Is Batman: The Killing Joke Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, Batman: The Killing Joke is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Animation movies.
It features a runtime of 77 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Batman: The Killing Joke Review
Last updated: January 11, 2026
The Premise
Released in 2016, Batman: The Killing Joke enters the Animation genre with a narrative focused on As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into madness. Under the direction of Sam Liu, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Tara Strong. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Mastery & Style
From a technical standpoint, Batman: The Killing Joke offers a competent presentation. The cinematography uses a distinct visual palette that aligns well with the tone. The sharp editing keeps the narrative moving at a brisk pace, maximizing the impact of the key sequences.
Social Impact & Cultural Context
Beyond the narrative, Batman: The Killing Joke resonates with current cultural themes in the Animation space. It stays within the established boundaries of its genre, providing exactly what core fans expect without reinventing the wheel.
Where to Watch & Streaming Info
As of January 2026, Batman: The Killing Joke is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US, UK, and India, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45-60 days after the theatrical release. Don't miss the high-definition experience provided by premium large format (PLF) screenings.
Narrative Arc & Plot Breakdown
The plot of Batman: The Killing Joke centers on a unique premise within the Animation landscape. As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into madness. The second act serves as a major turning point, leading to a climax that fans of 2016 cinema will find fairly predictable.
Ending Explained & Sequel Potential
The ending of Batman: The Killing Joke has sparked significant debate on social media. It signifies the ambiguous resolution of the main plot thread. Given the current box office momentum, discussions of a Batman: The Killing Joke sequel or a wider cinematic universe are already gaining traction.
Final Editorial Verdict
Final verdict for Batman: The Killing Joke (2016): with an audience rating of 6.6/10, the reception has been generally positive. It is a must-watch for fans of Animation, Action, Crime, Drama cinema who appreciate attention to detail.
Batman: The Killing Joke Box Office Collection
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $3,500,000 |
| Worldwide Gross | $3,775,000 |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Batman: The Killing Joke Budget
The estimated production budget for Batman: The Killing Joke is $3,500,000. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Parents Guide & Age Rating
Batman: The Killing Joke is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.6/10, and global collection metrics, Batman: The Killing Joke stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2016 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Batman: The Killing Joke movie hit or flop?
Batman: The Killing Joke has received mixed reviews with a 6.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Batman: The Killing Joke worth watching?
Batman: The Killing Joke is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Animation, Action, Crime movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is Batman: The Killing Joke?
Batman: The Killing Joke is a Animation, Action, Crime movie that As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into mad...
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People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is Batman: The Killing Joke movie hit or flop?
Batman: The Killing Joke has received mixed reviews with a 6.6/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Batman: The Killing Joke worth watching?
Batman: The Killing Joke is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Animation, Action, Crime movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is Batman: The Killing Joke?
Batman: The Killing Joke is a Animation, Action, Crime movie that As Batman hunts for the escaped Joker, the Clown Prince of Crime attacks the Gordon family to prove a diabolical point mirroring his own fall into mad...
Is Batman: The Killing Joke family friendly?
Yes, Batman: The Killing Joke is suitable for family viewing as it falls under the Animation, Action, Crime genre.
Where can I watch Batman: The Killing Joke?
You can find streaming options and availability for Batman: The Killing Joke on popular platforms. Check movieMx for the latest updates and reviews.
Who is the main cast of Batman: The Killing Joke?
Batman: The Killing Joke features a talented cast. Check our "Top Cast" section to see the full list of actors and the characters they play in this film.
How long is the movie Batman: The Killing Joke?
The runtime and duration of Batman: The Killing Joke are available in the movie details section. It's a gripping story that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
Critic Reviews
Not even the voice acting could save this movie. Check out my full review here. http://www.hweird1reviews.com/allreviews/the-killing-joke-movie-review
Shares the few weaknesses of the short comic it is based on, but adds a bunch of its own new weaknesses to try and get it up to a theatrical runtime and justify its cinema release. I think part of the reason the reception for _The Killing Joke_ has been so overwhelmingly negative is that the expectations were so high going in. But that wasn't without cause. It sees the long awaited return of both Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill to their famed DC roles, and the comic it's based on is widely regarded as one of the better stories ever published by the company. And of these lofty expectations, _The Killing Joke_ falls short. Hamill is great, and Kevin Conroy usually is as well. There are a couple of occasions that the latter slipped though. I don't know if he's rusty or just didn't care, but his voice performance is not 100%. The story essentially meets that of its source material, but rather than expand the existing story, they chose to awkwardly force an entirely different one in beforehand, to the point that this is essentially two episodes of two different shows, rather than a single cohesive movie. _The Killing Joke_ is a little gross and is not the return to form for DC Animation that we all had hoped it would be, but the final sequence is fantastic and I don't know that the movie overall deserves quite as much vitriol as it has had. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
The first 30 minutes was wasted with Barbara being so annoying! I just didn't see why that whole bit was thrown in when the movie itself is meant to center on the Joker. Even with Mark Hamill's final bow out as the iconic villain couldn't save the film. Still, at least that joke at the end was a little amusing! Other than that, they could've done better with the story.
OK, so I'll admit I was expecting something closer to the graphic novel, and I was pretty disappointed that it only really loosely followed something that was epicly brilliant as the comic. However, I'm not a stickler for total accuracy. And, really it is better than most of the other Batman movies, it does manage to tell a good story and reveal some of the Joker's ever-changing and never consistent backstory, even if it does gloss over a lot of it. In the end, especially in this current era it's a reminder of how great comic books used to be and how great they could be again if they only started telling actual stories once more.
_The Killing Joke_ deserved a better adaptation. Not even that. Just re-edit this to cut out the first half and you have a perfect adaptation. This is one of my favorite Batman stories ever. Unfortunately, the first part is spent irrelevantly on Barbara, and has largely nothing to do with the rest of the movie. However, after about a half hour of filler, the ACTUAL adaptation of _The Killing Joke_ is awesome. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill deliver another classic performance of Batman and Joker. Half of this movie I despise and half of this I love. 5/10