Where to start
Batman
25 versions · originally a series, 1966
Batman has more than one version — here's where most fans start, and what each offers.
✦ Most fans start here
Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
1992 series
✦ Start hereBatman: The Animated Series
Bruce Timm · Series · 1992
1992 series, 1992.
2000 film
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Curt Geda · Film · 2000
2000 film, 2000.
2011 book
Batman
Jeph Loeb, Tim Sale, Bob Kane · Book · 2011
2011 book, 2011.
2012 film
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
Jay Oliva · Film · 2012
2012 film, 2012.
2013 film
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
Jay Oliva · Film · 2013
2013 film, 2013.
Common questions
What order should I watch the Batman animated movies from the 1990s?
You should begin with Batman: The Animated Series, followed by the movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. After those, continue with The New Batman Adventures and the film Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero to follow the established continuity of that specific animated universe.
Is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 a standalone story?
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is the first half of a two-part adaptation. To experience the full story arc, you must watch it in conjunction with its direct sequel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, which concludes the narrative.
How does Batman Beyond relate to the other animated series?
Batman Beyond serves as a futuristic continuation of the timeline established in The New Batman Adventures. It focuses on a new protagonist taking up the mantle in a high-tech Gotham City, eventually leading into the film Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.
Should I watch Batman Begins before The Dark Knight?
Yes, you should watch Batman Begins before The Dark Knight. These two films are part of the same trilogy and follow a sequential narrative arc that develops the character of Bruce Wayne and his transformation into the hero across both movies.