The Definitive Count: How Many Batman Movies Are There, And Which Actors Played Him?
As of December 2025, the Dark Knight’s cinematic history is vast, but the definitive answer to "how many Batman movies are there?" depends on how you count them. If you focus strictly on live-action theatrical feature films where Batman is a primary character—including his major team-up appearances—the total count stands at 14 films, spanning from the 1960s to the present day. This number excludes the 1940s serials and his dozens of direct-to-video animated adventures, which, if included, would push the total well over 40 films, solidifying Batman's status as one of cinema's most-featured superheroes.
The Caped Crusader’s enduring popularity has allowed a remarkable eight different actors to don the cowl in these major live-action theatrical releases, each bringing a unique vision of Bruce Wayne and his war on crime in Gotham City. The franchise is currently split across two major universes: the Matt Reeves-helmed "Elseworlds" continuity starring Robert Pattinson, and the newly rebooted DC Universe (DCU) under James Gunn, promising even more Batmen in the years to come.
The Complete Roster of Live-Action Theatrical Batman Movies (14 Films)
To provide a clear and comprehensive answer, we've compiled a list of every major live-action theatrical film that features Batman as a central character. These films are categorized into their respective cinematic eras, which helps explain the character's many tonal shifts over the decades.
The Golden Age and The Burton/Schumacher Era (1966–1997)
This era established the modern cinematic tradition, moving from the campy fun of the 1960s to the Gothic, dark aesthetics of director Tim Burton, before concluding with the controversial, colorful films by Joel Schumacher.
- 1. Batman: The Movie (1966): Starring Adam West, a spin-off of the beloved 1960s television series.
- 2. Batman (1989): Directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton as the first modern Dark Knight.
- 3. Batman Returns (1992): Burton and Keaton return, featuring iconic villains like Catwoman and The Penguin.
- 4. Batman Forever (1995): Directed by Joel Schumacher, with Val Kilmer taking over the role of Bruce Wayne.
- 5. Batman & Robin (1997): Schumacher’s final installment, featuring George Clooney and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze.
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012)
Director Christopher Nolan redefined the superhero genre with a grounded, realistic, and critically acclaimed take on the character, often considered the gold standard for comic book adaptations.
- 6. Batman Begins (2005): Introducing Christian Bale as Batman, detailing his origin and facing The Scarecrow.
- 7. The Dark Knight (2008): Widely praised, featuring Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance as The Joker.
- 8. The Dark Knight Rises (2012): The epic conclusion to the trilogy, pitting Batman against Bane.
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) Appearances (2016–2023)
These films feature Ben Affleck’s iteration of the character, a weary, older, and more brutal Batman who operates within a shared cinematic universe with other DC heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman.
- 9. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016): Affleck’s debut, a major team-up film.
- 10. Suicide Squad (2016): A brief but significant appearance by Batman.
- 11. Justice League (2017) / Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021): Batman leads the formation of the Justice League.
- 12. The Flash (2023): Featuring the return of Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton's Batmen in a multiverse-spanning adventure.
The Matt Reeves Universe (The "Elseworlds" Continuity)
This is a standalone, noir-influenced continuity that exists outside of the main DCU, focusing on a younger, less experienced Bruce Wayne.
- 13. The Batman (2022): Introducing Robert Pattinson as a detective-focused Batman battling The Riddler and The Penguin.
The Actors Who Have Worn the Cowl on the Big Screen
The role of Batman/Bruce Wayne has been played by a distinguished group of actors, each leaving an indelible mark on the character’s legacy. The sheer number of portrayals is a testament to the character's versatility and ability to be reinterpreted for different generations.
The primary live-action theatrical actors include:
- Lewis Wilson: The first live-action Batman in the 1943 serial, *The Batman*.
- Robert Lowery: Starred in the 1949 serial, *Batman and Robin*.
- Adam West: Starred in the 1966 film, *Batman: The Movie*.
- Michael Keaton: The star of the Tim Burton films (*Batman*, *Batman Returns*) and returned in *The Flash* (2023).
- Val Kilmer: Starred in *Batman Forever* (1995).
- George Clooney: Starred in *Batman & Robin* (1997).
- Christian Bale: The star of Christopher Nolan's *The Dark Knight Trilogy* (2005–2012).
- Ben Affleck: The DCEU Batman, appearing in four major films (*BvS*, *Suicide Squad*, *Justice League*, *The Flash*).
- Robert Pattinson: The current star of Matt Reeves' standalone series, beginning with *The Batman* (2022).
Beyond the live-action realm, Kevin Conroy is arguably the most famous voice actor, having portrayed Batman across the animated universe for over 30 years, including the beloved *Batman: The Animated Series* and multiple animated features.
Beyond Live-Action: The Vast Animated Universe
While the live-action films capture the headlines, the animated features represent the true depth of Batman’s storytelling. The count of animated films is massive, with over two dozen major, feature-length releases, not counting the numerous appearances in ensemble DC animated movies. Rotten Tomatoes, for instance, lists over 24 major animated Batman movies, many of which are adaptations of classic comic storylines.
Key animated entries that are essential viewing for any fan of the Dark Knight include:
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993): A theatrical release and a critical darling, often cited as one of the best Batman films ever made.
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000): A dark, future-set sequel to the animated series.
- Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010): A brutal adaptation of the comic book storyline involving the return of Jason Todd.
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (2012-2013): A two-part adaptation of the seminal Frank Miller graphic novel.
- Batman: The Long Halloween, Parts One and Two (2021): A faithful adaptation of the classic mystery comic.
These films showcase the full topical authority of the character, exploring complex relationships with villains like The Joker, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, and Ra’s al Ghul in ways the live-action films often cannot.
The Future of Batman: Upcoming Movies (2025 and Beyond)
The cinematic future of Batman is currently split between two distinct, highly-anticipated projects. This strategy allows DC Studios to explore different facets of the character simultaneously without continuity conflicts.
1. The Matt Reeves Universe Continuation
The success of *The Batman* (2022) has secured a new, grounded trilogy. The sequel will continue the story of Robert Pattinson’s younger, detective-focused Batman.
- The Batman Part II (Projected Release: October 1, 2027): This film was originally slated for 2025, but has been officially moved back. Directed by Matt Reeves, it will continue to explore the corruption of Gotham and the rise of new super-villains. It is expected to further develop characters like Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and potentially introduce new antagonists like Professor Pyg or Hush.
- The Penguin (HBO Max Series): A spin-off series starring Colin Farrell as Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot, bridging the gap between the first and second *The Batman* films.
2. The DC Universe (DCU) Reboot: The Brave and the Bold
As part of James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe, a new live-action Batman is being cast for the main continuity. This film will introduce Bruce Wayne's son, Damian Wayne, as the new Robin, a character known for his aggressive, assassin-trained background.
- The Brave and the Bold (Release TBD): This film will be the official DCU introduction of Batman and Robin. It is based on the comic book run by Grant Morrison and will focus on the complex, fractured relationship between a father (Bruce) and his estranged son (Damian).
With these two major cinematic paths, plus several animated projects like *Batman: Knightfall Part 1* confirmed for the coming years, the Dark Knight’s movie count will continue to climb rapidly, ensuring he remains one of the most prolific and analyzed figures in film history.
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