We begin our dive of cinematic Batman with a look at the earliest film adaptations of the character: the politically questionable in retrospect 1940s serials.
Twenty years after the 1966 TV show went off the air, Batman was back and on the big screen with an adventure directed by Tim Burton. We take a look at the film, and its direct sequel, in this two-film review.
After directing two films, Burton and the studio butted heads over the future of the series, leading Burton to leave the franchise. Joel Schumacher was brought in to continue the franchise, and his vision was very... different. We take a look at what some consider cinematic train wrecks in this two-film review.
The best animated Batman is back, on the Silver Screen, as he battles a new foe, the Phantasm, who just may be someone all to familiar to him after all...
A new vigilante arrives in Gotham, the Batwoman, and she's more than willing the kill the scum of the city, something Batman simply cannot abide. He'll have to figure out who this masked woman is and put her reign of terror to an end.
Now, decades after Joker was last seen, it seems like the Clown Prince of Crime has returned, and he's coming after Bruce, Terry, and everyone else in the Bat-family.
After Batman and Robin bombed and everyone in the world collectively agreed to try and forget it existed, DC took some time before creating a new film with the Dark Knight. Eventually, though, they brought on auteur director Christopher Nolan how created a more grounded bat-tale. We look at the first of the films to see how Nolan's vision measured up.
Nolan's original film is continued (and connected) via a series of anime shorts detailing Batman's time on Gotham (and some early adventures as the Dark Knight, well, rose).
After Batman Begins rebooted the Bat and washed the taste of the Schumacher films away, fans clamored for further adventures in the Nolan universe. The follow up took a decidedly darker turn as Batman faced off against his greatest foe: the Joker. We look at this film to see how it measures up.
The final installment of the Dark Knight Trilogy, this installment was hobbled by the untimely death of Joker star Heath Ledger after the second film. Without the Joker, what direction could the final film take? We look at third installment in the trilogy to see what it gets right and just how it compares to the films that came before.
After the relative success of Man of Steel (a film that made good money but didn't seem to really have the backing of critics or fans), DC followed it up with a semi-sequel, semi-crossover, putting in the only character in comics arguably bigger than Superman: the Batman. Sadly, the results were just not good.
When Batman v Superman came out, people seemed to really hate the movie (which is understandable as it's terrible). This sent DC scrambling in an attempt to fix their universe. This lead to extensive reshoots for their next DCEU film, Suicide Squad which, reportedly, went through three different cuts before being released. Trust us, it didn't help.
The production of Justice League was troubled, with original director Zack Snyder leaving part way in (for family reasons) and Joss Wheddon coming in to do extensive rewrites and re-edits. Although the final film is watchable, it's still not great in comparison to the filmic output of Marvel.
Now in a fresh, New 52-inspired continuity, we pick up with our favorite, familiar heroes as they set off on their first adventure together, a battle against the evil supervillain, Darkseid. Earth is doomed.
Introducing another new hero for the league, this movie gives us Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, four years before a similar adventure would come out on the big screen.
Batman and his son, Damian (aka the newest Robin) don't exactly see eye-to-eye. They are very similar, each as headstrong as the other, so it was only a matter of time before the relationship came to blows.
When Batman goes missing, Dick Greyson has to become the next man to wear the cape-and-cowl, all so he can pull together a team of Bat-heroes to track down their missing leader.
Damien Wayne doesn't play well with others, a trait his father would like to see changed. So he's put on a team with other supepr-powered teens to see if they can work together for once. Probably not, though.
A magical threat pushes its way across the Earth, so Batman has to team with an expert in magic: John Constantine. It's time to form a new faction of the League.
When a movie has a title like this, I think we all know what's coming. Based on the comic series of the same name, this film is only going to end one way, and it won't go well for our titular character.
All of Batman's villains are conspiring against him which leads Batman to think there might be an even bigger foe behind these machinations. If only he could figure out who...
Going back to the beginning, we get a retelling of Batman's early start as he begins to protect the city while, on the other side of the law, Jim Gordon attempts to clean up the GCPD.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Many decades later, Bruce has retired as the Bat and James Gordon is primes to enter his own retirement from the force. But the rise of a new gang, the Mutants, has cast a dark edge across Gotham, and only one man, one bat man, can save the city one last time.
When Batman viciously takes a prisoner way from Amanda Waller, she calls in her favorite team of supervillains (forced to work with her due to bombs in their necks): the Suicide Squad.
Adapted from the similarly named comics, this animated movie features a team up two unlikely teams, the Batman family and the TMNT, as they're forced to take on the combined forced of Ras Al Ghul and the Shredder. It is also an absolute, goofy delight.
In a first, we have a Joker movie without any direct glimpse of Batman (although a young Bruce Wayne does make a cameo). It's also a dark and unrepentant slog.
This Elseworlds tale (based on the comic of the same name) asks what would happen if Superman's ship had crashed into Mother Russia instead of the middle of Kansas.
We venture into the 1970s for a swingin' tale of action, kung fu fighting, and a whole lotta soul.
Batman: The Long Halloween
A mystery killer is taking out the crime families of Gotham on the various holidays of the year, and Batman is unable to figure out who the killer is or why they're committing their spree.
Superman suffers a terrible loss and suddenly decides its time to clean up the world, and the Justice League is split over what to do in this gory superhero tale.
We get another reboot of the Bat as he takes on a nasty terroist with a penchanct for explosive traps in this grim dark entry.
Other Shows
Pennyworth:
Spinning out of Gotham, this prequel series focuses on a young Alfred Pennyworth and all the trouble he got into before becoming a butler for the Wayne family.
Based on her solo-comic, Harley Quinn has just broken up with the Joker and is forced to find her own footing as a villain in Gotham City. Thankfully she has great friends, like Poison Ivy, to help her on her way.
The sketch animation crew is back for another claymation stab at the DC Universe, this time focused on the villains as they head to the beach.
See Also:
Top 10 Movies (2014): A look at our favorite movies dating back to 2014. Batman is one of the many film franchises to make the list.
Okay, Wait... What?: At one point DC was looking at putting out Batman v Superman up against Captain America: Civil War. We discuss why this was a stupid idea.
Top 10 Movies (2018): An updated look at our favorite films, this time from 2018. Batman, again, gets high honors.
Batman and Sex: So apparently DC Comics won't let Batman give Catwoman oral pleasure. He can have sex, and he has, repeatedly, in the comics, but try to depict him after he's given her a lower rubdown and that's a big no-no. We try to determine just what's got DC's panties all in a ruff.
DC FanDome 2021: A look at the upcoming projects for DC Comics in 2021 and 2022
