The Dark Knight

2008, Adventure/Fantasy, 2h 32m

346 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga. Read critic reviews

You might also like

Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Rent/buy from $3.99

Rent/buy from $3.99

Subscription

Rent/buy from $3.99

Rate And Review

Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer
Step 2 of 2

How did you buy your ticket?

Let's get your review verified.
Fandango

AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

Enter your Ticket Confirmation# located in your email.More Info

Cinemark Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Regal Coming Soon

We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
Super Reviewer

Rate this movie

Oof, that was Rotten.

Meh, it passed the time.

It’s good – I’d recommend it.

Awesome!

So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
- Fandango
- AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew
  
  Enter your Ticket Confirmation# located in your email.More Info
- Cinemark Coming Soon
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Regal Coming Soon
  
  We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
- Theater box office or somewhere else
By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.
You haven’t finished your review yet, want to submit as-is?

You can always edit your review after.
Are you sure?

Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers.
Want to submit changes to your review before closing?

The Dark Knight Videos

The Dark Knight: Trailer 1

Heath Ledger’s Joker from ‘The Dark Knight’ | Rotten Tomatoes’ 21 Most Memorable Moments

View All Videos (2)

The Dark Knight Photos

HEATH LEDGER stars as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

GARY OLDMAN stars as Lieut. James Gordon in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

HEATH LEDGER stars as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

CHRISTIAN BALE stars as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

Director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

GARY OLDMAN stars as Lieut. James Gordon in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

CHRISTIAN BALE stars as Bruce Wayne and MORGAN FREEMAN stars as Lucius Fox in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

HEATH LEDGER stars as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

MICHAEL CAINE stars as Alfred and CHRISTIAN BALE stars as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

HEATH LEDGER stars as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL stars as Rachel Dawes and AARON ECKHART stars as Harvey Dent in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

Director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

Batman on his Bat-Pod in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL stars as Rachel Dawes and AARON ECKHART stars as Harvey Dent in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

CHRISTIAN BALE stars as Bruce Wayne in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

Director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN on the set with MICHAEL CAINE and CHRISTIAN BALE for Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

AARON ECKHART stars as Harvey Dent, GARY OLDMAN stars as Lieut. James Gordon and CHRISTIAN BALE stars as Batman in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

HEATH LEDGER stars as The Joker in Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

Director CHRISTOPHER NOLAN and AARON ECKHART on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' action drama "The Dark Knight."

View All Photos (154)

Movie Info

With the help of allies Lt. Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman (Christian Bale) has been able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City. But when a vile young criminal calling himself the Joker (Heath Ledger) suddenly throws the town into chaos, the caped Crusader begins to tread a fine line between heroism and vigilantism.

Rating:

PG-13 (Some Menace|Intense Sequences of Violence)
Genre:

Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Original Language:

English
Director:

Christopher Nolan
Producer:

Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan
Writer:

Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan
Release Date (Theaters):

Jul 18, 2008 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Dec 9, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA):

$2.0M
Runtime:

2h 32m
Distributor:

Warner Bros.
Sound Mix:

DTS, Dolby Digital, SDDS
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)
View the collection:

Batman

Cast & Crew

Christian Bale
Bruce Wayne, Batman

Heath Ledger
The Joker

Aaron Eckhart
Harvey Dent

Michael Caine
Alfred

Maggie Gyllenhaal
Rachel Dawes

Gary Oldman
Gordon

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Dark Knight

All Critics (346) | Top Critics (78) | Fresh (325) | Rotten (21)

Full Review… Glenn Kenny MUBI

Full Review… Ryan Gilbey New Statesman

Full Review… James Christopher Times (UK)

Full Review… Jonathan Romney Independent on Sunday

Full Review… Geoffrey Macnab Independent (UK)

Full Review… Tiru Thiruvilangam Little White Lies

Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review

Full Review… Cory Woodroof Curnblog

Full Review… Fico Cangiano CineXpress Podcast

Full Review… Richard Crouse Richard Crouse

Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… Jason Best Movie Talk

View All Critic Reviews (346)

Audience Reviews for The Dark Knight

Jul 20, 2016

This is the best comic book movie of all time. A dark, gritty, and realistic look on how superheroes would act and how they can remain unidentified. With great lead performances by Christian Bale (Batman) and Heath Ledger (The Joker) I believe this is if not the best comic book movie and a competitor for the top spot in crime thrillers as well. Deserves its fantastic reviews and box office totals.

Tyler H Super Reviewer
Jun 20, 2016

About as near perfect of a film as you can get for a comic book or action film. The script was brilliant, Heath Ledger's performance was well worth the Oscar he received. Even the intriguing, yet simplistic first scene sets the tone for the entire film. It says something about a film when every other film in its sub-genre tries to emulate it in some shape or form. This really kicked off the style that Marvel is going with now in that the films are first and foremost genre films but with superheroes added to them (this being a crime thriller w superheroes). Definitely one that should be watched by everyone. This film commonly is called the best comic book movie ever and it is hard to argue with people that make that claim.

Patrick W Super Reviewer
May 10, 2016

Confidently directed, dark, brooding, and packed with impressive action sequences and a complex story, The Dark Knight includes a career-defining turn from Heath Ledger as well as other Oscar worthy performances, TDK remains not only the best Batman movie, but comic book movie ever created.

Gage P Super Reviewer
May 01, 2016

After Christopher Nolan resuscitated Batman in Batman Begins (2005), he brought us this complex, dark and thrilling sequel that shows us how thrilling comic book films can ultimately be.

Sean T Super Reviewer

See all Audience reviews

Movie & TV guides

Best Horror Movies

Top 200 of all time

"Rotten Tomatoes Is Wrong"

Our new podcast

Worst Superhero Movies

Thanks, Squad

Best Netflix Series and Shows

What to binge right now

TOP HEADLINES

View All