Tim Burton's Batman: Chronological Guide to Watching and Reading

Tim Burton's influence on the DC Universe continues to resonate, even decades after his last directorial effort in the Batman franchise. In 2023, Michael Keaton returned as Bruce Wayne in The Flash, briefly integrating his version of Batman into the DCEU. However, the Burton-Verse is not confined to film; it expands through new comic books and novels, such as the recently announced Batman: Revolution.

Navigating the entirety of the Burton-Verse can be quite complex, but we're here to guide you through it. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of how the various Tim Burton Batman movies, novels, and comics interconnect.

For those interested in exploring the broader Batman saga, you can also refer to our complete guide on watching all the Batman movies in order.

How Many Burton-Verse Batman Stories Are There?

Including the upcoming Batman: Revolution, there are seven projects within Burton's Batman universe. This includes three films: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), and The Flash (2023); two novels: Batman: Resurrection and Batman: Revolution; and two comics: Batman '89 and Batman '89: Echoes.

Notably, Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) are no longer considered part of Burton's Batman universe, a detail we'll explore later.

Where to Buy Tim Burton’s Batman

While Burton's Batman movies are available for streaming on Max and the Batman '89 comics can be read on DC Universe Infinite, owning physical copies remains a popular choice. Here are some options for purchasing Burton-Verse movies and books:

Batman Favorites Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]

Batman Favorites Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]

Includes Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and Batman & Robin.

$90.00 save 28% - $64.99 at Amazon

Batman '89

Batman '89

$24.99 save 39% - $15.27 at Amazon

Batman '89: Echoes

Batman '89: Echoes

$24.99 save 10% - $22.49 at Amazon

Batman: Resurrection

Preorder for October 15

Batman: Resurrection

After The Joker’s death, Batman and Gotham City face a mysterious new threat in this direct sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic Batman.

$30.00 save 8% - $27.49 at Amazon

Batman: Revolution (Hardcover)

Out October 28

Batman: Revolution (Hardcover)

$30.00 save 10% - $27.00 at Amazon

Every Tim Burton Batman Movie and Book in Chronological Order

Each blurb contains a broad overview of the plot and mentions the heroes/villains who appear in that film or book.

1. Batman (1989)

This is the original movie that sparked it all. Burton’s first Batman film features Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight, early in his superhero career, battling Jack Nicholson's Joker. The movie ignited a summer of "Bat-Mania" and demonstrated a demand for darker, more mature superhero films in Hollywood.

2. Batman: Resurrection (2024)

In this novel by John Jackson Miller, set post-Batman, Batman grapples with the remnants of the Joker Gang and faces the shape-shifting villain Clayface. The book bridges the gap between Batman and Batman Returns, introducing Max Shreck (played by Christopher Walken in the film) and exploring the fallout of Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale's (Kim Basinger) relationship.

3. Batman: Revolution (2025)

Miller returns with another novel set between Batman and Batman Returns. Batman: Revolution introduces the Burton-Verse's Riddler, a newspaper copy editor named Norman Pinkus who turns to crime, exploiting Gotham's growing resentment towards its wealthy elite.

4. Batman Returns (1992)

Burton and Keaton reunite for this sequel, set a few years after the first movie. Batman confronts Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and Danny DeVito's Penguin during a tumultuous holiday season in Gotham. Plans for a third film fell through, leading to Burton and Keaton's departure from the series.

5. Batman ‘89 (2021)

This six-issue comic, written by Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones, is a direct sequel to Batman Returns, set three years later. It explores Burton's abandoned plans for a third film, featuring Billy Dee Williams' Harvey Dent turning into Two-Face and introducing a Robin inspired by Marlon Wayans. Catwoman also returns, continuing her story from Batman Returns.

Click here to learn more about how Batman ‘89 adds to the Burton-Verse.

6. Batman ‘89: Echoes (2024)

Batman '89: Echoes & Superman '78: The Metal Curtain Cover Gallery

11 Images

Batman '89: Echoes serves as a follow-up to Batman '89, acting as a hypothetical fourth Burton movie. Three years after Batman '89, Keaton's Bruce Wayne disappears, leaving Robin and a new Batgirl to confront Scarecrow (modeled after Jeff Goldblum) and Harley Quinn (modeled after Madonna).

7. The Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One (2019)

Every Character in the Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover

23 Images

For the most dedicated Burton-Verse fans, Robert Wuhl briefly reprises his role as Alexander Knox in the first part of The CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. The episode features a brief scene on Earth-89, where Knox reads a newspaper in a park as red skies loom over Gotham.

8. The Flash (2023)

Despite mixed reviews and box office performance, The Flash offers closure to Keaton's Batman saga. Keaton reprises his role as an older Bruce Wayne, drawn out of retirement by Ezra Miller's Barry Allen to face Michael Shannon's General Zod.

Tim Burton’s Batman Universe in Release Order

• Batman (1989)
• Batman Returns (1992)
• Batman ‘89 (2021)
• The Flash (2023)
• Batman ‘89: Echoes (2024)
• Batman: Resurrection (2024)
• Batman: Revolution (2025)

How Do Batman Forever and Batman & Robin Fit In?

Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) were initially viewed as sequels to Burton's films, despite the absence of Burton and Keaton. The presence of characters like Commissioner Gordon and Alfred provided some continuity. However, these films are now seen as tonally different and inferior to Burton's work. With The Flash, DC officially categorizes them as belonging to a separate DC Universe, with the Batman '89 comics serving as the canonical sequels to Batman Returns.

The Canceled Batgirl Movie

Warning: this section contains spoilers for The Flash!

Keaton's Batman was intended for a more extensive role in the DCEU, including an appearance in the canceled Batgirl movie. In this film, Keaton would have portrayed an aged mentor to Leslie Grace's Barbara Gordon, with J.K. Simmons reprising his role as Commissioner Gordon and Brendan Fraser as the villain Firefly. However, Warner Bros. canceled Batgirl during post-production as a tax write-off, aligning with their shift towards James Gunn and Peter Safran's new DCU.

For more on the future of DC movies, explore why Gunn needs to keep Robert Pattinson’s Batman out of the DCU and every DC movie and series in development.