At the 96th Academy Awards, director Christopher Nolan took home his first two Oscars for Oppenheimer. The wins renewed discussion and interest in The Dark Knight trilogy, which many viewers believe should have garnered Nolan his first Oscar win over a decade ago. For those interested in exploring Nolan’s trilogy, this guide will explain where and how to stream it in order.
The lack of Best Picture or Best Director nominations for any of Nolan's three films in the Batman series has long been controversial. Even famed director Steven Spielberg has suggested that The Dark Knight would have at least earned a Best Picture nomination today. The film’s devastating snub is believed to have influenced the Best Picture category changing its rules to include ten nominees rather than 8.
The furor over its lack of accolades is a testimony to how influential Nolan’s series is. It was surprising in 2005 when the critically acclaimed director signed on to direct Batman Begins. The MCU and DCEU didn’t exist at this time, and most superhero movies suffered from technology limitations and campiness. However, something about the complexity of the brooding vigilante Bruce Wayne (a.k.a. Batman) appealed to Nolan. He wanted to reinvent the character onscreen, and he did.
Christian Bale took on the role of Batman alongside Michael Caine’s Alfred Pennyworth, Liam Neeson’s Ra’s al Ghul, and Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow. Batman Begins was dark and sophisticated, and it featured groundbreaking visual effects for the time as it delved into Batman’s tragic origin story and explored the moral complexity of saving the corrupt Gotham City. Not only did it reinvent Batman, but it aided in reinventing and modernizing the whole superhero genre.
In 2008, the sequel, The Dark Knight, was released to stellar reviews. It pitted Batman against his most iconic enemy, the Joker. Heath Ledger received an Oscar nomination for his mesmerizing performance as the villain. Not only is it the best film in the trilogy, but it is also considered one of the greatest superhero movies of all time with its action-packed premise, brilliant performances, and sophisticated themes.
Unfortunately, the trilogy did stumble a bit with the final film, The Dark Knight Rises, largely because Ledger’s passing led to the Joker being replaced with Tom Hardy’s Bane. The shift in plans led to a slightly messy plot. While it struggled to eclipse its predecessor, it still proved to be a satisfying and well-received conclusion.
Here is where and how to watch Nolan’s entire The Dark Knight trilogy in order, from oldest to newest.
