The LEGO Batman Movie is a 2017 animated superhero comedy that takes the Dark Knight and makes him, well, actually funny. It's a spin-off of The LEGO Movie, but you don't need to have seen that one first (though it helps with a few jokes).
The premise: Batman lives alone in his massive mansion, fights crime solo, and insists he doesn't need anyone. But when he accidentally adopts an eager orphan named Dick Grayson (future Robin), and has to work with new police commissioner Barbara Gordon (future Batgirl), he's forced to confront his biggest fear—not the Joker, but actually letting people into his life.
It's rated PG, runs about 104 minutes, and is available on HBO Max and for rental on most streaming platforms.
It's genuinely hilarious. The jokes come fast—visual gags, pop culture references, Batman making fun of himself. There's a running bit about Batman's "black, and sometimes very very dark gray" color palette that lands perfectly.
The action sequences are incredible. Even though everything is LEGO, the fight scenes are dynamic and exciting. Kids who love superhero action get plenty of it, but it never feels scary or too intense.
Batman is relatable in an unexpected way. He's basically a kid in an adult's body—throwing tantrums, eating lobster thermidor alone in front of a huge TV, refusing to share his feelings. Kids find this version of Batman way more accessible than the brooding Christopher Nolan Batman movies.
There are SO many characters. If your kid is into DC Comics, they'll spot dozens of villains and heroes. Even obscure ones like Condiment King and Calendar Man show up. It's like a treasure hunt for comic book fans.
Ages 5-7: Totally fine, though some of the rapid-fire jokes will go over their heads. The emotional themes about family and loneliness are actually really accessible for this age. A few mildly scary moments (the Phantom Zone creatures look creepy), but nothing nightmare-inducing. Some kids might get restless during the 104-minute runtime.
Ages 8-11: The sweet spot. They'll catch more of the humor, understand the emotional arc, and appreciate the superhero action. This is the age where kids are starting to think about friendship dynamics and fitting in, which makes Batman's journey really resonate.
Ages 12+: Still enjoyable, especially for kids who grew up with LEGO or superhero content. The meta-humor about Batman's various movie incarnations plays well with this age group. Some middle schoolers might claim it's "for babies" but will secretly enjoy it.
Parent note: There's some cartoon violence (punching, explosions, etc.) but it's all LEGO-style and clearly fantastical. No blood, no one actually dies, and the stakes never feel genuinely dark despite the "dark knight" branding.
The emotional intelligence is surprisingly sophisticated. This movie is essentially about a character working through attachment issues and learning that vulnerability isn't weakness. Batman has to learn that asking for help and building relationships makes him stronger, not weaker. It's honestly better emotional modeling than most kids' movies.
It gently mocks toxic masculinity. Batman's whole "I work alone" persona gets lovingly roasted throughout the film. The message is clear: the lone wolf, emotionally unavailable tough guy thing doesn't actually work. He needs Alfred, Robin, Batgirl, and yes, even the Joker in some weird way.
There's a found family theme that hits hard. For kids in blended families, adoptive families, or any non-traditional family structure, this movie celebrates that family is who you choose. Dick Grayson is an orphan who finds a family. Barbara Gordon creates her own path. Alfred has been Batman's real parent all along.
The pop culture references are DEEP. There are nods to every Batman era—the 1960s TV show, the Tim Burton films, the Nolan trilogy, even the Lego Batman video games. Parents who grew up with any version of Batman will catch jokes their kids miss, which makes it genuinely fun to watch together.
It's self-aware about superhero tropes. The movie pokes fun at origin stories, dramatic entrances, and Batman's theatrical nature. For kids who are swimming in superhero content (and let's be real, most of them are), this provides a nice counterbalance—enjoying the genre while also laughing at its conventions.
This movie opens up some genuinely good conversations:
"Why do you think Batman was afraid to let people help him?" This can lead to talks about vulnerability, asking for help, and how being strong doesn't mean doing everything alone.
"What makes a family a family?" The movie never makes a big deal about Dick being adopted—he just becomes part of Batman's family. Great opportunity to talk about different family structures.
"Batman had to apologize and admit he was wrong. When have you had to do that?" Modeling accountability and repair is huge, and Batman actually does it in this movie.
"The Joker wanted Batman to admit he was his greatest enemy. Why did that matter so much to him?" Opens up interesting conversations about rivalry, attention-seeking, and how even villains want to feel important to someone.
The LEGO Batman Movie is one of those rare kids' movies that works on multiple levels. Your 6-year-old will laugh at the visual gags and love the action. Your 10-year-old will catch the character references and emotional themes. And you'll appreciate the sharp writing and surprising depth.
It's a genuinely fun family movie night choice that sneaks in lessons about teamwork, emotional vulnerability, and the importance of connection—all while being hilarious and visually stunning. Plus, it's only 104 minutes, which means you might actually finish it before bedtime.
If your kids enjoy it, the entire LEGO Movie franchise is worth exploring, and the LEGO video games offer similar humor and cooperative gameplay that reinforces those teamwork themes.
Content heads-up: Mild cartoon violence, some scary-looking creatures, bathroom humor (it's a kids' movie), and one joke about Batman's abs that might prompt questions. Nothing that should keep it off your family movie list.