Where to start withBatman
14 versions · originally a series, 1966
Themes: Secret Identity, Good vs. Evil, Justice, Vigilante Justice, Eccentric Villains.
Start with The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan, 2008) — the film. Batman exists in 14 versions across media, beginning as a series in 1966; each is ranked below by what it does best.
Gotham City's perpetual battle between masked vigilante justice and theatrical criminal madness anchors every incarnation of this saga.
✦ Most fans start here
The Dark Knight (2008)
The original tv
Batman
William Dozier · Series · 1966
The 1966 television series Batman delivers gadget-filled adventure, following Bruce Wayne and Robin as they slide down the Batpole and race the Batmobile to thwart villains like The Riddler and Catwoman.
1989 film
Batman
Tim Burton · Film · 1989
The 1989 film Batman captures a darker Gotham City, pitting Bruce Wayne against a deformed Joker seizing control of the underworld while trying to shield his secret identity and reporter Vicki Vale.
1995 film
Batman Forever
Joel Schumacher · Film · 1995
The 1995 film Batman Forever pairs tortured memories with colorful conflict, following the caped crusader's romance with psychologist Chase Meridian while confronting Two-Face and the vengeful Riddler's brain-sucking weapon.
1998 film
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero
Boyd Kirkland · Film · 1998
The 1998 animated film Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero delivers a focused rescue mission, following Batman and Robin as they race to save Barbara Gordon from an involuntary operation by Mr. Freeze.
2003 film
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman
Film · 2003
The 2003 film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman highlights detective work, following the Dark Knight as he uncovers a new vigilante's identity while confronting the Penguin and a dangerous criminal plot.
2008 film
Batman: Gotham Knight
Film · 2008
The 2008 anthology film Batman: Gotham Knight showcases six interlocking animated stories, chronicling Bruce Wayne's earliest formative adventures and the specific steps that forged him into Gotham City's grim avenger.
2008 film
✦ Start hereThe Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan · Film · 2008
Christopher Nolan's 2008 film The Dark Knight elevates the crime thriller, pitting Batman, James Gordon, and Harvey Dent against organized crime and Heath Ledger's legendary, anarchistic Joker across Gotham City.
2010 film
Batman: Under the Red Hood
Brandon Vietti · Film · 2010
The 2010 film Batman: Under the Red Hood explores a fierce moral clash, introducing Red Hood as a lethal vigilante kingpin who matches Batman's efficiency while rejecting his ethical code.
2011 book
Batman
Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Bob Kane · Book · 2011
The 2011 book Batman collects Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's landmark thirteen-issue story arc originally published as The Long Halloween, offering readers the definitive comic-page craft behind modern Gotham adaptations.
2014 film
Son of Batman
Ethan Spaulding · Film · 2014
The 2014 animated film Son of Batman introduces turbulent family drama, forcing Batman to confront the discovery of his violent pre-teen son secretly raised by the terrorist League of Assassins.
2016 film
Batman: The Killing Joke
Sam Liu · Film · 2016
The 2016 film Batman: The Killing Joke delves into psychological horror as Batman tracks the escaped Joker, who targets the Gordon family to demonstrate his descent into madness.
2017 film
Batman and Harley Quinn
Sam Liu · Film · 2017
The 2017 film Batman and Harley Quinn stages an unlikely alliance, forcing Batman and Nightwing to partner with Harley Quinn to stop Poison Ivy and Floronic Man Jason Woodrue's global threat.
Adaptation (podcast)
DC High Volume: Batman
DC | Realm · Podcast
The audio series DC High Volume: Batman translates iconic comic storylines into sound, following Bruce Wayne as he returns to Gotham City and joins Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent to battle rampant corruption.
Inspired by
Joker
Todd Phillips · Film · 2019
Todd Phillips's 2019 film Joker shifts perspective entirely to the villain, charting a failed comedian's grim descent into madness on his path to becoming the notorious criminal mastermind known as the Joker.
Common questions
What should I watch after Batman (tv, 1966) for animated stories?
After Batman (tv, 1966), animated features offer diverse takes on the hero. Options include Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998), Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003), Batman: Gotham Knight (2008), Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010), Son of Batman (2014), Batman: The Killing Joke (2016), and Batman and Harley Quinn (2017).
Is Batman (tv, 1966) connected to later live-action movies?
Batman (tv, 1966) stands apart from later live-action releases. The theatrical releases that followed include Batman (1989), Batman Forever (1995), The Dark Knight (2008), and Joker (2019). Each project presents a distinct creative direction and continuity separate from the 1966 television series.
What order should I follow for Batman adaptations across different media?
Chronological release order across formats begins after Batman (tv, 1966) with live-action films like Batman (1989) and Batman Forever (1995). Later additions include animated films such as Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010), the print title Batman (book, 2011), and the audio series DC High Volume: Batman (podcast).
Are there non-film Batman adaptations to explore?
Yes, distinct non-film adaptations exist for the franchise. Aside from the television run of Batman (tv, 1966) and feature films, available adaptations include the print title Batman (book, 2011) and the audio format DC High Volume: Batman (podcast). These expand the property into reading and audio listening formats.