The Batman on HBO Max release date and time and how to watch online right now

Robert Pattinson as Batman and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman in the poster for The Batman
(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

HBO Max has turned on the bat signal. You can now watch The Batman on the streaming service, just a teeny tiny bit earlier than expected. So, why aren't you watching Robert Pattinson's Bruce Wayne and Zoe Kravitz's Catwoman smolder on the small screen right now?

Hacks season 2 streaming details

The Batman is streaming right now, having dropped on HBO Max on Monday, April 18 at 3 a.m. ET.

Last month, an HBO Max glitch seemingly confirmed that The Batman's streaming release date would be April 19, a date cited by former WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar in a previous interview, and right when the 45-day theatrical release window closes. 

However, HBO Max subsequently announced that the blockbuster movie would start streaming Monday, April 18. It will also air today, Saturday, April 23, on linear HBO. 

The Batman introduces Pattinson as the new version of Bruce Wayne aka the Dark Knight aka Caped Crusader. When Gotham City is terrorized by a sadistic killer who leaves behind cryptic riddles, Batman dives into the seedy underworld to investigate.  He's aided by Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman (Kravitz), and police Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright). As Bruce uncovers the city's corruption and greed, he begins to question his own family's involvement in the current situation.

The movie has earned $735 million so far, making it the highest-grossing film of 2022. The Batman 2 and another sequel are planned, as well as a spinoff series about The Penguin (Colin Farrell). 

While one Tom's Guide writer believes The Batman has one very big problem, it's still well worth watching. So, here's everything you need to watch The Batman online.

How to watch The Batman online in the U.S.

In the U.S., The Batman is streaming now on HBO Max, after dropping Monday, April 18 at 3 a.m. ET.

The movie originally opened in theaters March 4. Runtime is two hours and 56 minutes.

If you haven't signed up for HBO Max, what are you waiting for? It's our top pick among the best streaming services.

HBO Max

<a href="https://www.prf.hn/click/camref:1011lqSFc/pubref:hawk-custom-tracking/destination:https%3A%2F%2Ftrk.hbomax.com%2Faff_c%3Foffer_id%3D5%26aff_id%3D1026%26aff_sub%3Dtomsguide" data-link-merchant="hbomax.com"" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">HBO Max is our favorite streaming service thanks to a big, top-quality library that includes all of HBO's prestige series like Game of Thrones, Succession and Barry. Plus, the service has its own originals like The Flight Attendant and The Staircase. HBO Max costs $15 per month (or $10 for the ad-supported tier).

How to watch The Batman in Canada

While Canadians don't have access to HBO Max, they're in luck because The Batman is streaming on Crave

The streaming service has a seven-day free trial. After that, the Movies + HBO package costs $19.98 CAD per month. 

If you're an American traveling abroad and want to access all your paid services, you'll need to look into the best VPN services, such as Express VPN.

How to watch Hacks season 2 in the UK

Unfortunately, Brits don't get HBO Max. Many Warner Bros. movies go to Sky (packages start at just £25 per month) and NOW TV. However, we don't yet have confirmation if and when The Batman will be on those services.

But there may still be a way to stream the movie; check out our guide on how to watch HBO Max anywhere.

How to watch The Batman in Australia

HBO Max isn't available in Australia, either. Aussies will have to stayed tuned to see when and how they'll be able to stream The Batman.

In the meantime, people who are traveling Down Under can still access their paid services with the help of one of the best VPN services.

The Batman trailers

Warner Bros. promoted The Batman with several teaser and trailers. Here is the official full-length trailer:

Another preview, titled The Bat and the Cat, centered on the sexual tension between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle:

Plus, a deleted scene revealed more of the Joker, who figures to be the main villain in The Batman 2:

The Batman movie cast

The Batman cast is led by Robert Pattinson as the title character, real name Bruce Wayne. He is a reclusive billionaire who protects Gotham City under the guise of a masked vigilante. 

He is joined by:

  • Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle / Catwoman, a nightclub waitress, drug dealer, and cat burglar.
  • Paul Dano as Edward Nashton / Riddler, a forensic account turned serial killer who live-streams his murders.
  • Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon, a lieutenant in the Gotham City Police Department.
  • John Turturro as Carmine Falcone, a crime boss and Selina's father.
  • Peter Sarsgaard as Gil Colson, district attorney. 
  • Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce's butler and mentor.
  • Colin Farrell as Oswald "Oz" Cobblepot / Penguin, Falcone's associate and operator of the Iceberg Lounge.
  • Jayme Lawson as Bella Reál, a mayoral candidate.
  • Rupert Penry-Jones as Don Mitchell Jr., Gotham's mayor.
  • Alex Ferns as Pete Savage, GCPD commissioner.
  • Con O'Neill as Mackenzie Bock, GCPD chief
  • Peter McDonald as William Kenzie, a GCPD officer.
  • Gil Perez-Abraham as Martinez, a GCPD officer.
  • Barry Keoghan as an Arkham prisoner / the Joker.
Kelly Woo
Streaming Editor

Kelly is the streaming channel editor for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.