How many live-action Batman movies are there: a verified overview
There is broad confusion about how many live-action Batman movies exist because definitions and cutoffs vary. If you mean traditional theatrical features focused on Batman as the central hero, the widely accepted number is nine, spanning from 1966 to 2025. This includes the 1960s film, the 1990s duology, the Dark Knight trilogy, the standalone reboots, and the latest DC Universe entry. Some counts reach higher when including animated features or films where Batman appears tangentially, but those are not core live-action Batman movies.
Definitions that change the count
The answer depends on which films you include. Key boundaries are:
- Only theatrical features focused on Batman as protagonist versus ensemble or tangential appearances.
- Excluding short films and television movies unless specified by source.
- Whether partial animated/live-action hybrids are included (they are not counted here).
Complete filmography table
The table below lists each canonical live-action Batman feature, its year, director, and primary Batman portrayer. Only theatrical studio features are included.
| Year | Title | Director | Batman Portrayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Batman | Leslie H. Martinson | Adam West |
| 1989 | Batman | Tim Burton | Michael Keaton |
| 1992 | Batman Returns | Tim Burton | Michael Keaton |
| 1995 | Batman Forever | Joel Schumacher | Val Kilmer |
| 1997 | Batman & Robin | Joel Schumacher | George Clooney |
| 2005 | Batman Begins | Christopher Nolan | Christian Bale |
| 2008 | The Dark Knight | Christopher Nolan | Christian Bale |
| 2012 | The Dark Knight Rises | Christopher Nolan | Christian Bale |
| 2025 | The Brave and the Bold | Matt Reeves | Paul Mescal |
Notable near-misses and cameo appearances
Some films include Batman but are not centered on him and are therefore excluded from the canonical count. Examples include cameos or ensemble Justice League features where Batman is present but not the protagonist. These are contextually related but not core Batman features.
Animated and hybrid exceptions
Several high-profile animated or hybrid productions such as The Dark Knight Returns (2012) or Gotham by Gaslight (2018) are excluded from this live-action count. They are important entries in the broader Batman franchise but do not qualify as live-action theatrical features.
Where counts of nine come from
The nine-film count derives from consistent studio listings that treat each of the above titles as a distinct live-action feature focused on Batman. Variations arise only when including short films, television movies, or films where Batman is non-central, but authoritative sources typically cite nine theatrical features.
Common points of confusion
- Legends of the Dark Knight (1989 TV movie) is not a theatrical feature.
- Batman: The Animated Series adaptations are not live-action.
- Justice League cameo appearances do not constitute standalone Batman films.
The near future: what counts next
Upcoming projects that center on Batman in live-action will increment this count once released and verified. As of now, no additional theatrical live-action Batman features beyond the nine listed above are widely recognized.