Batman Day 2026: Where to watch Batman movies and find comic shop events across the U.S.

Batman Day 2026 arrives on Saturday, September 19, giving fans across the United States plenty of ways to celebrate the Dark Knight .

Whether the plan is to revisit one of the character's classic movies, see a Batman film on the big screen or visit a local comic store, this year's celebration offers options for both longtime readers and newcomers.

The annual event takes place on the third Saturday of September and has grown into a major celebration of Batman across comics, movies, television, gaming and fan culture.

Batman himself first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, meaning 2026 marks 87 years since the character's debut.

For movie fans, Batman Day comes with an especially attractive opportunity. Several Batman favorites are returning to theaters for the occasion, while streaming services are also putting the character in the spotlight.

Harkins Theatres is screening three films on September 19 at select locations: The LEGO Batman Movie , the 1989 Batman starring Michael Keaton and the animated classic Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.

Cinemark is also participating, with a large number of locations listed across states including California, Arizona, Ohio, Texas, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Nevada and several others. Fans should check their local theater listings because participating locations and showtimes vary.

For those planning a Batman marathon at home, the character's movie history provides decades of material.

The modern live-action journey includes Michael Keaton's Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), the Val Kilmer and George Clooney era, Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, Ben Affleck's appearances in the DC Extended Universe, and Robert Pattinson's The Batman from 2022.

DC's own viewing guide notes that these movies do not form one continuous timeline because Batman has been repeatedly rebooted and reimagined.

Streaming availability can change, but HBO Max is also taking part in the celebration with a curated Batman collection that includes Batman Begins and The Batman, among other titles. TNT is scheduled to premiere Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy on September 19 as part of the broader Batman Day programming.

Comic shops are at the center of Batman Day 2026

For many fans, however, the biggest part of Batman Day happens away from the television screen.

DC is making Batman of Two Worlds the centerpiece of the 2026 celebration. The $2.99 one-shot contains two new stories, with Matt Fraction and Javi Fernández handling the main-universe Batman story and Scott Snyder and Nick Derington creating the Absolute Batman story.

Participating comic shops are also offering Batman -themed masks, special editions, hardcovers and other promotional items.

Several U.S. stores have already announced specific activities.

In Austin, Texas, Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy is hosting a signing with Patricia Peters, Michelle Pfeiffer's stunt double from Batman Returns. The event will also feature cosplay opportunities and a Tim Burton-era Batmobile replica.

In San Antonio, Heroes & Fantasies is planning Batman cosplay photo opportunities, appearances by local artists, giveaways and fundraising for ComicBooks For Kids.

In Savannah, Georgia, Neighborhood Comics has scheduled its Batman Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store is offering exclusive Batman Day comics and a Gotham-themed cosplay contest, with a $100 store gift card listed as the prize.

Other stores are also creating their own versions of the celebration. Blackbird Comics has advertised an all-day event featuring Batman of Two Worlds, a 25% discount on Bat-Family comics and graphic novels, cosplay, prizes and giveaways.

Speeding Bullet Comics in Oklahoma is offering Batman Day exclusives, free masks with qualifying purchases and a separate signing event.

DC says thousands of comic shops, bookstores and retail partners across North America and other regions are participating, with activities ranging from creator signings and cosplay contests to giveaways and charity initiatives.

Because individual retailers can choose their own programming, fans should check their nearest store's schedule before heading out.

For fans staying home, DC Universe Infinite is also joining the celebration with a selection of Batman comics available to read, including Absolute Batman #1-3 and the complete Batman: Wayne Family Adventures series in DC GO! format.

With theatrical screenings, streaming collections and comic-store celebrations all taking place on the same weekend, Batman Day 2026 gives fans multiple ways to mark nearly nine decades of the Caped Crusader.