Summary
TheBatmanmovies have varied a lot throughout the years, particularly regarding overall box office performance, which highlights a surprising forerunner as the most profitableBatmanmovie ever. The firstBatmanmovie appeared in 1966, andDC’s Caped Crusader has been a cinematic staple ever since. Following this,Batmanmovies have varied from the bizarre to the brilliant, often with surprising box office results.
Batman has appeared in a litany of live-action movies, alongside a string of widely acclaimedanimatedBatmanmoviesand franchises. The most popular of these reign supreme inthe DCU timelineas some of the greatest comic book movies ever made. However, severalBatmanmovies boast shockingly impressive box office results (viaThe Numbers), despite being infamous for their unfavorable critical reception.
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$1,377,800
$238,317,814
$266,824,291
$336,529,144
$356,770,593
$411,348,924
$765,950,479
$872,395,091
$1,007,695,772
$1,082,228,107
10Batman: The Movie (1966)
Batman: The Movie," released in 1966, was a feature film adaptation of the popularBatmantelevision series starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. The movie,characterized by its campy and comedic tone, pitted the dynamic duo against a coalition of their iconic foes, including the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman. Despite its appeal to fans of the TV show,Batman: The Movieearned the least at the box office.
At the time of its release, the movie industry was vastly different, with smaller budgets and box office returns compared to modern blockbusters. Additionally, the campy style ofBatman: The Moviecontrasts sharply with the darker, more serious tone of later Batman movies, which have drawn larger audiences and higher earnings. Consequently,Batman: The Movieonly earned $1,377,800 worldwide.
Batman: The Movie
Cast
The Caped Crusader’s first theatrical debut arrived in 1966 as Batman: The Movie, directed by Leslie H. Martinson. Connected to the television series Batman: The Movie follows Batman and Robin as they face off with the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and Catwoman as they hold the world hostage with a powerful weapon that can dehydrate human beings instantly.
9Batman & Robin (1997)
Batman & Robinis widely regarded asthe worst Batman movie ever. Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring George Clooney as Batman, the movie was criticized for its campy tone, over-the-top performances, and excessive use of puns and gimmicks. The movie featured Batman and Robin facing off against villains, Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane, but failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike, earning only $238,317,814 at the worldwide box office.
Batman & Robin’s poor performance can be attributed to several factors, including its departure from the darker, more serious tone established inTim Burton’sBatmanfilms. Theemphasis on merchandising and spectacle over coherent storytellingand character development further alienated the audience. Additionally, negative word-of-mouth and harsh reviews contributed to its underwhelming box office returns, makingBatman & Robina cautionary tale in the franchise’s history.
Batman & Robin
Serving as the fourth and final installment in Warner Bros.’s original Batman movie series, Batman & Robin sees the caped crusader and his faithful sidekick come up against Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Bane. The movie also marks the on-screen debut of Batgirl, who is played by American actress Alicia Silverstone.
8Batman Returns (1992)
Batman Returnsonly grossed $266,824,291 worldwide, making it one of the lowest-performing Batman movies financially, despite the enormous popularity of its predecessor. Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Batman, the film featured standout performances by Danny DeVito as the Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman, whichreceived widespread critical acclaim. However, several factors contributed to its relatively modest box office performance.
Batman Returnshad a darker, more gothic tone thanBatman(1989), with a storyline andvisual style that some audiences found too intense and disturbing, particularly for younger viewers. The movie’s marketing and merchandise, which targeted children, clashed with the mature content, leading to controversy and backlash from parents and family groups. Despite its artistic achievements and strong performances, these issues hindered its commercial success, prompting Warner Bros. to take a different direction in subsequentBatmanfilms.
Batman Returns
Batman Returns sees the return of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne after his victory over the Joker. This time, the Dark Knight faces a new threat in the form of The Penguin, an outcast who wants revenge on Gotham City. Featuring Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman, and Christopher Walken as Max Schreck, Batman Returns is Tim Burton’s second and final movie based on the iconic DC comics character.
7Batman Forever (1995)
Batman Forevergrossed $336,529,144 worldwide, outperforming its predecessorBatman Returnsfinancially. Directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Val Kilmer as Batman, the film introduceda more colorful and playful tone compared to the Burton films. Despite its higher earnings,Batman Foreveris often considered one of the weaker-performing Batman movies critically.
Batman Forever’s relative box office success can be attributed to its marketing, which capitalized on the popularity of the Batman franchise and featured a star-studded cast including Jim Carrey as the Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones as Two-Face. The departure from the darker themes and the introduction of a more campy style divided audiences, but was far more suitable for a younger audience. WhileBatman Forevermanaged to surpassBatman Returnsin earnings, itdid not achieve the same critical acclaim or cultural impact.
Batman Forever
After Tim Burton’s plans for a third Batman film fell through, director Joel Schumacher took over the franchise with 1995’s Batman Forever. Replacing Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer stars as Bruce Wayne opposite to Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, who play The Riddler and Two-Face, respectively. Batman Forever also marks the first time Robin appears on the big screen since Burt Ward reprised his Boy Wonder role in 1966’s Batman: The Movie.
6Batman Begins (2005)
Batman Beginsearned $356,770,593 at the worldwide box office, marking it as the sixth most profitableBatmanmovie at the time. The first inChristopher Nolan’sDark Knighttrilogystarring Christian Bale as Batman,Batman Beginsrebooted the franchise witha darker, more realistic aesthetic, focusing on the origin story of Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman.Batman Beginswas praised for its depth, character development, and mature storytelling, distinguishing itself from the more colorful and outlandish previous installments.
Batman Begins’success can be attributed to its strong narrative, compelling performances, particularly by Bale, Michael Caine, and Liam Neeson, and Nolan’s visionary direction. The movie was notable for its gritty, realistic departure from typical superhero fare,proffering the first cinematic Batman who could exist in real life.Batman Beginseffectively revitalized theBatmanfranchise, setting the stage for its triumphant sequels.
Batman Begins
Batman Begins is the inaugural film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, featuring Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne. Released in 2005, it follows Wayne as he transforms into Batman to combat the pervasive corruption in Gotham City, creating a new identity to fight crime outside the system.
5Batman (1989)
Batman(1989) was the firstBatmanmovie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. It also boasted Jack Nicholson as the Joker, and earned $411,348,924 at the worldwide box office - making it the fifth most profitable Batman movie ever. Its success was bolstered by anincredibly effective marketing campaign that dominated the summer, often referred to as the “Summer of Batman.” Considering its enormous success and the cultural phenomenon it became, it’s surprising thatBatmandidn’t earn even more.
Batman’s marketing blitz includedeverything from toys and clothing to the iconic Bat-symbol plastered everywhere, creating immense anticipation. The movie’s financial performance, while impressive, reflects the era’s box office standards. SubsequentBatmanfilms benefited from a larger global market and inflation, which helped boost their earnings. Nonetheless,Batman(1989) remains a landmark in cinematic history and a pivotal moment for the superhero genre.
Batman
Batman is a 1989 superhero movie directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne. The film features Jack Nicholson’s chilling portrayal as Jack Napier, who turns into the Joker and reigns terror on Gotham. Kim Basinger also stars in the film as Vicki Vale, along with Michael Gough as Bruce’s trusty butler named Alfred.
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4The Batman (2022)
2022’sThe Batmanhas earned an incredibly favorable reputation, but only ranks fourth in terms of profitability, earning $765,950,479 at the worldwide box office. Introducing Robert Pattinson as the titular hero,The Batmanpresented a bleaker, more detective-focused take on the iconic superhero. Despite its impressive earnings, the box office performance was somewhatlower than many might have expected given the film’s critical acclaim.
Several factors could explainThe Batman’s box office performance. The release occurred during a period of global uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected cinema attendance. Additionally,The Batmanhad a grittier,more niche appeal compared to the more broadly marketed superhero films. The film’s lengthy runtime and slower pace might have also limited its repeat viewings. Regardless,The Batmanperformed admirably, seeding the storytelling within this new interpretation of Gotham City.
The Batman
The Batman follows a young Bruce Wayne as he investigates a sadistic serial killer targeting key political figures in Gotham. As he delves deeper, he is confronted by the city’s hidden corruption and questions surrounding his own family’s legacy.
3Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)
Staggeringly,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicemanaged to earn $872,395,091 at the worldwide box office, becoming the third most profitable Batman movie ever. Directed by Zack Snyder and featuring Ben Affleck as Batman and Henry Cavill as Superman, the film was highly anticipated due to the iconic clash between two of the most beloved superheroes. The movie’s financial success is surprising considering thatBatman v Supermanreceived generally poor reviews from critics.
Batman v Supermanwas criticized for its convoluted plot, excessive dark tone, and perceived lack of character development. However, the film achieved an impressive box office performance. This can be attributed to theimmense hype surrounding the meeting of Batman and Supermanon the big screen for the first time, as well as the overall popularity of the DC Extended Universe. More pertinently,Batman v Supermanbegan gathering superheroes for the first live-action Justice League.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice features the iconic clash between Gotham’s Dark Knight, played by Ben Affleck, and Metropolis’s Man of Steel, portrayed by Henry Cavill. As these two heroes confront each other, a looming threat endangers humanity, setting the stage for larger challenges ahead in the DC Extended Universe.
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2The Dark Knight (2008)
Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimedThe Dark Knightsmashed audience and critical expectations, becoming one of the highest regarded superhero movies of all time.The Dark Knightearned an impressive $1,007,695,772 worldwide, though this does make it the second most profitableBatmanmovie.Heath Ledger’s iconic performance as the Joker garnered widespread praise, contributing significantly to the film’s massive appeal and success and earning several accolades.
Despite its monumental box office performance and critical acclaim, it is somewhat surprising thatThe Dark Knightisn’t the highest-grossingBatmanfilm. This can be attributed to the record-breaking success of its sequel, whichcapitalized onThe Dark Knight’s success. Indeed,The Dark Knightset a new standard for superhero films, combining a compelling narrative, complex characters, and outstanding performances, thus solidifying Batman’s place in another cinematic generation and paving the way for its successor.
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is the second installment in the Batman trilogy starring Christian Bale as Batman. Released in 2008, the film follows Batman’s alliance with Jim Gordon and Harvey Dent as they combat the organized crime that threatens Gotham, facing the menacing Joker.
1The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Risesconcluded Nolan’sBatmantrilogy and stands as the most financially successfulBatmanmovie ever, earning an impressive $1,082,228,107 worldwide. Its immense profitabilitycan be attributed largely to the overwhelming popularity and critical acclaim of its predecessor,The Dark Knight. The strong foundation laid by Heath Ledger’s performance in the previous movie created significant anticipation, ensuring that audiences were eager to see the trilogy’s conclusion.
Audiences had high expectations followingThe Dark Knight, particularly asThe Dark Knight Riseswould introduce Tom Hardy as the formidable villain Bane and Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. Consequently, audiences were fervent forThe Dark Knight Rises, and the moviequickly became the most profitableBatmanmovie ever. The combination of legacy, narrative closure, and star-studded performances solidifiedThe Dark KnightRise as a monumental entry in theBatmanfranchise, achieving record-breaking box office numbers.
The Dark Knight Rises
The Dark Knight Rises follows Batman as he returns to Gotham City eight years after the death of Harvey Dent. Now pursued by law enforcement, he faces new challenges from Selina Kyle and Bane, a formidable terrorist leader who threatens the city’s safety, compelling Batman to defend a city that sees him as a foe.
