🦇The Best and Highest-Grossing Batman Movies of All Time

Few superheroes have dominated pop culture like Batman. Since his comic book debut in 1939, the Dark Knight has evolved from a masked vigilante into one of the biggest box office powerhouses of all time. With his shadowy presence, emotional depth, and timeless villains, Batman’s cinematic history is a fascinating mix of blockbuster spectacle and artistic storytelling.

From Tim Burton’s gothic classics to Christopher Nolan’s billion-dollar epics and Matt Reeves’ noir detective masterpiece, each version of the Caped Crusader has left its mark on fans and the film industry alike.

Let’s dive into the best and highest-grossing Batman movies ever made, ranked by worldwide box office success — and see what made each one legendary.

💣 1. The Dark Knight (2008) – $1.006 Billion

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart

Nolan’s The Dark Knight isn’t just the biggest Batman movie — it’s a cinematic revolution. Heath Ledger’s Joker performance earned him a posthumous Oscar, and the film became the first in the franchise to cross the $1 billion mark.

With intense storytelling, real-world grit, and haunting performances, it set a new gold standard for superhero cinema.

🎬 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV

🦇 2. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – $1.081 Billion

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway

The grand finale of Nolan’s trilogy took Batman to new heights — both literally and financially. As Gotham faces destruction from Bane, Bruce Wayne’s redemption arc comes full circle.

The emotional weight, practical stunts, and epic scale helped the movie surpass The Dark Knight at the global box office.

🎬 Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video

⚡ 3. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – $873 Million

Director: Zack Snyder

Stars: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot

When two DC icons finally collided on-screen, it was an event like no other. Batman v Superman introduced a grizzled new Batman in Ben Affleck, who brought a brutal, tactical edge to the role.

Despite mixed reviews, the hype and star power made it one of the highest-grossing Batman films in history.

🎬 Where to Watch: Max, Amazon Prime

🦹‍♂️ 4. Batman (1989) – $411 Million

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson

Tim Burton’s Batman changed everything. Before this movie, comic book films weren’t taken seriously — but this dark, stylish Gotham and Nicholson’s electric Joker changed Hollywood forever.

It was a worldwide phenomenon, making Batman a household name once again and launching decades of adaptations.

🎬 Where to Watch: Max, Apple TV

🕵️ 5. The Batman (2022) – $772 Million

Director: Matt Reeves

Stars: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano

The Batman presented a raw, detective-driven take on the Dark Knight. Pattinson’s portrayal of a younger, more emotionally conflicted Bruce Wayne struck a chord with modern audiences.

Its noir atmosphere and mystery-driven storytelling made it one of the most critically acclaimed Batman films ever — and a box office juggernaut.

🎬 Where to Watch: Max, Prime Video

💥 6. Batman Forever (1995) – $336 Million

Director: Joel Schumacher

Stars: Val Kilmer, Jim Carrey, Tommy Lee Jones

Swapping gothic tones for neon spectacle, Batman Forever brought campy fun and massive marketing appeal. Jim Carrey’s manic Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones’ chaotic Two-Face gave it unforgettable energy.

Despite criticism, it became one of the most successful films of the mid-1990s.

🎬 Where to Watch: Max

🔥 7. Batman Begins (2005) – $373 Million

Director: Christopher Nolan

Stars: Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy

Batman Begins rebooted the entire franchise, taking a grounded approach to Bruce Wayne’s origins. Its focus on fear, realism, and redemption set the tone for the golden era of superhero films that followed.

🎬 Where to Watch: Prime Video, Apple TV

🧱 8. The Lego Batman Movie (2017) – $312 Million

Director: Chris McKay

Voice Cast: Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis

The Lego Batman Movie was a hilarious, heartwarming tribute to Batman’s long history — and proof that even plastic bricks can deliver emotional depth.

Combining humor, nostalgia, and family-friendly fun, it became one of the highest-grossing animated films of the year.

🎬 Where to Watch: Netflix, Prime Video

🧛 9. Batman Returns (1992) – $266 Million

Director: Tim Burton

Stars: Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito

Dark, stylish, and unapologetically gothic, Batman Returns is a Tim Burton classic. Pfeiffer’s seductive Catwoman and DeVito’s grotesque Penguin turned this sequel into a cult favorite — and a box office success in its own right.

🎬 Where to Watch: Max

❄️ 10. Batman & Robin (1997) – $238 Million

Director: Joel Schumacher

Stars: George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Uma Thurman

Often mocked for its campiness, Batman & Robin is still an important piece of Batman history. While it didn’t win critics over, its massive merchandising success and star power kept the Bat-symbol shining bright.

🎬 Where to Watch: Max

🏆 Final Thoughts

From Batman (1989) to The Batman (2022), each era of the Dark Knight has brought something unique — whether it’s gritty realism, stylized fantasy, or self-aware humor.

Collectively, the Batman franchise has earned over $6 billion worldwide, making it one of the most successful movie franchises in history.

Whether it’s Christian Bale’s moral complexity, Michael Keaton’s mysterious cool, or Robert Pattinson’s raw vulnerability, every Batman reflects the time — and continues to shape the superhero genre’s future.

The legend of the Dark Knight isn’t just cinematic — it’s eternal.

📊 Batman Movies Ranked by Worldwide Box Office

Rank	Movie Title	Release Year	Worldwide Gross
1	The Dark Knight Rises	2012	$1.081 Billion
2	The Dark Knight	2008	$1.006 Billion
3	Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice	2016	$873 Million
4	The Batman	2022	$772 Million
5	Batman (1989)	1989	$411 Million
6	Batman Begins	2005	$373 Million
7	Batman Forever	1995	$336 Million
8	The Lego Batman Movie	2017	$312 Million
9	Batman Returns	1992	$266 Million
10	Batman & Robin	1997	$238 Million