10 Movies & Shows Like Batman Begins (2005)

Description: The Crow shares Batman Begins' dark, gothic tone and themes of vengeance and redemption. Both films feature protagonists who return from the brink of death to fight crime, and both explore the psychological toll of their actions. The Crow's stylized visuals and melancholic atmosphere also resonate with Batman Begins' aesthetic.

Fact: The Crow is based on the comic book by James O'Barr, which was inspired by the death of his fiancée. Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, died in an accident during filming. The film's soundtrack, featuring bands like The Cure and Nine Inch Nails, was a major success.

Description: Blade shares Batman Begins' dark, gritty tone and focus on a lone vigilante battling supernatural forces (in Blade's case, vampires). Both films explore themes of identity and the struggle between humanity and darkness. Blade's stylish action sequences and noir-inspired visuals also echo Batman Begins' aesthetic.

Fact: Blade is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. The film helped revive the superhero genre in the late 1990s, paving the way for later successes. Wesley Snipes performed many of his own stunts, including the elaborate fight sequences.

Description: Hellboy shares Batman Begins' dark, gothic tone and exploration of a hero who straddles the line between good and evil. Both films feature protagonists with complex, tortured pasts, and both delve into themes of destiny and redemption. Hellboy's blend of action, horror, and humor also resonates with Batman Begins' tone.

Fact: Hellboy is based on the Dark Horse Comics series by Mike Mignola. Ron Perlman was cast as Hellboy after Mignola saw his performance in 'Beauty and the Beast'. Director Guillermo del Toro fought to keep the film's dark tone, despite studio pressure to lighten it.

Description: Constantine shares Batman Begins' dark, supernatural tone and exploration of a hero who battles forces beyond the ordinary. Both films feature protagonists who are deeply flawed and morally ambiguous, and both delve into themes of redemption and sacrifice. Constantine's noir-inspired visuals and gritty atmosphere also echo Batman Begins' aesthetic.

Fact: Constantine is based on the DC Comics/Vertigo series 'Hellblazer'. Keanu Reeves, who is of mixed ethnicity, was criticized for not matching the blonde, British look of the comic book character. The film's depiction of hell was inspired by the works of Hieronymus Bosch.

Description: Sin City shares Batman Begins' noir-inspired visual style and dark, gritty tone. Both films explore themes of crime, corruption, and vigilante justice, and feature complex, morally ambiguous protagonists. The films also share a similar aesthetic, with high-contrast visuals and a focus on stylized violence.

Fact: Sin City is based on the graphic novel series by Frank Miller, who also co-directed the film with Robert Rodriguez. The film was shot almost entirely on green screen, with the backgrounds added in post-production. Mickey Rourke's performance as Marv was widely praised and helped revive his career.

Description: Watchmen shares Batman Begins' dark, gritty tone and exploration of the psychological and moral complexities of being a vigilante. Both films are based on graphic novels and feature a realistic, grounded approach to the superhero genre. They also delve into themes of justice, fear, and the nature of heroism.

Fact: Watchmen is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, often considered one of the greatest graphic novels of all time. The film's opening credits sequence is a montage that sets up the alternate history of the Watchmen universe. Director Zack Snyder used the graphic novel as a storyboard, closely following its visual style.

Description: The Dark Knight is the direct sequel to Batman Begins, continuing the story of Bruce Wayne/Batman as he battles crime in Gotham City. Both films share the same director, Christopher Nolan, and maintain a dark, gritty tone that explores themes of justice, fear, and morality. The films also feature similar visual aesthetics, with a focus on realistic action sequences and a grounded approach to the superhero genre.

Fact: Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film was partially inspired by the graphic novel 'The Killing Joke' by Alan Moore. The Dark Knight was the first superhero film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.

Description: Kick-Ass shares Batman Begins' exploration of what it means to be a superhero in a realistic world. Both films feature protagonists who take on the mantle of vigilantes without superpowers, and both explore the consequences of their actions. The films also share a dark, gritty tone, though Kick-Ass incorporates more humor and satire.

Fact: Kick-Ass is based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Chloe Grace Moretz was only 11 years old when she filmed her role as Hit-Girl. The film's over-the-top violence was controversial, but also a key part of its appeal.

Description: Dredd shares Batman Begins' dark, gritty tone and focus on a lone vigilante battling crime in a corrupt city. Both films explore themes of justice and the rule of law, and feature intense, realistic action sequences. Dredd's dystopian setting and visual style also echo the darker elements of Batman Begins.

Fact: Dredd is based on the long-running 2000 AD comic strip 'Judge Dredd'. The film was shot in 3D, with the slow-motion 'Slo-Mo' sequences designed to showcase the effect. Despite critical acclaim, the film underperformed at the box office, but has since gained a cult following.

Description: The Dark Knight Rises is the final installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, following Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Like its predecessors, it explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the struggle against chaos. The film maintains the same dark, realistic tone and visual style, with a focus on practical effects and stunts.

Fact: Tom Hardy's Bane mask was designed to allow his performance to shine through, despite covering most of his face. The film's plot was partially inspired by Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities'. Anne Hathaway trained extensively to perform her own stunts as Catwoman.