All 10 Batman movies ranked from worst to greatest

4. Batman Returns

Release Date: June 19, 1992

Plot Summary: As Penguin wreaks havoc across Gotham with the aid of a heartless businessman, Batman must confront this new threat. Meanwhile, a female employee of the businessman transforms into the cunning Catwoman, driven by her own personal vendetta.

Cast: Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Christopher Walken as Max Shreck, Michael Gough as Alfred Pennyworth, and Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon.

Box Office Results: $266.8 million

Following the success of Batman, there was a lot of skepticism as to whether Tim Burton would be able to live up to the incredibly high bar he set with his first feature. Fortunately for fans, Burton more than exceeded expectations in avoiding the dreaded sequel curse by delivering another outstanding Batman film.

Michael Keaton delivered another incredible performance in the dual role of Bryce Wayne and Batman, with the film cementing his legacy as one of the best to ever play the character. His performance was further elevated by his amazing screen partners, including Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle/Catwoman. DeVito and Pfeiffer’s performances are regarded among the best adaptations of their respective characters to this day and left audiences wanting more.

It’s truly a shame Tim Burton and Michael Keaton weren’t able to team up for a third film as there is no telling what amazing stories could have been told in a final film or what characters Burton could have masterfully introduced next. Still, we have two amazing films from Burton as director and with Keaton at the lead which still hold up as some of the best films about the Dark Knight.