Batman: Knightfall - Part 1: Knightfall (2026) Review: Gotham Breaks Loose in Bold Animated Opener

This Batman: Knightfall - Part 1: Knightfall review looks at the first chapter of a three-part animated take on the famous 1993–1994 comics storyline. It is a mature, R-rated superhero film with a lean runtime and a clear sense of purpose. Here is what it does well, where it slips, and whether it deserves your evening.

Batman: Knightfall - Part 1: Knightfall Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The plot begins with disaster. Arkham Asylum is destroyed, and its inmates scatter across Gotham City. Batman, played by Anson Mount, has to recapture his old enemies before the city descends into chaos.

As the night drags on, the strain on Bruce Wayne starts to show. Bane arrives as the central new threat, and the film hints that the Dark Knight's limits, both physical and mental, are about to be tested. Jeremy Adams wrote the script, and Jeff Wamester directs.

The film premiered at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It reached digital platforms on August 25, 2026, with a physical release following on September 8, 2026. It skipped theaters entirely.

What Works in Batman: Knightfall - Part 1

The biggest strength is ambition. Adapting a sprawling comics saga into three parts gives the story room to breathe, and this opener treats Gotham's breakdown as a real crisis rather than a backdrop. The stakes feel personal as well as citywide.

Studio Mir handles the animation, and the action benefits from it. Fights are physical and bloody, which suits the R rating (Rotten Tomatoes cites strong bloody violence). If you enjoy grown-up action movie reviews with real consequences, this one fits.

Critics have mostly responded warmly. Rotten Tomatoes shows a 92% Tomatometer score from 12 reviews, and a 93% Popcornmeter from more than 100 audience ratings. Swara Ahmed of Nerds of Color called it the best animated Batman film since Mask of the Phantasm, high praise for any entry in this crowded corner of animation movie reviews.

A tight running time

At roughly 78–79 minutes (sources differ slightly), the film moves quickly. There is little filler, and the pace keeps the sense of a city under siege alive from start to finish.

Batman: Knightfall - Part 1: Knightfall Cast and Performances

The verified leads are strong choices. Anson Mount, known for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, voices Bruce Wayne and Batman. Michael Mando, who appears in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, plays Bane.

Pablo Schreiber voices Jean-Paul Valley, also known as Azrael. His character matters a great deal to the larger saga, so his early presence suggests where the trilogy is heading. I could not verify any additional cast members, so I will leave it at these three.

The voice work gives each character a distinct presence. Mount's Batman is weary and controlled, while Mando's Bane promises menace without needing to shout. Schreiber adds an intriguing, slightly unsettled energy.

Where Batman: Knightfall - Part 1 Stumbles

The main complaint concerns pacing. One critic, who gave the film 2.5 out of 5, argued that it rushes toward the event the title promises, spending much of its time setting up supporting characters. That is a fair point in a first chapter of three.

This is also very much a first part. Viewers who want a self-contained story may feel the film is more setup than payoff. Newcomers to the comics could find the number of characters and threads a lot to track in under 80 minutes.

Criticism overall has been less prominent than the praise, but the structure will not please everyone.

Is Batman: Knightfall - Part 1 Worth Watching?

Yes, especially if you are a Batman fan who likes a darker tone. The film is tense, focused and confident about the story it wants to tell, and its short runtime makes it an easy watch.

The positives outweigh the pacing issues. Strong voice casting, mature action and a faithful spirit toward the source material make it one of the more interesting recent DC animated releases. Just go in knowing you are watching the opening movement of a larger piece.

For background, the Wikipedia page for the film) offers more detail on the production. Fans who like other genre fare can also browse our adventure movie reviews.

Who Will Enjoy Batman: Knightfall - Part 1

• Longtime Batman fans curious about the Bane storyline in animated form.

• Viewers who prefer darker, R-rated superhero animation over family-friendly fare.

• Anyone who likes serialized stories and does not mind waiting for the payoff.

More Like Batman: Knightfall - Part 1: Knightfall

• Further reading: Batman: Knightfall - Part 1: Knightfall on en.wikipedia.org