The final installment of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, was everything we wanted and more. Come on, what better villain to bring Bruce Wayne out of retirement than Bane?

The film is the third-highest-grossing superhero film of all time, making over $1 billion globally. So just imagine how many people went to see it in theaters when it was released in July 2012, not to mention the diehard Batman fans who have watched it over and over on DVD, cable or who have streamed it.

However, no matter how many times you've seen The Dark Knight Rises, chances are, there are a few things that may have slipped right by you. Next time you watch the movie, keep an eye out for these hidden germs.

Here are the six Easter eggs you probably missed in The Dark Knight Rises.

1. Robin (Unintentional) Easter Egg

So we all know Christopher Nolan hinted at John Blake (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) becoming Robin, but there were actually other Robin references in the film, although it's not clear if both are intentional. In the scene when the football stadium collapses, there is one football player that is still standing.

If you check out the last name on his jersey, you will see that it's Hines Ward (who is playing himself) that survived. The funny thing is that Ward shares the same last name as Burt Ward, who played Robin in the classic '60s Batman TV series.

2. Robin Deliberate Easter Egg

The other deliberate Robin Easter egg can be found also in the football scene. Look at the crowd and you can see a fan holding a "R" sign for the team Rouge. That is the same style "R" that Tim Drake used on his Robin suit.

3. The Joker Escaped The Asylum

Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker was one of the best aspects of The Dark Knight. But we all know that the Joker does not appear in The Dark Knight Rises — or does he?

In the Batman statue scene, when Bruce Wayne is sitting down facing the desk, there is a magazine that has the face of the Joker on the cover. This may hint that the Joker actually escaped the asylum and will eventually resurface.

When the statue is revealed, the overhead shot reveals a smiley face. The Joker would be proud.

4. Bane's Secret Hobby

Bane is one bada** villain. With that mask, voice and ability to hang from an airplane, Bane is probably your favorite character from The Dark Knight Rises. While Bane is pure evil, did you know he sort of has a sweet spot? Well, at least as far as his hobbies go.

Bane has a secret hobby: knitting.

During the courtroom scene, Bane can been seen knitting off to the side. Nolan hid this Easter egg as a play on the A Tale of Two Cities theme he was inspired by for this film. Bane represents the Charles Dickens' character Madame Defarge, who is known for killing and knitting.

5. Batman Begins Reference

Selina Kyle, also know as Catwoman (played by Anne Hathaway), is seen in the trailer for the film wearing a pearl necklace. This actually is a reference to Batman Begins.

 There is a scene in Batman Begins where Bruce Wayne as a boy is shown a necklace that is supposed to be a gift for his mother. That necklace is the same as the one Kyle is wearing.

6. Old School Batman

One, or should we say two, of the coolest Easter eggs in the film is hidden gems from the 1960s series. In the scene where John Blake meets Bruce Wayne for the first time, there is a red Batphone and a bronze head (that opens access to the Batcave) — both objects appear in the '60s series.

Now that we know there are lots of hidden Easter eggs, it's time to replay one of our favorite Batman movies.

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Photo: Brett Jordan | Flickr