
The Dark Knight trilogy
As Showmax releases Oscar-nominated movie The Batman on Sunday, 19 March, we look back at Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale’s Bat-fan favourites in The Dark Knight trilogy.
Batman Begins
This was the first-ever Batman movie to explore how orphaned billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) trained under the League Of Shadows’ Ra’s Al Ghul (Liam Neeson) to become Batman – terror of Gotham’s criminal cohort like psycho psychologist Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) – with support and loads of spicy attitude from Wayne Mansion butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), future police commissioner Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and Wayne Enterprises genius gadget inventor and Batmobile designer Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman).
The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger’s iconic reimagining of Clown Prince of Gotham, The Joker, won him a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar. In his battle with Batman, he delivers lone-wolf and school shooter-style quips like “You have nothing to threaten me with,” with a seductive comic flare. And in a double villain spectacular, upstanding politician Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) becomes crispy villain Two Face thanks to an explosion and ground-breaking CGI makeup effects.
The Dark Knight Rises
The final film in the trilogy is set eight years into Bruce Wayne’s career as Batman, in a slowly recovering Gotham. Bane (Tom Hardy), a masked criminal too vicious even for the League Of Shadows, stakes his claim on the city by bankrupting Bruce Wayne to lure Batman out of hiding. And because Gotham villains arrive in batches like buses, we also get Talia Al Ghul (Marion Cotillard) out to avenge her dad, and the return of Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy). The story sets up Batman/Bruce Wayne’s handover to a new orphan, detective Robin John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).
More like this

Ace your Matric exams with 10 Afrikaans series and movies
Looking for the less-sweat, more-fun way to study? Brush up your Afrikaans before exam time with these shows and movies.

10 Afrikaans movies to stream now
Looking for a fliek to stream? Whether you're after comedy or a serious drama, you'll find an excellent Afrikaans pick on Showmax.

“This was the most fun I’ve ever had on a set” - Liam Bosman on record-breaking Khaki Fever
Liam Bosman talks about his role in Khaki Fever, the record-breaking film streaming on Showmax, fresh from its sold-out premiere at the Silwerskermfees.

Conclave (2024)
Secrets, drama, power, and faith collide when the Pope dies, leaving Cardinal Lawrence with the task of organising the conclave to elect a new Pope.

Make a date with an Afrikaans romcom
From Khaki Fever, to Swaaibraai, Gebokste Liefde, and Soos Pynappel op Pizza, we’ve got the perfect romantic comedy to steal your heart and make you cry…with laughter.

Art, money and power: a blueprint for The Brutalist
Writer-director Brady Corbet, actor Adrien Brody and the production team behind The Brutalist tease out the tense relationship between art, money and power.

The Brutalist (2024)
Adrien Brody delivers an Oscar-winning performance in this period drama about a visionary architect who meets a wealthy client who changes his life.

Khaki Fever (2025)
A group of game rangers challenge each other to see who can bed the most tourists during the holiday season in this raunchy comedy.
Bullet Train: Brad Pitt is a reluctant assassin on his final job...
Elon Musk: How he became the billionaire he is today
All the best series to stream

Ace your Matric exams with 10 Afrikaans series and movies
Looking for the less-sweat, more-fun way to study? Brush up your Afrikaans before exam time with these shows and movies.

Chicago Fire S13
Scorching hot drama that follows a group of dedicated firefighters in Chicago. House MD's Jesse Spencer stars.

Landman S1
Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone) creates this enthralling Billy Bob Thornton lead drama set in the heart of Texas. Roughnecks and billionaires collide as everyone tries to get rich quick in the oil industry.

10 Afrikaans movies to stream now
Looking for a fliek to stream? Whether you're after comedy or a serious drama, you'll find an excellent Afrikaans pick on Showmax.
Latest Stories

Glory awaits: From MTN8 Kings to Manchester's Crown, football's biggest stage is on Showmax

Uncover the soul of South African football with the boxset of Giants

The best Premier League signings of 2025's summer window

SA siblings’ debut film chosen for BFI London Film Festival

Simo Magwaza on his challenging role as De Klerk in Youngins

Christopher Jaftha gets top billing in raunchy Khaki Fever

Nkululeko Mahlangu on Makoto, marriage and more

Alexander Isak a great option for LFC's attack, say former Liverpool striker David Ngog

What to watch on Showmax in September 2025

Kate and Annie take charge in Ten Pound Poms Season 2

Tshepo Miya talks about being on Married at First Sight

Vilakazi's verdict: Sundowns to "edge it" in high-stakes MTN8 semi-final

Khaki Fever and more sexy Afrikaans movies and series

Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Ilana Glazer delivers in Babes

Makoto on what really went down in her Married at First Sight journey

Palesa Mphaki on being Married at First Sight, her husband and more

5 new reality shows on Showmax in August

The Big 6ix on new Premier League season and their SA adventure

Will anyone stop the champs? Booth on Downs' quest for a 9th title

The curtain rises: Wembley Showdown - LFC vs Crystal Palace

Showmax Premier League weekly watchlist: 8-14 September 2025

Showmax PL kicks off football fiesta with MTN8 quarter-finals