Tim Burton's influence on the DC Universe remains strong even decades after his last Batman film. In 2023, Michael Keaton reprised his iconic role as Bruce Wayne in The Flash, briefly integrating his Batman into the DCEU. However, the Burton-Verse continues to grow with new comic books and novels, such as the upcoming Batman: Revolution.
Navigating the entire Burton-Verse can be complex, but we're here to guide you through it. Below, you'll find a comprehensive overview of how all the Tim Burton Batman movies, novels, and comics interconnect.
For a complete guide on watching all Batman movies in sequence, check out our full guide to watching all the Batman movies in order.
How Many Burton-Verse Batman Stories Are There?
Including the forthcoming Batman: Revolution, there are currently seven projects within Burton’s Batman universe. These consist of three films, two novels, and two comics: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), The Flash (2023), the novels Batman: Resurrection and Batman: Revolution, and the comics Batman '89 and Batman '89: Echoes.
Note that Batman Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) are not considered part of Burton’s universe, a distinction we'll explore later.
Where to Buy Tim Burton’s Batman
While you can stream Burton’s Batman movies on Max and read the Batman '89 comics on DC Universe Infinite, owning physical copies can be rewarding. Here are some options for purchasing Burton-Verse materials:
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 provides a broad overview of the plot and mentions the heroes/villains featured in that film or book.
1. Batman (1989)
This is the original movie that kicked off the saga. Burton’s first Batman film features Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight, still early in his superhero career, battling Jack Nicholson's Joker. The movie sparked a wave of "Bat-Mania" and showcased a demand for darker, more mature superhero films in Hollywood.
2. Batman: Resurrection (2024)
John Jackson Miller's novel is set after the first movie, with Batman confronting the remnants of the Joker Gang and the emergence of Clayface. It bridges the gap between Batman and Batman Returns, introducing Max Shreck and delving deeper into the end of Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale’s relationship.
3. Batman: Revolution (2025)
Miller’s second novel, set between Batman and Batman Returns, introduces the Burton-Verse’s Riddler, Norman Pinkus, a newspaper copy editor who turns to crime due to his unrecognized crime-solving skills, exploiting Gotham’s resentment towards its elite.
4. Batman Returns (1992)
Burton and Keaton returned for this sequel, set a few years after the first film. Batman faces 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 Batman Forever.
5. Batman ‘89 (2021)
The Batman ‘89 comic, a direct sequel to Batman Returns, is set three years later. Written by Sam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones, it incorporates Burton’s scrapped ideas for a third film. It features Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent turning into Two-Face, introduces a Robin inspired by Marlon Wayans, and brings back Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman.
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
Acting as a hypothetical fourth Burton movie, Batman ‘89: Echoes follows three years after Batman ‘89. Keaton’s Bruce Wayne is missing, leaving Robin and Batgirl to tackle Scarecrow and Harley Quinn.
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 die-hard Burton-Verse fans, Robert Wuhl briefly reprises his role as Alexander Knox in Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One. The episode shifts to Earth-89, showing Knox reading a newspaper amidst red skies over Gotham, part of numerous DC live-action cameos.
8. The Flash (2023)
Though it received mixed reviews, *The Flash* provides closure to Keaton's Batman narrative. Keaton returns as an older Bruce Wayne, drawn out of retirement by Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen and the threat of General Zod, portrayed by Michael Shannon.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 and Batman & Robin were once seen as sequels to Burton's films, despite neither Burton nor Keaton returning. They share some continuity through characters like Commissioner Gordon and Alfred, but their tone and reception differ significantly. With The Flash, DC now considers these films part of a separate universe, with Batman '89 comics serving as the canonical sequels to Batman Returns.
The Canceled Batgirl Movie
Warning: this section contains spoilers for The Flash!
Keaton was set to continue his Batman role beyond The Flash in the DCEU, but plans changed. An earlier cut of The Flash reportedly ended with Keaton's Bruce Wayne and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl transitioning into the restored DCEU, setting the stage for the Batgirl movie. Keaton would have played a mentor akin to Batman Beyond, with Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon, J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon, and Brendan Fraser as Firefly. However, Warner Bros. canceled Batgirl during post-production for a tax write-off, marking a significant shift in their DC plans and the move towards James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU.
For more on DC's future, learn why Gunn needs to keep Robert Pattinson’s Batman out of the DCU and explore every DC movie and series in development.
