Batman Returns (1992)

Name: Batman Returns (1992)
Director: Tim Burton
Genre: action, adventure, crime, fantasy, horror
Released: 1992-07-19
Duration: 1 hr 38 min
Rating: 7
Cast: Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Michelle Pfeiffer

DC Comics Extended Universe

1 hr 38 min

1991

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Rating

Trailer

Batman Returns (1992) Storyline

Directed once again by Tim Burton, Batman Returns is the darker, more twisted sequel to Batman (1989). Michael Keaton reprises his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, this time facing two of Gotham’s most iconic villains: Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).

The story dives deep into Gotham’s underbelly. The Penguin, abandoned as a child and raised in the sewers, emerges as a grotesque yet sympathetic villain with political ambitions, while Catwoman is born from Selina Kyle’s tragic transformation after surviving an attempted murder. Caught in the middle is Batman, torn between his duty to the city and his attraction to Catwoman.

Stylish, haunting, and filled with gothic atmosphere, Batman Returns pushed the superhero genre into darker territory, blending action, horror, and romance in Burton’s unmistakable style.

Director Tim Burton

Release date October 7, 1992

Genres

action adventure crime fantasy horror

Content rating 12

Duration 1 hr 38 min

Last Updated 23/08/2025

Cast

Danny DeVito Michael Keaton Michelle Pfeiffer

Batman Returns (1992) Cast & Crew

Danny DeVito

Michael Keaton

Michelle Pfeiffer

Batman Returns (1992) Review - 7/10 Rating

Where Batman (1989) introduced us to Gotham’s gothic tone, Batman Returns leaned fully into Burton’s dark, surreal world. Watching it as kids, Danny DeVito’s Penguin was absolutely terrifying — grotesque, tragic, and deeply unsettling. As adults, we can also appreciate just how brilliant his performance was, turning the Penguin into one of the most memorable Batman villains on screen.

The storyline focused heavily on Catwoman, and we’re not complaining. Michelle Pfeiffer gave us a performance that was seductive, complex, and vulnerable all at once. Her chemistry with Michael Keaton was electric, and her whip-cracking Catwoman instantly became an icon.

Keaton once again delivered a brooding Batman, perfectly balancing Gotham’s chaos with his calm intensity. However, some fans felt Batman took a backseat in his own film — but with villains this good, it’s easy to see why.

Burton’s dark fairy-tale style gave the film a unique tone: Christmas in Gotham had never felt so eerie. The sets, costumes, and Elfman’s haunting score made this one unforgettable, even if it leaned more toward a villain-driven story than a Batman one.

Overall, Batman Returns is a bold, dark, and stylish sequel — one that’s scarier than its predecessor, but just as fun to revisit.

Batman Returns (1992) Trivia

Did You Know?

Michelle Pfeiffer wasn’t the first choice for Catwoman — Annette Bening was originally cast but dropped out due to pregnancy.
Pfeiffer did her own whip stunts after months of training and reportedly knocked the heads off mannequins in one take.
Danny DeVito’s Penguin makeup took around four hours every day to apply.
The Penguin’s black saliva was achieved using a special food dye DeVito held in his mouth during scenes.
The movie’s dark tone and violence led to controversy with McDonald’s Happy Meal tie-ins, which were pulled after parents complained.
Michael Keaton was paid $11 million for the role — far more than the $5 million he received for the first film.
Director Tim Burton wanted to make the film more of a dark fairy tale than a traditional superhero movie.
Christopher Walken appears as Max Shreck, a villain created specifically for the movie — he later became a fan-favourite.
Many critics at the time argued Batman himself felt overshadowed by the villains, though fans now embrace this as part of the film’s unique charm.
Batman Returns was released during summer 1992 but is often remembered as a Christmas movie due to its snowy, festive Gotham setting.