New Batman movie sets premiere date: 'Batman Knightfall' is coming sooner than you think

The wait for a new Batman animated movie just got a whole lot more exciting. One of the most beloved and intense story arcs in comic book history is finally getting the animated treatment it deserves, and the premiere date is now officially on the calendar. It was announced in October 2025 that animated movies based on the 'Batman: Knightfall' saga were in development, and for fans who have been following the project ever since, the finish line is finally in sight.Per Variety, 'Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall' will hold its world premiere at France's Annecy Animation Festival, running from June 21 to June 27. The film is directed by Jeff Wamester and is described as "the first installment of a multi-part animated event bringing to life one of the most iconic and beloved runs in the rich history of Batman comics." It forms part of the festival's first special screening events, which will also unveil new tributes to legacy characters, legendary animators, and globally acclaimed anime franchises.For those unfamiliar with the source material, 'Batman: Knightfall' is one of the most celebrated story arcs in comic book history. Originally published in 1993 and 1994, the saga is made up of three distinct chapters and is best remembered for one of the most shocking moments in Batman's history the villainous Bane breaking Batman's back over his knee. That iconic scene later served as inspiration for Christopher Nolan's 2012 film 'The Dark Knight Rises'.That's not the end of it. After Bruce Waynes accident a new Batman shows up: Jean-Paul Valley, also known as Azrael. Azrael doesn't last long as Batman though. He gets a rep for being really violent. When Bruce Wayne finally gets better he has to recover in ways than one. Not just his health, but also his role, as the Dark Knight, Batman.However, there has been no official announcement about the total number of films included in the series. But based on the original comic series, it is assumed that there will be three films included in the series. The original comic series has three chapters: ‘Knightfall’, ‘Knightquest’, and ‘KnightsEnd’.Following its world premiere at the festival, 'Batman: Knightfall Part 1: Knightfall' will likely be added to a streaming service, though no exact release date or platform announcement has been made as yet. Fans will have to keep an eye out for further updates in the weeks ahead.With Bane, Azrael, and Bruce Wayne all set to feature, which part of the 'Knightfall' saga are you most excited to see brought to life?