Megathread: The Batman Pt. 3 Review Thread
(RT score will be updated every 5–10 minutes for the first hour or so, and then periodically as reviews continue to roll in. I'll keep adding more outlets and snippets as they drop.)
Rotten Tomatoes
All Critics: 91% – 57 reviews
Top Critics: 94% – 46 reviews
Certified Fresh
Critics Consensus:
"A grim, gripping, and emotionally devastating conclusion, The Batman Pt. 3 ranks among the Dark Knight's most ambitious and thematically rich live-action outings. Nolan and Adler deliver a finale that honors the trilogy's legacy while boldly expanding the DCU."
Audience Score
Verified Audience: 91% – 1,000+ reviews
All Audience: 95% – 10,000+ ratings
Average Rating: 4.5/5
Metacritic
Metascore: 92
Based on 58 Critic Reviews
"The Batman Pt. 3 cements Christopher Nolan and Daniel Adler's trilogy as a cultural milestone."
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Deadline:
"The Batman Pt. 3 is a thunderous, emotionally raw finale that delivers on every promise the trilogy made. Nolan and Adler have crafted a film that is both a meditation on heroism and a white-knuckle thriller. Jensen Ackles gives a career-defining performance. There are twists, turns, surprises, and setups for future movies—all done well and not overwhelming the overall substance of the film. This is superhero filmmaking at its finest."
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Hollywood Reporter:
"While it doesn't quite reach the operatic heights of The Dark Knight, Pt. 3 is a worthy, pulse-pounding conclusion. The film juggles multiple plotlines with surprising grace. A triumphant end to a legendary trilogy."
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Variety:
"Nolan and Adler close out their Batman saga with style, substance, and a surprising amount of heart. The film's exploration of legacy, sacrifice, and redemption elevates it beyond typical superhero fare. The DCU has never felt more alive."
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The Wrap:
"The Batman Pt. 3 is a sprawling, ambitious epic that occasionally stumbles under its own weight—but when it soars, it soars high. The action is spectacular, the performances are top-tier, and the film's willingness to take risks sets it apart. This is what blockbuster filmmaking should be."
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IGN (Score: 10/10):
"The Batman Pt. 3 is a masterpiece. It is a gripping, gorgeous, and, at times, genuinely scary psychological crime thriller that gives Bruce Wayne the grounded detective story he needed. The Nolan-Adler trilogy will be studied for decades."
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Forbes:
"This trilogy has redefined what superhero films can be. Pt. 3 is a fitting, electrifying conclusion that balances spectacle with substance. The world-building is immaculate, the stakes are real, and the emotional payoff is immense. DC has won the superhero war, in this humble reviewer's opinion."
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BBC Culture:
"A brooding, brutal, and brilliant finale. Nolan and Adler have delivered a film that respects its audience's intelligence while delivering visceral thrills. The trilogy stands as a towering achievement in modern cinema."
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Top Comments:
Top Comments:
u/Mcroin5f (5.2k upvotes)
The post-credit scene. Oh man. Gotham is fucked. Fucked.
u/Cridever89 replying:
The entire theater lost their shit. People were screaming. Best post-credits scene ever.
u/Orphend34 (4.8k upvotes)
I feel like I liked this movie more than The Dark Knight because it had more, I guess… Batman proving why he's the world's greatest detective. Catwoman was great. And also that ending—damn.
u/Dkern_opn replying:
Bold take, but I respect it. TDK is untouchable for me, but this was close.
u/Lexsuna_pon (3.9k upvotes)
While I feel this movie is not as good as The Dark Knight, it was still incredible. What a way to end the trilogy. I also love how many plot points it set up for the DCU.
u/Icarun95 replying:
Exactly. This felt like an ending and a beginning.
u/Unirgecnn replying:
Penguin's role was so much more than I expected. Can't wait for his Netflix show.
u/Loncernc_03 (3.4k upvotes)
So does this mean we get Croc, Joker, Harley Quinn, Riddler, and more in Suicide Squad?
u/Woinretn34 replying:
I don't think Joker will be in it. And I am pretty sure the Riddler will never be. Maybe Croc and Quinn, though.
u/Hyrnura replying:
Look, they are saving Joker for Jason or even The Killing Joke. I mean, we had a Jason mention in the movie.
u/Yanmnerd3 (2.7k upvotes)
I felt the ending was abrupt.
u/Nerdorica replying:
That's the point. It's not a clean ending; it's a bridge to Justice League and the next phase.
u/Yanmnerd3 replying:
Mm. I get what you mean. It leaves you wanting more.
u/Oldemrn34 (2.3k upvotes)
It's a long, fucking movie, but god, damn—what a movie.
u/Gyaryaddict98 replying:
I had to pee so badly in the third act, but I refused to leave.
u/jiuhrinr30 (2.1k upvotes)
Somehow they managed to juggle all these characters and plot points. I first thought the Croc thing was undercooked, but it feels like they were just introducing him for Suicide Squad.
u/Gurytndrn (165 upvotes)
Unpopular opinion: I think this movie tried to do too much. Still great, but it felt overstuffed at times.
u/Oiintern replying:
Hard disagree. Every plotline served a purpose. This is how you build a cinematic universe.
u/Adrlern89 replying:
I see what you mean, but I think it worked. It's ambitious as hell.
u/Fauren0 (1.4k upvotes)
Dick Grayson was perfect. I wish they had brought him back for the third act.
u/Saowrenre (1.2k upvotes)
Killer Croc being practical effects instead of CGI was the right call. That was terrifying.
u/Fuelrmein replying:
The sewer fight scene had me on the edge of my seat. Best villain intro in the DCU.
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The Batman Pt. 3 Dominates with an Opening Weekend of $404M Worldwide
Christopher Nolan and Daniel Adler's highly anticipated conclusion to their Batman trilogy, The Batman Pt. 3, stormed the global box office this weekend, raking in an impressive $404 million worldwide and cementing it as the biggest opening of 2016. The film earned $178 million domestically and $226 million internationally, proving once again that the DC Cinematic Universe remains a dominant force in the superhero movie landscape.
While the numbers are undeniably massive, Pt. 3 fell approximately $60 million short of its predecessor, The Dark Knight, which opened to a staggering $468 million worldwide last year. That film went on to gross over $1.66 billion globally, becoming one of the highest grossing films of all time and winning multiple Oscars.
Industry analysts point to several factors that may have contributed to the slightly lower opening. Unlike The Dark Knight, which had a relatively clear runway in the summer of 2015, Pt. 3 faces stiffer competition this fall. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is set to debut in two weeks, potentially cutting into Pt. 3's legs.
At 2 hours and 55 minutes, The Batman Pt. 3 is the longest film in the trilogy and one of the longest superhero films ever made. The extended runtime limits the number of showtimes theaters can offer per day, which in turn reduces potential ticket sales, especially during the critical opening weekend.
Despite these challenges, the film is on track for a phenomenal run.
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JAKE TALKS COMICS - "THE BATMAN PT. 3 SPOILER REVIEW"
[INTRO]
JAKE (grinning at the camera): "What's up, everyone! Jake here, and today we're doing the FULL SPOILER REVIEW of The Batman Pt. 3. If you haven't seen it yet, what are you doing? Go see it. Right now. I mean, come on."
"I did do a spoiler-free review when I got right out of seeing it. If you want to see my first reaction to it, go watch that, but I am now back home and it's time for the real talk."
He pauses dramatically.
JAKE: "I loved this movie. And this might be controversial, but... I think I loved it more than The Dark Knight."
He leans back, waiting for the inevitable backlash.
JAKE: "I know, I know. But hear me out."
Jake then explains what he loved about the movie and why he feels this was better than The Dark Knight in some parts. He then moves on to the best parts of the movie.
JAKE: "Let's start with Dick Grayson. The first act of this movie is all him, and I loved every second of it."
JAKE: "We see how different he is from Bruce. He is more acrobatic, more impulsive. He is not a mini Batman, as some were afraid DC was going to make him. Hello, we have people like Daniel Adler running the show here. He makes mistakes. He gets his ass kicked. And it's perfect. You can see how he is not really Robin anymore. He is shedding that title and will soon be Nightwing."
He moves on.
JAKE: "Now let's talk about Batman. Every scene with Batman was just... wow. This is prime Batman. He's experienced. He takes no bullshit. The man just mows through this movie like a force of nature."
He grins.
"I mean, I expected his big return to be this huge event, like a massive action set piece, but no. It's just him coming out of the shadow to fight Catwoman. I am not saying there is no big return action set piece, but the movie is smart with it because it shows how Bruce has been operating between his so-called retirement. It is mentioned how he has gone out a few times, and I wonder what made him go. We do get an answer when Alfred mentions some from the rogues gallery, like the Mad Hatter, Scarecrow escaping, and that Pig Man as he mentions.. Could be professor pyg..maybe…"
JAKE: "Also something that elevated this movie for me is that we finally get to see the World's Greatest Detective actually, you know... detect. Like, yeah, the action is incredible, but watching Bruce piece together the Riddler's clues and figure out the conspiracy, that is what made this feel like a Batman movie. Not just a superhero movie. A Batman movie."
JAKE continues on to discuss the plot.
JAKE: "The overall plot? It is perfect, man. The Riddler is terrifying. Paul Dano brought this unhinged, desperate energy that made every scene with him feel dangerous, and the way they tied him to the Dent Act is brilliant."
JAKE: "And Killer Croc? Holy shit. That was nightmare fuel. The sewer fight with Robin was... wow. I was legitimately worried they were going to kill Dick off."
He then shares his thoughts on the Catwoman and Penguin storylines.
JAKE: "This is just an S-tier movie, top to bottom."
JAKE: "Now, there was less connection to the other DCU movies than I thought there would be. I mean—"
He pauses, grinning.
JAKE: "Well, there is the big one at the end. But I will get to that later."
He continues.
JAKE: "The movie stands on its own, which I appreciate. It is a Batman story first, a DCU movie second."
JAKE: "First, we got the Lois Lane cameo. Rachel Brosnahan showed up at the fundraiser in the beginning, and I loved Bruce trying to take his shot at Miss Lane. He might have had a chance if not for Dick."
Laughter.
JAKE: "Then we had Joker and Harley Quinn."
He grins.
JAKE: "And ohhh... of course we got the Adler cameo. He plays a police officer who gets shocked when he tries to take off Batman's mask at the station. Blink and you miss it, but it is there."
He leans forward, eyes wide.
JAKE: "And of course, the big one: Superman himself coming to the rescue of Gotham, or to kick Bruce's ass for flirting with his girl" (laughs). "The movie kind of ends there with them just staring at each other, and I was like, 'What the fuck, dude?!' Now I have to wait like a year for them to properly interact in Justice League. Damn it."
He continues discussing the cameos and what to expect from Harley and Joker, and how their relationship could differ from the comics because of how the Joker is portrayed in the DCU.
JAKE: "One thing a lot of people missed, which I am very surprised about, is the Court of Owls tease. There is this whole Thomas Wayne subplot running through the movie that connects to the Court, and I am going to do a full video breaking that down because I know you are dying to know."
JAKE: "But yeah. Court of Owls is happening, probably in the next Batman trilogy if that is what we are getting."
JAKE: "Look, I know some people are going to say this movie tried to do too much, that it was overstuffed. But I disagree. Every plotline served a purpose. Every character had a reason to be there."
JAKE: "And the fact that they made this masterpiece in such a short time? They were not kidding when Daniel himself said this movie was a last-minute thing. They decided to make it three months into The Dark Knight's post-production. THREE MONTHS. And they pulled it off."
He shakes his head.
JAKE: "This is the best superhero trilogy ever made, or even the best trilogy ever made. Full stop. Fight me in the comments; I don't care."
He discusses some more and ends the video.
JAKE: "Alright, that's my spoiler review of The Batman Pt. 3. Let me know what you thought in the comments. Did you love it? Hate it? Think I'm crazy for saying it's better than The Dark Knight? Let's talk."
He points at the camera.
JAKE: "Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time!"
[END SCREEN]
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@Asheyighbarret
WTF? How is Adler even in the top 20?
[Image]
Wikipedia: Top 20 Best-Selling Fiction Authors of All Time
William Shakespeare — 4 billion copies
Agatha Christie — 2–4 billion copies
Danielle Steel — 800 million copies
Barbara Cartland — 750 million copies
Harold Robbins — 750 million copies
Georges Simenon — 700 million copies
Dr. Seuss — 650 million copies
Enid Blyton — 600 million copies
Eiichiro Oda (One Piece) — 535 million copies
J.K. Rowling — 500 million copies
Nora Roberts — 500 million copies
Leo Tolstoy — 413 million copies
R.L. Stine — 400 million copies
James Patterson — 400 million copies
Daniel Adler — 375 million copies
Sidney Sheldon — 300–500 million copies
Jackie Collins — 300–500 million copies
John Grisham — 300 million copies
Jeffrey Archer — 275 million copies
Stephen King — 250–350 million copies
[Image]
@Marisoadams
Toy Story, my friend. The answer to your question is Toy Story.
@HadradaHarld
Pretty sure Adler will beat at least Dr. Seuss at this rate by the end of his career. Maybe even Georges Simenon.
@Adlergern1
He's 25 years old. TWENTY-FIVE. And he's already #15.
@Nearlyhedless
JKR at #10 and Adler at #15? Give it five years. He'll pass her.
@Potterhead4vr
lmaooooo absolutely the fuck not
@ThisMyyookAcc
Stephen King 250-350 million Daniel Adler 375 million i hate it here
@AdlerUpdates
Daniel saw this list and said "watch me beat Tolstoy next"
@valentinaurn
comparing adler to tolstoy is actual violence against literature
@Hamlentin
Shakespeare: 4 billion.
Everyone else: irrelevant.
@Adlergirl replying to @Hamlentin
Ok boomer.
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r/marvelstudios
Posted by u/Holistic43
The MCU needs to step up its game
I got into the superhero genre through the MCU. I love these movies. But after the DCU… I don't know. The MCU just feels… lesser.
Like, I watched The Batman Pt. 3 last weekend and I can't stop thinking about it. Then I rewatched Ant-Man and it just felt like a sitcom in comparison. Don't get me wrong—I still love the MCU. But I feel like they need to raise the bar.
Anyone else feel this way?
Comments:
u/AgronBever (847 upvotes)
I felt like that too until Age of Ultron. That movie felt like they were finally taking it more seriously. I feel like the DCU movies have been hits solid across the board. The MCU has films that burn bright, some even brighter than many DCU movies, but some are just duds.
u/Iroytever replying:
Thor 2. Iron Man 3. Duds.
u/Ireeunder replying:
Iron Man 3 is NOT a dud. Fight me.
u/Dieaithul (612 upvotes)
I hope Disney doesn't make too many changes. I like how it's going. There is no need to outright compete with the DCU right now. The MCU has its own identity.
u/RealiChecime replying:
That's what you say now. There will be a point when both cannot coexist, and at this rate, the MCU is screwed.
u/Dieaithul replying:
That's such a doomer take. The MCU is on par with the DCU.
u/Dredporer replying:
It does not mean anything if the movies are not good. DC is winning the quality game right now.
u/TemIroan4 (521 upvotes)
The MCU will go on. The DCU might crash and burn in their second phase. They have not even made their team-up movie yet. All you DCU fans are just Batman fans and those movies are Nolan movies, and now Nolan is leaving.
u/Bannyond replying:
Did you watch Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash? Or are you just talking out of your ass?
u/TeronMa24 replying:
I watched them. Flash and Aquaman were mid. Wonder Woman was good but overrated.
u/Objctivke (489 upvotes
Look, I love both. But let's be real. DC has been hitting home runs consistently. Superman, Wonder Woman, The Dark Knight, Batman Pt. 3, Aquaman. Even The Flash was great. The MCU has been more hit-or-miss lately.
u/SdedavRidie replying:
Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Guardians of the Galaxy. Age of Ultron. The MCU still has it.
u/Objctivke replying:
I didn't say they don't. I said DC has been more consistent.
u/Uppulaytbrue (387 upvotes)
Unpopular opinion: The DCU movies are overrated. All the Batman movies are overrated. I only liked Superman and Aquaman, which are more MCU-like. The MCU is fun.
u/Casuaiewe9 (341 upvotes)
I think the problem is that the MCU is playing it safe. They have a formula and they stick to it. The DCU takes risks. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But at least they're trying.
u/Forulorks replying:
The formula works though. The MCU makes money.
u/Casuaiewe9 replying:
So does the DCU. And their movies are seen as better in every way.
u/FlassRuybed (298 upvotes)
People saying Flash and Aquaman are bad movies are out of their minds. Flash had one of the best third acts in any superhero movie. Aquaman was a visual spectacle. You all just hate DC.
u/Edpetrvheeptic replying:
Flash was good, but it dragged in the second act.
u/FlassRuybed replying:
Every superhero movie drags in the second act. That's not unique to Flash.
u/WrectrnArod (251 upvotes)
Why does it have to be a competition? Both universes can coexist. Enjoy both.
u/Hesthehero replying:
Because this is the internet and we need to fight about everything.
u/WrectrnArod replying:
Fair point.
u/Holistic43 (OP):
Wow, this blew up. For the record, I'm not saying the MCU is bad. I'm just saying they need to step it up if they want to stay competitive. That's all.
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The Batman Pt. 3 Closes Theatrical Run with $1.4 Billion Worldwide
Christopher Nolan and Daniel Adler's epic conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy, The Batman Pt. 3, has officially wrapped its theatrical run with a worldwide gross of $1.4 billion, a massive success by any measure but one that falls short of its record-breaking predecessor. The film earned $580 million domestically and $820 million internationally, placing it on par with the first film in the trilogy, The Batman (2013), which also grossed $1.4 billion. However, it trails The Dark Knight (2015), which became a cultural phenomenon, raked in a staggering $1.66 billion worldwide, and won multiple Academy Awards.
While Pt. 3 did not match the financial heights of The Dark Knight, it still ranks as one of the highest-grossing films of 2016 and cements the Nolan-Adler Batman trilogy as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed superhero franchises of all time, with a combined total gross of $4.46 billion.
"This trilogy has redefined what superhero films can be," said Buddy Hager, Stardust chairman and former CEO of Nebula.
Despite overwhelmingly positive reviews and strong audience word-of-mouth, Pt. 3 could not quite reach The Dark Knight's box office. Industry analysts point to several factors. At 2 hours and 55 minutes, The Batman Pt. 3 is the longest film in the trilogy and one of the longest superhero films ever made. The extended runtime limited the number of daily showtimes theaters could offer, particularly during the critical opening weeks.
"For a movie this long, you're looking at maybe four showtimes a day, maybe more," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at comScore. "That adds up over time. It's not a dealbreaker, but it does cap the ceiling."
Unlike The Dark Knight, which had a relatively clear runway in summer 2014, Pt. 3 faced stiffer competition in fall 2016. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opened just two weeks later, cutting into its momentum.
With the Dark Knight trilogy now complete, all eyes turn to the future of the DC Cinematic Universe, with Green Lantern and the highly anticipated Justice League coming next year.