The Dark Knight Rises ending

The Dark Knight Rises is expected to make a bundle this weekend. With many Batman and superhero fans ready to engage in what is considered to represent a major summer blockbuster, the movie ending is stirring up a plot twist that is shocking.

In all the film endings featured on Film Ending, we watch the movie to provide ending spoilers. It is safe to reveal The Dark Knight Rises ending is epic. We think it is best to watch movies, and then deliver the best ending spoilers.


The Dark Knight Rises film ending is the real deal. We just watched The Dark Knight Rises several hours ago. If you haven't watched the movie, then avoid reading the film ending below.

***Spoiler alert***

***The Dark Knight Rises ending***

Batman attaches a line to the atomic bomb. Selina begs him to reconsider. Batman accepts what he must do to save Gotham City and its citizens. Selina kisses Batman. Batman starts up his Bat plane.

Commissioner Gordon tells Batman he is a hero, even though he has no idea about his true identity. Batman tells Gordon a hero can be anyone that does a good deed. He mentions that a hero can be a man who puts a coat on another child. 

As Batman begins to lift off with the atomic bomb, Gordon repeats "Bruce Wayne" to himself. This is when Gordon finally realizes Batman is indeed Bruce Wayne (see MovieExplanations.com for explanation of this scene)

Batman flies through Gotham City. The nuclear bomb hits a light post, but remains intact. The atomic bomb timer is ticking down. Batman flies steadily to escort the bomb out of the city. Missiles fire at the skyline buildings to make a hole for the Bat plane.

***Spoiler Alert***

We changed our opinion on The Dark Knight Rises ending after carefully evaluating the facts. Please check out: 

The Dark Knight Rises explanations

The orphan children sitting inside a bus watch in awe. Their favorite super hero is making the ultimate sacrifice to save the people who he cares most about. Time is ticking down to seconds. Batman flies out to sea. 

There is emotion, as Blake watches Batman move further way and out of the line of sight. Inside the Bat plane, Batman has this look that he end is almost near. The nuclear clock strikes 5 seconds. 

Blake and the children watch the nuclear bomb detonate into a mushroom cloud. Batman sacrifices his life to save Gotham City. He never looks to become a hero. 

Blake has an emotional moment in which he tries to hold back his tears. The orphan children are in shock. Throughout Gotham City, the citizens celebrate the victory. Blake tosses his badge into the river.  

In Bruce Wayne's will, the Wayne Estate is pieced out. Alfred is given a piece of his fortune. Bruce leaves his home to the orphan children. 

Gordon honors Bruce Wayne at his grave stone. Alfred is saddened. Alfred apologizes to Bruce's parents for failing to keep their son safe. His emotional breakdown shows how much he really cares about Bruce. 

Gordon asks Blake to reconsider. Blake is ready to give up his position to avoid being tainted by corruption. He tells Gordon does the city really know who saved them. Gordon replies back that of course they do, it was the Bat-man. Gotham unveils a Batman statue to honor their fallen hero.  

Blake retrieves a bag inside an office building. He travels out to a distant area. At a cafe, Alfred has a cup of tea. He looks straight ahead to discover Bruce Wayne and Selina are having lunch. Alfred endures a surreal moment. Alfred is finally relieved that Bruce is happy. Bruce nods at Alfred with a grin. We discover Bruce is somehow alive! (not so fast - see MovieExplanations.com for TDKR explanations for possible dream interpretation in this sequence)   

Blake swings through a waterfall and into the Bat cave. His surveys the Bat Cave, conveying that this is what the secret headquarters looks like. It appears Blake will assume a vital role. The Dark Knight Rises ends with a Bat cave platform rising, as Blake is likely to become the next major character in Nightwing!  

The End! 

The Dark Knight Rises explanations