The Lego Batman Movie#Critical response
{{short description|2017 film directed by Chris McKay}}
{{for-multi|the Lego theme associated with this film|The Lego Batman Movie (Lego theme){{!}}The Lego Batman Movie (Lego theme)|the 2013 film|Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite{{!}}Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = The Lego Batman Movie
| image = The Lego Batman Movie PromotionalPoster.jpg
| alt = Batman, Robin, Batgirl and the rest of DC characters are on the run for the yellow background from Lego.
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = Chris McKay
| producer = {{Plainlist|
}}
| screenplay = {{Plainlist|
}}
| story = Seth Grahame-Smith
| based_on = {{Plainlist|
- {{based on|Lego Construction Toys}}
- {{based on|Characters
from DC}}
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| music = Lorne Balfe
| editing = {{Plainlist|
- David Burrows
- Matt Villa
- John Venzon
}}
| studio = {{Plainlist|
- Warner Animation Group
- DC Entertainment
- RatPac-Dune Entertainment
- Lego System A/S
- Lin Pictures
- Lord Miller Productions
- Vertigo Entertainment
- Animal Logic
}}
| distributor = Warner Bros. Pictures
| released = {{Film date|2017|1|29|Dublin|2017|2|9|Denmark|2017|2|10|United States|2017|3|30|Australia|ref1=}}
| runtime = 104 minutes{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/lego-batman-movie-film-0 | title=The Lego Batman Movie (U) | work=British Board of Film Classification | date=January 13, 2017 | access-date=January 13, 2017 | archive-date=August 9, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809071714/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/lego-batman-movie-film-0 | url-status=dead }}
| country = {{Plainlist|
- Australia
- Denmark
- United States
}}
| language = English
}}
The Lego Batman Movie is a 2017 animated superhero comedy film, based on characters created by DC Comics and the Lego Batman toy line. It was directed by Chris McKay (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay that is based on a Seth Grahame-Smith story. The film is a collaboration between production houses from the United States, Australia, and Denmark, the first spin-off in The Lego Movie franchise and the second installment overall. The film features Will Arnett reprising his role as Batman from The Lego Movie alongside Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes. The story follows Batman as he attempts to overcome his greatest fear while saving Gotham City from the Joker's latest scheme.
Development of The Lego Batman Movie started in October 2014, after Warner Bros. announced several Lego films, following the critical and commercial success of The Lego Movie. Chris McKay was hired to direct after being replaced by Rob Schrab as director of the sequel to The Lego Movie. He cited both The Naked Gun and Airplane! film series as his main inspirations. Casting calls began in July to November 2015. The film pays homage to previous Batman media and also features characters from other notable franchises and film series with them. Like The Lego Movie, the animation was provided by Animal Logic. Lorne Balfe composed the musical score.
The Lego Batman Movie had its world premiere in Dublin, Ireland on January 29, 2017, and was released by Warner Bros. Pictures in U.S. theaters on February 10. The film received generally positive reviews from critics for its animation, voice acting, music, visual style and humor, and was also commercially successful, having grossed $312 million worldwide against a budget of $80 million. A sequel, Lego Superfriends, was announced in 2018, but was cancelled after Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to the Lego brand in 2020.
Plot
Within the DC-centric portion of the Lego universe, Batman protects Gotham City and fights crime. During his latest mission to stop the Joker and his cronies from destroying the city, Batman succeeds, but additionally hurts Joker's feelings when he deems him a perfunctory presence in his life, leading the villain to develop a plot for revenge.
The following day, Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne attends the city's winter gala, which is celebrating both the retirement of Police Commissioner Gordon and the ascension of his daughter, Barbara, to replace him. Wayne is smitten by Barbara and this distraction results in him unwittingly agreeing to adopt the enthusiastic orphan Dick Grayson. Wayne is then infuriated by Barbara's plans to restructure the police to function without Batman. Joker crashes the party with his cronies, but abruptly surrender themselves, except Harley Quinn, to the police. With so many villains incarcerated, Batman becomes despondent as Gotham no longer requires his crime-fighting skills.
Believing Joker is up to no good, Batman plans to steal Superman's Phantom Zone projector, a device that can banish anyone to the Phantom Zone, which houses some of the most dangerous villains in the Lego universe, only for Alfred to intervene and advise him to care for Dick. Batman initially refuses, so Alfred allows Dick to enter the Batcave. Appearing as Batman before Dick, Batman states that he is also adopting him, now christened as Robin. Batman and Robin recover the projector from the Atomic Cauldron in the Fortress of Solitude, break into Arkham Asylum and successfully send Joker to the Phantom Zone. Suspecting that Joker wanted to be sent there, Barbara detains Batman and Robin.
While the projector is being seized as evidence, Harley steals it back as part of Joker's plan and frees him, allowing him to return to Gotham with all the villains he had recruited in the Phantom Zone, including Sauron, who informs Joker that Batman is Bruce Wayne, which the latter interprets as them being roommates. The criminals ravage Gotham and conquer Wayne Manor. Realizing that Gotham does need Batman after all, Barbara releases him and Robin and teams up with them and Alfred to stop the new threat. Although his teammates achieve some success in fighting the villains, Batman forcibly sends them away and confronts Joker alone, fearing that he might lose them just like his parents.
Believing that Batman is incapable of changing his ways, Joker sends him to the Phantom Zone before stealing the Batcave's stash of confiscated bombs to destroy Gotham. Meanwhile, Phyllis, the Phantom Zone's warden, shows Batman his constant mistreatment of those closest to him; he finally accepts his greatest fear of being part of a family and decides to change. Batman's teammates return to the fight to help him, but are endangered themselves. Batman makes a deal with Phyllis to temporarily return to Gotham to retrieve the Zone's escaped villains and arrives in time to save his teammates, apologizing to them for leaving them and requesting their help to defeat Joker. They agree, with Barbara taking on the mantle of Batgirl.
With help from Joker's former team, Batman and his team defeat the escaped villains and send them back to the Phantom Zone. Joker's bombs detonate, causing the plates below Gotham to fall apart. Batman convinces Joker to help him by telling him he gives him purpose to be the hero he is. With the help of every civilian and villain, they manage to save Gotham, chain-linking themselves to reattach the plates.
Batman reveals to Robin that he is Wayne, then goes to return to the Phantom Zone to face the consequences of his earlier behavior. However, Phyllis prevents him from doing so after realizing he is a hero and seeing how he changed to save everyone. Afterward, Batman gives their adversaries a head start, knowing they will be no match for his team.
Voice cast
{{Main|List of The Lego Movie (franchise) characters|l1=List of The Lego Movie (franchise) characters|List of Batman supporting characters}}
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
|image1 = Zach Galifianakis 2012 (cropped).jpg
|width1 = 600
|height1 = 720
|image2 = Michael Cera 2012 (Cropped).jpg
|width2 = 600
|height2 = 700
|image3 = Ralph Fiennes 2013.jpg
|width3 = 600
|height3 = 720
|image4 = Rosario Dawson by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg
|width4 = 600
|height4 = 720
|footer = Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes (clockwise from top left) voiced Joker, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth respectively.
}}
- Will Arnett as Bruce Wayne / Batman: A billionaire by day and superhero by night, who defends Gotham City from crime. Arnett also voiced the character in The Lego Movie and later reprised his role in its sequel.
- Zach Galifianakis as The Joker:{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Lego Batman' Movie Finds Its Joker (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-movie-finds-joker-814851|access-date=August 16, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 12, 2015|archive-date=August 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815003901/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-movie-finds-joker-814851|url-status=live}} A clown-themed villain in Gotham City and Batman's archenemy, who defines himself by his conflict with him.
- Michael Cera as Dick Grayson / Robin:{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Michael Cera to Voice Robin in 'Lego Batman' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-cera-voice-robin-lego-809064|access-date=July 16, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717062104/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-cera-voice-robin-lego-809064|url-status=live}} An orphan who becomes a sidekick to Batman.
- Rosario Dawson as Barbara Gordon / Batgirl:{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Lego Batman' Finds Its Batgirl (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-rosario-dawson-plat-832508|access-date=October 17, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518001836/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-rosario-dawson-plat-832508|url-status=live}} The newly elected police commissioner of Gotham, who hopes to restructure the Gotham City Police Department so that the city could defend itself without Batman. She eventually comes to trust Batman and becomes Batgirl.
- Ralph Fiennes as Alfred Pennyworth:{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title='Lego Batman' Casts Ralph Fiennes as Alfred|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/lego-batman-ralph-fiennes-alfred-1201632383/|access-date=November 10, 2015|work=Variety|date=November 3, 2015|archive-date=November 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108221915/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/lego-batman-ralph-fiennes-alfred-1201632383/|url-status=live}} The Wayne family's butler, and Bruce's father figure and only confidant. Fiennes later reprised his role in The Lego Movie 2.
- Jenny Slate as Harley Quinn, Joker's partner in crime.{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-jenny-slate-secret-life-of-pets-20160706-snap-story.html |title=Animation's secret weapon: The 'Secret Life of Pets' voice all-star Jenny Slate |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2017 |archive-date=February 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209123858/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-jenny-slate-secret-life-of-pets-20160706-snap-story.html |url-status=live }}
- Héctor Elizondo as James Gordon, the retired police commissioner of Gotham and Barbara's father.{{cite web|date=February 1, 2017|title=Lego Batman Movie 'Jim Gordon' Interview – Hector Elizondo|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu0ETazjU0o|access-date=February 2, 2017|publisher=Flicks And The City Clips|archive-date=February 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209141953/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu0ETazjU0o|url-status=live}}
- Ellie Kemper as Phyllis, the Phantom Zone's warden.{{cite web|author=Donn, Emily|date=February 3, 2017|title=The Lego Batman Movie Villain Voice Actors Revealed|url=https://screenrant.com/lego-batman-movie-cast-villains/|access-date=February 3, 2017|website=Screen Rant|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203222206/http://screenrant.com/lego-batman-movie-cast-villains/|url-status=live}}
- Mariah Carey as Mayor McCaskill, the mayor of Gotham.{{cite news|last1=Galuppo|first1=Mia|date=November 9, 2015|title=Mariah Carey Joins 'The Lego Batman Movie'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mariah-carey-joins-lego-batman-838356|access-date=November 10, 2015|archive-date=November 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112003943/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mariah-carey-joins-lego-batman-838356|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=November 13, 2016|title=Nouveaux sets The Lego Batman Movie : les visuels officiels|url=http://www.brickheroes.com/2016/11/nouveaux-sets-the-lego-batman-movie-visuels-officiels/|access-date=January 31, 2017|publisher=Brick Heroes|language=fr|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119012413/http://www.brickheroes.com/2016/11/nouveaux-sets-the-lego-batman-movie-visuels-officiels/|url-status=live}}
- Lauren White as Chief O'Hara, the police chief of Gotham.
- Todd Hansen and Chris McKay respectively as Captain Dale and Pilot Bill, the two pilots of the airplane hijacked by Joker at the beginning of the film.
- Brent Musburger, Ralph Garman, and Chris Hardwick make cameo appearances as three unnamed reporters.{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Jenna|title=Chris Hardwick Did Voice Work In The Lego Batman Movie|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2017/02/01/chris-hardwick-lego-batman-movie/|access-date=January 31, 2017|work=Comic book.com|date=January 31, 2017|archive-date=February 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201071106/http://comicbook.com/dc/2017/02/01/chris-hardwick-lego-batman-movie/|url-status=live}}
- Mark Jonathan Davis as a fictionalized version of himself (his character Richard Cheese also appears through the use of archival recordings).
- Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as Superman and Green Lantern, both reprising their respective roles from The Lego Movie.
- Adam DeVine as The Flash.{{Cite news|date=February 3, 2017|title=Full Voice Cast for 'The Lego Batman Movie' Includes Some Big Surprises|newspaper=Collider|url=https://collider.com/lego-batman-movie-voices/|access-date=February 4, 2017|archive-date=February 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204112748/http://collider.com/lego-batman-movie-voices/|url-status=live}}
Several actors voice the various villains from Batman's rogues gallery, including Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face (as a nod to his role as Harvey Dent, Two-Face's former identity, in the 1989 Batman film),{{Cite news|date=February 2, 2017|title=Billy Dee Williams on Secret 'Star Wars' Lunch with Donald Glover and Finally Playing Two-Face|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/billy-dee-williams-star-wars-lunch-donald-glover-lando-calrissian-971886|access-date=February 3, 2017|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203213750/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/billy-dee-williams-star-wars-lunch-donald-glover-lando-calrissian-971886|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=February 2, 2017|title=Watch: The Lego Batman Movie Cribs Segment Tours LEGO Wayne Manor|newspaper=Slashfilm|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/the-lego-batman-movie-cribs/|access-date=February 3, 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202233855/http://www.slashfilm.com/the-lego-batman-movie-cribs/|url-status=live}} Riki Lindhome as Poison Ivy, Conan O'Brien as Riddler, Jason Mantzoukas as Scarecrow, Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman (she would later portray Catwoman in The Batman), Matt Villa as Killer Croc, Kate Micucci as Clayface, Doug Benson as Bane (the character's appearance and Benson's performance are a nod to Tom Hardy's portrayal of the character in The Dark Knight Rises), John Venzon as Penguin (the character's appearance is a nod to Danny DeVito's portrayal of the character in Batman Returns), David Burrows as Mr. Freeze (Burrows also voices an anchorman) and Laura Kightlinger as Orca (Kightlinger also voices a reporter). The film also features villains from other franchises, including Sauron from Middle-earth mythos (voiced by Jemaine Clement), the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz (also voiced by Riki Lindhome), Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter (voiced by Eddie Izzard; Fiennes did not reprise his role despite starring in the movie), King Kong from the franchise of the same name, the Swamp Creature from Lego Monster Fighters (both voiced by Seth Green), Medusa from Lego Minifigures (also voiced by Lauren White), and the Daleks from the Doctor Who franchise (voiced by Nicholas Briggs, reprising his role from said franchise).
The voice of the Batcomputer (credited as 'Puter), depicted here as an artificial intelligence controlling all of Batman's gadgets and vehicles, is courtesy of Siri.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/02/17/hello-siri-please-tell-us-about-your-feature-film-debut-in-lego-batman-movie/?noredirect=on|title=Hello, Siri. Please tell us about your feature-film debut in 'Lego Batman Movie' …|last=Cavna|first=Michael|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=June 27, 2019|archive-date=August 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819034353/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2017/02/17/hello-siri-please-tell-us-about-your-feature-film-debut-in-lego-batman-movie/?noredirect=on|url-status=live}}
Production
File:Chris McKay, The Lego Batman Movie panel at the 2016 Comic-Con International.jpg, the animation supervisor on The Lego Movie, director of The Lego Batman Movie.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Lego Batman' Spinoff Movie in the Works at Warner Bros.|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-spinoff-movie-works-738631|access-date=October 11, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 10, 2014|archive-date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015170920/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-spinoff-movie-works-738631|url-status=live}}]]
=Development=
In October 2014, following the success of The Lego Movie, Warner Bros. greenlit multiple Lego films, including The Lego Batman Movie, a spin-off starring Batman. Warner Bros. scheduled the release of The Lego Batman Movie for May 26, 2017, moving the release date for The Lego Movie 2 (later titled as The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part) to May 25, 2018.{{cite news|last1=Kroll|first1=Justin|title=WB Announces 10 DC Comics Movies, 3 'Harry Potter' Spinoffs and 'Lego' Sequels|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/warner-bros-dc-justice-league-harry-potter-spinoff-lego-sequel-1201330734/|access-date=October 15, 2014|work=Variety|date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015232002/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/warner-bros-dc-justice-league-harry-potter-spinoff-lego-sequel-1201330734/|url-status=live|archive-date=October 15, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124052|title=Warner Bros. DC Comics Movie Slate Fully Revealed!|publisher=ComingSoon.net|access-date=October 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017111735/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124052 |url-status=live|archive-date=October 17, 2014}} Chris McKay, who co-directed The Lego Movie, was brought on board to direct the film, making it his solo directorial debut. Will Arnett returned to voice Batman, with the story written by Seth Grahame-Smith, and the film produced by Dan Lin, Roy Lee, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.{{cite web|last1=Kaye|first1=Don|title=Lego Batman Director Chris McKay on Making the Jerry Maguire of Batman Movies|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/the-lego-batman-movie/262125/lego-batman-director-chris-mckay-on-making-the-jerry-maguire-of-batman-movies|website=Denofgeek|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=August 7, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807115725/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/the-lego-batman-movie/262125/lego-batman-director-chris-mckay-on-making-the-jerry-maguire-of-batman-movies|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title='Lego Batman' Spinoff Movie in the Works at Warner Bros. (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-spinoff-movie-works-738631|access-date=October 15, 2014|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015170920/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-spinoff-movie-works-738631|url-status=live|archive-date=October 15, 2014}} On April 20, 2015, Warner Bros. moved up The Lego Batman Movie to a February 10, 2017 release.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-movie-gets-release-790232|title='The Lego Batman Movie' Gets Release Date|author=Borys Kit|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=(Prometheus Global Media)|date=April 20, 2015|access-date=April 21, 2015|archive-date=April 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422184441/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-movie-gets-release-790232|url-status=live}}
According to Lin, he convinced The Lego Batman Movie to be a family-friendly version of Deadpool, although he described The Lego Movie as The Matrix for children.{{cite web|url=https://laist.com/shows/the-frame/what-the-lego-batman-movie-has-in-common-with-deadpool|title=What 'The Lego Batman Movie' has in common with 'Deadpool'}} In an interview about his work on the film, McKay stated that working on the film was "a very mixed blessing" owing partly to the film's hectic time schedule for its production, remarking that the two-and-a-half years allocated to the film made it difficult to fit in everything that he wanted for the movie, considering his earlier work on The Lego Movie. His work on The Lego Batman Movie was influenced by the comedy portrayed in both The Naked Gun and Airplane! film series, with his pitch for the film to the studios being described as like "Jerry Maguire as directed by Michael Mann". His proposal to combine all the Batman eras featured in the comic book series and various media formats, including movies and comic series, despite a couple of issues—the total inconsistency inherent to such a task, and Lego rejecting some of the characters he proposed to include in the film—was based on his desire of how to portray Robin within the film's setting. In an interview regarding his version of the superhero duo, McKay stated:{{cite web|last1=Failes|first1=Ian|title=Q&A: Chris McKay Goes Full Caped Crusader on 'The Lego Batman Movie'|url=http://www.cartoonbrew.com/interviews/qa-chris-mckay-goes-full-caped-crusader-lego-batman-movie-148431.html|website=Cartoonbrew|date=February 10, 2017|access-date=August 7, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807114836/http://www.cartoonbrew.com/interviews/qa-chris-mckay-goes-full-caped-crusader-lego-batman-movie-148431.html|url-status=live}}
{{blockquote|I was thinking that we were basically taking the Burt Ward Robin and sticking him in the Batmobile with the Zack Snyder/Ben Affleck Batman, or the Frank Miller Batman. And putting these two different energies together. Somebody who's like the grumpiest, dark grittiest, broodiest Batman with the most positive, indefatigable kid.}}
In 2019, prior to the release of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Chris Miller stated that all of the Lego movies are based on the imagination of a child character, with The Lego Movie events happening in young Finn's mind. Miller affirmed that The Lego Batman Movie was also from the imagination of Finn and Bianca, though the characters did not appear within the film.{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/23/the-lego-movie-2-phil-lord-and-chris-miller-explain-their-meta-universe | title = The Lego Movie 2: Phil Lord And Chris Miller Explain Their Meta Universe | first = William | last = Bibbiani | date = January 23, 2019 | access-date = January 23, 2019 | work = IGN | archive-date = January 24, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190124041912/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/01/23/the-lego-movie-2-phil-lord-and-chris-miller-explain-their-meta-universe | url-status = live }}
=Casting=
In July 2015, Arnett's Arrested Development co-star Michael Cera was cast to voice Robin.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-cera-voice-robin-lego-809064|title=Michael Cera to Voice Robin in 'Lego Batman' (Exclusive)|author=Borys Kit|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=(Prometheus Global Media)|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2015|archive-date=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717062104/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/michael-cera-voice-robin-lego-809064|url-status=live}} In August 2015, Zach Galifianakis entered final negotiations to voice the Joker.{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-movie-finds-joker-814851|title='Lego Batman' Movie Finds Its Joker (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=August 12, 2015|access-date=January 11, 2022|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224161528/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-movie-finds-joker-814851|url-status=live}} In October 2015, Rosario Dawson was cast to voice Barbara Gordon, the daughter of police commissioner James Gordon who later becomes the crime-fighting heroine Batgirl.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-rosario-dawson-plat-832508|title='Lego Batman' Finds Its Batgirl (Exclusive)|author=Borys Kit|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=October 16, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2015|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518001836/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-rosario-dawson-plat-832508|url-status=live}} The following month, Ralph Fiennes was cast as Alfred Pennyworth,{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ralph-fiennes-lego-batman-finds-836338|title='Lego Batman' Finds Its Alfred with Ralph Fiennes (Exclusive)|author=Borys Kit|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 3, 2015|access-date=November 3, 2015|archive-date=November 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104233114/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ralph-fiennes-lego-batman-finds-836338|url-status=live}} Bruce Wayne's butler. Initial reports indicated that Mariah Carey was playing Commissioner Gordon.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/mariah-carey-the-lego-batman-movie-commissioner-gordon-warner-bros-1201615247/|title=Mariah Carey Playing Commissioner Gordon In 'The Lego Batman Movie'|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=November 9, 2015|access-date=January 11, 2022|archive-date=January 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111022835/https://deadline.com/2015/11/mariah-carey-the-lego-batman-movie-commissioner-gordon-warner-bros-1201615247/|url-status=live}} However, she was actually cast as Mayor McCaskill.{{cite tweet|user=Borys_Kit|number=663790757900226560|title=This just in: Mariah Carey is NOT playing Commissioner Gordon but rather Gotham's mayor.|last=Kit|first=Borys|language=en|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320222351/https://twitter.com/Borys_Kit/status/663790757900226560|url-status=live}}
=Animation=
Animation was done by Animal Logic,{{Cite web |title=The Lego Batman Movie |url=https://animallogic.com/portfolio/projects/tlbm-2/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Animal Logic |language=en-US}} Autodesk Maya and Softimage was used to animate the movie. Lego Digital Designer was used for LEGO model design.{{Cite web |title=What software was used to make the LEGO Movie? |url=https://movies.stackexchange.com/questions/18156/what-software-was-used-to-make-the-lego-movie |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Movies & TV Stack Exchange |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=What software was used to create the LEGO Movie? |url=https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/3020/what-software-was-used-to-create-the-lego-movie |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Bricks |language=en}}
=''Batman'' and pop culture references=
As part of its production, the film was designed to make numerous references to previous Batman films, cartoons and comics. In two distinct scenes where Barbara Gordon depicts Batman's long history of services for the police and Alfred quotes Batman's previous films (as previous moments of emotional crisis), they mention: the 1940s Batman serials, the films Batman (1966), Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Batman & Robin (1997), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Suicide Squad (2016); the television shows Batman (1960s), Batman: The Animated Series (1990s), Batman Beyond (2000s) and The Batman (2000s); and the comics Detective Comics #27 (Batman's introductory story), The Dark Knight Returns (1986) and Gotham by Gaslight (1989).{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/14/the-lego-batman-movie-easter-eggs-and-references | title = The Lego Batman Movie Easter Eggs and References | first = Joshua | last = Yehl | date = February 14, 2017 | access-date = February 14, 2017 | work = IGN | archive-date = February 15, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170215000207/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/14/the-lego-batman-movie-easter-eggs-and-references | url-status = live }} Other references include previous costumes worn by Batman and Robin and the various Batmobiles used. In most cases, their appearances in the film are done in a Lego style, with the exception being footage from a live-action shot of Adam West's depiction of Batman in the 1960s Batman series and a picture of Batman's suit from Batman & Robin. Climactic events from past Batman films involving the Joker have been mentioned, including "that time with the parade and the Prince music" (1989's Batman) and "the two boats" (The Dark Knight).
Alongside Joker, the main antagonist of the film's story, and Superman, who features heavily and has notable links to the Christopher Reeve films Superman (1978) and its sequel Superman II (1980), many other DC characters, both villains associated with Batman and other DC superheroes, feature in the film. The film's villains who have been featured in Batman comics, films and cartoons include: Man-Bat; Captain Boomerang; Egghead; Crazy Quilt; Eraser; Polka-Dot Man; Mime; Tarantula; King Tut from the 1960s series; Killer Moth; March Harriet; Zodiac Master; the Mutant Leader from The Dark Knight Returns; Doctor Phosphorus; Magpie; Calculator; Hugo Strange; an unidentified version of Red Hood; the Kabuki Twins from The Batman; Orca; Gentleman Ghost; Clock King; Calendar Man; Kite Man; Catman; Zebra-Man; and a variation of Condiment King from Batman: The Animated Series. The other DC heroes who feature, both from the Justice League and Super Friends, include: Wonder Woman; Aquaman; The Flash; Cyborg; Green Arrow; Black Canary; Hawkman; Hawkgirl; Martian Manhunter; Apache Chief; Black Vulcan; El Dorado; Samurai; Wonder Dog; the Wonder Twins and Gleek. Although not part of the DC franchise, Iron Man from Marvel Comics is referenced in the film as part of a small joke about Batman's password for entering the Batcave, referencing the famous rivalry between DC and Marvel.
The film also features characters from other notable franchises and film series with them following the same narrative of The Lego Movie in that they came from worlds that co-exist alongside others of the Lego universe, which are made up of Lego playsets of the various media franchises. These additional characters include: Medusa from Lego Minifigures; the Swamp Creature, Evil Mummy and Lord Vampyre from Lego Monster Fighters; King Kong; the Daleks from the Doctor Who franchise; the Wicked Witch of the West and her flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz; the Kraken from Clash of the Titans; Agent Smith and his clones from The Matrix franchise; "Bruce" the shark from Jaws; Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter; Sauron from the Middle-earth mythos; the Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptors from Jurassic Park; The Skeleton Warriors from Jason and the Argonauts and the Gremlins.{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2017/02/everything-is-batman-all-the-easter-eggs-and-references-in-the-lego-batman-movie/|title=Everything is Batman: All the Easter Eggs and References We Spotted in The Lego Batman Movie|first=Tom|last=Pritchard|date=February 5, 2017|access-date=February 19, 2017|work=Gizmodo|archive-date=February 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219201536/http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2017/02/everything-is-batman-all-the-easter-eggs-and-references-in-the-lego-batman-movie/|url-status=live}} The scene where the Gremlins attack the Batwing is a homage to The Twilight Zone episode, "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet".{{cite web|url=https://moviepilot.com/p/lego-batman-movie-easter-eggs-references-best/4207680|title=Holy References Batman! The 15 Best Easter Eggs In 'The Lego Batman Movie|first=S. C.|last=O'Donnell|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=February 24, 2017|work=Moviepilot|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225135450/https://moviepilot.com/p/lego-batman-movie-easter-eggs-references-best/4207680|url-status=live}} Originally, the film was going to include more villains such as Bill from Kill Bill: Volume 1 and Volume 2, the Butcher from Gangs of New York and Annie Wilkes from Misery, but those ideas never came into fruition.{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1624310/the-lego-batman-movie-almost-included-four-more-iconic-villains|title=The Lego Batman Movie Almost Included Four More Iconic Villains|date=February 13, 2017 }}
The film also includes Batman watching the scene from Jerry Maguire where Tom Cruise says "You complete me" (which makes Batman laugh out loud); this line had previously been quoted by The Joker in The Dark Knight. In the scene where Batman discusses possible team names he mentions Fox Force Five, which is the name of Mia Wallace's failed television pilot mentioned in Pulp Fiction.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/batman/262089/the-lego-batman-movie-references-and-easter-egg-guide|title=The Lego Batman Movie References and Easter Egg Guide|first=David|last=Crow|date=February 17, 2017|access-date=April 11, 2017|work=Den of Geek|archive-date=August 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824133041/https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/batman/262089/the-lego-batman-movie-references-and-easter-egg-guide|url-status=live}} The Winged Avenger suit also pays homage to a 1967 episode of the same name from The Avengers.{{cite web|url=https://whatculture.com/film/lego-batman-movie-75-easter-eggs-references-you-need-to-see|title=LEGO Batman Movie: 75 Easter Eggs & References You Need To See}} The airplane in the film's opening scene, known as McGuffin 1138 has two references, one being the 1930 novel, The Maltese Falcon, and the other being the 1971 George Lucas film, THX 1138.{{cite web|url=https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_facts_you_might_not_know_about_the_lego_batman_movie/s1__37724429|title=20 facts you might not know about 'The Lego Batman Movie'|date=July 26, 2024 }} The X-ray security machine found in Arkham Asylum largely resembles the one used in Total Recall.{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/lego-batman-movie-easter-eggs/|title=All the Easter Eggs We Found in 'The Lego Batman Movie'|date=February 10, 2017 }} The scene involving Alfred losing his grip and falling off the edge of a plane is a reference to 1988's Die Hard.{{cite web|url=https://www.kiro7.com/living/30-popculture-references-that-prove-aposdie-hardapos-is-as-awesome-as-ever-30-years-later/789293353/|title=30 pop-culture references that prove 'Die Hard' is as awesome as ever, 30 years later|date=July 13, 2018 }} The film's use of Cutting Crew's "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" is a nod to the 1999's Never Been Kissed. Other references in the film include Bad Boys, Gleaming the Cube and Gymkata.
The casting of Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face references the 1989 Batman film, in which Williams played District Attorney Harvey Dent, before his transition to Two-Face.{{cn|date=March 2025}} This was the second Lego film that Williams had a role in, after The Lego Movie, in which he voiced the Star Wars character Lando Calrissian from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/billy-dee-williams-voice-two-face-lego-batman-movie-1594367|title=Billy Dee Williams to voice Two-Face in The Lego Batman movie|date=December 2016 }} Director Chris McKay said the film's depiction of Gotham City was inspired by Chicago partly due to Christopher Nolan having filmed The Dark Knight Trilogy in Chicago.{{Cite tweet|user=buddboetticher|number=865836836588888064|title=We designed Gotham City to look like Chicago because Nolan shot Chicago for GC (mostly) and I'm from Chicago|last=McKay|first=Chris|author-link=Chris McKay|language=en|access-date=April 29, 2022|archive-date=April 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429052318/https://mobile.twitter.com/buddboetticher/status/865836836588888064|url-status=dead}}
The film also references Arrested Development,{{Cite web |date=2017-02-10 |title=There's An 'Arrested Development' Joke In 'The Lego Batman Movie' |url=https://uproxx.com/tv/the-lego-batman-movie-arrested-development-easter-egg/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US |archive-date=October 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005054032/https://uproxx.com/tv/the-lego-batman-movie-arrested-development-easter-egg/ |url-status=live }} which Arnett and Cera starred in together as uncle and nephew.
Music
{{main|The Lego Batman Movie (soundtrack)|l1=The Lego Batman Movie (soundtrack)}}
The Lego Batman Movie is the first in the franchise not to be composed by Mark Mothersbaugh; the film score is composed by Lorne Balfe.{{cite news|last1=McCue|first1=Michelle|title=Lorne Balfe's Score For The Lego Batman Movie Available February 3 On CD/Digital|url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni60722885/|access-date=February 11, 2017|work=Variety|date=February 11, 2017|archive-date=February 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211232909/http://www.imdb.com/news/ni60722885/|url-status=live}}{{cite tweet|user=RHCPchad|number=830285597814190080|last=Smith|first=Chad|title=Honored to be on my first music score! Thanks @Lornebalfe|language=en|access-date=February 16, 2017|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222190617/https://twitter.com/RHCPchad/status/830285597814190080|url-status=live}} The soundtrack album was released by WaterTower Music on February 3, 2017, through two-disc CD and for digital download, while the vinyl version was released on May 19, 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.watertower-music.com/news/newsstory.php?title=561226|title=WaterTower Music – THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE" SOUNDTRACK AVAIL FEBRUARY 3|website=www.watertower-music.com|access-date=2019-09-25|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809025506/http://www.watertower-music.com/news/newsstory.php?title=561226|url-status=live}}
Marketing
File:Will Arnett by Gage Skidmore.jpg, voice actor of Batman, promoting the film at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.]]
The first teaser trailer for The Lego Batman Movie was released on March 24, 2016, and features the song "Black and Yellow" by Wiz Khalifa.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/24/lego-batman-movie-trailer|title=The Lego Batman Movie trailer drops the mic (and reheats some leftovers)|author=Snetiker, Marc|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 24, 2016|access-date=March 24, 2016|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324234845/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/24/lego-batman-movie-trailer|url-status=live}} It was attached to showings of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in theatres. A second teaser trailer was released on March 28, 2016, and features references to all live-action iterations of Batman, from the 1960s Batman TV series to Batman v Superman.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/03/lego-batman-movie-trailer/|title=The Brickin' Lego Batman Movie Trailer Is Here!|magazine=Wired |access-date=March 8, 2024|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308161914/https://www.wired.com/2016/03/lego-batman-movie-trailer/|url-status=live |last1=Raftery |first1=Brian }} A third trailer was released on July 23, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://theplaylist.net/new-trailer-lego-batman-movie-brings-together-heroes-villains-bricks-20160723/|title=New Trailer For 'The Lego Batman Movie' Brings Together Heroes, Villains, And Bricks|date=July 24, 2016 |access-date=March 8, 2024|archive-date=March 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308162028/https://theplaylist.net/new-trailer-lego-batman-movie-brings-together-heroes-villains-bricks-20160723/|url-status=live}}{{YouTube|id=LHgQSwgKygk|title=The Lego Batman Movie – Wayne Manor Teaser Trailer [HD]}} A fourth trailer was released on November 4, 2016.{{YouTube|id=LZSQTVdF3QM|title=THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE Trailer 1 – 3 (2017)}}{{cite web|first=Dave|last=McNary|title='Wonder Woman' Dominates Social Media Buzz, Thanks to Trailer|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/wonder-woman-social-media-buzz-trailer-1201911571/|website=Variety|access-date=November 8, 2016|date=November 7, 2016|quote=after releasing a new trailer on Nov. 4.|archive-date=November 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108132748/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/wonder-woman-social-media-buzz-trailer-1201911571/|url-status=live}} Over twenty Lego sets inspired by scenes from the film were released for the film including two sets of Collectible Minifigures. A Story Pack for the toys-to-life video game Lego Dimensions based on The Lego Batman Movie was released on February 10, 2017, alongside the film. The pack adds a six-level story campaign adapting the events of the film, and includes playable figures of Robin and Batgirl, a driveable Batwing, and a constructible gateway model based on the Batcomputer. A Fun Pack including Excalibur Batman and his Bionic Steed was also released the same day.{{cite web |last=Perry |first=Spencer |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/games/news/767267-the-lego-batman-movie-and-knight-rider-coming-to-lego-dimensions-in-2017 |title=Knight Rider and Lego Batman Movie Coming to LEGO Dimensions |publisher=Comingsoon.net |date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2017 |archive-date=May 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501175454/http://www.comingsoon.net/games/news/767267-the-lego-batman-movie-and-knight-rider-coming-to-lego-dimensions-in-2017 |url-status=live}}
On January 14, 2017, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Chevrolet unveiled a life-sized Lego Batmobile inspired by the design featured in the film, constructed from around 350,000 Lego pieces. As a related promotion, a Bat-Signal (alternating between Batman's emblem and the Chevrolet logo) was projected on the Renaissance Center over the weekend, and Chevrolet released a new television commercial tying into the film, featuring the Batmobile as a crossover with its ongoing "Real People, Not Actors" campaign.{{cite web|title=GM gives Detroit a 'Gotham' feel with Bat symbol on Renaissance Center|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2017/01/gm_gives_detroit_a_gotham_feel.html|website=MILive.com|date=January 14, 2017|access-date=January 16, 2017|archive-date=July 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711040723/http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2017/01/gm_gives_detroit_a_gotham_feel.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Holy Movie Integration! Lego Batman Stars in Chevy Ad|url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/holy-movie-integration-lego-batman-stars-chevy-ad/307505/|website=Advertising Age|date=January 14, 2017 |access-date=January 16, 2017|archive-date=January 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170115172414/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/holy-movie-integration-lego-batman-stars-chevy-ad/307505/|url-status=live}}
Warner Bros. released several promotional tie-ins on the week of the movie's release. LEGO billboard versions of several TV shows were shown outside of the studio lot, that took 300 hours to make out of 10,000 bricks.{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/hitfix/lego-batman-dc-billboards/|title=Supergirl, Arrow, Ellen, And More Assumed LEGO Form To Support 'The Lego Batman Movie'|first=Donna|last=Dickens|date=February 6, 2017|publisher=Uproxx|access-date=March 18, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319022701/http://uproxx.com/hitfix/lego-batman-dc-billboards/|url-status=live}} At this time, McDonald's began selling Happy Meal toys based on the movie itself.{{cite web|url=https://www.brickfinder.net/2017/01/18/lego-batman-movie-happy-meal-toys-revealed/|title=Lego Batman Movie Happy Meal Freebies Revealed|date=January 18, 2017 }} The Big Bang Theory included a LEGO version of the opening sequence in the episode "The Locomotion Reverberation" that first aired on CBS. In addition, the network aired two LEGO commercials featuring Batman and the cast.{{cite magazine|last=Kinane|first=Ruth|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/02/07/lego-batman-big-bang-theory/|title=Lego Batman takes over The Big Bang Theory|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=March 18, 2017|archive-date=March 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318180637/http://ew.com/tv/2017/02/07/lego-batman-big-bang-theory/|url-status=live}}
The CW featured LEGO end cards for Supergirl, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow, respectively, on the week of the movie's release. All four DC shows also include a special variant of the Berlanti Productions logo that featured Batman's cameo and a new recording from Greg Berlanti's real-life father who says "Batman, move your head." instead of the usual "Greg, move your head." In addition, the network aired two commercials where Batman interacts with the characters from each show.{{cite web|last=O'Donnell|first=S.C.|url=https://moviepilot.com/p/lego-batman-movie-trailer-cw-arrowverse/4203957|title=Batman Meets The CW's Arrowverse In A Delightful New Promo For 'The Lego Batman Movie'|publisher=Movie Pilot|access-date=March 18, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319022637/https://moviepilot.com/p/lego-batman-movie-trailer-cw-arrowverse/4203957|url-status=live}}
Release
=Theatrical=
The film's world premiere was conducted in Dublin, Ireland on January 29, 2017,{{cite web|title=Awesome! Win a family pass to Lego Batman premiere|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0118/845813-awesome-win-a-family-pass-to-see-lego-batman/|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|access-date=February 4, 2017|date=January 23, 2017|archive-date=February 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205013154/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2017/0118/845813-awesome-win-a-family-pass-to-see-lego-batman/|url-status=live}} where upon it went into general release from February 8; it was released in Denmark on February 9, and in the United States and the United Kingdom on February 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4116284/releaseinfo|title=The Lego Batman Movie (2017)|website=IMDb|access-date=March 3, 2017|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216214509/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4116284/releaseinfo|url-status=live}} Its overall release saw movie theatres displaying the film in 3D, RealD 3D, Dolby Cinema, IMAX 3D and 4DX. though the latter format was restricted to 3D for North America, while international countries were able to view it in IMAX.{{cite news|title=IMAX and Warner Bros. Extend Deal to Include 12 More Films|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/777749-imax-and-warner-bros-extend-deal-to-include-12-more-films#/slide/1|access-date=October 22, 2016|work=ComingSoon.net|date=October 19, 2016|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022140910/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/777749-imax-and-warner-bros-extend-deal-to-include-12-more-films#/slide/1|url-status=live}}
=Home media=
The Lego Batman Movie was released on Digital HD on May 19, 2017. The release included the theatrical short film The Master: A LEGO Ninjago Short, as well as four new short films: Dark Hoser, Batman is Just Not That Into You, Cooking with Alfred and Movie Sound Effects: How Do They Do That?.{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Spencer|title=The Lego Batman Movie DVD and Blu-Ray Set for June Release|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/836615-the-lego-batman-movie-dvd-and-blu-ray-set-for-june-release|publisher=ComingSoon.net|access-date=April 27, 2017|date=April 11, 2017|archive-date=April 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420011231/http://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/836615-the-lego-batman-movie-dvd-and-blu-ray-set-for-june-release|url-status=live}} There is also an audio commentary to listen throughout the movie, along with behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lukethompson/2017/06/12/blu-ray-review-the-lego-batman-movie-effortlessly-balances-parent-and-kid-appeal/|title=Blu-ray Review: 'The LEGO Batman Movie' Effortlessly Balances Parent And Kid Appeal|website=Forbes }} The Lego Batman Movie was released on DVD, Blu-ray (2D and 3D), and Ultra HD Blu-ray by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on June 13, 2017. The film debuted at No. 3 on the NPD VideoScan overall disc sales chart behind Beauty and the Beast and John Wick: Chapter 2.{{cite magazine|last1=Arnold|first1=Thomas K.|title='John Wick' Sequel Reignites Original on Disc Charts for Lionsgate|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/john-wick-sequel-reignites-original-on-disc-charts-for-lionsgate-1202475591/|magazine=Variety|access-date=June 22, 2017|date=June 21, 2017|archive-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622022249/http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/john-wick-sequel-reignites-original-on-disc-charts-for-lionsgate-1202475591/|url-status=live}} Selling 1.9 million units and generating a revenue of $41 million, it was the sixth-highest-selling animated title of 2017, after Moana, Trolls, Sing, Despicable Me 3 and Cars 3, as well as the fourteenth-highest-selling title of that year overall.{{cite web|title=Top Selling Video Titles in the United States in 2017|url=http://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/packaged-media-sales/2017|website=The Numbers|access-date=December 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153819/http://www.the-numbers.com/home-market/packaged-media-sales/2017|archive-date=December 3, 2017|url-status=live}}
Reception
=Box office=
The Lego Batman Movie grossed $175.8 million in the United States and Canada and $136.2 million in other territories for a worldwide gross of $312 million, against a production budget of $80 million.
In the United States and Canada, The Lego Batman Movie opened alongside two other sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and John Wick: Chapter 2, and was projected to gross around $60 million from 4,088 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/fifty-shades-darker-lego-batman-john-wick-chapter-2-box-office-preview-1201904124/|title='Lego Batman' Will Tie Down Christian Grey In U.S., But 'Fifty Shades' Will Smack DC Hero Around The World: Box Office Preview|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|archive-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208123142/http://deadline.com/2017/02/fifty-shades-darker-lego-batman-john-wick-chapter-2-box-office-preview-1201904124/|url-status=live}} It earned $2.2 million from Thursday-night previews and $14.5 million on Friday.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/02/11/box-office-lego-batman-movie-nabs-super-15m-friday/ |title=Box Office: 'Lego Batman Movie' Nabs Super $15M Friday |work=Forbes |access-date=September 16, 2017 |archive-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114151901/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/02/11/box-office-lego-batman-movie-nabs-super-15m-friday/ |url-status=live }} It went on to open with $53 million, finishing first at the box office.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/13/what-batman-movie-had-the-best-opening-weekend-box-office |title=What Batman Movie Had The Best Opening Weekend Box Office? |last=Dornbush |first=Jonathon |work=IGN |date=February 13, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809122241/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/02/13/what-batman-movie-had-the-best-opening-weekend-box-office |url-status=live }} In its second weekend, the film grossed $32.7 million (a small drop of 38.4%), again topping the box office;{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/lego-batman-fifty-shades-fist-fight-the-great-wall-cure-for-wellness-weekend-box-office-1201914695/ |title=Another Holiday Weekend Where Holdovers Reign & New Studio Releases Tank: Presidents' Day B.O. |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 20, 2017 |access-date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110123446/https://deadline.com/2017/02/lego-batman-fifty-shades-fist-fight-the-great-wall-cure-for-wellness-weekend-box-office-1201914695/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2017W07/ |title=Weekend Box Office Results for February 17–19, 2017 |website=Box Office Mojo |date=2017-02-19 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710215649/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/chart/?yr=2017&wknd=07&p=.htm |url-status=live }} with the additional President's Day holiday on Monday, it made a total of $42.7 million for the weekend.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/box-office-top-20-lego-batman-fifty-shades-stay-on-top/2017/02/21/bbc7e91e-f87f-11e6-aa1e-5f735ee31334_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128092858/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/box-office-top-20-lego-batman-fifty-shades-stay-on-top/2017/02/21/bbc7e91e-f87f-11e6-aa1e-5f735ee31334_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 28, 2019|title=Box Office Top 20: 'Lego Batman,' 'Fifty Shades' stay on top|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|date=February 21, 2017|access-date=February 21, 2017}} In its third weekend of release, the film dropped to second at the box office, behind newcomer Get Out, grossing $19.2 million (a drop of 41.2%).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/02/get-out-collide-rock-dog-lego-batman-fifty-shades-darker-box-office-1201964096/ |title=Universal/Blumhouse's 'Get Out' Now Grabbing A $30M+ Opening |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 27, 2017 |access-date=February 27, 2017 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331163338/https://deadline.com/2017/02/get-out-collide-rock-dog-lego-batman-fifty-shades-darker-box-office-1201964096/ |url-status=live}}
Outside North America, the film was simultaneously released in 61 countries, and was expected to gross around $40 million over its first three days. It ended up grossing $37 million in its opening weekend, including $9.3 million in the United Kingdom, $2.6 million in Mexico, $2.3 million in Germany and $2.2 million in Russia.{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed1281360900/ |title='Lego Batman' Tops 'Fifty Shades Darker' & 'John Wick 2' With $55.6 Million |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=May 10, 2022 |archive-date=February 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213112410/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4267&p=.htm |url-status=live }} In the United Kingdom, the film topped the box office for three weeks until it was dethroned by Logan in its fourth weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/uk-box-office-logan-posts-big-opening-as-moonlight-gets-oscar-boost/5115591.article|title=UK box office: 'Logan' posts big opening as 'Moonlight' gets Oscar boost|access-date=April 9, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409215536/https://www.screendaily.com/news/uk-box-office-logan-posts-big-opening-as-moonlight-gets-oscar-boost/5115591.article|url-status=live}} Meanwhile, The Lego Batman Movie opened in China with $3.7 million and ranked in fourth place behind the latter film, A Dog's Purpose and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-logan-rips-lego-batman-shreds-49m-debut-983377/|title=China Box Office: 'Logan' Rips 'Lego Batman' to Shreds With $49M Debut|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 5, 2017}}
=Critical response=
On review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Lego Batman Movie continues its block-buster franchise's winning streak with another round of dizzyingly funny—and beautifully animated—family-friendly mayhem."{{cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=the_lego_batman_movie |type=m |access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206232949/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lego_batman_movie/|archive-date=February 6, 2017|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} It was ranked the 23rd best superhero movie of all time on the site. As of January 2025, it has fallen to 30th.{{cite web |url= https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-superhero-movies-of-all-time/ |title= 64 Best Superhero Movies of All Time |work= Rotten Tomatoes |access-date= October 11, 2018 |archive-date= July 24, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190724222829/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-superhero-movies-of-all-time/ |url-status= live }} On Metacritic, the film has a score of 75 out of 100, based on 48 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite Metacritic|id=the-lego-batman-movie |title=The Lego Batman Movie Reviews |type=m |access-date=February 10, 2017 |archive-date=February 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209070230/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-lego-batman-movie |url-status=live }} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |url= https://cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |access-date= January 7, 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180722041238/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= July 22, 2018 |url-status=dead}}
Mike Ryan of Uproxx gave the film a positive review, praising its comedy, and saying: "The Lego Batman Movie isn't the same experience as watching The LEGO Movie, but I also don't think it's trying to be. It's trying to be a fun superhero movie with clever callbacks to previous Batman films (every single Batman movie all the way back to the 1940s serials are referenced) that can, at least, provide DC superhero fans with a taste of fun amidst all the doom and gloom. (That can either be a reference to 'the real world' or the current DC Cinematic Universe films, you can choose either one you want or both.) And at that, The Lego Batman Movie succeeds."{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Mike|url=http://uproxx.com/movies/the-lego-batman-movie-review/|title='The Lego Batman Movie' Succeeds As, Finally, A 'Fun' DC Superhero Movie|website=Uproxx|date=February 4, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017|archive-date=February 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206172449/http://uproxx.com/movies/the-lego-batman-movie-review/|url-status=live}} Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a "B+" and wrote, "Lego Batman revs so fast and moves so frenetically that it becomes a little exhausting by the end. It flirts with being too much of a good thing. But rarely has corporate brainwashing been so much fun and gone down with such a delightful aftertaste."{{cite magazine|last=Nashawaty|first=Chris|url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/02/09/lego-batman-movie-ew-review/|title=The Lego Batman Movie: EW review|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=February 4, 2017|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319200938/http://ew.com/movies/2017/02/09/lego-batman-movie-ew-review/|url-status=live}} Tara Brady of The Irish Times earned a 4 out of 5 rating, saying, "Under the direction of Robot Chicken{{'}}s Chris McKay, Arnett relentlessly prods at Batman with a welcome helping of BoJack Horseman-brand misery and narcissism."{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-lego-batman-movie-review-batman-never-better-as-a-psychopathic-jerk-1.2966858|title=The Lego Batman Movie review: Batman never better as a psychopathic jerk|newspaper=The Irish Times }}
Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times was positive in his review, saying, "In its best moments, this gag-a-minute Bat-roast serves as a reminder that, in the right hands, a sharp comic scalpel can be an instrument of revelation as well as ridicule."{{cite web|last=Chang|first=Justin|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lego-batman-review-20170203-story.html|title='The Lego Batman Movie' is the best Batman movie since 'The Dark Knight'|website=Los Angeles Times|date=February 4, 2017|access-date=March 19, 2017|archive-date=March 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319090822/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lego-batman-review-20170203-story.html|url-status=live}} J. R. Jones of the Chicago Reader wrote, "A movie of endlessly hurtling momentum, this is Mad Max: Fury Road for five-year-olds, and not nearly as much fun as snapping those bricks together."{{cite news|last=Jones|first=J. R.|title=The Lego Batman Movie 3D|date=February 9, 2017|newspaper=Chicago Reader|url=https://chicagoreader.com/film/the-lego-batman-movie-3d/|accessdate=October 17, 2024}} Peter Howell of The Toronto Star gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying, "First-time director Chris McKay, late of the Cartoon Network's Robot Chicken, throws at the screen seemingly everything his committee of screenwriters scripted."{{Cite web |last=Howell |first=Peter |date=2017-02-09 |title=The Lego Batman Movie builds on original: review |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/the-lego-batman-movie-builds-on-original-review/article_b4369562-02fb-5efb-8fe5-fe401d1ef980.html |access-date=2024-10-17|website=The Toronto Star |language=en-CA}} Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post praised the film for its heart, humor, and action which "snap together, with a satisfying click."{{cite news|last=O'Sullivan|first=Michael|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-lego-batman-movie-even-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-many-parts/2017/02/09/6a20f20c-ed50-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html|title='The Lego Batman Movie': Even greater than the sum of its many parts.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 9, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2017|archive-date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517163645/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-lego-batman-movie-even-greater-than-the-sum-of-its-many-parts/2017/02/09/6a20f20c-ed50-11e6-b4ff-ac2cf509efe5_story.html|url-status=live}}
Accolades
Other media
=Sets=
{{main|The Lego Batman Movie (Lego theme)|l1=The Lego Batman Movie (Lego theme)|Lego Minifigures (theme)}}
=Video games=
Based on The Lego Batman Movie, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released the endless-runner game coinciding with the release of the film. It was released for Android and iOS.{{cite web |url=https://www.brickfanatics.com/the-lego-batman-movie-game-app-available-now/ |title=The Lego Batman Movie Game app available now |website=Brick Fanatics |date=12 January 2017 |access-date=July 31, 2021 |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506090817/https://www.brickfanatics.com/the-lego-batman-movie-game-app-available-now/ |url-status=live }}
Cancelled sequel
On December 5, 2018, McKay announced a sequel to The Lego Batman Movie was in the works, with him returning to direct.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/lego-batman-movie-2-sequel-lego-movie-chris-mckay/|title='Lego Batman Movie 2' in the Works|website=ComicBook|last1=Anderson|first1=Jenna|date=December 5, 2018|access-date=May 10, 2022|archive-date=March 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328115745/https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/12/05/lego-batman-movie-2-sequel-lego-movie-chris-mckay/|url-status=live}} The film was set to be released in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/will-arnett-to-host-unscripted-competition-series-lego-masters-for-fox/|title=Will Arnett to Host Unscripted Competition Series 'LEGO Masters' for FOX|website=Collider|last=Michael|first=Brendan|date=October 30, 2019|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=January 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109042925/https://collider.com/will-arnett-to-host-unscripted-competition-series-lego-masters-for-fox/|url-status=live}} However, following the disappointing box office returns of The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part in 2019, Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to the Lego brand in April 2020, effectively cancelling the sequel due to Warner Bros. owning the rights to DC Comics.{{cite web|url=https://www.brickfanatics.com/universal-in-talks-to-take-over-the-lego-movie-franchise/|title=Universal in talks to take over the LEGO movie franchise|website=Brick Fanatics|author=Graham|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=December 26, 2019|archive-date=December 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227050436/https://www.brickfanatics.com/universal-in-talks-to-take-over-the-lego-movie-franchise/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |date= 23 April 2020 |author= Mike Fleming Jr. |title= Universal, Lego Group Construct Five-Year Exclusive Film Partnership To Create New Movie Franchises |url= https://deadline.com/2020/04/universal-lego-group-construct-five-year-exclusive-film-partnership-to-create-new-movie-franchises-1202916170/ |website= Deadline |access-date= April 24, 2020 |archive-date= April 30, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200430020510/https://deadline.com/2020/04/universal-lego-group-construct-five-year-exclusive-film-partnership-to-create-new-movie-franchises-1202916170/amp/ |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.brickfanatics.com/cancelled-the-lego-batman-movie-sequel-plot-revealed/ |title=Cancelled The Lego Batman Movie sequel plot revealed |website=Brick Fanatics |date=10 June 2021 |access-date=June 11, 2021 |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104195119/https://www.brickfanatics.com/cancelled-the-lego-batman-movie-sequel-plot-revealed/ |url-status=live}}
In June 2021, McKay revealed that the script was being written by Michael Waldron and Dan Harmon. It would have focused on Batman's relationship with the Justice League, particularly Superman, and the main villains would have been Lex Luthor and OMAC.{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/lego-batman-movie-2-story-script-villains-cancelled-why-dan-harmon-chris-mckay-interview/|title=The Scrapped 'Lego Batman' Sequel Was Being Written by Dan Harmon and Michael Waldron, and the Story Sounds Incredible|website=Collider|last=Motamayor|first=Rafael|date=June 14, 2021|access-date=June 14, 2021|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614133829/https://collider.com/lego-batman-movie-2-story-script-villains-cancelled-why-dan-harmon-chris-mckay-interview/|url-status=live}} Waldron revealed that the film was tentatively titled Lego Superfriends.{{cite tweet|user=michaelwaldron|number=1404432208681648137|title=Loved this project and especially our title page|last=Waldron|first=Michael|author-link=Michael Waldron|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610013028/http://twitter.com/michaelwaldron/status/1404432208681648137|archive-date=June 10, 2022|url-status=live}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|The Lego Batman Movie}}
{{Wikiquote}}
- {{official website|https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/lego-batman-movie/}}
- [https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/batmanmovie Official website at Lego.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729224620/https://www.lego.com/en-us/themes/batmanmovie |date=July 29, 2019 }}
- {{IMDb title|4116284}}
{{Navboxes
|title = The Lego Batman Movie
|list1 =
{{The Lego Movie}}
{{Batman in film}}
{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}
{{Warner Bros. Pictures Animation}}
{{Warner Bros. theatrical animated features}}
{{Lego}}
{{Batman in popular media}}
{{Harley Quinn}}
{{DC Comics animated films}}
{{Chris McKay}}
{{Phil Lord and Christopher Miller}}
{{Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Feature}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Cartoon|Animation|Speculative fiction|Film|United States}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lego Batman Movie}}
Category:2017 American animated films
Category:2010s animated superhero films
Category:2010s English-language films
Category:2010s superhero comedy films
Category:2017 action comedy films
Category:2017 computer-animated films
Category:2017 directorial debut films
Category:American action comedy films
Category:American children's animated adventure films
Category:American children's animated comedy films
Category:American children's animated fantasy films
Category:American children's animated superhero films
Category:American computer-animated films
Category:American fantasy adventure films
Category:animated crossover films
Category:animated films about father–son relationships
Category:animated films about orphans
Category:animated films about toys
Category:animated films about sentient toys
Category:animated films about witchcraft
Category:animated films about wizards
Category:animated films set on islands
Category:Danish animated films
Category:Dune Entertainment films
Category:English-language action comedy films
Category:films directed by Chris McKay
Category:films produced by Dan Lin
Category:films produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Category:films produced by Roy Lee
Category:films scored by Lorne Balfe
Category:films set on fictional islands
Category:films with screenplays by Chris McKenna
Category:films with screenplays by Erik Sommers
Category:films with screenplays by Jared Stern
Category:films with screenplays by John Whittington (screenwriter)
Category:films with screenplays by Seth Grahame-Smith
Category:Joker (character) in other media
Category:Penguin (character) in other media
Category:Vertigo Entertainment films
Category:Warner Animation Group films
Category:Warner Bros. animated films