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Michael Keaton and Val Kilmer's Batmanfilms are currently being housed in one place. The iconic movies, based on the DC Comics superhero, are currently streaming on Tubi.

Tubi has officially added three of the most iconic films in The Dark Knight's history to its ever-expanding content library. These include 1989's Batman and its sequel, Batman Returns, both starring Michael Keaton. Rounding out the list is 1995's Batman Forever, starring Val Kilmer. The three features made their debut on the platform on May 1.

Directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren, 1989's Batman introduced Michael Keaton's instantly iconic take on Bruce Wayne and the titular Caped Crusader. Batman also starred Jack Nicholson as Jack Napier/The Joker, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth, and Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent.

The film was a massive hit upon its release, raking...

1989's "Batman" made Tim Burton a box office hero, exposed mass audiences to a truly dark interpretation of the Dark Knight, and ensured Joker actor Jack Nicholson never ran out of money for the rest of his life. The movie was a major success, changing how Hollywood marketed blockbuster movies going forward and influencing every single superhero movie that came in its wake. Burton himself is a big part of why the movie worked as well as it did, holding fast to his artistic vision for the character even as Warner Bros. tried to steer him away from it at multiple turns. But we also wouldn't have that vision without Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren's script, which contains some of the most memorable lines in superhero movie history, from Joker's "Where does he get those wonderful toys?" to Michael Keaton's legendary "I'm Batman."

Interestingly enough, that script took...

Where would superhero movies be without Tim Burton's "Batman?" Well, for one thing, we wouldn't have the memory of witnessing Michael Keaton's Batman being shoehorned into the superheroic bomb that was 2022's "The Flash." More seriously, Burton's 1989 mega-hit not only directly influenced the trajectory of superhero movie evolution, it changed the way studios marketed their blockbusters and re-established Batman in the public consciousness as the dark avenger first introduced in 1939's "Detective Comics" #27.

The fact the movie exists in the first place is nothing short of miraculous. "Batman" was a major risk in 1989. Aside from the fact the Christopher Reeve-led "Superman" films had gone out with a whimper in 1987 with "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace," the Dark Knight just wasn't a reliable blockbuster IP at that stage. Still very much seen by the public as the clownish figure from Adam West's 1960s TV series,...

Quick LinksWhat Was M.A.N.T.I.S. About?How M.A.N.T.I.S.' Ultimately Wasted Carl Lumbly

It's unfortunate that Marvel Studios didn't capitalize on Carl Lumbly's Isaiah Bradley the way it should have.The Falcon and the Winter Soldier revealed he was experimented on by the US government, turned into the first Black super-soldier and political assassin before being imprisoned. He was eventually let go to reintegrate into society, but without compensation.

Julius Onah's Captain America: Brave New World then had Isaiah being framed for trying to kill Harrison Ford's President Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. He was tossed back into jail, despite Ross knowing he was innocent. When he came out again, all he got was basketball tickets, leaving fans curious to know how he could be treated so badly. He sacrificed so much, against his will, for his country to be nothing...

Tim Burton's "Batman" was designed to look timeless. Burton made his Gotham City look like a German expressionist film from the 1920s, using impossible, elongated structures and eerie shadows to construct a bizarre, artificial world. Burton figured that outsize characters like Batman (Michael Keaton) and the Joker (Jack Nicholson) couldn't exist in the real world, so he constructed a fake world they would logically live in. The resulting Gotham City looks like it could be 1939, but video screens and video tech make it look like the near future. The actual era of "Batman" was meant to be elusive. 

Of course, the soundtrack betrays the film's timelessness. Warner Bros. hired Prince to write a soundtrack for "Batman," and his royal badness was equal to the task. Prince's "Batman" featured hit singles like "Batdance," "Partyman," "Trust," and "The Arms of Orion," which he sang with Sheena Easton. The presence of Prince...

Carl Lumbly’s Black Captain America was first introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes discover more truth about the Super Soldier serum and how it was used to create an army of Black Super Soldiers. Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley was the last living Black Super Soldier who spent years in jail and in hiding, so as to hide the U.S.’s secret experiments on Black soldiers.

Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | Credits: Disney+/Marvel Studios

In the conversation that Bradley has with Wilson, he reveals that he had encountered Bucky once and failed to kill him. It was this event that brought several repercussions for him. Lumbly returns to his role in Captain America: Brave New World. He shared in a recent interview that he would like his character to encounter Bucky once more.

In the "Batman" comics, Vicki Vale has almost always been just a love interest for the titular caped crusader. The Alan Grant/Norm Breyfogle era of these comics saw Vale embody some agency, with a focus on her skills as a competent Gotham photojournalist. However, traditional interpretations of Vale are that of a damsel in distress or a vehicle for Batman to tussle with his fractured identity. She's meant to highlight how heroic Batman is, which is contrasted with Bruce Wayne's inability to be honest and vulnerable with someone who only knows half of him. The only exception to this treatment in the comics is 2009's "Batman: Battle for the Cowl," where Vale figures out the Batman-Bruce connection and plays a seminal role in uncovering the truth about Two-Face's nefarious plans for Gotham City. 

When Tim Burton honed in on Vicki Vale for 1989's "Batman," it was an opportunity to reinvent this oft-sidelined character.

Warning: Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #5!Jack Nicholson's Joker might be jealous of Harley Quinn's new digs. Harley Quinn has become one of the latest additions to the Burtonverse, as the scrapped concept of a sequel to 1989's Batman featuring Madonna in the role has been repurposed for Batman '89: Echoes, a comic series that continues the continuity of Tim Burton's movies.

In Batman '89: Echoes #5 by Sam Hamm, Joe Quinones, Stacey Lee, Paolo Rivera, Leonardo Ito, and Carlos M. Mangual, Harley Quinn enacts the latest step of her plan. As a Jeff Goldblum-esque Scarecrow plunges Gotham into chaos with his fear juice, Harley creates a hostage situation at the Acn news station.

Much of the story has seen her dressed like a court jester, but for this hostage crisis, she arrives in style with a brand-new costume reminiscent of the Joker as...

Warning: Contains spoilers for Batman '89: Echos #5!!

Since her introduction in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn has taken on a life of her own. Her quirky personality and dubiously gray morals have won her plenty of fans, but her distinct aesthetic makes her even more memorable. Now, she's taken her original "jester" look to the next level for one of her most striking costumes ever.

In the preview for Batman '89: Echoes #5 – written by Sam Hamm, with art by Joe Quinones – "Dr. Q" continues settling into her therapy "character," complete with a full, elaborate suit and accompanying makeup. While the getup itself was introduced in the previous issue, these previews show exactly how much she's getting into the role she's known for.

Dr. Quinzel isn't just playing along to help her patients adjust to her therapeutic approach. The show she's putting on, complete with dramatic running mascara atop her white clown facepaint,...

The next sequel to 1989’s Batman has the perfect opportunity to explain one plot element of Batman Returns. The Tim Burton Batman films are part of multiple timelines with overlapping canon. One such continuity includes both 1989’s Batman and 1992’s Batman Returns, but expands on the iconic films with non-movie materials – including Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones’s Batman ’89 comics and John Jackson Miller’s 2024 novel Batman: Resurrection. Resurrection – which is set between Batman and Batman Returns – has made both films even better by providing additional connective tissue and deploying fascinating retcons.

Batman: Resurrection deals with the fallout of the events of 1989’s Batman and helps set up elements of Batman Returns and Batman ’89. In doing so, it explains some of the more confusing elements of the two live-action Batman movies. Resurrection explains how Joker could down the Batwing with a single shot of his oversized revolver, as well as...

1989s Batman retroactively gained a new villain, thanks to John Jackson Millers Batman: Resurrection, and we already know what becomes of this antagonist. Set between 1989s Batman and Batman Returns, Resurrection explores the fallout of Jokers lethal crime wave in the first film while setting up the rise of Returns villains like Max Shreck and The Penguin. Additionally, Resurrection introduces Basil Karlo Clayface to its Burton Batman universe and retroactively adds Hugo Strange who serves as the books true villain to 1989s Batman as a background character.

Batman: Resurrection cleverly retcons Hugo Strange into 1989s Batman, revealing that the previously unnamed Axis Chemicals scientist was actually the classic Batman villain. Stranges machinations continue to threaten Gotham City in Resurrection, with Strange having Clayface masquerade as the Joker and leading Gothams citizens, including Batman himself, to believe that Jack Napier faked his death. Resurrection ends with Strange being arrested and presumably sent to Blackgate Penitentiary,...

The latest sequel to 1989s Batman has seemingly brought a new version of the Riddler to the Tim Burton Batman timeline, but this exciting development may have also caused a continuity snarl that will need to be cleared up. John Jackson Millers 2024 novel Batman: Resurrection is set between the events of 1989s Batman and 1992s Batman Returns, and the novel not only combines characters and lore from both movies, it also introduces new characters to the Burton universe. Resurrection is also set in the same timeline as Sam Hamm and Joe Quinoness Batman 89 and Batman 89: Echoes comics.

In addition to including brief appearances by Batman 89s Barbara Gordon and Drake Winston (the latter being the Burton universes future Robin), Resurrection also introduces two classic Batman villains to the continuity: Clayface (Basil Karlo) and Hugo Strange, with the latter having been retroactively added to a minor background role in 1989s Batman.

Michael Keatons Batman has had his universe explored further in DC Comics, and stunning cover art now showcases his own Bat-Family, taking the character even further beyond the movies, with allies including Nightwing and Batgirl. The Batman: 89s comic spinoff Echoes is set to reach the end of its six-issue run with the heroes assembled, as Drake Winston and Barbara Gordon will officially suit up to fight alongside Batman.

Batman 89: Echoes #6 written by Sam Hamm with art by Joe Quinones unites the Keatonverses Batman family, as the issue's cover art, by Quinones and Paolo Rivera, makes a brilliant poster for a Batman Returns follow-up that officially gives Keatons Batman his own versions of Nightwing and Batgirl.

The Bat Trinity spread their wings in unison and become the perfect team against 90s-inspired versions of Gothams iconic villains. The art provides a gorgeous glimpse at a Keatonverse sequel that never materialized,...

The latest sequel to 1989s Batman John Jackson Millers Batman: Resurrection has a number of connections to Tim Burtons Batman series and its comic continuation. The two Burton Batman films are part of several branching timelines, with the first being the Joel Schumacher Batman films Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. Sam Hamm and Joe Quinoness Batman 89 and Batman 89: Echoes comics also continue the story of Michael Keatons Batman, aligning far more with 1989s Batman and Batman Returns.

Millers Resurrection is set between the events of 1989s Batman and Returns, providing some much-needed connective tissue between the two movies. What timeline Resurrection takes place in was initially unclear, as a story set between the two Burton movies could potentially reference lore from the Schumacher films, the Batman 89 comics, or even the DC Extended Universes Flashpoint universe from The Flash. However, Resurrection is not only set in the same timeline as the Batman 89 comics,...

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While Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen altered the landscape of comics forever, its 2009 film adaptation didn't leave much of a cultural mark, arriving in a landscape that included the early MCU movies, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and critically panned 20th Century Fox releases like X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The industry knew that superheroes could potentially draw big numbers, but audiences didn't seem to know what to make of a brutal, R-rated deconstruction of the expected tropes. If the public didn't know how to process Watchmen in 2009, imagine the Average Joe's response to a faithful adaptation that was in development back in 1988. Well, "faithful," but with one major exception.

Updated on October 24, 2024, by Robert Vaux: For better or worse, director Zack Snyder left a significant impact on superhero movies in the 21st century, which includes his version of Watchmen. Snyder...

Quick Links Batman Returns Is a Dark Superhero Movie The Batman Merchandise Tie-Ins Didn't Help Tim Burton Had His Vision for Batman, and It Changed the Franchise Forever

1989's Batman plays like a standard studio movie more often than a Tim Burton original because that's exactly what it was. But when that movie proved to be a success, Warner Bros. was antsy to get a sequel into production. Given that the movie was a hit with both critics and audiences, the studio was looking to get Burton back on board.

But Burton didn't feel quite as excited. In fact, he didn't really care to make a sequel at all, given that he felt he would again be restricted by the studio's requests to make as macro-scale-appealing a blockbuster as possible. So, to return, Burton required total creative control, and Warner Bros. agreed. In fact, they were even excited about the...

It’s baffling just how easy it is to take a good movie for granted after watching it so many times that its success appears to have been inevitable. And while seeing your work become a household name seems like an artist’s greatest achievement, it’s a shame that this process can sometimes overshadow the weird and risky choices that made these projects so unique.

A great example of this is Tim Burton’s Batman duology – two wildly popular films that a lot of people forget were actually deeply strange productions which almost certainly couldn’t have been made today. And in honor of Batman’s 85th Anniversary Event, today I’d like to look back on Burton’s only foray into comic-book adaptations and reevaluate these films as I believe the director always intended: as expressionist monster movies.

It’s no secret that the character of Batman has...

Thanks to Colin Farrells powerhouse performances in The Batman and, most recently, The Penguin, DC fans are now engaging in serious discourse about who the best live-action Oswald Cobblepot (or Cobb) is. Like Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight, Farrell has put in a ton of effort to make his character as perfect as possible. But in a world where some fans still feel Jack Nicholson was the best Joker, some believe that Danny DeVitos performance in Batman Returns can never be topped. But is that the case? Thats a topic worthy of hours of debate.

Batman Returns Release Date June 19, 1992Director Tim BurtonCast Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Michael Gough, Michael MurphyRuntime 126Main Genre Action

In 1992, Danny DeVito wowed audiences with his horrific version of the Gotham criminal. His Penguin was not a scheming Cosa Nostra seeking to create institutional cracks in the biggest crime family in the city.

By this stage, seeing Bruce Wayne's parents die has become a well-worn cinematic trope in and of itself. Like poor old Uncle Ben in the "Spider-Man" movies, Thomas and Martha Wayne have now perished in front of our eyes dozens of times, and that's to say nothing of the various comic book versions of their untimely demise.

It comes as a byproduct of the fact that Batman represents one of the most rich and infinitely reinventable characters in all fiction. Comic writers and film and TV directors have all had a go at iterating on the classic tale of Bruce Wayne's transformation from privileged son of Gotham aristocrats to a "weird figure of the dark," as his alter-ego was dubbed in 1939's "Detective Comics" #33. Almost 10 years after that story was first told, Batman's origin was revisited in 1948's "Batman" #47, which established mugger Joe Chill as the Waynes' killer. But subsequent...

"Batman & Robin" was so panned for its campiness that Warner Bros. had no choice but to pivot to a dark and gritty reboot, resulting in Christopher Nolan's acclaimed "Dark Knight" trilogy. This is filmmaking mythology almost as well-known as Batman's own origin of alleyway orphaning. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige even calls "Batman & Robin" one of the most important superhero movies, for it taught studios that fans wouldn't settle for schlock. In hindsight, it's almost unbelievable that "Batman & Robin" and "Batman Begins" premiered only eight years apart; the Dark Knight's fall didn't last long!

There were abandoned plans for director Joel Schumacher to make a third Batman film, though. "Batman Unchained," to be penned by Mark Protosevich (rather than previous screenwriter Akiva Goldsman) was supposedly going to be "darker." The villains would've been Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow and Harley Quinn, which makes sense. At the time,...

Warning! Contains Spoilers For Batman '89: Echoes #4!Batman has appeared in tons of different universes, including the fan-favorite world of Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film starring Michael Keaton. This universe showed off tons of iconic versions of Batman villains, such as Jack Nicholson's Joker and Danny DeVito's Penguin, and now, in a comic book sequel, this universe has its very own version of Marvel's Hulk too.

The perfect Hulk stand-in for the Keatonverse's Batman debuts in Batman '89: Echoes #4 by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones. In this story, Bruce Wayne is trapped in Arkham Asylum and has to do his best to either befriend or avoid his fellow asylum inmates. This strategy goes fairly well, with Bruce even befriending the Riddler, but everything takes a turn when he runs into Roland Desmond.

Roland is often better known by his super villain title, Blockbuster, and he definitely...

Bruce Waynes "batty" alter ego is about to receive a serious upgrade, as the Joker (Jack Nicholson) would say, where all of those wonderful toys are concerned. Yes, theres now a star in the Batman's future, but it wont need to be displayed in Wayne Manor. Rather, it will be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame (per a press release). On Thursday, September 26, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Nissen will serve as emcee and present the comic book character with star No. 2,790, and DC Comics President, CEO and publisher Jim Lee is among those scheduled to speak at the event.

Batman will become the first superhero ever to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the fictional character is receiving the honor in the Motion Pictures category. Lee, whose comic book artistry includes iconic characters like the Bat and Marvels X-Men, will...

Tim Burton's Batman took some liberties when adapting the comic book's story for the big screen, notably making one big change with the deaths of Batman's parents. The change would come as a shocker for the fans familiar with the source material... unless they first watched star Michael Keaton promoting the film on David Letterman's talk show.

Per CinemaBlend, Keaton was asked about an interview gaffe he'd had on Letterman while promoting Batman. In the interview, Keaton let it slip that Jack Nicholson's Joker is revealed in the movie to be the person who killed Bruce Wayne's parents. In comic book lore, a thug named Joe Chill is traditionally depicted to be the murderer rather than the Clown Prince of Crime. Keaton didn't immediately remember the flub, but agreed that it was "stupid" of him to let it slip.

Related The Penguin Overcomes The Batman With Impressive...

Warning: Contains spoilers for Batman 89: Echoes #4!The Keatonverses version of Robin has just graduated to Nightwing status, with an incredible costume making its debut. Helping Batman with his grand escape from Arkham Asylum, Drake Winston officially suits up to make the assist. Blending design elements from Batmans iconic legacy characters of the past, the bold new costume solidifies Winston as a strong hero to join Bruce Wayne as the saviors of this version of Gotham.

Featured first on Joe Quinones cover for Batman 89: Echoes #4 - by Sam Hamm, Quinones, Leonardo Ito, and Carlos M. Mangual - the upgraded costume keeps Robin's established hood with a new cowl and a sleek red and black suit. The interior of his cape also reveals vivid red wings, along with spiky fins on the arms to match. The costume officially debuts in the interior of this issue when Winston emerges on a rooftop.

Warning: Contains spoilers for Batman 89: Echoes #4!DC's "Keatonverse" continues to be fleshed out and deviate from classic DC Comics lore, with an evolving re-imagined origin for Harley Quinn. Revealed in a new preview, Michelle Pfeiffers version of Catwoman officially has ties to the Madonna-inspired Dr. Harleen Quinzel, as two of Gothams fiercest villains establish their relationship in the Batman 89 universe, meaning the Tim Burton-inspired world could introduce its own Gotham City Sirens.

The preview for Batman 89: Echoes #4 written by Sam Hamm with art by Joe Quinones follows up on Bruce Waynes adventures while infiltrating Arkham undercover. Concurrently, its revealed that Dr. Quinzel has been providing therapy for Selina Kyle, and suddenly wants to halt their sessions to focus on her new TV show.

With this new take on Harley Quinn lore, Catwoman becomes even more integral to the fabric of this DC Universe, as she returns to the Batman 89-verse.

If Adam West or Michael Keaton are your favorite actors to ever portray Batman, you're in for a treat. McFarlane Toys has cowls based on the Batman TV series from the 1960s, Tim Burton;s 1989 Batman, and one based on the Batman: Knightfall comic from the 1990s all for sale. While they don't release until November, fans can place their pre-orders now for around $14.99 each for their favorite of the trio from usual toy retailers.

Each cowl has a display pedestal and stands about seven inches tall, the Knightfall one comes in a little taller at 7 and 3/5 inches, so there's no need to worry about them taking up a ton of space either. If these smaller replicas are not your thing, then there is another option, although it is a little harder to get your hands on right now.

Batman (1989) PG-13ActionFantasy Where to Watchstreamrentbuy

*Availability in US Release Date...

Tim Burton is back. The famous filmmaker, artist and guy who showed the world that not owning a comb isn’t a dealbreaker for Monica Bellucci technically never left, but now he’s made a movie that people actually want to see for the first time in a long while.

In addition to directing the highly-anticipated sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Burton just received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And it’s well-deserved, considering his long career, which found him churning out modern classics, followed by some okay stuff, and eventually, a whole bunch of joyless CGI-filled remakes featuring Johnny Depp in increasingly goofy wigs.

Burton’s influence over the world of film has been so great, there are a number of movies with serious Tim Burton vibes that were in no way directed by Tim Burton. Some of the most Burton-y non-Burton projects include…

[subtitle]Stay Tuned [/subtitle]

The set-up...

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star Michael Keaton recently reflected on his long-standing friendship with his Academy Award-winning co-star Jack Nicholson. The pair starred opposite each other as the Dark Knight and the Joker in Tim Burton's classic 1989 Batman movie.

In an interview with People magazine, the Oscar-nominated actor recalled taking an instant liking to Nicholson when they met to shoot Batman. "I just really liked him," Keaton said. "He's really, really intelligent. Really. A real reader. He just has an innate intelligence, and then a self-taught intelligence. ... Because he devours books. Always something to talk about. Very opinionated about things when you're in a conversation," he added. Nicholson was a party animal in his heyday and Keaton, who was new to that scene back then, recounted some of their exploits.

Very opinionated about things when you're in a conversation.

Related Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Review: Tim Burton is Back with His Best Film in Over 20 Years

Tim Burton,...

The Michael Keaton Batman movies have led to numerous sequel and spinoff properties, taking place in as many as 4 different DC Universes. Critically, commercially, and culturally, 1989s Batman was a huge success for DC and Warner Bros, cementing itself as a pop culture phenomenon and leaving a lasting impact on how major blockbuster films are marketed. The films 1992 sequel, Batman Returns, did not reach the same soaring heights as its predecessor, at least initially. Returns was a controversial film whose violent and sexual content and significant deviations from the Batman comic source material offended many viewers.

Batman Returns does hold up in many regards, however, especially with viewers looking back with fresh eyes, appreciating the live-action Batman movie and its bold choices and aesthetic qualities. Even with the films initial controversy, it was hardly the end of the original franchise. The story of Michael Keatons Batman continued in a variety of properties,...

Batman Day is September 21st, 2024, and to celebrate, AMC Theaters is offering fans a chance to see one of three Batman films on the big screen. Batman Day is an annual event held by DC Comics to celebrate the creation of Batman. It typically is marked with special Batman-themed promotions in comic book stores but has since spread to other promotional platforms. While the first Batman Day celebration in 2014 was held in July, since then, it has been on the third or fourth Saturday of September.

AMC Theaters will be doing special screenings of 1989's Batman, 1993's Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, and 1995's Batman Forever, which will all return to theaters for a limited time starting September 20, 2024. Fans can get reminders for when the tickets go on sale, as it is unclear if they are only for September 20th or if they will play throughout the weekend.

Batman...

In Batman '89: Echoes #3, Batman's obsession with crime-fighting is compared to addiction, as he admits it is a compulsion that leads him to prioritize acting as the Caped Crusader over anything in his personal life. Batman '89: Echoes #3 explores Bruce Wayne's struggle with balancing his Batman persona and his civilian identity, using the metaphor of addiction in a potent way. DC Comics often depicts the fine line Bruce Wayne treads between dedication and obsession, and equating his inability to retire as a masked hero to addiction is a dark, but appropriate, way of describing the character.

Warning: Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #3!No one is more addicted to being a superhero than Batman. It's no secret that Batman is obsessed with his war on crime. His lifelong mission may never succeed, but that makes it all the more jarring for how he's so overly dedicated to the cause.

Tim Burton, the acclaimed director who re-invented Bruce Wayne on the big screen in Batman, says that it is unlikely he'll ever return to direct the Caped Crusader again, or any other superhero movie. Burton is reviving one of his classic franchises later this year with the long awaited Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which sees Michael Keaton return to the titular role after 36 years. The original Beetlejuice was one of Keaton's breakout roles, and led him to star in Burton's dark take on Bruce Wayne in Batman in 1989. Burton also directed the sequel, Batman Returns, which gave the world two iconic villain performances from Danny DeVito as Penguin, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.

Batman (1989) PG-13ActionFantasy Where to Watchstreamrentbuy

*Availability in US Release Date June 23, 1989Director Tim BurtonCast Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee WilliamsRuntime 126Main Genre ActionWriters Bob Kane, Sam Hamm, Warren SkaarenTagline Have...

Tim Burton's two Batman films loom large in the history of superhero movies. Both films established the caped crusader as a box office draw, foreshadowing the current climate of cinema today. While promoting his upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, the visionary director recently addressed whether he would make a return to the superhero genre.

Burton's 1989 classic, Batman, is a pivotal film in the history of comic book movies. It was the highest-grossing film of that year, and helped turn Michael Keaton into the icon audiences see him as today. Along with the follow-up sequel, Batman Returns, Burton brought a new vibe to superhero movies, a darker more sinister tone that differentiated itself from the Superman films that came before. If Burton's Batman films weren't good, who knows how it would have affected Hollywood's ambitions for more superhero movies going forward.

Related 'Not Something I Could Have Done Back Then:' Tim...

1992’s Batman Returns remains, to this day, one of the best films on the Dark Knight created to date. Tamed by Tim Burton, it starred Michael Keaton in the lead as the iconic DC superhero and served as the more critically acclaimed sequel to his original titular 1989 film on the vigilante. But as much as the film was liked by fans and critics, it wasn’t always supposed to be this way.

Batman Returns. | Credits: Warner Bros.

As it turns out, the original screenwriter’s ideas for this sequel were more along the lines of ridiculous misadventures rather than superhero crusades of saving people against evil. If anything, the plotline decided was so campy that a different writer had to be brought on board for filmmaker Burton to finally agree to the script and sign on to direct the masterpiece!

Batman Returns Originally Aimed for a More Ridiculous Storyline

In the early 1990s,...

Tim Burton's Batman universe receives a Nightwing inspired by Batman Beyond in Batman '89: Echoes #4. Drake Winston, previously Robin, is set to become Nightwing with a fresh costume design from artist Joe Quinones. The evolution of Drake Winston into Nightwing is explored in the Batman '89: Echoes series.

35 years after first hitting the big screen, the 1989 Batman film universe will get its own Nightwing, and his costume is heavily inspired by Batman Beyond. Tim Burton's universe has received a comic book continuation in the form of Batman '89, and its current ongoing sequel series, Batman '89: Echoes. With the Joel Schumacher movies not being canon, this series delivered Bruce Wayne his own Robin in the form of Drake Winston.

As artist Joe Quinones teases in an X post previewing Batman '89: Echoes #4, Drake Winston is finally ready to graduate to Nightwing status, sporting a look...

The preview for Batman '89: Echoes #3 introduces a terrifying new Riddler origin story for the "Burtonverse" version of the character, turning him into one of the Caped Crusader's most lethal villains. The Riddler's "Burtonverse" incarnation, as depicted in Echoes #3, is a dramatic and disturbing reinvention of the character. Doctor Hugo Strange may be responsible for Riddler's demonic transformation as several hints so far in the series have suggested that the character could also appear in the "Burtonverse" comic book continuation.

Warning: Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #3!DC's Batman '89 sequel comic has introduced The Riddler and expanded on his deadly origin story. Edward Nygma has always been one of Batman's most popular rogues, but he's easy to overlook when it takes a lot more than a tricky riddle to get passed the World's Greatest Detective. However, writers in the past have taken strides to make Riddler more terrifying than Heath Ledger's Joker.

Catwoman, as seen in Batman '89, is making a comeback with a new look and costume details. The new design pays homage to Michelle Pfeiffer's character in Scarface, adding nostalgia to the Burtonverse. Batman '89: Echoes is not just a continuation but also a tribute to '80s and '90s cinema with subtle references.

The Michelle Pfeiffer iteration of Catwoman returns with a brand-new look for a Batman '89 sequel. Batman '89 was a comic continuation of Batman Returns and, ultimately, Tim Burton's Batman universe. While the character played a pivotal role in that six-part limited series, she's yet to appear in the new Batman '89 follow-up after three issues released.

Thankfully, an X post from Batman '89: Echoes artist Joe Quinones confirms that Catwoman will be returning to the Burtonverse, and she'll have a new look. The post features Selina Kyle's Catwoman costume sporting a new golden choker,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #3

Scarecrow's new design in Batman '89: Echoes #3 is eerie and reminiscent of Jeff Goldblum, adding a twisted academic look. Scarecrow tests Bruce Wayne's secret identity, and he unintentionally reveals he is Batman in a red-hued psychedelic horror scene. The anticipation builds as readers await the full reveal of Scarecrow's new costume, creating tension and excitement for upcoming issues.

Batman's canonically most frightening villain, Scarecrow, has a new look, and it's revealed in the most trippy, nightmare-fueled way possible. The new miniseries Batman 89: Echoes by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones is an early-90s nostalgia fest that explores Bruce Wayne going undercover as Firefly in Arkham Asylum in the same universe as Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman. In this comic series, Dr. Jonathan Crane is charged with his care, which ends in the worst way possible.

Readers can check out...

Batman '89: Echoes #3 introduces a new Riddler inspired by Martin Short, with a connection to Dr. Hugo Strange's experiments. Bob and Doug McKenzie from Sctv make a cameo, linking back to their movie "Strange Brew" and adding a Canadian twist. The mystery deepens with Dr. Strange's death and Dr. Crane's secret experiments, testing Bruce Wayne's mental strength as Batman.

Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #3 ahead!

The continuation of Tim Burtons Batman universe just included a very "Strange" cameo for eagle-eyed fans. Burton's 1989 Batman movie not only changed the superhero movie genre, it left indelible thumbprints on The Dark Knights story itself. It transformed Michael Keaton from a comedic actor to a leading man, and Hollywoods brightest stars were looking to get into the sequels. While Burton only made one more movie before leaving the franchise, Batman 89: Echoes imagines the celebrities who would appear if he made more.

Warning: Spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #3

DC confirms Batman '89's Riddler's real name as Edward Nigel Maynard, deviating from traditional names. Maynard's backstory includes a military past and a link to a mysterious drug called "Samurai." The Keatonverse version of Riddler, based on Martin Short, offers a fresh and threatening take on the iconic character.

DC has finally confirmed the real name and origin of the Batman '89 version of the Riddler. DC is usually undecided on the Riddlers real name, and Batman 89: Echoes switches it up yet again. Originally introduced as Edward Nigma, the Riddler's name was later changed to Edward Nygma (or Nashton). But the Keatonverse officially introduces its own Riddler, giving him a new name that honors the Golden Age humor.

The Riddler made his first official Keatonverse appearance in Batman '89: Echoes #2 by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, and there have...

DC releases new Beetlejuice-themed variant covers, including one featuring Michael Keaton's Batman & Beetlejuice. Keaton's Batman meets Keaton's Beetlejuice in a whimsical and surreal variant cover by Joe Quinones. The Keaton double whammy cover pays homage to iconic 80s roles and teases a potential Batman vs. Beetlejuice match-up.

It's a Keaton-eat-Keaton world in a new Batman vs. Beetlejuice variant cover from DC Comics. DC has announced a new line of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice-themed variant covers starring the notorious demon alongside the greatest heroes of the DC Universe including, yes, Michael Keaton's version of Batman from the 1989 Batman film.

Keaton's Batman meets Keaton's Beetlejuice in Joe Quinones' variant cover for Batman #152 by Chip Zdarsky and Mike Hawthorne. While the issue itself is a tie-in to the ongoing Absolute Power event, which is affecting every corner of the Dcu, the cover is a clear homage to two of Keaton's most beloved...

Have you ever been given a gift and then seen it destroyed? For example, let’s say someone gave you a beautiful yacht. It looks amazing and has every amenity you could ever wish for. You take it out one day to sea, go home, and then when you come back it’s been painted green and had a creepy clown statue turned into the figurehead. When you ask why the person who gave you the yacht would do this to your beautiful boat, you’re told “Well I think it looks better this way”. Now imagine that’s a superhero TV show and that it was created by a pair of people who were behind two of the greatest comic book movies of all time.

So what was that TV show? Well, it was called M.A.N.T.I.S. and who were the two creators? Sam Raimi and Sam Hamm. Yes, the...

Quick Links The Birth of Promotional Merchandise The Generation-Defining Shift in Cinema Are We Returning to Normalcy or Bottoming Out? Batman (1989) inaugurated a shift in Hollywood towards maximizing profits through merchandising and franchises. This film propelled the "blockbuster strategy," pushing studios to focus on opening weekend box office numbers at the detriment of the long-term success of the film. The post-Batman era favored remakes, sequels, & reboots that sold well despite language barriers, leading to a death spiral for romantic comedies and dramas that did not sell nearly as well overseas.

Cluttering arguably the all-time greatest summer slate of action films ever, in a small window of time theaters witnessed the procession of gargantuan IPs flex their muscle. Facing off that summer for the public's attention included Star Trek V, a fresh installment of the James Bond franchise, and a third Indiana Jones outing. Lethal Weapon, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future...

Glen Powell is sharing his thoughts on playing the role of Batman and has some ideas.

In a new interview with GQ, Powell led a tour around the Warner Bros. Studio lot and came across the Batmobile section.

“I was always a Batman guy,” Powell said. “I would have a wild take on Batman. It definitely would not be like a Matt Reeves tone – it’d probably be closer to [Michael] Keaton.”

The reporter noted that Powell doesn’t have any interest in playing a superhero. When Powell found Keaton’s Batmobile, he said, “Oh, sick! See? This is the era.”

Powell does have a history in the DC Universe. In 2012, he was credited as Trader #1 in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.

“I get my head smashed in by Bane in The Dark Knight Rises,” he said.

Keaton starred as Batman in the 1989 superhero film directed by Tim Burton...

Watchmen's 2009 film adaptation struggled to resonate in a crowded superhero movie landscape, perhaps due to its brutal, R-rated material. Sam Hamm's 1988 screenplay adaptation deviated from the comic's shocking ending, opting for a different, time travel-based twist. Controversy surrounds the Watchmen ending, with critics arguing over originality and creative choices both in the comic and film adaptations.

While Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' Watchmen altered the landscape of comics forever, it's 2009 film adaptation didn't leave much of a cultural mark, arriving in a landscape that included the early MCU movies, Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, and critically panned 20th Century Fox releases like X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The industry knew that superheroes could potentially draw big numbers, but audiences didn't seem to know what to make of a brutal, R-rated deconstruction of the expected tropes. If the public didn't know how to process Watchmen in 2009, imagine the Average Joe's...

Batman '89: Echoes #2 flips the meaning of an iconic scene from The Killing Joke, exploring Batman's mental health in a new light. In the comic, Bruce Wayne goes undercover at Arkham Asylum to gather information on Jonathan Crane, encountering a patient reminiscent of the Joker. The issue sets up potential dark paths for Michael Keaton's Batman, hinting at mental damage as he continues his investigation at Arkham.

Warning: contains spoilers for Batman '89: Echoes #2!

Michael Keaton’s Batman just flipped the meaning of one of the most iconic panels in The Dark Knight’s long history. In Batman ‘89: Echoes, Bruce Wayne, while investigating Doctor Jonathan Crane, goes undercover at Arkham Asylum. In issue two, the undercover Batman shares a moment with another patient that brings to mind one of the most iconic, and meaningful, scenes in the character’s 85 years.

Batman ‘89: Echoes #2 is written by...

Michael Keaton reflects on bold move to play Batman despite fan skepticism. Actor discusses how Tim Burton's confidence in him led to iconic role. Uncertain future for Keaton's return as Batman but possibilities remain open.

Michael Keaton has reminisced about the “ballsy” move that led to him being cast as Batman in the 1989 movie. While it seems impossible to think that anyone else could have brought the Dark Knight to life in his original big screen outing, any doubts Keaton had were nothing compared to the skepticism of fans.

Batman (1989) PG-13ActionFantasy Release DateJune 23, 1989DirectorTim BurtonCastMichael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee WilliamsRuntime126Main GenreActionWritersBob Kane, Sam Hamm, Warren SkaarenTaglineHave you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?FranchiseDC

Keaton is currently living his best life, following up his return as Batman in The Flash by reprising another of his iconic...

Michael Keaton recalls Jack Nicholson's reaction to his Batman workout, admitting trying to bulk up was a mistake. Keaton's Batsuit in The Flash was lighter and allowed him to move his neck, fixing issues from 1989. CGI in The Flash enabled more elaborate scenes compared to Keaton's previous Batman films directed by Tim Burton.

Michael Keaton remembers Jack Nicholson’s hilariously droll reaction to his Batman workout regime. While many actors like Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth undergo impressive muscle-mass building training when preparing to play Marvel superheroes Wolverine and Thor respectively, Keaton’s “bulking up” attempts ended up being one of his biggest mistakes.

Batman (1989) PG-13ActionFantasy Release DateJune 23, 1989DirectorTim BurtonCastMichael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee WilliamsRuntime126Main GenreActionWritersBob Kane, Sam Hamm, Warren SkaarenTaglineHave you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?FranchiseDC

During a retrospective GQ interview, in which...

Batman 1989 movie had a massive cultural impact due to its unique take on the character and dark, gothic setting. Michael Keaton accidentally spoiled the film's major twist, revealing significant details about Batman's origin story. Despite the spoiler, the film was a huge success, becoming an iconic portrayal of Batman and dominating the box office.

When Batman was gearing up for release in the summer of 1989, the hype from fans reached a level that hadn't been seen up to that point. It had been over 20 years since the Caped Crusader made his way to the silver screen, and audiences were looking for a fresh take on the character. While Adam West's Batman series and film brought the over-the-top goofy aspects of the character to life in an endearing way, people were desperate to see the character taken seriously again. Tim Burton's reboot of the character promised to do just...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Evil Dead Posters from Bottleneck Gallery

Bottleneck Gallery will release two Evil Dead posters today, March 29, at 9am Pst/12pm Est. Set an alarm if you’re hoping to snag one, because they’re going to move faster than a Deadite.

Adam “Readful Things” Perocchi’s The Evil Dead artwork is inspired by the classic RoboCop poster. 24×36 giclee prints, limited to 125, will cost $60. Evil Dead 2 by Jack Gregory is a 24×36 screen print, limited to 75, for $70.

Bad Lieutenant 4K Uhd from Kino Lorber

Bad Lieutenant shoots onto 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on May 21 via Kino Lorber. The 1992 neo-noir crime film has been newly restored in 4K from the original camera negative with Dolby Vision/Hdr.