The Dark Knight
When a menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman, James Gordon and Harvey Dent must work together to put an end to the madness.
Directed by Christopher Nolan · Action · Crime · Drama · 152 min · 2008
Trailer
Director
Christopher Nolan
Studio
N/A
Release
18 Jul 2008
Runtime
152 min
Genres
Action, Crime, Drama
Full Plot
Set within a year after the events of Batman Begins (2005), Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and new District Attorney Harvey Dent successfully begin to round up the criminals that plague Gotham City, until a mysterious and sadistic criminal mastermind known only as "The Joker" appears in Gotham, creating a new wave of chaos. Batman's struggle against The Joker becomes deeply personal, forcing him to "confront everything he believes" and improve his technology to stop him. A love triangle develops between Bruce Wayne, Dent, and Rachel Dawes.
Cast & Characters
Bruce Wayne / Batman: A wealthy socialite who as a child was traumatized by his parents' murder. Wayne secretly operates as the heroic vigilante Batman.
Christian Bale
the Joker: A criminal mastermind and anarchist who is determined to sow chaos and corruption throughout Gotham.
Heath Ledger
Harvey Dent / Two-Face: Gotham's noble district attorney-turned-violent vigilante.
Aaron Eckhart
Alfred Pennyworth: Wayne's father-figure, trusted butler, and confidant.
Michael Caine
James Gordon: One of the few honest officers in the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) who assists Batman's war on crime.
Gary Oldman
Rachel Dawes: Gotham's assistant district attorney and Wayne's childhood friend, who is divided between her feelings for him and for Dent.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Lucius Fox: Wayne Enterprises' CEO who supplies technology and equipment for Batman's campaign.
Morgan Freeman
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $185.0M, The Dark Knight has grossed $1.00B worldwide — about 5.4x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
The Dark Knight is part of TMDb's "The Dark Knight Collection."
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
Christopher Nolan has directed 9 films in our catalog, including Interstellar, The Odyssey.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
The Batpod was built using commercial model components.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Jean-Pierre Goy, a stuntman, spent months training to ride the unwieldy vehicle.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Corbould added an explosion at Gotham General Hospital during filming.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Hemming, Crowley, Nolan, and Jamie Rama redesigned the Batsuit for comfort and flexibility.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-13
Critical Assessment
The Dark Knight holds 9.1/10 on IMDb (3,161,907 votes), 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 31, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (9.1/10 on IMDb (3,161,907 votes), 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dark Knight's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
The Dark Knight holds a 94% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is The Dark Knight's IMDb rating?+
The Dark Knight has a 9.1/10 rating on IMDb from 3,161,907 votes.
What is The Dark Knight's Metacritic score?+
The Dark Knight has a Metascore of 85/100 on Metacritic.
Is The Dark Knight good? What are critics saying?+
The Dark Knight holds 9.1/10 on IMDb (3,161,907 votes), 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85/100 on Metacritic.
How long is The Dark Knight?+
The Dark Knight has a runtime of 152 min.
Who directed The Dark Knight?+
The Dark Knight was directed by Christopher Nolan.
Where can I watch The Dark Knight?+
The Dark Knight is available to stream, rent, or buy on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, HBO Max, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV Cinema, Netflix Standard with Ads, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Rakuten TV, Sky Store, JioHotstar.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The movie "The Dark Knight" received widespread acclaim with many reviewers praising its exceptional quality, particularly Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. The film was described as a masterpiece by some, while others cited it as one of the best superhero movies ever made. Critics also commended Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman and Christopher Nolan's direction.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Excellent movie. Best of the trilogy. Lovely music. Nolan is a genius. So is Heath Ledger.
This has no competition. It is the very finest comic-book character movie ever made. Knowing the Burton, Donner and Nolan filmic adaptations of Batman and Superman exist helps me to sleep at night. They are Exhibit A of 'How to Make a Comic-Book Movie'. Nothing else has ever come…
talisencrw · 10/10Perhaps the best Batman movie of all times. I think that this Batman trilogy presents the well-known superhero history in an unexpected way with the capable to maintain on the edge of the chair all time. **Heath Ledger** present an excellent impersonification of a psychopath. All…
I used to leave a theatre after seeing a highly anticipated movie, specifically a sequel, and be so revved up about what I saw that I would declare that movie to be the best of a series. After each of the prequel "Star Wars" films, I rated that one the best, as good as any of the…
One of the best movies of all time. Christopher Nolan has brought us the Batman trilogy that it made it feel it could happen today. Christian Bale returns as Batman, was able to perform as wonderfully as he did in Batman Begins. The one person that ultimately stole the show had t…
tmdb22590444 · 10/10A Masterpiece!!! I Love how The Dark Knight shows to me the "Dark & Gritty Tone". Overall, Nolan give us the Game changing, best superhero film OF ALL TIME. For me it's 10/10
tmdb79614358 · 10/10A sickening, borderline fascist film that is simultaneously dull and harmful. The editing represents that of an anti-pirate commercial and the politics are beyond reprehensible. The film ends with a monologue about how violent law-enforcement and brutality is what the country nee…
EDSR · 3/10Unforgettable crime film with good dialogue, thrilling action and chase scenes and once again a magnificent cast (most notably a terrifically terrifying Ledger) and superb score. 10/10
AstroNoud · 10/10Heath Ledger is outstanding in this follow up to the 2006 "Batman Begins" outing for the caped crusader. His portrayal of the malevolent "Joker' is confident and highly entertaining, treading a fine line between supreme intellect and total insanity with considerable aplomb. He co…
CinemaSerf · 7/10**Overall : A cinematic marvel and once-in-a-decade masterpiece.** This isn't simply a superhero movie or a Christopher Nolan film. The Dark Knight is a masterpiece. A perfect film. An epic scale with magnificent action pieces, oscar-winning performances, incredible writing, exce…
The Movie Mob · 10/10Even worse than Tim Burton's Batman, although obviously copying the neo Nazi ideology of "kill all the brunettes you can in a movie". This is so predictable and so poorly written that it boggles the mind. Yet there is a fan base of what can only be described as neo Nazis. I guess…
drystyx · 1/10I enjoyed watching the Dark Knight. They were at least able to keep the same batman from the the last one made too.
Andre Gonzales · 7/10If I can hold my pee for a whole two and a half hours rewatching a film I’ve already seen then I love it.
James · 8/10I'm deeply in romantical love with the joker. this movie made my delusions worse
maxim · 10/10The Dark Knight (2008), directed by Christopher Nolan, isn’t just another superhero film—it’s a gripping piece of cinema that balances action, emotion, and a deep exploration of morality and chaos. It’s the kind of movie that lingers with you, not because of its spectacle, but be…
RalphRahal · 10/10Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight is a masterclass in storytelling, tension, and character depth. Anchored by Heath Ledger's haunting and unforgettable performance as the Joker, the film transcends the superhero genre to become a gripping crime thriller. Christian Bale returns…
anishmystery · 8/10
From the trailer's comments
RIP Heath ledger.....
@harmonysukie7088 · 669 likesHeath leadger's performance overshadowed everyone
@Manoeuvrey · 180 likes*"Madness is like gravity* *you just need a push"* --- Joker 2008 ---
@joseeduardoaceedojauregui5151 · 163 likesI wish I could experience this movie for the first time in theaters again.
@ObliteratedZane668 · 875 likesBest version of Joker ever. Period.
@MartyMcFly88 · 16 likesBecause he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A Dark Knight.
@shermanshecapio3944 · 124 likesthis is still a great Batman movie than all the Batman movies
@richardgarcia8612 · 368 likesBest superhero movie ever
@TheKlampus · 794 likes
