Batman (1989 film)
A dark, serious version of Batman's early war on crime.
Released in 1989, *Batman* is a superhero film directed by Tim Burton, with a screenplay by Sam Hamm and Warren Skaaren. It marks the first movie in Warner Bros.' original Batman film series, drawing from the DC Comics character. The cast includes Jack Nicholson, Michael Keaton, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl, Pat Hingle, Billy Dee Williams, Michael Gough, and Jack Palance. Danny Elfman composed the score, while Prince wrote the songs. The story follows the early stages of Batman’s (Keaton) crime-fighting career and his battle with his arch-nemesis, the Joker (Nicholson).
Burton was brought on as director in 1986, with Steve Englehart and Julie Hickson writing initial treatments before Hamm crafted the first screenplay. The project only got the green light after Burton’s *Beetlejuice* succeeded in 1988. The film’s tone and themes were shaped by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s *The Killing Joke* and Frank Miller’s *The Dark Knight Returns*. It primarily adapts the Joker’s “Red Hood” origin story but takes liberties: Batman accidentally causes gangster Jack Napier to fall into acid at Axis Chemicals, transforming him into the psychotic Joker. Batman co-creator Bob Kane served as a consultant.
Before Keaton was cast, many leading men were considered for the role. His casting sparked controversy because, by 1988, he was known mainly for comedic roles, leading many to doubt he could handle a serious part. Nicholson accepted the Joker role under strict conditions: top billing, a share of the film’s earnings (including merchandise), and a shooting schedule of his own choosing. Filming occurred at Pinewood Studios from October 1988 to January 1989. The budget rose from $30 million to $48 million, and the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike forced Hamm to leave. Skaaren handled rewrites, with additional uncredited work by Charles McKeown and Jonathan Gems.
*Batman* was a critical and commercial hit, grossing over $400 million worldwide. Critics and audiences praised Nicholson and Keaton’s performances, Burton’s direction, the production design, and Elfman’s score. At the time, it was the sixth-highest-grossing film in history. It earned several Saturn Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Nicholson, and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
Three sequels followed: *Batman Returns* (1992), with Burton and Keaton returning; *Batman Forever* (1995),
- director
- Tim Burton
- release_year
- 1989
- budget
- $48 million
- box_office
- over $400 million
- academy_award
- Best Art Direction
- based_on
- DC Comics character Batman
Lore & Background
After Burton was hired as director in 1986, Steve Englehart and Julie Hickson wrote film treatments before Hamm wrote the first screenplay. Batman was not greenlit until after the success of Burton's Beetlejuice (1988). The tone and themes of the film were partly influenced by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland's The Killing Joke and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. The film primarily adapts and then diverges from the 'Red Hood' origin story for the Joker, having Batman inadvertently cause gangster Jack Napier to fall into Axis Chemical acid, triggering his transformation into the psychotic Joker. Batman co-creator Bob Kane worked as a consultant for the film.
Numerous leading men were considered for the role of Batman before Keaton was cast. Keaton's casting was controversial since, by 1988, he had become typecast as a comedic actor and many observers had doubt he could portray a serious role. Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions that dictated top billing, a portion of the film's earnings (including associated merchandise), and his own shooting schedule. Filming took place at Pinewood Studios from October 1988 to January 1989. The budget escalated from $30 million to $48 million, while the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike forced Hamm to drop out. Skaaren did rewrites, with additional uncredited drafts done by Charles McKeown and Jonathan Gems.
Reader's Guide
Batman was both critically and financially successful, earning over $400 million in box office totals. Critics and audiences particularly praised Nicholson and Keaton's performances, Burton's direction, the production design, and composer Elfman's score. It was the sixth-highest-grossing film in history at the time of its release. The film received several Saturn Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for Nicholson's performance, and won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
The film was followed by three sequels: Batman Returns (1992), with both Burton and Keaton returning; Batman Forever (1995), with Joel Schumacher directing and Val Kilmer in the lead role; and Batman & Robin (1997), which featured George Clooney in the role. Keaton would later reprise the role of Batman in the DC Extended Universe film The Flash (2023). The film also led to the development of Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), which in turn began the DC Animated Universe of spin-off media, and has influenced Hollywood's modern marketing and development techniques of the superhero film genre. Two sequel novels were written by John Jackson Miller, Batman: Resurrection (2024) and Batman: Revolution (2025).
Did You Know?
- The film's budget escalated from $30 million to $48 million.
- Jack Nicholson accepted the role of the Joker under strict conditions including top billing and a portion of the film's earnings.
- The film won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction.
- Keaton later reprised the role of Batman in the DC Extended Universe film The Flash (2023).
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