5 Movies like 'The Batman' That Aren’t Superhero Movies

When The Batman was released on March 4, 2022, it took the world by storm. It has been critically acclaimed, and the DC fans are in Cloud 9 with the portrayal of Batman, Catwoman, Riddler, and Penguin. 

Similarly, Robert Pattinson, Paul Dano, Zoë Kravitz, and Colin Farrell have done a phenomenal job. The Batman was unlike any DC movies we have seen to date. 

Every aspect of it, including cinematography, costumes, soundtrack, and storylines, was beautifully executed. Fans are already waiting for the sequel to be released, but unfortunately, it won't be anytime soon. 

Producer Dylan Clark has assured that The Batman 2 will be released within 2027, but still, it is a long time.

Till then, here are a few movie recommendations for you that are like The Batman but are not based on superheroes. 

Poster for The Batman, 2022. (Source: Twitter)

'Se7en'

Se7en, or simply Seven, is one of the best suspense thriller movies ever to exist. Two detectives follow clues to find a serial killer in a corrupt, dark, and crime-led city like Gotham. 

The killer murders people following the seven deadly sins, and the detectives need to find him before he kills anyone else.

The search is intense and frustrating, but the detectives collaborate and do their best to find the murderer. 

The serial killer exhibits the characteristics of Batman's nemesis, and the entire storyline could easily be a part of The Batman universe. 

'Nightcrawler' 

Many thrillers and horror movies adopt the neo-noir genre to make their storylines more sinister to their viewers. The Batman did the same and had the audience on the edge of their seats for most of the time. 

However, arguably, one of the best modern neo-noir movies is Nightcrawler. It follows a stinger, Lou Bloom, who sells footage of violent events to a local news station. 

But while doing so, he loses himself in between ethical journalism and public demand. The movie is thrilling and sinister, with Jake Gyllenhaal portraying a perfect sociopath. 

'Zodiac'

If you know about the infamous Zodiac Killer, then you might see some resemblance to Dano's Riddler. From Riddler's outfit to his riddles, everything was inspired by the notorious killer. 

Dano revealed this in an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

The director of the film, Matt Reeves, associated Riddler with the Zodiac Killer, and Dano delivered exactly how the director wanted. 

Paul Dano as the Riddler, who was inspired by the Zodiac Killer. (Source: Twitter)

Zodiac follows the search for the terrifying Zodiac Killer. It revolves around a detective duo, cartoonist, and crime reporter obsessed with finding the serial killer. 

To know about the inspiration behind the Riddler, Zodiac is the perfect movie to do so.  

'Fantastic Beasts' Franchise

One might wonder that the Fantastic Beast franchise is nothing like The Batman. While the storyline and vibes of the movie might not match, there is one thing that makes them stand out — the costumes. 

Out of all the movies and series about the Defender of Gotham, The Batman arguably has one of the best costumes. The outfits of the superhero and their villains were next level and maybe even better than the previous adaptations. 

It is the same with Fantastic Beasts, especially its first movie, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film won the first Oscars in the Harry Potter universe, and it was for Best Costume Design. 

The franchise is a spin-off to Harry Potter and follows Newt Scamander as he fights the evil wizard, Gellert Grindelwald, alongside his peers.

There are two movies to date, with the third one, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, releasing on April 8, 2022.

The second film in the franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, features Kravitz as Leta Lestrange. 

Zoë Kravitz as Leta Lestrange in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. (Source: Instagram)

'The Lighthouse'

Pattinson delivered the perfect representation of Bruce Wayne and the Caped Crusader in The Batman. Many have even gone as far as to say that he is the best representation of the Dark Knight to date. 

However, this movie is not the only time Pattinson exceeded the expectations of his fans and critics. The Lighthouse is one such movie where his acting is phenomenal and blew people's minds. 

The movie is a slow burn, and many might even find it boring. It follows two lighthouse keepers who have to maintain their sanity as the storm strands them on a remote island. 

Pattinson was nominated for different awards for his performance and went on to win the London Film Critics' Circle Awards for British / Irish Actor of the Year. 

The film was also nominated for Best Cinematography at the 92nd Academy Awards.