Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Personalized picks at your fingertips

Get the mobile app on iOS and Android

Get the app
Parents' Guide to

Batman: Year One

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Animated superhero drama is too intense for young fans.

Movie PG-13 2011 64 minutes
Batman: Year One Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

See all
age 15+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Topshaggerislife
Topshaggerislife Parent of 17-year-old
April 9, 2019
age 15+
The main movie contains some violence with some blood but not R levels of blood sexual content is mild and fuck is said so for that I’d say 12+ but due to the blu-Ray containing the short film simply (tit)led catwoman I’d don’t think it would be suitable for 12+ the short in question mostly takes place in a strip club. A character in underwear does a pole dance and takes of her bra offscreen, another scene depicts Catwoman pole dancing before unzipping he skin tight cat suit revealing her cleavage and that she doesn’t have nipples because the animators thought it was too edgy although it was already too edgy.
Nathan R.
Nathan R. Adult
April 20, 2017
age 12+

Batman: Year One - PG-13 - 2011

See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In BATMAN: YEAR ONE, young Lt. Gordon -- the future Commissioner Gordon (voiced by Bryan Cranston) -- arrives in Gotham City to start his new job at the ultra-corrupt Gotham Police Department. At the same time, young billionaire Bruce Wayne (Ben McKenzie) is trying to figure out how to start his career as a crime fighter and finds inspiration when a bat flies through his window. The police see Batman as a vigilante and start working to either catch or kill him, but Gordon sees him as something else. Can Gordon stop the corrupt cops before Batman's career is permanently cut short? And what's the story behind another costumed fighter who turns up, called Catwoman (Eliza Dushku)?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (10 ):

The directors of All-Star Superman and Green Lantern: Emerald Knights return for this dark, noir-ish take on the first chapter of Batman and Commissioner Gordon's careers. Batman: Year One looks great, with a moody use of shadows and darkness and dreary, lowdown locations. But the main problem is that, at only 64 minutes, it's too short; Gordon's story feels fully fleshed-out, but Batman's story is surprisingly truncated.

It helps that actor Cranston (from both Drive and TV's Breaking Bad) does a terrific job with Gordon's conflicted voice. But McKenzie (from The O.C. and Southland) seems too young and complacent for Batman; he sounds more like a frat boy than a tormented loner. Moreover, for a movie this short, too many supporting parts are fighting for space; it takes place over the course of a year, so the story feels bigger than it really is. But if we allow that Gordon is actually the main character, then his journey is a fascinating one.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Batman: Year One's violence. When does it cross the line from thrilling to shocking? What's the difference?

  • How does this version of Batman's story compare with others you've seen or read?

  • Is Batman a vigilante? Should he be arrested, or should he be allowed to help the police? What's the difference between law and justice?

Movie Details

Inclusion information powered by

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate