Warner Bros. and DC set Aug 25 debut of Batman: Knightfall

Warner Bros. and DC have announced release plans for the first installment of a new, R-rated animated trilogy adapting the classic "Knightfall" comic book storyline. "Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall" will debut digitally on August 25, 2026, followed by a physical media release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 8, 2026. The film will also have a special screening at San Diego Comic-Con ahead of its digital premiere.

The trilogy adapts the landmark 1993-1994 DC Comics arc in which the villain Bane orchestrates a mass breakout from Arkham Asylum, pushing Batman to his physical and mental limits and ultimately breaking his back. This leads to Jean-Paul Valley, also known as Azrael, temporarily assuming the mantle of the Dark Knight. The story served as inspiration for the 2012 live-action film "The Dark Knight Rises." The upcoming animated project will be split into three parts, with the first film covering the "Knightfall" segment. Subsequent installments, "Knightquest" and "KnightsEnd," are scheduled for release later in 2026 and early 2027, respectively.

Directed by Jeff Wamester and written by Jeremy Adams, the film features a voice cast led by Anson Mount as...