the studio pleased fans by hiring Darren Aronofsky to direct and co-write with Miller,{{r|greenberg20050508}} whom he previously collaborated with on an unproduced script for Ronin.{{cite news|last= Linder|first= Brian|work= IGN|title= The Bat-Men Speak|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/034/034023p1.html|date= October 16, 2000|access-date= October 17, 2008}} Yakin developed one draft of the Batman Beyond screenplay with the writers but soon lost interest.{{cite news |last= Topel |first= Fred |url= http://www.craveonline.com/film/interviews/187255-action-packed-boaz-yakin-on-safe-and-batman-beyond |title= Action Packed: Boaz Yakin on Safe and Batman Beyond |work= CraveOnline |date= April 23, 2012 |access-date= July 21, 2013}}

Warner Bros. abandoned Batman Beyond almost instantly in favor of an adaptation of Frank Miller's 1987 comic book story arc Batman: Year One. After Batman and Robin, Schumacher felt he "owe[d] the Batman culture a real Batman movie. I would go back to the basics and make a dark portrayal of the Dark Knight." He had approached Warner Bros. to adapt Batman: Year One in mid-1998.{{cite magazine|last=Jensen |first=Jeff |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/12/04/batman-gets-makeover/ |title=Winging It |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 4, 1998 |access-date=October 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019113057/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C285969%2C00.html |archive-date=October 19, 2008 |url-status=live}} Aronofsky and Miller intended to reboot the Batman franchise, "it's somewhat based on the comic book," Aronofsky said. "Toss out everything you can imagine about Batman! Everything! We're starting completely anew."{{cite news|last= Linder|first= Brian|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/034/034024p1.html|title= Aronofsky Talks Batman: Year One...Again|work= IGN|date= December 6, 2000|access-date= October 17, 2008}} Regular Aronofsky collaborator, Matthew Libatique, was set as cinematographer.{{cite news|first= Andrew O.|last=Thompson|url= https://variety.com/2000/film/news/matthew-libatique-1117788894/|title= Matthew Libatique|work= Variety|date= November 8, 2000|access-date= October 17, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120516175840/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117788894 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live}} At the same time, Warner Bros. was moving forward on a Catwoman spin-off.{{cite news|last= Fleming|first= Mike Jr.|url= https://variety.com/2001/film/features/wb-judd-purr-fect-as-cat-1117796285/|title= WB: Judd purr-fect as Cat|work= Variety|date= April 2, 2001|access-date= October 17, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120516170357/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117796285 |archive-date=May 16, 2012 |url-status=live}}

Christian Bale, who would later be cast as Batman for Batman Begins, had been approached for the role.{{cite news|last= Smith|first= Adam|title= The Original American Psycho|work= Empire|date= July 2005|pages= 74–80, 82, 84, 87}} Aronofsky pursued Joaquin Phoenix for the lead role while Warner Bros. favored Freddie Prinze, Jr. The Aronofsky-Miller script had a brooding Batman and realistic violence, and would also have been R-rated.{{cite news|last1=Godfrey|first1=Alex|last2=Travis|first2=Ben|title=Darren Aronofsky's Batman Fell Apart Because He Wanted Joaquin Phoenix – And The Studio Didn't|url= https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/darren-aronofsky-batman-joaquin-phoenix-freddie-prinze-jr/|work=Empire|date=April 17, 2020|access-date=April 20, 2020}}

The studio decided to abandon the film due to creative differences between Aronofsky and Miller.{{cite news|last= Tyler|first= Adrienne|title=What Aronofsky's Batman: Year One Movie Looked Like (& Why It Didn't Happen)|url= https://screenrant.com/batman-year-1-darren-aronofsky-plans-cancelled-reason|work= Screenrant|date= May 11, 2020|access-date= March 19, 2024}}

{{main|Justice League in other media#Film}}

In February 2007, during pre-production for The Dark Knight, Warner Bros. hired husband and wife screenwriting duo Michelle and Kieran Mulroney to script a Justice League film{{cite news |author1=Pamela McClintock |author2=Ben Fritz |title= 'Justice' prevails for Warner Bros. |url= https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/justice-prevails-for-warner-bros-1117960018/ |work= Variety |date= February 22, 2007 |access-date= April 12, 2007}} featuring a younger Batman in a franchise separate from Nolan's films.{{cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/vine-young-actors-seek-justice-152538 |title=The Vine: Young actors seek Justice |last=Borys Kit |date=October 15, 2007 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 16, 2008}} George Miller was hired to direct the following September,{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/01/movies/01justice.html |title=A Film's Superheroes Face Threat of Strike |last=Michael Cieply |date=March 1, 2008 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 15, 2008}} with Armie Hammer cast as Batman a month later{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/film/unhappy-feet-may-flee-sydney/2008/02/24/1203788145230.html |title=Unhappy feet may flee Sydney |last=Garry Maddox |date=February 25, 2008 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=February 25, 2008}}{{cite news|last= Buchanan|first= Kyle|url=https://www.vulture.com/2010/10/armie_hammer_interview.html|title=The Social Network's Armie Hammer Talks Special Effects, Misogyny, and the Downside of Being Tall and Handsome|work=New York|date=October 20, 2010|access-date=September 8, 2014}} and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul.{{cite news |url=https://movieweb.com/exclusive-teresa-palmer-still-wants-to-play-talia-al-ghul-in-the-dark-knight-rises/ |title=Exclusive: Teresa Palmer Still Wants to Play Talia Al Ghul in 'The Dark Knight Rises' |last=Jami Philbrick |date=November 20, 2010 |access-date=September 6, 2014 |publisher=Movieweb.com}} Filming had nearly commenced at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, but was pushed back over the Writers Guild of America strike, and once more when the Australian Film Commission denied Warner Bros. a 45 percent tax rebate over lack of Australian actors in the film.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/film/mega-miller-movie-refused-rebate/2008/03/18/1205602383792.html |title=Mega movie refused rebate |last=Garry Maddox |date=March 19, 2008 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=March 19, 2008}} Production offices were moved to Vancouver Film Studios in Canada for an expected July 2008 start and a planned summer 2009 theatrical release date,{{cite news |last= Garrett |first= Diane |url= https://variety.com/2008/film/features/warner-bros-to-serve-justice-in-09-1117981504/ |title= Warner Bros. to serve 'Justice' in '09 |work= Variety |date= February 26, 2008 |access-date= March 15, 2008}}{{cite news |last1= Fleming |first1= Michael |last2= McClintock |first2= Pamela |url= https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/film-greenlights-in-limbo-1117981560/ |title= Film greenlights in limbo |work= Variety |date= February 27, 2008 |access-date= March 15, 2008}} but Warner Bros. ultimately canceled Justice League following the success of The Dark Knight. Hammer's option on his contract lapsed and the studio was more willing to proceed with Christopher Nolan to finish his trilogy separately with The Dark Knight Rises.{{cite news|last=Seijas|first=Casey|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/09/exclusive-justice-league-movie-still-a-possibility-says-director-just-not-anytime-soon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310173527/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/03/09/exclusive-justice-league-movie-still-a-possibility-says-director-just-not-anytime-soon/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 10, 2009|title=Justice League' Movie Still A Possibility, Says Director... Just Not Anytime Soon|publisher=MTV Splash Page|date=March 9, 2009|access-date=September 17, 2014}}

{{see also|Bruce Wayne (Dark Knight trilogy)}}

The Dark Knight trilogy consists of Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2012), all directed by Christopher Nolan. Collectively grossing over $2.4 billion at the worldwide box office, the trilogy has been ranked among the greatest ever made.{{cite web |first=Robin |last=Parrish |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160702001439/http://screenrant.com/best-film-movie-trilogies-ever-all-time/ |url=https://screenrant.com/best-film-movie-trilogies-ever-all-time/ |title=The Best Movie Trilogies Of All Time |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=July 2, 2016 |date=June 29, 2016 |access-date=July 5, 2019}}{{cite web |first=Chelsea |last=Ritschel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921001143/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/best-movie-trilogy-film-jurassic-park-lord-of-the-rings-indiana-jones-a8547876.html |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/best-movie-trilogy-film-jurassic-park-lord-of-the-rings-indiana-jones-a8547876.html |title=From 'Jurassic Park' to 'The Godfather': America's favourite movie trilogies, ranked |website=The Independent |archive-date=September 21, 2018 |date=September 20, 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2019}}{{cite web|title=10 greatest movie trilogies of all time|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/greatest-movie-trilogies-star-wars-b1847608.html|website=The Independent|date=May 15, 2021}}

File:Christian Bale Premiere of Public Enemies - Los Angeles 2009.jpg, Christian Bale (who portrayed Batman from 2005 to 2012) had "exactly the balance of darkness and light that we were looking for."{{cite web |last1=Hiatt |first1=Brian |title=Christian Bale is the new Batman |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/10/01/christian-bale-new-batman/ |website=EW.com |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=7 October 2023 |language=en |date=1 October 2003}}]]

{{main|Batman Begins}}

Following a rejected Batman origin story reboot Joss Whedon pitched in December 2002,{{cite news|last=Pappademas|first=Alex|url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201205/joss-whedon-interview-avengers-buffy-firefly-dr-horrible-sing-along-blog?currentPage=4|title=The Geek Shall Inherit the Earth|work=GQ|date=May 2012|access-date=September 17, 2014|archive-date=May 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505225403/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201205/joss-whedon-interview-avengers-buffy-firefly-dr-horrible-sing-along-blog?currentPage=4|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Seijas|first=Casey|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/11/joss-whedon-talks-about-his-batman-movie-that-never-was/|title=Joss Whedon Talks About His 'Batman' Movie That Never Was|publisher=MTV Splash Page|date=August 11, 2008|access-date=September 17, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010111805/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/08/11/joss-whedon-talks-about-his-batman-movie-that-never-was/|archive-date=October 10, 2014}} Warner Bros. hired Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer to write the script for Batman Begins.{{cite news|last= Flemming|first= Michael|url= https://variety.com/2003/film/markets-festivals/batman-captures-director-nolan-1117879566/|title= Batman captures director Nolan|work= Variety|date= January 27, 2003|access-date= September 24, 2014}} The duo aimed for a darker and more realistic tone, with humanity and realism being the basis of the film.{{cite news|first1=Marc|last1=Graser |first2=Cathy|last2=Dunkley |url= https://variety.com/2004/biz/news/the-bat-and-the-beautiful-1117899714/|title= The bat and the beautiful|work= Variety|date= February 8, 2004|access-date= November 2, 2006}} The film was primarily shot in the United Kingdom and Chicago,{{cite news|title=Batman Begins goes to the source|work=The Kansas City Star|date=June 25, 2004}}{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=35eastwackerdrive-chicago-il-usa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301234028/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=35eastwackerdrive-chicago-il-usa|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 1, 2007|access-date=May 14, 2007|year=2007|title=35 East Wacker Drive|publisher=Emporis}} and relied on traditional stunts and scale models with minimal use of computer-generated imagery. Christian Bale starred as Batman, Liam Neeson as Ra's al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy as Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow. Katie Holmes appears in the movie as Wayne's love interest, Rachel Dawes, a role created for the film. Alfred Pennyworth was played by Michael Caine, Jim Gordon was portrayed by Gary Oldman and Lucius Fox by Morgan Freeman. A new Batmobile (called the Tumbler) and a more mobile Batsuit were both created specifically for the film.{{cite web|first=Marshall|last=Brain|url=http://auto.howstuffworks.com/batmobile.htm/printable|title=How the Batmobile Works|work=HowStuffWorks|date=June 16, 2005}}{{cite web|url=http://www2.warnerbros.com/batmanbegins/productionnotes/#|title=Batman Begins Production Notes – The Batsuit & Gadgetry|publisher=Warner Bros.|access-date=November 26, 2008|archive-date=August 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818043244/http://www2.warnerbros.com/batmanbegins/productionnotes/|url-status=dead}}

The film begins with the death of Bruce's parents and then explores his decision to leave Gotham and his training under the League of Shadows, with Ra's al Ghul, before he rebels against the League and adopts the guise of Batman, recognising that he cannot condone their use of lethal force. The League attempt to attack Gotham using Jonathan Crane's weaponised fear toxin, but Batman is able to defeat them.

Batman Begins was both critically and commercially successful. The film opened on June 15, 2005, in the United States and Canada in 3,858 theaters. It grossed $48 million in its opening weekend, eventually grossing over $372 million worldwide. The film received an 85% overall approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Critics noted that fear was a common motif throughout the film, and remarked that it had a darker tone compared with previous Batman films. The film was listed at No. 81 on Empire{{'}}s "500 Greatest Movies of All Time".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.empireonline.com/500/83.asp|title=Empire's 500 Greatest Movies of All Time|magazine=Empire|access-date=August 23, 2012}}

{{main|The Dark Knight}}

Christopher Nolan reprised his duties as director, and brought his brother, Jonathan, to co-write the script for the second installment. The Dark Knight featured Christian Bale reprising his role as Batman/Bruce Wayne, Heath Ledger as The Joker, and Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent / Two-Face. Katie Holmes turned down her role as Rachel, and Maggie Gyllenhaal was cast instead. Principal photography began in April 2007 in Chicago and concluded in November. Other locations included Pinewood Studios, Ministry of Sound in London and Hong Kong.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

On January 22, 2008, after he had completed filming The Dark Knight, Ledger died from an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Warner Bros. had created a viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, developing promotional websites and trailers highlighting screen shots of Ledger as the Joker, but after Ledger's death, the studio refocused its promotional campaign.{{cite news|first1=Marshall|last1=Crook |first2=Peter|last2=Sanders |title=Advertising: Will Marketing Change After Star's Death?|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB120113527501911813|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=June 4, 2008|pages=B1 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080504052613/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120113527501911813.html |archive-date= May 4, 2008 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/24/ledger.films/index.html?iref=mpstoryview|title=Ledger's Death Puts Last Films in a Bind|website=CNN|date=January 24, 2008|access-date=July 10, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080726062210/http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/24/ledger.films/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |url-status=live}}

The film depicts Batman fighting The Joker, aided by the prosecution of charismatic District Attorney Harvey Dent. The Joker tests Batman's resolve when he causes Rachel's death and Dent's transformation into the disfigured criminal Two-Face. Although Batman is able to stop the Joker from forcing two ferries - one loaded with civilians and the other with prisoners - to destroy each other, he is forced to take the blame for the murders committed by Dent to ensure that Gotham's citizens do not lose hope for the future.

The Dark Knight received universal acclaim,{{cite web|title=The 50 Best Movies of the Decade (2000–2009)|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/11/50-best-movies-of-the-decade-2000-2009.html?p=4|work=Paste|access-date=December 14, 2011|date=November 3, 2009|archive-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017223108/https://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2009/11/50-best-movies-of-the-decade-2000-2009.html?p=4|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Film Critics Pick the Best Movies of the Decade|url=https://www.metacritic.com/feature/film-critics-pick-the-best-movies-of-the-decade|work=Metacritic|access-date=September 4, 2012|date=January 3, 2010|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428073436/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/film-critics-pick-the-best-movies-of-the-decade|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Review of the Decade – Year-By-Year: Empire's Films Of The Decade|url=https://www.empireonline.com/features/reviewofthedecade/films-of-the-decade/9.asp|work=Empire|access-date=September 4, 2012}} and set numerous records during its theatrical run.{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/records/ |title=Movie Records |publisher=the-numbers.com |access-date=August 24, 2010}} With just over $1 billion in revenue worldwide, it became the 4th-highest-grossing film of all time, unadjusted for inflation.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |title=All Time Worldwide Box Office Grosses |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=May 31, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100530000224/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |archive-date= May 30, 2010 |url-status=live}} The film received eight Academy Award nominations; it won the award for Best Sound Editing and Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor. Critics and film writers often cite The Dark Knight as one of the best films of the 2000s and all time, with it frequently being hailed as one of the greatest superhero films ever.{{efn|Attributed to multiple sources:{{cite web|access-date=August 23, 2016|url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films?ocid=twcul|title=The 21st Century's 100 greatest films|work=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823184121/http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160819-the-21st-centurys-100-greatest-films?ocid=twcul|archive-date=August 23, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|access-date=September 13, 2019|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/13/100-best-films-movies-of-the-21st-century|title=The 100 best films of the 21st century|work=The Guardian|date=September 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913052153/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/sep/13/100-best-films-movies-of-the-21st-century|archive-date=September 13, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Movies Of The 21st Century: 10 - 1|publisher=Empire|date=January 11, 2020|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-movies-century-page-10/|access-date=January 27, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=The Dark Knight is ranked 97th |url=https://www.thegreatestfilms.com/Film/2008/The-Dark-Knight |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=The Greatest Films |language=en |archive-date=August 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816083037/https://www.thegreatestfilms.com/Film/2008/The-Dark-Knight |url-status=usurped }}{{Cite web |date=2020-03-10 |title=20 Reasons Why The Dark Knight Is Still The Best Superhero Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/dc-batman-the-dark-knight-superhero-movie-best/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Shannon |title=Why 'The Dark Knight' is the best superhero movie of all time |url=https://dailycollegian.com/2022/04/why-the-dark-knight-is-the-best-superhero-movie-of-all-time/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Massachusetts Daily Collegian}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-29 |title=5 Reasons The Dark Knight Is The Greatest Superhero Film Ever Made (& 5 Reasons Its Logan) |url=https://www.cbr.com/reasons-the-dark-knight-is-the-greatest-superhero-film-ever-made/ |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Comic Book Resources |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-07-18 |title='The Dark Knight' was released 15 years ago. It's still one of the greatest movies ever |url=https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2023/7/18/23798997/the-dark-knight-15-anniversary |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Rose |first=Steve |date=2008-07-24 |title=Is The Dark Knight really the best film ever made? |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2008/jul/24/isthedarkknightreallythebestfilmevermade |access-date=2023-08-21 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |title=Dark Knight, arguably the best movie ever |url=https://www.jhunewsletter.com/article/2012/11/dark-knight-arguably-the-best-movie-ever-54420 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=The Johns Hopkins News-Letter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=SJSU News {{!}} Learn By Doing/ Excite Your Mind |url=https://sjsunews.com/article/which-movie-is-the-greatest-everthe-dark-knight-is-not-just-a-batman-film |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=sjsunews.com}}}}

{{main|The Dark Knight Rises}}

Nolan wanted the story for the third and final installment to keep him emotionally invested. "On a more superficial level, I have to ask the question," he reasoned, "how many good third movies in a franchise can people name?"{{cite news|first=Geoff |last=Boucher |title=Christopher Nolan on 'Dark Knight' and its box-office billion: 'It's mystifying to me' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 27, 2008 |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/10/christopher-nol.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919160942/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2008/10/27/christopher-nol/ |archive-date=September 19, 2010}} He returned out of finding a necessary way to continue the story, but feared midway through filming he would find a sequel redundant.{{cite news|title=Nolan Talks DARK KNIGHT Blu-Ray, a 100,000 Person Screening of the Film (Featuring Live Q & A w/ Nolan), TDK Sequel, and More!! |author="Merrick" (pseudonym) |work=Ain't It Cool News |date=December 5, 2008 |url=https://www.aintitcool.com/node/39348 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525214511/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39348 |archive-date=May 25, 2011}} The Dark Knight Rises is intended to complete Nolan's Batman trilogy.{{cite magazine |last= Jensen |first= Jeff |url= http://insidemovies.ew.com/2010/11/30/christopher-nolan-batman-inception/ |title= Christopher Nolan on his 'last' Batman movie, an 'Inception' videogame, and that spinning top |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date= November 30, 2010 |access-date= December 3, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101202065701/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2010/11/30/christopher-nolan-batman-inception/ |archive-date= December 2, 2010 |url-status=live}} By December 2008, Nolan completed a rough story outline, before he committed himself to Inception.{{cite news|first=Scott |last=Bowles |title=For now, Nolan and Batman will rest in 'Dark' glory |work=USA Today |date=December 7, 2008 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-12-07-dark-knight-nolan_N.htm?csp=34 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108200950/http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-12-07-dark-knight-nolan_N.htm?csp=34 |archive-date=November 8, 2010}} In February 2010, work on the screenplay was commencing with David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan.{{cite news|first1=Nikki|last1=Finke|first2=Mike Jr.|last2=Fleming |title=It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's Chris Nolan! He'll Mentor Superman 3.0 And Prep 3rd Batman |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 9, 2010 |url=https://deadline.com/2010/02/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-chris-nolan-hell-mentor-superman-3-0-while-preparing-3rd-batman-24783/ |access-date=December 3, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123190005/http://www.deadline.com/2010/02/its-a-bird-its-a-plane-its-chris-nolan-hell-mentor-superman-3-0-while-preparing-3rd-batman/ |archive-date=November 23, 2010}} When Goyer left to work on the Superman reboot, Jonathan was writing the script based on the story by his brother and Goyer.{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/christopher-nolan-takes-flight-with-superman-we-have-a-fantastic-story-1.html |title=Christopher Nolan takes flight with Superman: 'We have a fantastic story' [UPDATED] |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=March 10, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 5, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100704194608/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2010/03/christopher-nolan-takes-flight-with-superman-we-have-a-fantastic-story-1.html |archive-date= July 4, 2010 |url-status=live}} Tom Hardy was cast as Bane and Anne Hathaway plays Selina Kyle.{{cite magazine|last=Jensen |first=Jeff |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/01/19/batman-hathaway-catwoman-hardy-bane-dark-knight-rises/ |title='The Dark Knight Rises' scoop: Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy join cast |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 19, 2011 |access-date=January 19, 2011}} Joseph Gordon-Levitt was cast as Robin John Blake,{{cite news |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/gordon-levitt-s-dark-knight-role-revealed-1118034129/ |title=Gordon-Levitt's 'Dark Knight' role revealed |work=Variety |date=March 18, 2011 |access-date=March 18, 2011 |archive-date=March 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320211335/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118034129?refCatId=13 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Labrecque|first=Jeff|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/03/21/joseph-gordon-levitt-dark-knight-rises/|title=Joseph Gordon Levitt joins 'Dark Knight Rises'... but not as Falcone|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 21, 2011|access-date=March 21, 2011}} and Marion Cotillard was cast as Miranda Tate. Filming began in May 2011 and concluded in November.{{cite news |first= Phil |last= de Semlyen |url= https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=29533 |title= Exclusive: The Dark Knight Rises In May |date= November 19, 2010 |work= Empire |access-date= December 3, 2010}} Nolan chose not to film in 3-D but, by focusing on improving image quality and scale using the IMAX format, hoped to push technological boundaries while nevertheless making the style of the film consistent with the previous two.{{cite news |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/10/27/nolan-dark-knight-rises-finds-the-future-in-imax-not-3d/ |title=Nolan: 'Dark Knight Rises' finds the future in IMAX, not 3-D |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=October 27, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=October 28, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101030034239/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/10/27/nolan-dark-knight-rises-finds-the-future-in-imax-not-3d/ |archive-date= October 30, 2010 |url-status=live}} Nolan had several meetings with IMAX Vice-President David Keighley to work on the logistics of projecting films in digital IMAX venues.{{cite news|first=Steve |last=Weintraub |title=Exclusive: Exclusive: David Keighley (Head of Re-Mastering IMAX) Talks 'The Dark Knight', 'The Dark Knight Rises', 'Tron: Legacy', New Cameras, More |work=Collider |date=December 22, 2010 |url=https://collider.com/david-keighley-imax-interview-the-dark-knight-rises-tron-legacy/66297 |access-date=November 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227084418/http://collider.com/david-keighley-imax-interview-the-dark-knight-rises-tron-legacy/66297 |archive-date=February 27, 2011}} The Dark Knight Rises featured more scenes shot in IMAX than The Dark Knight. Cinematographer Wally Pfister expressed interest in shooting the film entirely in IMAX.{{cite news |last= Gilchrist |first= Todd |url= http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/04/20/wally-pfister-talks-about-shooting-batman-3-in-3-d/ |title= Cinematographer Wally Pfister Talks About Shooting 'Batman 3' in 3-D |date= April 20, 2010 |work= Moviefone |access-date=February 15, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-gotham-city-crumbles-in-batman--the-dark-knight-rises-teaser-poster-2256595.html?HF-3=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714224840/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-gotham-city-crumbles-in-batman--the-dark-knight-rises-teaser-poster-2256595.html?HF-3=|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2011|title=Batman teaser poster: Gotham city topples as 'The Dark Knight Rises'|work=Daily Bhaskar|access-date=July 17, 2011}}

During the film, set eight years after The Dark Knight, the arrival of new foe Bane forces Bruce to return to his old role as Batman, only to find himself overpowered and captured by Bane as Gotham is cut off from the rest of the world with a stolen Wayne Enterprises fusion generator prototype set to go off in a few months. With the aid of thief Selina Kyle, Bruce is able to return to Gotham and defeat Bane while redeeming his image as Batman. The film concludes with Bruce having 'retired' as Batman after faking his death to live with Selina Kyle, evidence suggesting that he has passed on the Batcave to Blake while Gotham rebuilds in memory of the Dark Knight's heroism.

Upon release, The Dark Knight Rises received positive reviews and was successful at the box office, going on to outgross its predecessor and become the 24th-highest-grossing film of all time grossing over $1.08 billion. It was named one of the best films of 2012 by numerous film critics, including the American Film Institute.the top 10 films of 2012

{{main|DC Extended Universe}}

{{further|Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)}}

File:Ben Affleck by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg felt that casting a relatively older Batman (Ben Affleck) would be a layered juxtaposition to a younger Superman]]

{{main|Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice}}

On June 13, 2013, a source from Warner Bros. told The Wrap that they were discussing more Man of Steel films, as well as a Superman/Batman film, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman.{{cite web|url=https://thewrap.com/thewrap/pm_105952/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=aTq3pMgh|title=Why 'Man of Steel' Holds the Key to Warner Bros.' Future Franchises|date=December 12, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}} Warner Bros. announced that Superman and Batman would unite in a new film, a follow-up to Man of Steel (2013), taking its inspiration from the comic The Dark Knight Returns and set for release in 2015.{{cite news|last=Sperling|first=Nicole|title=Comic-Con 2013: 'Superman & Batman' movie will follow 'Man of Steel'|url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/comic-con-2013-superman-batman-movie-will-follow-man-of-steel/#/0|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 20, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/superman-batman-film-set-comic-589521|title=Superman & Batman Film Set for Comic-Con Reveal|date=July 20, 2013|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 1, 2014}}{{cite web|last=Anders|first=Charlie Jane|url=http://io9.com/theyre-doing-a-superman-batman-movie-but-thats-not-851711013|title=They're doing a Superman/Batman movie... but that's not the big news|work=io9|date=July 20, 2013|access-date=July 22, 2013|archive-date=July 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722040226/http://io9.com/theyre-doing-a-superman-batman-movie-but-thats-not-851711013|url-status=dead}} Goyer stated at the Superman 75th Anniversary Panel at Comic-Con, that Batman and Superman would face off, and titles under consideration were Superman vs Batman or Batman vs Superman.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/07/23/comic-con-man-of-steel-sequel-likely-called-batman-vs-superman|title=Comic-Con: Man of Steel Sequel Likely Called Batman Vs. Superman|last=Collura|first=Scott|date=July 23, 2013|access-date=July 23, 2013}} On August 22, 2013, The Hollywood Reporter announced the casting of Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman.{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-is-batman-man-612907|title=Ben Affleck is Batman for 'Man of Steel' Sequel|date=August 22, 2013|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 1, 2014}}{{cite news|last=Schillaci|first=Sophie|title=Ben Affleck Is Batman for 'Man of Steel' Sequel|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-is-batman-man-612907|access-date=August 23, 2013|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 22, 2013}} On January 17, 2014, it was announced that the film had been delayed from its original July 17, 2015, release date to May 6, 2016, in order to give the filmmakers "time to realize fully their vision, given the complex visual nature of the story".{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=113669 |title=Warner Bros. Pictures Pushes Batman vs. Superman Back to 2016 |work=ComingSoon.net |date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=January 22, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201094626/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=113669 |url-status=dead}} The film's release was moved again to March 25, 2016, "avoiding a high-profile showdown with Captain America: Civil War on May 6, 2016".{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/warner-bros-blinks-in-marvel-showdown-batman-v-superman-avoids-captain-america-3/|title=Warner Bros. Blinks in Marvel Showdown: 'Batman v Superman' Avoids 'Captain America 3'|last1=Sneider|first1=Jeff|last2=Cunningham|first2=Todd|publisher=TheWrap.com|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=August 6, 2014}}

At some point prior to the events of the film, Wayne Manor has decayed, and Bruce and Alfred relocated to a smaller glass house above the Batcave. During the film, Lex Luthor manipulates Batman into perceiving Superman as an enemy, and at the same time kidnaps Martha Kent and demands Superman to kill Batman in exchange of Martha's life. Batman fights and nearly kills Superman with kryptonite weapons, but when a weak Superman pleads to Batman that he's "letting him kill Martha", a confused Batman remembers the death of his own mother, who shares the name. This confuses Batman enough time so Lois Lane arrives and explains the situation. Seeing how hard he has fallen, Batman saves Martha Kent from Luthor's minions, and then fights alongside Superman and Wonder Woman to contain the Kryptonian deformity Luthor created to kill Superman. Taking Luthor's metahuman files, Bruce states that he intends to gather the metahumans to prepare for an implied future threat.

{{main|Justice League (film)}}

Shortly after filming had finished for Man of Steel, Warner Bros hired Will Beall to script a new Justice League film in June 2012.{{cite news|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/beall-writing-justice-league-for-warner-bros-1118055082/|title=Beall writing 'Justice League' for Warner Bros.|work=Variety|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=September 8, 2014}} With the release of Man of Steel in June 2013, Goyer was hired to write a new Justice League script, with the Beall draft being scrapped.{{cite news|last=Finke|first=Nikki|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/man-of-steel-sequel-underway-with-zack-snyder-and-david-s-goyer-517621/|title='Man Of Steel' Sequel Underway With Zack Snyder And David S. Goyer|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 10, 2013|access-date=September 8, 2014}} In April 2014, it was announced that Zack Snyder would also be directing Goyer's Justice League script.{{cite news|last=Stedman|first=Alex|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/zack-snyder-to-direct-justice-league-movie-1201165409/|title=Zack Snyder to Direct 'Justice League' Movie|work=Variety|date=April 27, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2014}} Warner Bros. was reportedly courting Chris Terrio to rewrite Justice League the following July, after having been impressed with his rewrite of Batman v Superman.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/comic-con-batman-v-superman-chris-terrio-justice-league-809843/|title='Batman V Superman' Scribe Chris Terrio For 'Justice League'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=July 25, 2014|access-date=September 8, 2014}} During post-production of the film, Zack Snyder left the film due to the death of his daughter.{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=May 22, 2017|title=Zack Snyder Steps Down From 'Justice League' to Deal With Family Tragedy|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zack-snyder-steps-down-justice-league-deal-family-tragedy-1006455|access-date=August 3, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Joss Whedon took over the project and wrote and directed reshoots.

As part of the ensemble cast, Bruce Wayne serves as something of a leader to the Justice League. Additionally, he spearheads efforts to revive Superman in preparation for the upcoming assault from Steppenwolf, and brings Lois Lane to help calm down the enraged reanimated Superman.

{{main|Zack Snyder's Justice League}}

The divisive reaction toward the final cut of Justice League, with Zack Snyder leaving directorial duties and the final cut of the film in the hands of Joss Whedon, has led to an argument comparing the situation to the one experienced by the film Superman II. Both Justice League and Superman II feature a director that was replaced, for different reasons, before the completion of a film, which led to a second director coming in and making substantial changes to the tone of each film. Although the reasoning behind each director's departure differs, Richard Donner was able to complete his cut of Superman II in 2005.{{cite magazine|title=What to Know About the 'Justice League' Snyder Cut—and Why Some People Are Upset About Its Release|url=https://time.com/5839692/snyder-cut-justice-league/|access-date=August 27, 2020|magazine=Time}} In the belief that Snyder had shot enough material for a finished film, a campaign for a "Snyder Cut" was started to allow Snyder to receive a similar treatment to Donner. Arguments are made that Snyder's vision would be more cohesive to the previous films than the actual theatrical cut, which Snyder has refused to see. Warner Bros. initially remained silent regarding any intention of making a "Snyder Cut".{{cite web|date=July 8, 2018|title=Justice League: The Snyder Cut Movement Explained|url=https://screenrant.com/justice-league-release-zack-snyder-cut-movement-explained/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US}} In March 2019, Snyder confirmed his original cut does exist, and stated that it is up to Warner Bros. to release it.{{cite web|date=March 28, 2019|title=Zack Snyder Confirms A Snyder Cut Of Justice League Exists|url=https://screenrant.com/justice-league-zack-snyder-cut-exists-confirmed/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Screen Rant|language=en-US}} Despite this, in November, Variety reported that Warner Bros. was unlikely to release Snyder's version of Justice League in theaters or on HBO Max, calling it a "pipe dream".{{cite web|last1=Lang|first1=Brent|last2=Kroll|first2=Justin|date=November 26, 2019|title=DC Films Plots Future With Superman, Green Lantern and R-Rated Movies (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/dc-comics-superman-michael-b-jordan-green-lantern-aquaman-birds-of-prey-1203415757/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}} In December, however, Snyder posted a photo in his Vero account, which showed boxes with tapes labeled "Z.S. J.L Director's cut", and with the caption "Is it real? Does it exist? Of course it does."{{cite web|date=December 4, 2019|author=|title=Zack Snyder Confirms Justice League Director's Cut Is Real|url=https://screencrush.com/snyder-cut-is-real-says-zack-snyder/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=ScreenCrush|language=en}} On May 20, 2020, Snyder officially announced that HBO Max will be releasing his cut of Justice League on their service in 2021.{{cite web|last=Donnelly|first=Matt|date=May 20, 2020|title=Zack Snyder Will Release the 'Snyder Cut' of 'Justice League' on HBO Max|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/zack-snyder-release-the-snyder-cut-justice-league-hbo-max-1234611928/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}} The cut would cost $70+ million to complete the special effects, musical score, editing, and additional shooting. While initially planned to be a four part miniseries, it was later clarified the cut would be released as a four hour long movie.{{cite magazine|title="It Will Be an Entirely New Thing": Zack Snyder's $20M-Plus 'Justice League' Cut Plans Revealed|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/justice-league-snyder-cut-plans-revealed-it-will-be-an-new-thing-1295102|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web|title=The Snyder Cut Will Be a "Radical Rethinking" of 'Justice League', Costing Considerably More Than $30 Million to Finish|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/the-snyder-cut-will-be-a-radical-rethinking-of-justicle-league/|date=May 26, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=/Film|language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=August 22, 2020|title=Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' Director's Cut Will Be Four Separate One-Hour Installments On HBO Max; Trailer Drops|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/justice-league-snyder-cut-trailer-four-hour-installments-1203020700/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en}}{{cite web|date=September 23, 2020|title='Justice League': Snyder Cut to Include Footage From a Week of Additional Shooting|url=https://www.thewrap.com/justice-league-snyder-additional-shooting/|access-date=September 25, 2020|website=TheWrap|language=en-US}}{{cite web|title=Zack Snyder's Justice League Is 4-Hour Movie and Not a Miniseries Says Director|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/justice-league-zack-snyder-cut-four-hour-movie-hbo-max/|access-date=February 15, 2021|website=Movies|language=en}} Snyder stated this version will be non-canonical to DC Extended Universe continuity, but it would exist in a slightly alternate universe.{{cite web|date=July 20, 2020|title=Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' Is Separate from the DC Cinematic Universe Continuity|url=https://movieweb.com/justice-league-dceu-continuity/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Movieweb|language=en-US}} Affleck, Miller, Fisher, Heard, and Manganiello returned to their respective roles for additional photography, in order to finish the project, with Jared Leto also reprising his role as The Joker from Suicide Squad.{{cite web|date=May 20, 2020|title='Justice League' Cast and Crew Will Return to Finish Zack Snyder's Cut|url=https://movieweb.com/zack-snyder-cut-justice-league-cast-crew-returning/|access-date=August 27, 2020|website=Movieweb|language=en-US}}{{cite web|date=October 21, 2020|title=Jared Leto to Play Joker in Zack Snyder's 'Justice League' Reshoots (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jared-leto-to-play-joker-in-zack-snyders-justice-league-exclusive|access-date=February 15, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}

{{See also|The Flash (film)}}

In June 2020, Michael Keaton entered talks to reprise his role from the Tim Burton Batman films in the DCEU film The Flash, released in 2023. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. hoped for Keaton to return for multiple DCEU films in a way "akin to the role played by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something of a mentor or guide or even string-puller."{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Micheal Keaton in Talks to Return as Batman for 'Flash' Movie |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/micheal-keaton-talks-return-as-batman-flash-movie-1299668 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 22, 2020 |date=June 22, 2020}} In August 2020, Keaton officially signed on, with Ben Affleck also announced to be reprising his version of the character for the film. Affleck stated that his scenes in the film were his favorite as the character.{{cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Ben Affleck Will Return as Batman in The Flash |work=Vanity Fair |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/08/ben-affleck-returns-batman-the-flash-multiverse-keaton |url-status=live |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820190653/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/08/ben-affleck-returns-batman-the-flash-multiverse-keaton |archive-date=August 20, 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=January 7, 2022 |title=Ben Affleck: 'I Finally Figured Out' the Best Way to Play Batman While Making 'The Flash' |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ben-affleck-the-flash-batman-performance-1235149278/ |access-date=March 6, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Along with Keaton and Affleck playing Batman in different timelines, George Clooney makes a cameo as Bruce Wayne in the closing scene. Adam West makes a posthumous appearance as Batman through the use of CGI and archive footage.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

In addition to major roles, Batman has made various cameo appearances in other DCEU films.

• In Suicide Squad (2016), Batman appears in brief flashbacks depicting the arrests of Floyd Lawton / Deadshot and Harley Quinn. He rescues Harley from a submerged car after pursuing her and the Joker, and apprehends Deadshot while he is shopping with his daughter. Batman's history with Killer Croc is also referenced. At the film's conclusion, Amanda Waller—who appears to know that Bruce Wayne is Batman—provides Bruce with files on various metahumans in exchange for his protection from future fallout from the Enchantress' recent attack. Bruce tells Waller to shut down Task Force X, as his "friends" will handle future problems.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
• Although he does not appear, Bruce Wayne is mentioned in Wonder Woman (2017). After the events of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Bruce successfully retrieves the photo from Luthor's archives which he used to threaten Diana Prince, along with a watch that belonged to the father of Captain Steve Trevor. He transports them through an armored car to Diana, with a letter wishing to know her story someday. Diana recalls the events of the film as a flashback, after which she sends an e-mail to Bruce that reads "Thanks for bringing him back to me".{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2017/06/03/batman-wonder-woman-movie/|title=Batman's Role In Wonder Woman Explained|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• Bill Dean voices a toy version of Batman in Shazam! (2019).{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/03/11/new-batman-toy-voice-actor-in-shazam-revealed/|title=New Batman Toy Voice Actor In 'Shazam!' Revealed|website=ComicBook.com|language=en-US|access-date=March 11, 2019}} During the film's animated end credits sequence, Batman was shown chasing the Batmobile after it was stolen by Shazam.

{{main|Joker (2019 film)|Joker: Folie à Deux}}

Joker, directed by Todd Phillips,{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/10/23/joker-bruce-wayne-cast-dante-pereira-olson/|title='Joker': Dante Pereira-Olson Cast as Young Bruce Wayne|last=Davis|first=Brandon|work=ComicBook.com|access-date=October 23, 2018|date=October 23, 2018}} is set during the 1980s, where a failed stand-up comedian named Arthur Fleck turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City and calls himself Joker.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/feature/a860010/joker-joaquin-phoenix-release-date-plot-cast-trailer/|title=Joaquin Phoenix's Joker film release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know|first1=Sam|last1=Ashurst|first2=Matt|last2=Chapman|work=Digital Spy|date=August 30, 2018|access-date=September 16, 2018}} Bruce Wayne, a child portrayed by Dante Pereira-Olson, encounters Fleck when the latter attempts and fails to gain entry into Wayne Manor. Fleck later sees Bruce in a darkened alley with the bodies of his parents, who had been fatally shot by an assailant who wears a clown mask.

The sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, introduced Harley Quinn, played by Lady Gaga. Unlike the previous film, Bruce Wayne does not appear in Folie à Deux.

{{Anchor|The Batman}}

{{Main|The Batman (film)}}

File:Robert Pattinson at Berlinale 2025.jpg portrays the titular role in The Batman directed by Matt Reeves.]]

In February 2017, Matt Reeves was hired to direct The Batman (2022), replacing Ben Affleck who wrote the original script until it was replaced by Reeves and Peter Craig. Reeves initially had plans to keep The Batman in the DCEU; however, due to creative differences, the film would focus on a younger Batman, ultimately serving as a reboot from the one seen in the DCEU. In May 2019, Robert Pattinson was cast as Bruce Wayne / Batman. In 2020, DC Films president Walter Hamada stated that there would be two Batmen existing simultaneously in a multiverse.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

Development of a second film, The Batman – Part II, had begun by April 2022.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=April 26, 2022 |title=Robert Pattinson Returning for The Batman Sequel |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/the-batman-sequel-robert-pattinson-1235241667/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426234729/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/the-batman-sequel-robert-pattinson-1235241667/ |archive-date=April 26, 2022 |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Ryan |last2=McClintock |first2=Pamela |date=April 26, 2022 |title='The Batman' Sequel Set With Robert Pattinson and Director Matt Reeves |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-batman-sequel-announced-cinemacon-1235135891/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428031429/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/the-batman-sequel-announced-cinemacon-1235135891/ |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |access-date=April 26, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} The film was originally scheduled to be released on October 3, 2025,{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=January 31, 2023 |title=The Batman Part II Sets 2025 Release Date as Part of Newly Branded 'DC Elseworlds' Projects |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-batman-2-release-date-october-2025-1235506926/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201011511/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/the-batman-2-release-date-october-2025-1235506926/ |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Variety}} but was originally delayed to October 2, 2026, due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, before being delayed again to October 1, 2027.{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=March 12, 2024 |title=The Batman 2 From Matt Reeves Heads To Fall 2026; Paul Thomas Anderson-Leonardo DiCaprio Movie Gets Summer 2025 Date |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/the-batman-2-release-date-2026-1235856229/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312181422/https://deadline.com/2024/03/the-batman-2-release-date-2026-1235856229/ |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=December 27, 2024 |title=The Batman Sequel Heads To 2027, Tom Cruise & Alejandro G. Iñárritu Pic Sets 2026 Release, Sinners & Mickey 17 Switch Places |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/the-batman-2-tom-cruise-warner-bros-mickey-17-sinners-release-dates-1236242822/|access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

{{main|DC Universe (franchise)}}

After filmmaker James Gunn and producer Peter Safran were appointed in October 2022 to serve as the co-chairmen and co-CEOs of the then-newly formed DC Studios to develop plans for a new DC shared universe slate, Gunn stated in December that Batman would be "a big part of the DC Universe (DCU)".{{Cite web |last=Sinha |first=Sujita |date=December 16, 2022 |title=James Gunn calls Batman a 'big part of the DCU' |url=https://me.mashable.com/entertainment/23107/james-gunn-calls-batman-a-big-part-of-the-dcu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219235726/https://me.mashable.com/entertainment/23107/james-gunn-calls-batman-a-big-part-of-the-dcu |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=February 12, 2023 |website=Mashable}} A film featuring Bruce Wayne / Batman and Damian Wayne / Robin titled The Brave and the Bold was revealed to be in development at DC Studios in January 2023, as the third installment of the upcoming DCU film slate. It will exist separately from future projects in Matt Reeves' The Batman franchise. It is also based on Grant Morrison's run of Batman from 2006 to 2013.{{Cite magazine |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=January 31, 2023 |title=DC Slate Unveiled: New Batman, Supergirl Movies, a Green Lantern TV Show, and More from James Gunn, Peter Safran |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131171111/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/james-gunn-unveils-dc-slate-batman-superman-1235314176/ |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}} In June 2023, Andy Muschietti was confirmed as the director of the film ahead of the release of The Flash later that month, with his sister Barbara set to produce through their production company Double Dream alongside Gunn and Safran.{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=2023-06-16 |title=New Batman Film 'Brave and the Bold' Lands 'The Flash' Director Andy Muschietti (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/brave-and-the-bold-andy-muschietti-directing-batman-film-the-flash-1235646262/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The Flash writer Christina Hodson, who is a member of the DCU's writer's room, was being eyed to write the film but chose to work on a Fast & Furious film instead.{{Cite web |last2=Couch |last1=Borys|first1= Kit|first2= Aaron |date=2023-06-16 |title='The Flash' Director Andy Muschietti Tackling New Batman Movie 'The Brave and the Bold' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batman-the-brave-and-the-bold-director-1235331062/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

• 2018: Ready Player One includes a scene set in the OASIS virtual world which has an animated Batman climbing Mount Everest. In another scene, the 1966 TV series' Batmobile participates in a car race inside the OASIS.
• 2021: Space Jam: A New Legacy features a live action scene where Batman appears as a spectator for a basketball match.

{{Multiple image

| image1 = Kevin Conroy (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Adam West by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg

| image3 = Will Friedle Photo Op GalaxyCon Austin 2023 (B201168).jpg

| image4 = Bruce Greenwood (29223732930) cropped.jpg

| image5 = Ben McKenzie (17032849756) (cropped).jpg

| image6 = Peter Weller 2016.jpg

| image7 = SDCC13 - Troy Baker.jpg

| image8 = Jason O'Mara (cropped).jpg

| image9 = Roger Craig Smith by Gage Skidmore.jpg

| image10 = Will Arnett (28575894456) (cropped).jpg

| direction = horizontal

| total_width = 500

| perrow = 5 / 5

| footer = Actors that have voiced Batman in animated films include Kevin Conroy, Adam West, Will Friedle, Bruce Greenwood, Ben McKenzie, Peter Weller, Troy Baker, Jason O'Mara, Roger Craig Smith, and Will Arnett.

}}

Theatrical

• 1993: Mask of the Phantasm, set in the continuity of Batman: The Animated Series with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kevin-conroy/credits/160566|title=Kevin Conroy|website=TV Guide|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2016: Batman: The Killing Joke, an adaptation of Batman: The Killing Joke with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2453059/kevin-conroy-reflects-on-the-killing-joke-backlash|title=Kevin Conroy Reflects On The Killing Joke Backlash|date=July 20, 2018|website=CINEMABLEND|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2016: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, based on the Batman television series with Adam West voicing Batman{{cite web |last=Fitch |first=Adam |url=http://heroes.direct/movies/return-of-the-caped-crusaders-trailer/ |title=Adam West returns in Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders trailer |publisher=Heroes.direct |date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=August 29, 2016 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112164217/http://heroes.direct/movies/return-of-the-caped-crusaders-trailer/ |url-status=dead}}

Direct-to-video

• 1998: Subzero, set in the continuity of Batman: The Animated Series with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman
• 2000: Return of the Joker, set in the continuity of Batman Beyond with Will Friedle voicing Batman and Kevin Conroy voicing Bruce Wayne.{{citation|title=Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_beyond_return_of_the_joker|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2003: Mystery of the Batwoman, set in the continuity of The New Batman Adventures with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman
• 2005: The Batman vs. Dracula, set in the continuity of The Batman with Rino Romano voicing Batman{{citation|title=Batman vs. Dracula (2005)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_vs_dracula|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2010: Under the Red Hood, an adaptation of Batman: Under the Hood with Bruce Greenwood voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/batman-under-the-red-hood-trailer-and-images/|title=BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD Trailer and Images|last=Weintraub|first=Steve 'Frosty'|date=April 27, 2010|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2011: Year One, an adaptation of Batman: Year One with Benjamin McKenzie voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/blog/2014/02/08/talking-about-bringing-ben-mckenzie-to-gotham-with-batman-year-one-director-andrea-romano/|title=Talking About Bringing Ben McKenzie to Gotham With Batman: Year One Director Andrea Romano|website=ComicBook.com|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2012: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 1, an adaptation of the first half of The Dark Knight Returns with Peter Weller voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dark-knight-returns-peter-weller-327960|title='Dark Knight' Animated Movie Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 23, 2012|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2013: The Dark Knight Returns – Part 2, an adaptation of the second half of The Dark Knight Returns with Peter Weller voicing Batman
• 2013: DC Super Heroes Unite, an adaptation of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes with Troy Baker voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/lego-batman-the-movie-dc-super-heroes-unite-blu-ray-review/|title=LEGO BATMAN: THE MOVIE - DC SUPER HEROES UNITE Blu-Ray Review|last=Stuart|first=Paul|date=June 23, 2013|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2014: Son of Batman, a loose adaptation of Batman and Son with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/jason-omara-son-of-batman-interview/|title=Jason O'Mara Talks SON OF BATMAN, Exploring the Father-Son Dynamic, Being a Father and a Superhero, Taking on the Role of Batman & Possible Future Films|last=Radish|first=Christina|date=April 22, 2014|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2014: Assault on Arkham, set in the continuity of Batman: Arkham with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2014/08/sdcc-interview-kevin-conroy/|title=SDCC Interview: Kevin Conroy, star of Batman: Assault on Arkham|date=August 6, 2014|website=Flickering Myth|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2015: Batman vs. Robin an animated film with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/animated-batman-robin-movie-finds-763553|title=Animated 'Batman vs. Robin' Movie Finds Its Voice Cast (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 14, 2015|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2015: Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts, an animated film with Roger Craig Smith voicing Batman{{cite web|url=http://4geekslikeyou.com/first-clip-from-batman-unlimited-animal-instincts/|title=Batman & Green Arrow Take On Robot Animals In The First Clip From Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts|work=4 GEEKS LIKE YOU|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327030002/http://4geekslikeyou.com/first-clip-from-batman-unlimited-animal-instincts/|archive-date=March 27, 2015}}
• 2015: Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem, an animated film with Roger Craig Smith voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-trailer-debut-joker-rules-in-batman-unlimited-monster-mayhem/|title=EXCLUSIVE TRAILER DEBUT: Joker Rules in "Batman Unlimited: Monster Mayhem"|work=Comic Book Resources|date=June 2, 2015}}
• 2016: Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants, an animated film with Roger Craig Smith voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/roger-craig-smith-discusses-batman-unlimited-mechs-vs-mutants/|title=Roger Craig Smith Discusses Batman Unlimited: Mechs Vs. Mutants|last=Joseph|first=Eric|date=August 1, 2016|website=We Got This Covered|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2016: Batman: Bad Blood, an animated film also featuring Batwoman and Batwing with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://fanbasepress.com/index.php/press/interviews/movies/item/6066-batman-bad-blood-premiere-jason-o-mara-on-batman-the-bat-family-and-borrowing-the-batmobile|title=Fanbase Press - 'Batman: Bad Blood' Premiere: Jason O'Mara on Batman, the Bat Family, and Borrowing the Batmobile!|last=Dillon|first=Bryant|website=fanbasepress.com|date=February 3, 2016 |language=en-gb|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2017: Batman and Harley Quinn, an animated film with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://heroichollywood.com/batman-harley-quinn-kevin-conroy/|title=Kevin Conroy On His 'Complicated' Batman In 'Batman And Harley Quinn'|last=Abdulbaki|first=Mae|date=July 28, 2017|website=Heroic Hollywood|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2017: Batman vs. Two-Face, based on the Batman television series with Adam West voicing Batman for final time before his death{{cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/adam-west-and-william-shatner-facing-off-in-batman-vs-1797712008|title=Adam West and William Shatner Facing Off in Batman vs. Two-Face is the Stuff of Campy Superhero Dreams|website=io9|date=August 10, 2017 |language=en-us|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2018: Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, an animated film based on the one-shot graphic novel of the same name with Bruce Greenwood voicing Batman{{cite web|last1=Lovett|first1=Jamie|title=DC Animation's Next Movie Revealed|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2017/07/08/batman-gotham-by-gaslight-movie/|website=Comic Book|access-date=July 8, 2017|date=July 8, 2017}}
• 2018: Batman Ninja, an animated film with Kōichi Yamadera and Roger Craig Smith voicing Batman in Japanese and English respectively.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/2017/10/05/nycc-2017-batman-ninja-live-recap-/|title='Batman Ninja' Anime: First Details & Poster Revealed|website=ComicBook.com|first=Cameron|last= Bonomolo|date=October 5, 2017|access-date=June 14, 2018}}{{cite web|author=ワーナー ブラザース 公式チャンネル|script-title=ja:映画『ニンジャバットマン』 日本用トレーラー＜公開日追加ver＞【2018年6月15日劇場公開】|date=March 15, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6jhuFxNQX8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211028/J6jhuFxNQX8| archive-date=October 28, 2021|access-date=March 16, 2018|work=Warner Bros.|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=Batman Ninja Anime's English Trailer Reveals Dub Cast, Home Video Release|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-13/batman-ninja-anime-english-trailer-reveals-dub-cast-home-video-release/.127749|website=Anime News Network|access-date=February 13, 2018|date=February 13, 2018|first=Karen|last=Ressler}}
• 2019: Batman: Hush, based on the 2002 comic book story arc of the same name with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman.{{cite web|title=Batman: Hush Will Receive an Animated Film Adaptation|url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-hush-animated-film-announcement/|website=Comic Book Resources|access-date=March 12, 2022|date=July 21, 2018|first=Gregg|last=Katzman}}
• 2021: Batman: Soul of the Dragon, an animated film with David Giuntoli voicing Batman{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/batman-soul-of-the-dragon-animated-film-voice-cast?amp=1 |title= Batman Voice Cast Set for 1970s Set Animated Film Soul of the Dragon |website=IGN|last=Ankers|first=Adele|date=August 13, 2020|access-date=August 21, 2020}}
• 2021: Batman: The Long Halloween Part 1 and Part 2, a two part animated film based on Batman: The Long Halloween with Jensen Ackles voicing Batman.{{cite web|date=March 31, 2021|title='Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One' Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batman-the-long-halloween-part-one-sets-voice-cast-exclusive-4158484|language=en|access-date=March 31, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Woo|first=Kelly|date=April 2021 |title=The Batman on HBO Max release date and time and how to watch online right now |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/news/the-batman-movie-release-date-cast-trailer-robert-pattinson-interview-and-latest-news |work=Tom's Guide |language=en}}
• 2023: Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham, based on the three-issue comic book miniseries of the same name with David Giuntoli voicing Batman. {{cite web|title=Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham’ Sets Voice Cast (Exclusive)|date= December 6, 2022| url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batman-the-doom-that-came-to-gotham-cast-1235275547/}}
• 2025: Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League, an animated film with Kōichi Yamadera and Joe Daniels voicing Batman in Japanese and English respectively.{{cite web|first=Crystalyn|last=Hodgkins|title=Batman Ninja vs. Yakuza League Film Sequel to Batman Ninja Announced|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-05-30/batman-ninja-vs-yakuza-league-film-sequel-to-batman-ninja-announced/.211365|website=Anime News Network|access-date=July 7, 2024|date=May 30, 2024}}

• 2017: DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon, with Takayuki Yamada voicing Batman{{cite web|url=http://dc-taka.com/character/バットマン/|script-title=ja:サイト名|website=dc-taka.com|language=ja|access-date=April 4, 2018|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513064236/http://dc-taka.com/character/%E3%83%90%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%9E%E3%83%B3/|url-status=dead}}
• 2018: Teen Titans Go! To the Movies with Jimmy Kimmel voicing Batman.{{cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/jimmy-kimmel-voice-batman-teen-titans-go-movie/|title=Jimmy Kimmel to Voice Batman in Teen Titans GO! Movie|last=Stauffer|first=Derek|work=Screen Rant|access-date=November 13, 2019}}
• 2022: DC League of Super-Pets, with Keanu Reeves voicing Batman.{{cite web|last=Mahjouri|first=Shakiel|title=Keanu Reeves Is Caped Crusade Batman In 'DC League Of Super-Pets' Trailer|url=https://etcanada.com/news/873619/keanu-reeves-is-caped-crusade-batman-in-dc-league-of-super-pets-trailer/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306185802/https://etcanada.com/news/873619/keanu-reeves-is-caped-crusade-batman-in-dc-league-of-super-pets-trailer/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2022|date=March 6, 2022|access-date=March 6, 2022|website=ET Canada}}

• 2008: Justice League: The New Frontier, based on the comic of the same name with Jeremy Sisto voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/jeremy-sisto-is-batman-in-justice-league-the-new-frontier/|title=Jeremy Sisto Is Batman in 'Justice League: The New Frontier'|date=February 18, 2008|website=Movieweb|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2009: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, based on the comic of the same name with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://dcanimated.com/WF/dcuam/publicenemies/backstage/conroy.php|title=The World's Finest - DC Universe - Superman / Batman: Public Enemies|website=dcanimated.com|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2010: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, a loose adaptation of various DC comics with William Baldwin voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://animesuperhero.com/william-baldwin-on-voicing-the-dark-knight-for-justice-league-crisis-on-two-earths/|title=William Baldwin on Voicing the Dark Knight for "Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths"|last=Liu|first=Ed|date=December 17, 2009|website=Anime Superhero News|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726171618/https://animesuperhero.com/william-baldwin-on-voicing-the-dark-knight-for-justice-league-crisis-on-two-earths/|url-status=dead}}
• 2010: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, based on Superman/Batman: The Supergirl from Krypton with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.comicbookmovie.com/superman/kevin-conroy-interview-superman/batman-apocalypse-a22734|title=Kevin Conroy Interview: Superman/Batman Apocalypse|last=Under: "Superman"|first=EdGross|date=September 17, 2010|website=comicbookmovie.com|language=en-us|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2010: DC Super Friends: The Joker's Playhouse, based on the Fisher-Price toyline with Daran Norris voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.voiceoverherald.com/many-voices-batman/|title=The Many Voices of Batman|date=October 20, 2014|website=Voice Over Talent Industry News|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2012: Justice League: Doom, based on JLA: Tower of Babel with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2599353/justice-league-doom-cast-nathan-fillion-kevin-conroy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204004446/http://www.mtv.com/news/2599353/justice-league-doom-cast-nathan-fillion-kevin-conroy/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2016|title='Justice League: Doom' Cast Includes Nathan Fillion, Kevin Conroy|last=Page|first=Splash|website=MTV News|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2013: Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, based on Flashpoint with Kevin McKidd voicing Batman
• 2014: JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time, an original story with Diedrich Bader voicing Batman
• 2014: Justice League: War, based on Justice League: Origin with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman
• 2014: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Batman Be-Leaguered animated television special, with Troy Baker reprising his role as Batman from the Lego video games.{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/DC-Super-Heroes-Batman-Be-Leaguered/|title=DC Super Heroes Batman Be-Leaguered|website=Behind The Voice Actors|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2015: Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, based on Throne of Atlantis with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman
• 2015: Justice League: Gods and Monsters with Michael C. Hall voicing a Kirk Langstrom version of Batman{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/reviews/justice-league-gods-and-monsters-review-bluray-release-bruce-timm-1201546139/|title=Blu-Ray Review: 'Justice League: Gods and Monsters'|last=Lowry|first=Brian|date=July 24, 2015|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2015: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League, with Troy Baker reprising his role{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/exclusive-batman-gets-upstaged-in-dcs-lego-justice-league-vs-bizarro-league-clip/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Batman Gets Upstaged in DC's "LEGO Justice League vs. Bizarro League" Clip|date=February 6, 2015|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2016: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Cosmic Clash, with Troy Baker reprising his role{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/nycc-lego-heroes-return-in-justice-league-cosmic-clash/|title=NYCC: LEGO Heroes Return in "Justice League: Cosmic Clash"|date=October 11, 2015|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2017: Justice League Dark, with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman
• 2018: Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold, with Diedrich Bader voicing Batman
• 2018: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash, with Troy Baker voicing Batman
• 2018: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis, with Troy Baker voicing Batman
• 2018: The Death of Superman and Reign of the Supermen, based on The Death of Superman with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman
• 2019: Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with Troy Baker voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/batman-vs-tmnts-troy-baker-voicing-batman-joker/|title=Batman Vs. TMNT's Troy Baker on Voicing Both Batman & The Joker|date=May 29, 2019|website=Comic Book Resources|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2020: Lego DC: Shazam!: Magic and Monsters, with Troy Baker voicing Batman
• 2020: Superman: Red Son, with Roger Craig Smith voicing Batman.
• 2020: Justice League Dark: Apokolips War, with Jason O'Mara voicing Batman
• 2021: Injustice, an animated film based on the 2013 video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, featuring a parallel universe in the DC Multiverse, with Anson Mount voicing Batman.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/injustice-gods-among-us-movie-dc-1234985568/|title=DC's 'Injustice' Sets Cast for Animated Movie (Exclusive)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Couch|first=Aaron|date=July 21, 2021|accessdate=July 31, 2021}}

• 2014: A Lego-themed version of Batman appears in The Lego Movie, voiced by Will Arnett.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/will-arnett-the-lego-movie_n_4718599|title='LEGO Movie' Star Will Arnett On 'Arrested Development' Criticism|last=Rosen|first=Christopher|date=February 3, 2014|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2017: The character receives his own spin-off film, The Lego Batman Movie, voiced again by Arnett. This film takes place in a universe where all of the previous live-action films, as well as some animated series, the preceding film, and the 1966 TV series (which the film mocks in multiple instances) have somehow happened.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lego-batman-will-arnett-2017-story.html|title=Will Arnett on the pressure of starring in 'The Lego Batman Movie' and the precious instrument that is his voice|date=February 9, 2017|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}} Despite this, the film works as an origin story for both Robin and Batgirl, and is established in Lego Dimensions to be set in the Lego DC universe, distinct from The Lego Movie universe.
• 2019: Arnett reprised his role as Lego Batman in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/02/06/lego-movie-2-arnett-explains-batman-superman-superfeud/2781912002/|title=Lego Batman feuds with Superman, falls in love in 'Lego Movie 2': Will Arnett explains why|last=Alexander|first=Bryan|website=USA Today|language=en-US|access-date=December 1, 2019}}

• 2008: Batman: Gotham Knight, a collection of original shorts with Kevin Conroy voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.superherohype.com/features/96565-kevin-conroy-on-voicing-batman-gotham-knight|title=Kevin Conroy on Voicing Batman Gotham Knight|date=May 14, 2008|website=SuperHeroHype|access-date=December 1, 2019}}
• 2020: Batman: Death in the Family, an interactive short film based on the story arc from the comics that allows the viewer to choose different outcomes of the story; featuring Bruce Greenwood voicing Batman{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/batman-death-in-the-family-interactive-movie-trailer|title=First trailer for 'Batman: Death in the Family' reveals DC's first interactive movie|date=July 30, 2020|website=SyFy Wire |access-date=March 12, 2022 |first=Josh |last=Weiss }}

{{main|List of Batman films cast members}}

{{Cast indicator|appeared=multiple Batman or Batman-centered films that received a wide theatrical release|A|C|V|U|P|S|Y}}

• {{Cast indicator/note|likeness|L|the actor or actress lent only their likeness for the film}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

Additionally, President pro tempore of the United States Senate Patrick Leahy has a brief role as himself in Batman Forever and Batman & Robin, an unnamed Wayne Enterprise board member in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, and as Senator Purrington in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.{{cite news|url=https://www.insider.com/senator-patrick-leahy-stars-in-batman-movies-2021-1|title=Sen. Patrick Leahy, who's third in line to the presidency, has appeared in 5 'Batman' movies, including 'The Dark Knight Rises'|last=Sarkisian|first=Jacob|work=Insider|date=January 27, 2021|access-date=March 27, 2021}}

With a total gross of over $6.83 billion at the global box office, the series is ninth highest-grossing film franchise of all time. Domestically, Batman films have grossed U.S. $3,158,097,126, making the franchise the fourth-highest-grossing film series in North America.{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/?view=Franchise&sort=sumgross&order=DESC&p=.htm|title=Box Office Mojo Movie Franchises Index Sorted by Total Gross|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=July 10, 2013}} Critical reception of the modern films has varied throughout its different eras. The Dark Knight, from Christopher Nolan's trilogy, is considered one of the best superhero movies ever, while Batman and Robin is considered one of the worst. The Dark Knight Rises is the highest-grossing Batman movie, grossing $1,081,041,287 worldwide, while Batman and Robin is the lowest-grossing film to feature Batman, at $238,207,122 worldwide.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

{{Hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article}}

Of the 1980s and 1990s, Tim Burton's films received positive critical reviews for their return of the character to a more serious portrayal, though some felt that Batman Returns was too dark. Joel Schumacher's two films received mixed reviews, particularly Batman and Robin, which has the lowest aggregate scores out of any film in the series. Conversely, the films in Christopher Nolan's trilogy of the 2000s and 2010s have the highest scores on review aggregation websites of the live-action feature films with The Dark Knight receiving a 94% from Rotten Tomatoes and an 84 from Metacritic. Batman's newer iterations in the 2010s DCEU received mixed reviews from critics.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

The series' theatrically released animated movies have a large critical disparity, with Mask of the Phantasm and The Lego Batman Movie being well-received while Batman: The Killing Joke received mixed reviews.{{cn|date=December 2024}}

The films in the series have received numerous accolades, including having been nominated for a total of 29 Academy Awards, of which they won five; 36 British Academy Film Awards, of which they won four; and 58 Saturn Awards, of which they won 13.

{{main article|Academy Awards}}

{{notelist}}

{{main article|British Academy Film Awards}}

{{main article|Saturn Awards}}

{{notelist}}

{{Portal|Speculative fiction|Film|United States}}

• Batman franchise media
• :Category:Fan films based on Batman
• Superman in film
• Catwoman (film)

{{reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite book|last1=Griffin|first1=Nancy|last2=Masters|first2=Kim|title=Hit & Run: How Jon Peters and Peter Guber Took Sony For A Ride In Hollywood|publisher=Simon & Schuster|date=1997|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif/page/158 158–174]|isbn=0-684-80931-1|chapter=Hit Men|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/hitrunhowjonpete00grif/page/158}}

{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Alan|url=http://www.batman-online.com/index.php?articles;id=2|title=Batman in Production|publisher=Cinefantastique|pages=75–88|date=November 1989|access-date=May 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204224714/http://www.batman-online.com/index.php?articles;id=2|archive-date=December 4, 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Alan|url=http://www.1989batman.com/2013/08/vintage-magazine-article.html|title=Batman|work=Cinefantastique|pages=55–67|date=November 1989|access-date=May 2, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205004312/http://www.1989batman.com/2013/08/vintage-magazine-article.html|archive-date=December 5, 2013|url-status=dead}}

{{cite book|last1=Salisbury|first1=Mark|last2=Burton|first2=Tim|author2-link=Tim Burton|title=Burton on Burton|publisher=Faber and Faber|date=2006|location=London|pages=70–83|chapter=Batman|isbn=0-571-22926-3}}

}}

• [https://www.boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=batmanvs.htm Batman franchise overview] at Box Office Mojo

{{Batman in film}}

{{Batman (1989 film series)}}

{{Batman in popular media}}

{{DC Comics films}}

{{Batman}}

Category:Film series introduced in 1943

Category:Lists of films by franchise

Category:Warner Bros. Pictures franchises