Christopher Nolan steps back into the director's chair for this sequel to Batman Begins, which finds the titular superhero coming face to face with his greatest nemesis - the dreaded Joker. Christian Bale returns to the role of Batman, Maggie Gyllenhaal takes over the role of Rachel Dawes (played by Katie Holmes in Batman Begins), and Brokeback Mountain star Heath Ledger dons the ghoulishly gleeful Joker makeup previously worn by Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero. Just as it begins to appear as if Batman, Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman), and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) are making headway in their tireless battle against the criminal element, a maniacal, wisecracking fiend plunges the streets of Gotham City into complete chaos.

A field trip to Europe with his classmates was supposed to provide Peter Parker (Tom Holland) with a well-earned respite from his superhero alter-ego of Spider-Man. But when he's recruited by superspy Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Spidey is soon back on the job and teaming up with the InchMysterioInch-us Quentin Beck (Jake Gyllenhaal)-apparently a hero from an alternate universe-for a dangerous mission that may not be what it appears. Zendaya, Jon Favreau, Marisa Tomei co-star in this fun-filled Marvel sequel.