Batman Returns

The Brief

A Hidden Gem in Superhero Film History Batman Returns was Tim Burton’s second Batman movie, and while Batman (1989) was a hit, this sequel became a true global blockbuster. With Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic Catwoman, Danny DeVito’s chilling Penguin, and Christopher Walken as the ruthless tycoon opposing Michael Keaton’s Batman, Burton delivered his retro-gothic style at its peak. Warner Bros. built a massive expressionistic set inspired by Metropolis and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Walken’s character, Max Schreck, nods to Nosferatu, and the Penguin’s unsettling look recalls Lon Chaney’s lost classic London After Midnight. There are even references to the Reichstag fire. Batman is endlessly adaptable, which is why he remains one of America’s most frequently reinterpreted superheroes. Burton’s film sits perfectly between the flashy camp of the 1960s series and the gritty realism of Nolan’s trilogy—an underappreciated bridge and a true hidden gem. Good to know: * Age limit 12+ * Language: English * Subtitles: Norwegian