Batman movies in order: What Most People Get Wrong

You'd think finding the batman movies in order would be a simple Saturday afternoon task. It isn't. Not really. If you just look at release dates, you’re jumping from a 1960s guy with eyebrows painted on his mask to a 2022 detective who looks like he hasn’t slept since the Clinton administration. It's a mess.

Basically, the "order" depends entirely on what you're trying to achieve. Are you a completionist? Are you just trying to see why everyone obsesses over Heath Ledger? Or are you getting ready for the 2026 release of The Batman Part II?

Honestly, the Batman cinematic history is less of a straight line and more of a tangled ball of yarn. You’ve got reboots, "loose" sequels, and weird multiverse crossovers that make your head spin. Let's break it down so you don't end up accidentally watching Batman & Robin when you were looking for a gritty noir.

The Original 1940s Serials (The "I'm a Super-Fan" Era)

If you really want to be "first," you have to go back to 1943. Most people don't. These weren't even feature films in the modern sense; they were chapters shown at the theater before the main event.

1. Batman (1943) – 15 chapters of Lewis Wilson as the lead.
2. Batman and Robin (1949) – Robert Lowery took over the cowl.

These are mostly curiosities now. They’re black and white, low budget, and honestly, kinda weird. You’ve got Batman working as a government agent during WWII. It’s a very specific vibe.

The Campy Classic: Adam West

Then came 1966. If you like your superheroes with "Biff!" and "Pow!" bubbles, this is your peak. Batman: The Movie was actually filmed between the first and second seasons of the TV show. It features the "United Underworld"—Joker, Penguin, Riddler, and Catwoman all teaming up. It’s colorful. It’s silly. It’s iconic.

The Batman movies in order: The Burton and Schumacher Tetralogy

This is where things get interesting for modern viewers. Between 1989 and 1997, Warner Bros. released four films that are technically in the same continuity, even though the tone shifts wildly and the lead actor changes three times. It’s a wild ride.

1989 - 1992: The Burton Years

Tim Burton's Batman (1989) changed everything. Michael Keaton was a controversial choice for Bruce Wayne at the time—people literally sent 50,000 protest letters to the studio—but he nailed it. Jack Nicholson’s Joker was the gold standard for decades.

Then came Batman Returns (1992). It is arguably the most "Burton" movie ever made. It’s got a deformed Penguin living in the sewers and a Catwoman in a stitched-together latex suit. It was so dark and "gross" (McDonald's actually pulled their Happy Meal tie-ins) that the studio decided to go in a completely different direction for the next one.

1995 - 1997: The Schumacher Shift

Enter Joel Schumacher. He brought the neon. Batman Forever (1995) swapped Keaton for Val Kilmer. It’s campy, but in a 90s blockbuster sort of way. Jim Carrey as The Riddler is doing a lot.

Then, the one everyone talks about for the wrong reasons: Batman & Robin (1997). George Clooney. Bat-nipples on the suit. Arnold Schwarzenegger making ice puns every thirty seconds. It effectively killed the franchise for eight years. Honestly, it's worth a watch just to see how far the pendulum can swing.

The Dark Knight Trilogy: The Gold Standard

Christopher Nolan saved the brand in 2005. He didn't just make a superhero movie; he made a crime drama that happened to have a guy in a bat suit. This is a self-contained story. You watch these three, and you're done with this specific version of Bruce Wayne.

• Batman Begins (2005): We finally see the training. How does a billionaire learn to disappear? Christian Bale shows us.
• The Dark Knight (2008): This is the one. Heath Ledger’s Joker. It’s a masterpiece. It’s the reason the Oscars changed their Best Picture rules.
• The Dark Knight Rises (2012): The end. Bane breaks the Bat. It’s big, loud, and closes the loop on Bale’s Bruce Wayne.

The DCEU and the Multiverse Headache

Now it gets tricky. In 2016, Zack Snyder introduced Ben Affleck as an older, grittier Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This Batman exists in a world with Superman and Wonder Woman.

If you want the "Batfleck" story, the order is:

1. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
2. Suicide Squad (2016) – He has a small but vital cameo.
3. Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) – Skip the 2017 theatrical version if you can. The "Snyder Cut" is four hours long, but it’s the actual version of the story.

The Flash (2023) Crossover: This is the "wildcard." It features Ben Affleck's Batman and brings back Michael Keaton’s Batman from the 1989 film. It uses multiverse logic to bridge the gap. If you’re a fan of the 89' movie, seeing Keaton back in the suit is a trip.

📖 Related: Why The Transformers The Movie 1986 Still Hurts (and Why It’s a Masterpiece)

The New Era: Robert Pattinson

Currently, we are in the "Epic Crime Saga" era. Matt Reeves directed The Batman (2022) with Robert Pattinson. This has nothing to do with Ben Affleck or the Justice League. It’s its own thing.

It’s a detective story. Bruce is in his second year. He’s messy. He uses eye makeup. It’s fantastic.

If you want to stay current, the timeline is:

• The Batman (2022)
• The Penguin (2024) – This is a TV series on Max, but it’s essential. It picks up one week after the first movie.
• The Batman Part II (Expected 2026) – The direct sequel.

What about the animated ones?

Look, if we listed every animated Batman movie, we’d be here until 2027. Most are straight-to-video. However, there are two you shouldn't skip because they actually went to theaters:

• Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993): Frequently cited by fans as one of the best Batman stories ever told. Period.
• The LEGO Batman Movie (2017): It’s a comedy, sure, but it’s also a love letter to every single version of Batman mentioned above.

Actionable Next Steps for Your Rewatch

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don't try to watch them all at once. Pick a "flavor" based on your mood:

• For the "Vibe": Watch the Tim Burton duo (Batman '89 and Batman Returns).
• For the Quality: Stick to the Nolan Trilogy. It’s the most consistent.
• For the Modern Lore: Watch The Batman (2022) and then binge The Penguin.

Whatever you do, don't feel like you have to watch them in release order to "understand" them. Each director's era is its own little island. You can jump from Christian Bale to Robert Pattinson without missing a beat, as long as you know they aren't the same guy. Just grab some popcorn and enjoy the shadows.