“Ledger's Joker is a mesmerizing, terrifying creation. He owns every scene, and his performance is the kind that defines a career.”
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
Last updated
🎬movieReleasedPG-13
The Dark Knight
United States"Chaos is the only rule that matters."
2008 2h 32m English, Mandarin
Part of a Collection
The Dark Knight Collection
Overview
Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight pushes Gotham City into a new era of chaos. Bruce Wayne, still operating as Batman, teams up with Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent to take down the mob. Their unlikely alliance seems to work until a new villain emerges. The Joker, played by Heath Ledger in an iconic performance, doesn't want money or power. He wants to tear down the city's moral foundations. His sadistic games force Batman to confront his own limits and the very idea of a hero.
Produced on a $185 million budget, the film earned over $1 billion worldwide, a rare feat for a superhero movie. Nolan directed from a script he co-wrote with Jonathan Nolan and David S. Goyer. The cast includes Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne, Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent, Michael Caine as Alfred, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Gary Oldman as Gordon. Wally Pfister's cinematography gives Gotham a gritty, sprawling feel, while Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's score amplifies the tension. The film blends action, crime, and thriller genres into a dark, psychological drama.
The Dark Knight remains a landmark in the superhero genre. Its rating of 8.528 out of 10 from over 35,000 votes reflects near-universal acclaim. Audiences and critics praised Ledger's posthumous Oscar-winning turn as the Joker, a figure of pure anarchy. The film is the second entry in the Dark Knight Collection, following Batman Begins and preceding The Dark Knight Rises. It changed how studios approach comic book movies.
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PlotSpoiler-free
Gotham City is undergoing a fragile improvement in its fight against organized crime. Batman, working alongside Lieutenant Jim Gordon and newly elected District Attorney Harvey Dent, has helped push the city's major mob families toward collapse. Their strategy is direct: use pressure, arrests, and fear to force criminals out of hiding, then lock the remaining bosses away through legitimate legal means. The arrangement gives Gotham hope that the city can finally move beyond corruption and street-level violence.
Bruce Wayne is still living a double life. By day he is Gotham's wealthy benefactor and public symbol of stability; by night he is Batman, a masked vigilante willing to operate outside the law. Alfred, Lucius Fox, and Gordon each support him in different ways, but they also recognize that Bruce is increasingly carrying the emotional and psychological burden of his mission. Rachel Dawes, Bruce's childhood friend and moral anchor, remains closely connected to both Bruce and Harvey Dent, creating a personal triangle that intersects with Gotham's larger battle.
Harvey Dent is introduced as Gotham's white knight, a rare public official who genuinely seems capable of cleaning up the city without resorting to vigilante methods. He is charismatic, confident, and unafraid to confront mob power openly. This makes him both Batman's most promising ally and, symbolically, the city's best hope for a lawful future. The film spends substantial time building Dent's credibility so that his role in the story carries real weight when the situation turns darker.
The central conflict begins when a new criminal mastermind enters Gotham: the Joker. Unlike the mobsters Batman has fought before, the Joker is not motivated by money, territory, or even ideology in any conventional sense. He is a destabilizing force who treats chaos as a game and uses spectacle, intimidation, and psychological manipulation to break people's faith in order, institutions, and even each other. His presence immediately changes the tone of the city's war on crime. Instead of criminals reacting to Batman, Gotham's authorities and heroes are forced to react to him.
The Joker begins targeting both the mob and Gotham's public institutions, exploiting fear and pressure points to isolate his enemies. His crimes are designed not just to kill or steal, but to force people into impossible choices. As Batman, Gordon, and Dent try to stop him, they face a pattern of escalating tests that expose weaknesses in the city's systems and the people who believe they control them. The Joker's methods also place Bruce under increasing strain, because Batman's usual strengths are less effective against an enemy who seems to want disorder rather than victory.
Meanwhile, the film deepens its exploration of duality. Bruce believes symbols matter, Dent believes justice can be made public and lawful, and the Joker believes all systems are fragile masks waiting to be stripped away. Rachel's role becomes especially important because she represents Bruce's personal desire for a life beyond Batman, while also being tied to Dent's public promise for Gotham's future. The story repeatedly places these values under pressure, asking whether heroism can survive contact with fear, loss, and manipulation.
As the conflict intensifies, Gotham's leaders must confront the possibility that the city's apparent progress may be built on unstable foundations. The Joker's attacks are not random; they are calibrated to force moral compromise, public panic, and distrust among allies. Batman's pursuit of him becomes less a straightforward crime-fighting mission and more a struggle to preserve the idea that order, justice, and hope still mean something in a city actively being pushed toward collapse.
Ending ExplainedSpoilers
Trailers
Original Theatrical Trailer
The Dark Knight (Trailer)
Official Trailer 3
Critical Reception
Critical Consensus
Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book movie, but as a richly thrilling crime saga. Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is a towering achievement, and Christopher Nolan's direction elevates the superhero genre to new heights of ambition and artistry.
4/4
“The Dark Knight is a powerful, dark, and haunting film that transcends the superhero genre. It's a crime epic with real weight.”
Todd McCarthy
Variety
“Nolan has crafted a film that is both a thrilling action spectacle and a thoughtful meditation on chaos and heroism.”
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
“The Dark Knight is a triumph of storytelling. It's rare to see a blockbuster that is this smart, this ambitious, and this emotionally resonant.”
Kenneth Turan
Los Angeles Times
Top Cast
Christian Bale
Bruce Wayne
Heath Ledger
Joker
Aaron Eckhart
Harvey Dent
Michael Caine
Alfred
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Rachel
Gary Oldman
Gordon
Morgan Freeman
Lucius Fox
Monique Gabriela Curnen
Ramirez
Ron Dean
Wuertz
Cillian Murphy
Scarecrow
Chin Han
Lau
Nestor Carbonell
Mayor
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Rachel Dawes
Gary Oldman
James Gordon
Cillian Murphy
Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow
Nestor Carbonell
Mayor Anthony Garcia
Top Characters
Crew
Director
Christopher Nolan
Writers
Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer, Bob Kane
Composers
Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard
Cinematographer
Wally Pfister
Producers
Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas
Awards
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (2009)
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Academy Award for Best Sound Editing (2009)
Best Sound Editing: Won
Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing (2009)
Best Sound Mixing: Won
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor (2009)
Best Supporting Actor: Won
BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor (2009)
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Academy Awards
Best Sound Editing: Won
African-American Film Critics Association Awards
Best Picture: Won
African-American Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Awards
Special Mention Award: Won
American Film Institute Awards
Movies of the Year: Won
Art Directors Guild Awards
Excellence in Production Design – Fantasy Films: Won
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Best Picture: Won
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Best Director: Won
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Best Adapted Screenplay: Won
Austin Film Critics Association Awards
Best Original Score: Won
Australian Film Critics Association
Commendation for Best Overseas Film: Won
Australian Film Institute Awards
International Award for Best Actor: Won
British Academy Film Awards
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Won
Boston Society of Film Critics
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards
Top 10 Film of the Year (#4): Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards
Best Acting Ensemble: Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards
Best Cinematography: Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Best Cinematography: Won
Costume Designers Guild Awards
Excellence in Fantasy Film: Won
Critics' Choice Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Critics' Choice Awards
Best Action Movie: Won
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Top 10 Film of the Year (#3): Won
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards
Best Cinematography: Won
Empire Awards
Best Film: Won
Empire Awards
Best Director: Won
Empire Awards
Best Actor: Won
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Cinematography: Won
Golden Globe Awards
Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture: Won
Golden Trailer Awards
Best in Show: Won
Golden Trailer Awards
Best Action Trailer: Won
Golden Trailer Awards
Best Summer 2008 Blockbuster Poster (teaser): Won
Grammy Awards
Best Score Soundtrack Album: Won
Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Iowa Film Critics Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Japan Academy Prize
Outstanding Foreign Language Film: Won
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Fantasy or Horror Film: Won
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Sierra Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards
Best Sound Editing: Music in a Feature Film: Won
Motion Picture Sound Editors Golden Reel Awards
Best Sound Editing: Sound Effects and Foley in a Feature Film: Won
MTV Movie Awards
Best Villain: Won
National Board of Review Awards
Top 10 Films of the Year: Won
National Movie Awards
Best Superhero Film: Won
New York Film Critics Online Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Awards
Top Ten Film of the Year: Won
Online Film Critics Society Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Online Film Critics Society Awards
Best Director: Won
Online Film Critics Society Awards
Best Cinematography: Won
Online Film Critics Society Awards
Best Original Score: Won
People's Choice Awards
Favorite Movie: Won
People's Choice Awards
Favorite Action Movie: Won
People's Choice Awards
Favorite Cast: Won
People's Choice Awards
Favorite On-Screen Match Up: Won
People's Choice Awards
Favorite Superhero: Won
Project Fanboy Awards
Best Comic Book to Movie Adaptation: Won
Project Fanboy Awards
Best Comic Book to Movie Adaptation: Actor: Won
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Cinematography: Won
Satellite Awards
Best Sound (Editing and Mixing): Won
Saturn Awards
Best Action, Adventure, or Thriller Film: Won
Saturn Awards
Best Writing: Won
Saturn Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Saturn Awards
Best Music: Won
Saturn Awards
Best Special Effects: Won
Scream Awards
The Ultimate Scream: Won
Scream Awards
Best Director: Won
Scream Awards
Best Screenplay: Won
Scream Awards
Best Sequel: Won
Scream Awards
Best F/X: Won
Scream Awards
Best Comic Book Movie: Won
Scream Awards
Best Fantasy Actor: Won
Scream Awards
Best Superhero: Won
Scream Awards
Best Villain: Won
Scream Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Scream Awards
The Holy Sh!t Scene of the Year: Won
Scream Awards
Best Line: Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor: Won
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Outstanding Stunt Ensemble: Won
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
Top Ten Film of the Year (#4): Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards
Best Special Effects: Won
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Stunt Coordinator and/or 2nd Unit Director: Won
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Fight: Won
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best High Work: Won
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Specialty Stunt: Won
Taurus World Stunt Awards
Best Work With a Vehicle: Won
TEC Awards
Film Sound Production: Won
Teen Choice Awards
Choice Movie: Rumble: Won
Teen Choice Awards
Choice Movie: Summer Actor: Won
Toronto Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Utah Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Utah Film Critics Association Awards
Best Picture: Won
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Visual Effects Society Awards
Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Feature Motion Picture (Garbage Truck Crash Models and Miniature): Won
Visual Effects Society Awards
Outstanding Created Environment in a Feature Motion Picture (IMAX Gotham City Scapes): Won
Visual Effects Society Awards
Outstanding Special Effects in a Motion Picture: Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards
Best Supporting Actor: Won
Keywords
sadismchaossecret identitycrime fightersuperheroanti heroscarecrowbased on comicvigilanteorganized crimetragic heroanti villaincriminal masterminddistrict attorneysuper powersuper villainneo-noirbold
Sources
Facts
- Status
- Released
- Original Language
- EN
- Budget
- $185,000,000
- Revenue
- $1,004,558,444
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Production
- Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Syncopy, DC
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