Batman, the iconic DC superhero of many monikers has varied in tone and texture over the decades. Ranging from uber-campy and colorful ZAP! POW! BOP! Adam West-style batman, to the dark & gritty Frank Miller-esque “Creature of the Shadows” Batman in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight franchise.

Tim Burton, however, directed the first big-budget Batman movies. Batman in 1989 and its sequel Batman Returns in 1992. The iconic and eccentric director thus set the tone for the Batman film franchise going forward. Contrasting heavily from its 1960 predecessor, Burton’s Batman delved into the shadows of Bruce Wayne’s past, exploring the story of his parent’s cruel and tragic death, and the trauma a young Bruce had to unpack. Foreshadowing Nolan’s franchise decades later, Burton was the first director to explore the darker origins of the caped crusader.

Burton was also originally intended to direct Batman 3. His version would have seen Billy Dee Williams, reprising his role as Harvey Dent and alter ego Two-Face, Robin Williams as the Riddler, and Marlon Wayans as Robin the boy wonder. Due to marketing faux pas concerning Batman Returns, however, Burton’s third Batman movie was ultimately and irrevocably derailed, much to the consternation of Burton fans everywhere. Batman Forever, as it would be called, was ultimately handed over to Joel Schumacher, who would discard Burton’s playbook in favor of his own creative vision. Michael Keaton was set to reprise his role as one half of the dynamic duo in the Joel Schumacher-directed third installment. Keaton, however, did not agree with Schumacher’s new direction and ultimately bowed out over artistic differences regarding the great departure from Burton’s original vision for the film.

Schumacher’s Batman 3 and 4 were so abruptly different in tone from the first two movies that they are generally considered outliers in the Batman movie universe and to many Burton fans, utter failures. There is no doubt that the definitive version of Batman throughout the ’90s was Tim Burton’s iteration. That said we have compiled the best moments, from Tim Burton’s Batman Movies.

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8 Batman’s Introduction

     Warner Bros.

The scene in which we first see Keaton’s Batman is epic in large part because of the tense moments leading up to it. Two criminals having just mugged someone under Batman’s watchful eye, are dividing the loot and simultaneously debating the existence of an elusive vigilante “The Bat." In true dramatic irony, viewers can see Batman’s silhouette approaching as one of the thugs denies his existence. The crooks hear rustling behind them and turn around to see Batman in the flesh. After a bit of a scuffle, Batman announces himself to one of the thugs before leaping from the rooftop into the night.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

7 Burton’s Interpretation of Gotham City

Tim Burton’s Gotham City is the most realistic portrayal of Gotham across the catalogue of films. It is portrayed as a once-magnificent city in spectacular decline. Its former opulence hidden behind years of filth and decay. There are astounding similarities between the art-deco-inspired Gotham City and German expressionist Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film Metropolis. Production designer Anton Furst won an Oscar for his work on Batman along with set decorator Peter Young.

6 Jack Becomes the Joker

Jack Napier (Jack Nicholson) makes his big reveal as the Joker with expert timing. Shortly after plotting (unsuccessfully) to kill Jack, Gotham crime boss Carl Grissom (the late Jack Palance) is surprised at home by a vengeful Jack. Grissom proposes a deal to Jack in return for his life. Napier, however, replies, “Jack? Jack is dead, my friend. You can call me Joker." Just as Napier is announcing himself as the Joker, his face once shrouded in shadows enters the light, revealing his joker makeup to the audience.

5 Bat-Signal

The bat signal was a well-known symbol before the movie had even been released due largely to some clever marketing strategies and the superhero’s extensive history. The scene at the end of 1989’s Batman when the night lights up with the bat-signal is iconic because it symbolizes hope for all Gotham City residents and reminds criminals that Batman is keeping watch. It was also a memorable moment for fans, as it represented a sequel to the superhero blockbuster.

4 Catwoman Emerges

After discovering Max Shreck’s (Christopher Walken) dirty secret about his new power plant. Shreck pushes Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) out of a towering building to her presumed death. When Kyle wakes, she is surrounded by a multitude of stray cats licking her wounds. She stumbles home in a daze ostensibly unphased by recent events. When a seemingly benign perfume ad on her answering machine sets her off, she frantically begins the transformation into Catwoman, pilfering her apartment for items to create the iconic costume.

3 Ice Princess Falls into Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree scene in Batman Returns is noteworthy as it is a great example of Burton’s visual artistry. In an elaborate attempt to frame Batman, Catwoman and Penguin (Danny Devito) kidnap the Ice Princess and eventually hold her hostage on a rooftop above Gotham City Plaza. While Batman endeavours to rescue her, Penguin releases an umbrella full of bats. Startled by the bats, the Ice Princess falls to her death, landing on the button she would have pressed for the tree lighting ceremony, had she survived. The tree does not light up but rather releases hundreds of bats into the night sky. Thus casting doubt on Batman in the eyes of the citizens of Gotham.

2 Costume Party

     Warner Bros

During Max Shreck’s annual “Max-querade Ball” Bruce Wayne arrives eyeing the room for Selina Kyle, who he’s been courting. Neither Wayne nor Kyle wears a costume in a cheeky twist of events, both seeking respite from their superhuman alter-egos. While dancing under the mistletoe, the two discover each other’s secret identities through cheeky banter. Once her identity is revealed Selina confides in Wayne her intention to murder Shreck. The Penguin interrupts her plans though when he crashes the party with ill intent of his own.

1 Electric Kiss

The movie’s climax takes place at Arctic World, where Catwoman, now revealed to Max as Selina Kyle is still bent on revenge. Max attempts to kill her but runs out of bullets and subsequently leaves her with 2 of her 9 lives. She mentions coyly she will save one for next Christmas. While placing her O’Mega Stun-Gun under the chin of Max she symbolically kisses him goodbye, before electrocuting him to a blackened husk. Shreck’s death is symbolic of his desire to siphon the power from Gotham with his surplus power plant, and also plays into Catwoman’s statement to Batman earlier in the film “A kiss can be even deadlier, if you mean it.”