
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

Nosferatu (2024)
This chilling reimagining of a classic tale got four Oscar nominations. When a terrifying vampire becomes infatuated with a young woman, a series of inexplicable horrors are unleashed.

White Bird (2023)
In the sequel to Wonder (2017), former bully Julian is struggling at his new school, until a visit from his grandmother offers perspective.

Flight Risk (2025)
On a small plane, a US Marshal escorts a government witness, but the pilot (Mark Wahlberg) turns out to be an assassin.

Anora leads 10 sex workers who break the pole
No shame in the game! Mikey Madison on how Oscar winner Anora dodged sex worker stereotypes to join the ranks of our favourite on-screen hustlers.

Anora (2024)
An Oscar-winning romantic drama that follows a young sex worker who marries the son of an oligarch. Life is good, until the news reaches Russia...

Joker: Folie a Deux (2024)
Awaiting trial at Arkhem, Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker, not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that's always been inside him.

Babes (2024)
Childhood best friends Eden and Dawn face different phases of life when Eden decides to have a baby on her own.

MaXXXine (2024)
In 1980s Hollywood, adult film star Maxine Minx finally gets her big break - as a killer stalks the starlets of Hollywood.
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

Alexander Isak a great option for LFC's attack, say former Liverpool striker David Ngog
This weekend, the Premier League ignites as LFC faces Arsenal in a huge clash. Before the showdown, Showmax chatted to former LFC striker David Ngog.

What to watch on Showmax in September 2025
This September, Showmax drops a stellar new lineup. From the final season of Youngins to buzzworthy film Khaki Fever plus global smash hits Landman, Conclave and The Brutalist.

Nosferatu (2024)
This chilling reimagining of a classic tale got four Oscar nominations. When a terrifying vampire becomes infatuated with a young woman, a series of inexplicable horrors are unleashed.

Flight 149: Hostage of War (2025)
When Flight 149 landed in Kuwait, its passengers became pawns in Saddam's invasion, held as human shields. Decades later, survivors seek justice and the truth.
Latest Stories

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

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

Rivalries reignite in thrilling Premier League games on Showmax

5 patients you’ll meet in The Pitt Season 1

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: 26-31 August 2025

Showmax PL kicks off football fiesta with MTN8 quarter-finals

Melissa Kape Saili tips Morocco to win WAFCON final

Must-watch trailer: upcoming Showmax reality show Vaal Riviera

Showmax PL kicks off new football season with unmatched action

Shaka iLembe's Dawn Thandeka King on Untied

Giants: Buccaneers' untold story streams live on Showmax PL

Ugochi Oparanozie backs Nigeria to overcome Banyana Banyana

Director Jasyn Howes on true-crime documentary The ABC Killer

Get Ready for the PL Summer Series – live on Showmax

Nthabeleng Modiko backs reigning champions for WAFCON glory

Felix Hlophe on his comedy special, fat jokes, sex and cheating

Everyone Else Burns and 8 more cult classics