Excellent movie. Best of the trilogy. Lovely music. Nolan is a genius. So is Heath Ledger.…
8.5/10Action · Thriller · Crime
The Dark Knight
“Welcome to a world without rules.”
- 2008
- 2h 32m
- PG-13
- EN
- Released
The story
What The Dark Knight is about
Batman raises the stakes in his war on crime. With the help of Lt. Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman sets out to dismantle the remaining criminal organizations that plague the streets. The partnership proves to be effective, but they soon find themselves prey to a reign of chaos unleashed by a rising criminal mastermind known to the terrified citizens of Gotham as the Joker.
The Dark Knight is an action, thriller and crime film from 2008, directed by Christopher Nolan. It runs 2h 32m and is rated PG-13 in the US. It was produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures and Syncopy, with production in United Kingdom, United States of America.
The main cast is led by Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine. The screenplay was written by Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer. Reported worldwide gross stands at $1008.5M.
Why it matters: The Dark Knight currently holds 8.5/10 from 37199 TMDB user ratings and has taken $1008.5M worldwide against a $185.0M budget. Figures move as more ratings and box-office updates arrive.
Editor’s note
Should you watch The Dark Knight?
The Dark Knight is best suited to a high energy night. At 2h 32m, it is a long sitting, so plan the evening around it. The draw is Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, directed by Christopher Nolan.
With 37,199 TMDB ratings averaging 8.5/10, this is one of the most widely seen titles in our library, so the score is a reliable signal.
TMDB tags the film with themes including sadism, chaos, secret identity and crime fighter.
The US certification is PG-13: may include intense action or themes that are unsuitable for younger children.
If you like this, try The Shadow's Edge, Facing El Chapo or Animals.
Auto-generated from TMDB data (runtime, cast, ratings, keywords, certification). Last updated November 4, 2026.
Availability
Where to watch The Dark Knight
53 official sources across 5 regions. Rows with a direct link open this exact title on the provider’s own site; the others open that provider’s own search for the title, where price, video quality and audio options are confirmed before you pay.
Best option now
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HBO Max
Included with a HBO Max subscription, no extra charge · United States
United States11 options
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Checked 4 November 2026. Listings from TMDB / JustWatch data and they change daily; the provider page always shows the final price. Compare every option on JustWatch. MovieState links only to licensed services.
Who is in it
The Dark Knight cast
Character names follow the film's credits. Open a name to see that person's other work on MovieState.
Behind the camera
Direction and crew
DirectorChristopher Nolan
WritersChristopher Nolan, David S. Goyer
ProducersBenjamin Melniker, Charles Roven
MusicHans Zimmer
CinematographyWally Pfister
EditingLee Smith
Audience reaction
Ratings and reviews
8.5/1037199 ratings
The Dark Knight sits at 8.5 out of 10 from 37199 user ratings. For context, the film's worldwide gross is $1008.5M.
Scores show TMDB user ratings at the time of publishing and shift as new votes arrive.
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 even remotely close. These seven films…
The facts
The Dark Knight key details
| Original title | The Dark Knight |
|---|---|
| Status | Released |
| Release date | July 14, 2008 |
| Runtime | 2h 32m |
| Certification | PG-13 in United States, 12A in United Kingdom, UA in India |
| Original language | EN |
| Spoken languages | English, Mandarin |
| Country | United Kingdom, United States of America |
| Budget | $185.0M |
| Worldwide gross | $1008.5M |
| Studios | Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Syncopy, DC |
| Also known as | Batman: The Dark Knight, 배트맨 다크 나이트, Batman, Le Chevalier Noir |
Release information
Release dates by country
| Country | Date | Cert |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Jul 14, 2008 | PG-13 |
| United Kingdom | Jul 24, 2008 | 12A |
| India | Jul 18, 2008 | UA |
| Canada | Jul 18, 2008 | 14A |
| Australia | Jul 16, 2008 | M |
| AM | Aug 28, 2008 | NR |
| Argentina | Jul 14, 2008 | +13 |
| Austria | Aug 21, 2008 | 14 |
| BO | Jul 17, 2008 | NR |
| Belgium | Jul 23, 2008 | 16 |
Official trailer for The Dark Knight, via Warner Bros. Rewind. Open on YouTube
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Who directed The Dark Knight?
The Dark Knight was directed by Christopher Nolan.
Who is in the cast of The Dark Knight?
The main cast includes Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal.
How long is The Dark Knight?
The Dark Knight runs 2h 32m.
When was The Dark Knight released?
It was released in the United States on July 14, 2008. Release dates vary by country — see the table above.
What is The Dark Knight rated?
Certification depends on the country: PG-13 in United States, 12A in United Kingdom, UA in India. Always check your local rating before watching with family.
Where can I watch The Dark Knight online?
Availability changes by region and by week. The table above lists the streaming, rental and purchase services reported for major markets. Check the provider page for today's price and quality.
Can I watch The Dark Knight in HD or 4K?
Most digital stores offer The Dark Knight in HD, and newer releases are often available in 4K. Check the quality label on the provider's page before you pay.
How much did The Dark Knight earn?
Reported worldwide gross is $1008.5M against a budget of $185.0M. Box office figures update over time.
Director filmography
More from Christopher Nolan
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Data sources: TMDB (titles, cast, crew, release dates, provider listings and user ratings). Availability and box office figures change over time; this page was last rebuilt on November 4, 2026. We publish information only; we do not host or stream video files.
Exact record pages: IMDb record · TMDB record · Official site
At a glance: The Dark Knight runs 2h 32m, opened in US cinemas on July 14, 2008, has 53 licensed options across 5 regions tracked here.