Every Batman Movie, Ranked by Box Office

Key Takeaways

Batman movies have been very successful, with The Dark Knight Rises holding the title of the highest-grossing Batman movie ever made.
Each Batman movie has its own unique tone, from the dark and brooding to the campy and colorful, appealing to different audiences.
The Batman franchise continues to evolve with new directors and actors, attracting fans with fresh interpretations of the iconic character.

As a lifelong comic book enthusiast, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing some truly remarkable adaptations from page to screen. Among these, the Dark Knight Trilogy by Christopher Nolan stands out as a testament to the power of storytelling and the transformation of a superhero movie into a gripping drama.

The renowned superhero Batman, hailing from DC Comics, has indelibly impacted the movie industry, and numerous remakes demonstrate his enduring power and popularity. Throughout the years, Batman films have been plentiful, and with Andy Muschietti and Matt Reeves preparing to release their unique interpretations of Batman by 2026, it’s an exciting period for Batman enthusiasts.

Considering Batman has starred in numerous films, it’s intriguing to revisit the box office earnings to discover which Batman film has garnered the highest revenue. The success of Batman is indisputable, but how does he measure up against an entertainment world overflowing with superheroes?

10 Batman & Robin

Worldwide Gross: $238,225,195

Release Date: 27 June 1997
Director: Joel Schumacher
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 12%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 16%

Once more, Batman and Robin make their grand entrance, and their dual roles as father-son duo and crime-fighting partners are put to the test. Poison Ivy’s alluring tactics and Mister Freeze’s malevolent plan to transform Gotham City into a trigger for a new ice age challenge their resolve.

The least financially successful live-action Batman film is “Batman & Robin,” and this isn’t really shocking. “Batman & Robin” continues to be referenced in popular culture, but mostly as an example of what audiences don’t prefer. While some viewers appreciate the campy elements seen in colorful costumes, it doesn’t mean they want bat-nipples and a story that lacks credibility. Instead, “Batman & Robin” is more often viewed as a mockery of the 1966 Batman series, rather than an extension of Tim Burton’s universe.

9 Batman Returns

Worldwide Gross: $266,831,698

Release Date: 10 July 1992
Director: Tim Burton
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 82%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 73%

In “Batman Returns”, Michael Keaton reprises his role as Batman, safeguarding Gotham City against oppression. The latest menace is a twisted and malevolent character named The Penguin, who commands a group of eccentric henchmen intent on causing chaos throughout the city. Meanwhile, the seductive Catwoman starts making her moves.

The film Batman Returns didn’t bomb at the box office, but it fell short in terms of financial success compared to expectations. Unfortunately, this sequel didn’t build upon its predecessor and some viewers felt that the movie was overly dark, which may have discouraged them from going back to the cinema.

8 The Lego Batman Movie

Worldwide Gross: $312,150,384

Release Date: 4 February 2017
Director: Chris McKay
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 90%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 80%

The Lego Batman figure exudes a sense of coolness, while his Batman character remains as mysterious and brooding as before. In “The LEGO Batman Movie,” Batman is humorously lampooned in an affectionate manner, battling his roster of villains, including the Joker who persistently attempts to gain his attention. At the same time, he struggles with the unexpected parenthood of Dick Grayson, an orphan who aspires to be Batman’s sidekick.

It’s possible that many people thought The LEGO Batman Movie would earn more money, given that it brought together the popular brands of Lego and Batman. However, despite its strong potential, the film only managed to gross around $300 million, which is disappointing considering its quality. It’s worth noting that 2017 was a significant year for comic book movies, and Batman’s appeal often lies in his dramatic intensity rather than the comedic aspects shown in Lego form.

7 Batman Forever

Worldwide Gross: $336,529,144

Release Date: 14 July 1995
Director: Joel Schumacher
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 41%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 32%

In the movie “Batman Forever”, Batman teams up with Robin to combat Two-Face and The Riddler, two fresh villains causing chaos in Gotham City. The storyline delves deep into Batman’s mindset, but some editing and pacing flaws hinder Val Kilmer from fully showcasing his acting prowess.

The film “Batman Forever” represented a daring reimagining of the Batman character, yet it fell short in certain areas. Some fans are eager to witness director Joel Schumacher’s original vision as portrayed in the Schumacher cut of “Batman Forever”. However, the version that was released failed to meet the box office success of its predecessors. The film was characterized by a more playful and campy tone, which could have been affected by the absence of Michael Keaton from the role. This potentially impacted the reception towards Val Kilmer’s portrayal in the Batman suit.

6 Batman Begins

Worldwide Gross: $373,443,774

Release Date: 16 June 2005
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 85%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%

A fresh take on Batman’s story unfolds, where we see Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents’ brutal murder in broad daylight. This heart-wrenching event sets a young and traumatized Bruce Wayne on a mission to transform himself into the city protector that Gotham City desperately needs. Batman Begins delves into Batman’s background, uncovering hidden societies that wield power over the city.

In contrast to other Batman reboots, and still bearing the stigma of Batman & Robin, Batman Begins didn’t rake in a significant amount of money, barely crossing the $400 million mark in 2024 terms. Despite this, Warner Bros. deemed it sufficient for Batman Begins to warrant a sequel. The film showcased an impressive portrayal of Batman and earned its sequel due to its darker narrative and a more authentic depiction of Bruce Wayne’s hardship and transformation into the Caped Crusader.

5 Batman

Worldwide Gross: $401,188,924

Release Date: 11 August 1989
Director: Tim Burton
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 77%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 84%

In this rephrasing, Batman embarks on a crusade against crime to protect Gotham City, but encounters an antagonist who is his complete opposite: The Joker. This struggle between the somber Dark Knight and the murderous Clown Prince of Crime is timeless, and the 1989 film “Batman” introduced Batman in a grim, brooding, and darker tone that contemporary audiences are accustomed to, distancing itself from the campy feel of the 60s.

In 1989, I was utterly blown away by the daring reinvention of Batman. The film raked in an astounding $400 million, which, considering inflation, amounts to a staggering billion dollars today! It’s amazing how the casting choice of the comedic actor Michael Keaton as Batman turned out to be a stroke of genius. And let’s not forget Tim Burton’s dark and mystical interpretation of Gotham City that made Batman (1989) an iconic piece in the live-action Batman lore. Oh, and Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of the Joker? Absolutely unforgettable!

4 The Batman

Worldwide Gross: $772,245,583

Release Date: 4 March 2022
Director: Matt Reeves
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 85%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 87%

In a more hard-edged adaptation, the role of Batman is redefined as he confronts a ruthless serial murderer who has instilled terror among Gotham’s high society due to his strategic assassinations of key political figures. As Batman navigates through the oppressive and despairing city of Gotham, he delves deep to unmask the Riddler and expose the rot within his own kin in Matt Reeves’ exhilarating reboot of the Batman franchise.

Despite not hitting a billion dollars at the box office in 2022, “The Batman” achieved remarkable success when you factor in the lengthy production process. Given the changes within the DCEU and Ben Affleck’s departure from the role, taking on Robert Pattinson was a daring move that undeniably proved successful with its innovative approach. The film’s brooding atmosphere perfectly suits Batman, and the bond it forged with viewers could potentially attract an even bigger audience to “The Batman Part 2”.

3 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Worldwide Gross: $874,360,194

Release Date: 25 March 2016
Director: Zack Snyder
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 29%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 63%

In “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”, an experienced and weathered Batman exhibits apprehension towards Superman, an extraterrestrial possessing immense power capable of destroying Earth at will. This apprehension leads to a confrontation between the two titans, causing Batman’s moral compass to be tested, while Superman grapples with his self-image amidst a world that either despises or idolizes him. The film masterfully blends political and philosophical themes within the realm of comic book cinema, proving to be largely successful.

In the premiere of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, viewers got to see these two iconic characters in live-action for the first time. Given this unique event, it’s understandable that the film raked in a significant amount of money. However, despite being a groundbreaking moment, Batman v Superman fell short of earning a billion dollars, and both fans and critics had less than favorable reviews. This lackluster reception might explain why some audiences decided to skip the movie or choose not to watch it multiple times.

2 The Dark Knight

Worldwide Gross: $1,003,845,358

Release Date: 21 July 2008
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 94%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 94%

In the sequel, Christian Bale reprises his role as Batman, confronting Gotham City’s most formidable adversary. The Joker makes an appearance in Gotham, determined to sow destruction and discord among the citizens to turn them against the Dark Knight and mislead the police on a wild chase. “The Dark Knight” transcends the boundaries of a typical superhero film, transforming the genre into gripping dramatic thrillers, leaving an indelible mark on how comic book movies are perceived in the future.

The movie “The Dark Knight” was extraordinarily well done, and it’s remarkable that it earned over $1 billion globally in 2008. This is particularly impressive given that only a few films managed to achieve this feat in that year. “The Dark Knight” effortlessly made this money due to its status as a must-watch film, and who wouldn’t be drawn to theaters to witness Batman battling against the Joker?

1 The Dark Knight Rises

Worldwide Gross: $1,084,939,099

Release Date: 20 July 2012
Director: Cristopher Nolan
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score: 87%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score: 90%

For eight years, Bruce Wayne abandoned his role as Batman, but when the menacing figure of Bane threatened chaos in Gotham City, even his weakened body couldn’t resist returning to protect the city he cherished. The return of Batman sets the stage for The Dark Knight Rises, which is poised to be the thrilling conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy.

In a slight edge over The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises remains the most financially successful Batman film to date. It’s no wonder that moviegoers flocked to the cinemas; this was the concluding chapter of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Christian Bale’s final outing as the iconic superhero. However, its earnings could have been higher if not for competition from blockbusters like The Avengers and a few plot inconsistencies, along with a complex villain that was challenging to follow.

2024-08-29 09:34