The Batman (soundtrack)

For the soundtracks to the 1989 film, see Batman (album) and Batman (score).
The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Film score by
Michael Giacchino
ReleasedFebruary 25, 2022 (2022-02-25)
RecordedOctober 2021
StudioAbbey Road Studios, London
GenreFilm score
Length115:59
LabelWaterTower
ProducerMichael Giacchino
Michael Giacchino chronology
Spider-Man: No Way Home
(2021) 		The Batman
(2022) 		Jurassic World Dominion
(2022)
Batman soundtrack chronology
The Lego Batman Movie
(2017) 		The Batman
(2022)
Singles from The Batman
  1. "The Batman"
    Released: January 21, 2022
  2. "The Riddler"
    Released: February 4, 2022
  3. "Catwoman"
    Released: February 17, 2022

The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score to the film of the same name composed by Michael Giacchino. The soundtrack was released by WaterTower Music on February 25, 2022, a week ahead of the release of the film.

Background

Director Matt Reeves announced that Michael Giacchino would be composing the score for The Batman in October 2019. Giacchino has frequently collaborated with Reeves; he previously scored for Cloverfield (2008), Let Me In (2010), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).[1] Later that month, Giacchino said he had already finished writing the main theme for the film because he was so excited to do so; because this music was written much earlier in the production than is usual for a film, Giacchino and Reeves were able to use it in promotional materials.[2] Giacchino said he felt total freedom to write the music that he wanted for the film, agreeing with Reeves that this was their vision of Batman similar to how different comic book and graphic novel authors and artists over the years had been able to create different takes on the character.[3]

Giacchino recorded the score at Abbey Road Studios in London,[4] and completed it in October 2021.[5] Giacchino's main theme was released as a single on January 21, 2022,[6] followed by his theme for the Riddler which was released as a single on February 4,[7] and his Catwoman theme was released as the third and final single on February 17.[8] WaterTower Music's YouTube upload of the main theme garnered 2.3 million views, which became the label's highest streaming engagement for pre-release from a score album.[4] The full soundtrack album was released on February 25.[9]

Track listing

All music is composed by Michael Giacchino.[9] "Sonata in Darkness" was performed by Gloria Cheng.[4]

No.TitleLength
1."Can't Fight City Halloween"4:04
2."Mayoral Ducting"2:34
3."It's Raining Vengeance"4:31
4."Don't Be Voyeur with Me"2:38
5."Crossing the Feline"1:46
6."Gannika Girl"2:30
7."Moving in for the Gil"4:23
8."Funeral and Far Between"1:45
9."Collar ID"1:15
10."Escaped Crusader"2:44
11."Penguin of Guilt"3:44
12."Highway to the Anger Zone"5:19
13."World's Worst Translator"3:34
14."Riddles, Riddles Everywhere"1:54
15."Meow and You and Everyone We Know"5:18
16."For All Your Pennyworth"2:38
17."Are You a Kenzie or a Can't-zie?"5:45
18."An Im-purr-fect Murder"3:48
19."The Great Pumpkin Pie"2:22
20."Hoarding School"4:55
21."A Flood of Terrors"4:29
22."A Bat in the Rafters, Pt. 1"4:33
23."A Bat in the Rafters, Pt. 2"6:42
24."The Bat's True Calling"3:05
25."All's Well That Ends Farewell"2:41
26."The Batman"6:47
27."Catwoman"3:03
28."The Riddler"5:01
29."Sonata in Darkness"12:11
Total length:115:59

Additional music

"Something in the Way" by Nirvana, which was used in the promotional material, is featured twice toward the beginning and ending of the film. "Ave Maria" by Franz Schubert, "Piano Concerto No. 5; II. Adagio un poco mosso" by Ludwig van Beethoven, "Frisk" by Patrick Topping and Kevin Saunderson, "Tesla" by Corvad, "Hot 44" by Baauer, "Troop" and "Darkroom" by Peggy Gou, "Dido's Lament" by Henry Purcell, "Requiem" by Gabriel Fauré, "I Have But One Heart" by Al Martino, and "Volare" by Dean Martin are also featured in the film.[10] "Ave Maria" is featured four times in the film, and was performed by the Tiffin Boys' Choir, who also performed "Dido's Lament". Paul Dano, who portrays the Riddler in the film, also later performs the song during Batman's interrogation with the Riddler.[11] Swedish DJ and producer Alesso also produced a track for the film titled "Dark".[12]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[13]
Filmtracks[14]
Movie Wave[15]

The soundtrack has received positive reception from critics and general audiences alike. Jon Burlingame of Variety referred to the score as "the symphonic equivalent of Reeves’ film, suggesting the haunted figure behind the mask amid the grim maelstrom of Gotham crime."[4] Marcy Donelson of AllMusic gave the soundtrack a 4/5, calling it "dark, lurking, and often eerily sparse" as a result of its rock and orchestral instrumentation.[13] Valerie Ettenhofer of /Film praised the score, saying "it's been a long time since a superhero movie score felt this epic."[16]

Accolades

See also: List of accolades received by The Batman (film)
Award Date Category Result Ref.
Austin Film Critics Association Awards January 10, 2023 Best Score Nominated [17]
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards December 14, 2022 Best Original Score Nominated [18]
Critics' Choice Movie Awards January 15, 2023 Best Score Nominated [19]
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards January 13, 2023 Best Original Score Won [20]
Grammy Awards February 5, 2023 Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media Nominated [21]
Hollywood Critics Association Creative Arts Awards February 24, 2023 Best Score Nominated [22]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards November 16, 2022 Best Original Score in a Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Nominated [23]
Online Film Critics Society Awards January 23, 2023 Best Original Score Nominated [24]
Saturn Awards October 25, 2022 Best Film Music Nominated [25]
Society of Composers & Lyricists February 15, 2023 Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film Nominated [26]
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards December 18, 2022 Best Score Runner-up [27]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards December 12, 2022 Best Original Score Won [28]

Charts

Chart performance for The Batman
Chart (2022) Peak
position
Japanese Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[29] 96
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] 92
US Billboard 200[31] 183
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[32] 5

References

  1. ^ Couch, Aaron (October 18, 2019). "The Batman Enlists Composer Michael Giacchino". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 18, 2019. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  2. ^ Anderton, Ethan (October 25, 2019). "Superhero Bits: The Batman Theme Is Already Done, Ryan Reynolds Congratulates Joker for Box Office & More". /Film. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 26, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  3. ^ Foutch, Haleigh (March 20, 2020). "The Batman: Michael Giacchino on the 'Total Freedom' of Writing the Score". Collider. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Burlingame, Jon (March 7, 2022). "The Music of The Batman: How Michael Giacchino Used Dread and Darkness to Score the Box Office Smash". Variety. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.
  5. ^ Sternberg, Sabrina (October 23, 2021). "The Batman Has Finished Scoring, Reveals Composer Michael Giacchino". Collider. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Knoop, Joseph (January 21, 2022). "The Batman's Theme Brings Back Memories of the Animated Series". IGN. Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  7. ^ Romanchick, Shane (February 1, 2022). "The Batman Releases New Character Posters, Reveals Early Release for Riddler's Musical Theme". Collider. Archived from the original on February 1, 2022. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  8. ^ "Michael Giacchino's Catwoman Theme from The Batman Released". Film Music Reporter. February 17, 2022. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "The Batman Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. February 24, 2022. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  10. ^ Moran, Sarah (March 4, 2022). "What Is The Nirvana Song In The Batman? Soundtrack Explained". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  11. ^ Hall, Sophia Alexandra (March 7, 2022). "Why Schubert's 'Ave Maria'? The Batman soundtrack explained". Classic FM. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  12. ^ Siganporia, Melody (March 3, 2022). "Alesso Announces The Release Of "Dark" Which Will Feature On The Soundtrack For The Batman". T.H.E Music Essentials. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  13. ^ a b "The Batman [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Michael Giacchino". AllMusic. NETAKTION LLC. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  14. ^ "Filmtracks: The Batman (Michael Giacchino)". Filmtracks. Filmtracks Publications. March 12, 2022. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Southall, James (February 27, 2022). "The Batman". Movie Wave. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  16. ^ Ettenhofer, Valerie (March 5, 2022). "The Batman Has The Best Superhero Score In Years". /Film. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Whittaker, Richard (January 4, 2023). "Austin Film Critics Association Announces 2022 Awards Short Lists". The Austin Chronicle. Archived from the original on January 5, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  18. ^ Tallerico, Brian (December 12, 2022). "Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads Chicago Film Critics Nominations". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  19. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (January 15, 2023). "Critics Choice Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 16, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  20. ^ "Georgia Film Critics Association 2022 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. January 13, 2023. Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. Retrieved January 14, 2023.
  21. ^ Nordyke, Kimberly; Thomas, Carly (February 5, 2023). "Grammy Awards: Complete List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  22. ^ Davis, Clayton (December 15, 2022). "A24's Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads HCA Film Awards Total Nominations With 16". Variety. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Anderson, Erik (November 17, 2022). "Rihanna, Billy Eichner, Elvis, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio top Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) winners". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  24. ^ Anderson, Erik (January 18, 2023). "2022 Online Film Critics Association (OFCS) nominations". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  25. ^ Tinoco, Armando (August 12, 2022). "Saturn Awards Nominations: The Batman, Nightmare Alley, Spider-Man, Better Call Saul Top List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  26. ^ Lewis, Hilary (February 15, 2023). "Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards: Oscar Nominees Diane Warren, Son Lux Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  27. ^ Neglia, Matt (December 11, 2022). "The 2022 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  28. ^ Anderson, Erik (December 12, 2022). "Washington DC Critics go for Everything Everywhere All At Once, Glass Onion, The Banshees of Inisherin". AwardsWatch. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  29. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums [2022/03/16 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  30. ^ "Soundtrack / Michael Giacchino – The Batman". Hung Medien. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  31. ^ "Billboard 200: Week of March 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.
  32. ^ "Soundtracks: Week of March 19, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved March 15, 2022.