Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
An aging Bruce Wayne battles Gotham's new criminal breed in a gritty, suspenseful, and darkly comic animated epic.
Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?
How intense is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1?
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is mildly scary, with light gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated PG-13.
What Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 feels like
- Tone
- grittysuspensefuldarkly comicepic
- Pace
- Measured
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 16, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 for you?
Is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 scary?
Only a little. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 gory or violent?
Light gore (1 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3).
Is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 OK for kids?
It is rated PG-13. Intensity: scare 1, gore 1, violence 2, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.
How long is Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1?
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 runs 1h 16m.
Where can I stream Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1?
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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