Warner Bros. has rescheduled Matt Reeves’ “The Batman: Part II” for a 2028 release, marking the third delay for the highly anticipated sequel to the 2022 film. The studio has moved the film to Feb. 18, 2028, from its previously slated Oct. 1, 2027, date.
This shift is partly to accommodate JJ Abrams’ upcoming directorial project, “The Great Beyond,” which will now occupy the Oct. 1, 2027, release slot. This marks Abrams’ first directorial effort since “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in 2019. The film’s original release was set for Nov. 13, 2026, before being moved to Oct. 1, 2027.
The delays for “The Batman: Part II” are attributed in part to the 2023 WGA and SAG strikes and the extensive post-production work required for the effects-heavy film. The original release date for Reeves’ sequel was October 2025, which was later pushed to October 2027 before this latest adjustment.
Sources indicate that a recent test screening for “The Great Beyond,” which features Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, and Samuel L. Jackson, received strong positive feedback. This led the studio to pursue an IMAX 70mm film strategy, which necessitates additional lead time for print production.
Abrams and Reeves share a long-standing professional relationship, having previously collaborated on the CW series “Felicity” and the film “Cloverfield,” with Abrams producing and Reeves directing. They also served as executive producers on the animated series “Batman: Caped Crusader.”
“The Batman: Part II” will see Robert Pattinson reprise his role as Batman, joined by newcomers Scarlett Johansson and Sebastian Stan. The film’s move to a February release window echoes the successful debut of the first “The Batman,” which opened on March 4, 2022, and grossed $773 million worldwide despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The new February 2028 date aligns with a four-day holiday weekend, potentially boosting its box office performance.
In related DC Studios news, James Gunn’s “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow,” is scheduled for release on July 9, 2027, and remains on that date. The DC slate also includes “Clayface” set for Oct. 23, 2027.