Summary

• Batman holds the record for most DC character adaptations on screen, with upcoming movies like The Batman - Part II set to continue the trend.
• Although Batman movies vary in tone and style, each adaptation contributes to the live-action canon of the Dark Knight, warranting its place in the lineup.
• With Batman films spanning different eras and storylines, understanding the timelines - from Adam West to Matt Reeves' standalone adaptations - can clear any confusion.

Since live-action adaptations of superheroes began, no DC character has been put to screen more than Batman; here is every Batman film in order of both chronology and release date. The prevalence of Batman in modern pop culture is easy to see. With upcoming Batman movies and TV shows including The Batman - Part II, Joker: Folie à Deux, and the various The Batman spin-off shows, it is clear that Batman is only rivaled by Marvel's Spider-Man regarding the amount of adaptations that have been made or will be in the future.

While the Batman movies are often ranked worst to best or vice versa based on the differing tones, styles, and atmospheres of each interpretation, there is no denying that all of them warrant their own place in Batman's live-action canon. However, the ever-expanding repertoire of Gotham's Dark Knight on the big screen can lead to some confusion. With that being said, here is every theatrical Batman movie released and how to watch them in order of both chronology and release.

Every Batman Movie In Order

Since the early 1940s, Batman adaptations have been common on the big screen. While the influx of shows and movies centered on the Caped Crusader only began in the late 1980s, there were several earlier entries to the live-action Batman canon across a variety of franchises. As such, here is every Batman movie listed in order of release date.

The Best Order To Watch Batman Movies (& Which To Skip)

Regarding the chronological order of the Batman movies, there are plenty of different franchises meaning there is minimal crossover and similarly minimal change between chronology and release. That said, there is a best order to watch the films with some that are best skipped. The three earlier entries of Batman, Batman and Robin, and Batman: The Movie are best skipped given their serial TV nature and low production values despite their iconicity.

Similarly, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin had multiple continuity issues from changed directors and actors to the overall poor production meaning they could be skipped on rewatch no matter their "so bad it's good" nature. Aside from these entries, Suicide Squad and Justice League (2017) are worth skipping as Batman's role in the former film only consists of one or two scenes and the latter has a better version directed by Zack Snyder. With those out of the way, here is the best order to watch the Batman movies upon a rewatch of every single one.

Batman (1989)

While the earlier entries of Batman films have merits in their own rights, Tim Burton's Batman from 1989 was the first live-action film based on the character to show that Batman films could be more than the over-the-top, campy productions of the past. Batman centers on Michael Keaton's titular character taking on Jack Nicholson's Joker amid Batman's war on crime in Gotham City.

Batman Returns (1992)

Following on from Batman was 1992's Batman Returns. In this film, Burton returned as director as did Keaton as the titular character. Batman Returns sees Batman come into conflict with industrialist Max Shreck and Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, this time aided by Selena Kyle/Catwoman who seeks revenge against Shreck. The following two films - Batman Forever and Batman & Robin - saw a significant drop in quality, continuity, and self-seriousness caused by Keaton and Burton's exit from the franchise.

Batman Begins (2005)