From the original 1943 ‘Batman’ to 2022’s ‘The Batman’ featuring Robert Pattinson, here’s how to watch all the Batman movies

Christian Bale as Batman in The Dark Knight ; Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman. Photo:

Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett Collection

Batman has had a number of famous faces through the years from legends like Michael Keaton to 2000s icons like Robert Pattinson. But in every iteration, he is the same surly, dark hero of the crime-ridden Gotham City, facing down villains like the maniacal Joker and the gangster Penguin.

The vigilante superhero was first introduced to the public in 1939 when the character was featured as a caped crusader in Detective Comics No. 27. Less than five years later, the first film about Batman was brought to life in 1943’s Batman, with Lewis Wilson leading the movie.

Now, nine actors have played Batman in movies, and popular villains in the comic books have earned their own film or show spinoffs. In 2024 alone, two of the most infamous Batman villains are coming to both the big and small screen with Joker: Folie à Deux, a sequel to 2019’s Joker, and The Penguin, a Max show featuring the villain, played by Colin Farrell, introduced in 2022’s The Batman.

The true Batman movies go in chronological order of their release date, with five versions of the hero’s origin story retold within 60 years. The only exception to the chronology is Joker, which is set in 1981, but the movie focuses on a Joker set in a different universe than those canon to the Batman movies that feature the supervillain.

Following The Penguin‘s Sept. 19 release, here’s how to watch all the Batman movies and shows in chronological order.

How to watch the Batman movies and shows in chronological order

Batman (1943)

Douglas Croft and Lewis Wilson in 1943’s Batman.

Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection

The first Batman movie featured Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as Robin, his faithful sidekick. It was the first of a 15-part movie serial featuring the characters as they faced Dr. Daka (J. Carrol Naish), a villain created specifically for the movie.

1943’s Batman is not available on streaming.

Batman and Robin (1949)

Robert Lowery as Batman and John Duncan as Robin in 1949’s Batman and Robin.

Everett Collection

With its first recast, 1949’s Batman is played by Robert Lowery. He is once again joined by Robin, this time played by Johnny Duncan. Together they aim to defeat The Wizard, a villain that requires diamonds to power a remote control that can maneuver any vehicle in a 50-mile radius.

Watch Batman and Robin on Roku.

Batman (1966)

Adam West and Burt Ward in 1966’s Batman.

Everett Collection

The third person to play Batman in the 1966 version is Adam West. This feature marked the first time three major Batman villains were introduced to the big screen: Joker (Caesar Romero), Riddler (Frank Gorshin) and Penguin (Burgess Meredith).

1966’s Batman is available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and YouTube.

Batman (1989)

Michael Keaton in 1989’s Batman.

Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection

Arguably the first person to bring Batman into mainstream culture, Keaton helmed the role in 1989’s Batman. Tim Burton’s version of the movie saw Keaton as a dark, surly Batman, shaping the way the character would be portrayed for the next three decades.

With Jack Nicholson as Joker, the movie was met with critical and box office success, making over $400 million globally.

Watch Batman on Max, and Hulu and Amazon Prime Video with a premium subscription.