Tim Burton's influence on the DC Universe remains robust even decades after his last Batman film. Michael Keaton's reprise of Bruce Wayne in 2023's The Flash temporarily brought his Batman into the DCEU, yet the Burton-Verse continues to grow with new comic books and novels, including the recently announced Batman: Revolution.
Navigating the Burton-Verse can be complex, but we've got you covered. Below is a comprehensive guide to all the Tim Burton Batman movies, novels, and comics, and how they interconnect.
For those interested in the broader Batman saga, don't miss our 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: three films, two novels, and two comics. These include Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), and The Flash (2023), along with 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 no longer part of Burton’s Batman 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 access the Batman ‘89 comics on DC Universe Infinite, owning physical copies has its perks. Here are some top options for purchasing the 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 provides a broad overview of the plot and mentions the heroes/villains featured.
1. Batman (1989)
The film that launched it all, Burton's first Batman features Michael Keaton's Dark Knight early in his career facing off against Jack Nicholson's Joker. It sparked "Bat-Mania" and showcased the demand for darker superhero films.
2. Batman: Resurrection (2024)
John Jackson Miller's novel follows the aftermath of the first film, with Batman tackling the remnants of the Joker Gang and the emergence of Clayface. It bridges Batman and Batman Returns, introducing Max Shreck and delving deeper into 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, a newspaper copy editor named Norman Pinkus, who turns to crime due to Gotham's growing resentment towards its elite.
4. Batman Returns (1992)
Burton and Keaton return for this sequel, set years after the first film. Batman battles Catwoman and the Penguin amidst Gotham's tumultuous holiday season. Plans for a third film fell through, leading to Batman Forever.
5. Batman ‘89 (2021)
This comic, written by Sam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones, directly follows Batman Returns. It introduces Two-Face and a Robin modeled after Marlon Wayans, while also bringing back Catwoman.
Click here to learn more about how Batman ‘89 adds to the Burton-Verse.
6. Batman ‘89: Echoes (2024)
Hamm and Quinones continue the saga with Batman ‘89: Echoes, a hypothetical fourth Burton film. Three years after Batman ‘89, Bruce Wayne goes missing, leaving Robin and Batgirl to face Scarecrow and Harley Quinn.
7. The Flash (2023)
Despite mixed reviews, *The Flash* offered closure for Keaton's Batman. An older Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement after meeting Barry Allen and confronting 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?
Bacon Forever and Batman & Robin were initially seen as sequels, but without Burton or Keaton, they diverged significantly in tone and quality. With The Flash, DC now considers these films part of a separate DC Universe, while the Batman ‘89 comics serve as the official sequels to Batman Returns.
The Canceled Batgirl Movie
Warning: this section contains spoilers for The Flash!
Keaton was set to continue in the DCEU beyond The Flash, but plans changed. An earlier version of The Flash had Keaton's Batman and Supergirl crossing into the DCEU. Keaton reprised his role in the canceled Batgirl film, which positioned him as a mentor to Barbara Gordon. The film was scrapped during post-production as a tax writeoff, a casualty of shifting studio plans and the transition to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU.
For more on DC's future, explore why Gunn needs to keep Robert Pattinson’s Batman out of the DCU and check out every DC movie and series in development.
