The Dark Knight

Some people believe superheroes are mythology for the modern era and there is no better film to help prove this point than The Dark Knight. Not only did The Dark Knight prove to the world that superhero movies could be so much more bright spandex and cheesy one-liners, but it redefined the genre and paved the way for the superhero movie boom that is still felt today. It follows the Caped Crusader as he battles the infamous Joker in the heart and soul of Gotham City. Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker was legendary and earned him a posthumous Oscar after his tragic death. It was dark, tragic, gritty, realistic, and smarter than any previous Batman film that not only impressed critics and general audiences, but earned the approval of comic book fans.

Production

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Produced by Emma Thomas, Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan

Screenplay by Jonathan Nolan, Christopher Nolan

Story by Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer

Based on characters appearing in comic books published

by DC Comics

Starring Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman

Music by Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard

Cinematography by Wally Pfister

Edited by Lee Smith

Production companies: Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Comics, Legendary Pictures, Syncopy

Distribution & Stats

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date: July 14, 2008 (New York City,) July 18, 2008 (United States,) July 25, 2008 (United Kingdom)

Running time: 152 minutes

Country: United States, United Kingdom

Language: English

Budget: $185 million

Box office: $1.038 billion