The Dark Knight
Summary
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced, and cowritten by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is the second part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins. Christian Bale reprises the lead role of Bruce Wayne/Batman, with a returning cast of Michael Caine as Alfred Pennyworth, Gary Oldman as James Gordon and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox. The film introduces the character of Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Gotham's newly elected District Attorney and the consort of Bruce Wayne's childhood friend Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal replacing Katie Holmes from the first film), who joins Batman and the police in combating the new rising threat of a criminal mastermind calling himself "The Joker" (Heath Ledger). Nolan's inspiration for the film was the Joker's comic book debut in 1940, the 1988 graphic novel The Killing Joke, and the 1996 series The Long Halloween, which retold Two-Face's origin. The nickname "the Dark Knight" was first applied to Batman in Batman #1 (1940), in a story written by Bill Finger. The Dark Knight was filmed primarily in Chicago, as well as in several other locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. Nolan used an IMAX camera to film some sequences, including the Joker's first appearance in the film. On January 22, 2008, some months after he had completed filming on The Dark Knight and six months before the film's release, Heath Ledger died from a toxic combination of prescription drugs, leading to intense attention from the press and movie-going public. Warner Bros. had initially created a viral marketing campaign for The Dark Knight, developing promotional websites and trailers highlighting screenshots of Ledger as the Joker, but after Ledger's death, the studio refocused its promotional campaign. A co-production of the United States and the United Kingdom, The Dark Knight was released on July 16, 2008 in Australia, on July 18, 2008 in North America, and on July 24, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Considered by film critics to be one of the best films of the 2000s and one of the best superhero films ever, the film received highly positive reviews and set numerous records during its theatrical run. With over $1 billion in revenue worldwide, it is the 18th-highest-grossing film of all time, unadjusted for inflation. The film received eight Academy Award nominations; it won the award for Best Sound Editing and Ledger was posthumously awarded Best Supporting Actor. The Dark Knight Rises, the final film in the trilogy, was released on July 20, 2012.
latest
How The Dark Knight Rises Almost Brought Back the Joker and Included the Riddler
While Christopher Nolan ultimately went with Tom Hardy's Bane for his third Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises was almost very different.
Christopher Nolan Was ‘On the Fence’ About The Dark Knight, Brother Told Him: ‘Don’t Be a Chicken S—!’
Christopher Nolan's brother, Jonathan, reveals that he had to convince the Oscar-winning filmmaker to make a Batman Begins sequel.
The Dark Knight Co-Writer Reveals Meaning Behind Iconic Dialogue: 'I Was Proud of That Line'
Jonathan Nolan reveals the meaning behind one of The Dark Knight's lines of dialogue which plagues his brother Christopher Nolan.
All of Christian Bale's Batman Movies in Order
Here is how to watch the Christian Bale Batman movies in order chronologically and by release date.
Christopher Nolan Didn’t Write or Understand The Dark Knight’s Most Famous Line: 'I’m Plagued by It'
The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan reveals that he initially did not understand one of the movie's most quoted lines.
Christian Bale Is Real-Life Bruce Wayne as Dark Knight Star Provides New Homes for Foster Children
Christian Bale channels his inner Bruce Wayne as the actor helps children through the Together California project.
Batman: The Best Moments in the Dark Knight Trilogy, Ranked
The Dark Knight Trilogy is host to many brilliant moments in the Batman franchise, and here are some of the best
Gary Oldman Was Originally Going to Play a Villain in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy
Gary Oldman gave three unforgettable performances as Batman's friend and confidant, but the actor almost played this iconic villain.
Christopher Nolan Refuses to Answer if He's Seen The Batman, And For a Very Good Reason
The Dark Knight trilogy director Christopher Nolan explains why he doesn't want to say if he has seen Matt Reeves' The Batman or not.
Diddy Sported a Seriously Impressive Batman Costume This Halloween
The rapper dressed up as The Dark Knight this year after Warner Bros. banned his Joker costume.
Why The Dark Knight Rises Doesn't Deserve the Hate
Nolan's Batman trilogy capper doesn't live up to The Dark Knight. But what could?
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy Returns to Theaters on Batman Day
The Dark Knight Trilogy makes a return on Batman Day, gracing select theaters once more with Christopher Nolan's visionary storytelling.
10 Best Movie Trilogies That We Couldn't Live Without
Movie trilogies are a staple in Hollywood. Here's a list of the 10 best movie trilogies that we can't live without.
The Dark Knight: Every Villain in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy, Ranked
From Joker to Talia Al Ghul, here is how every Batman villain in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy ranks.
Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy Reimagined In Batman: The Animated Series Style in New Fan Art
Two of the greatest iterations of Batman come together in stunning fan art.
Barbie Box Office Batters Christopher Nolan Again By Beating Long-Standing Batman Record
Greta Gerwig's Barbie achieves an honor that once belonged to The Dark Knight.
Heath Ledger's Best Moments as The Joker, Ranked
Other film depictions of the character miss this crucial component of the character’s psyche, but not the Heath Ledger Joker.
Best Movies Leaving HBO Max in February 2023
A ton of great films will be joining HBO Max in February, but just as many are leaving. These are the best movies leaving HBO Max in February 2023.
10 Hidden Easter Eggs in the Dark Knight Trilogy
Did you spot these hidden details in the Dark Knight Trilogy?
Cillian Murphy’s Best Moments as Scarecrow
Ahead of the release of Oppenheimer, let’s remember Cillian Murphy’s best moments as Scarecrow in other Christopher Nolan movies, the Batman trilogy.