While Tim Burton hasn't directed a Batman film in over three decades, his distinctive version of Gotham City continues to thrive. Michael Keaton famously returned as Bruce Wayne in 2023's The Flash, briefly merging Burton's Batman with the DCEU. The Burtonverse now grows through new literary expansions like the announced Batman: Revolution.
The interconnected nature of these projects makes navigating the Burtonverse surprisingly complex. Our comprehensive guide explains how the films, novels, and comics interconnect chronologically and thematically.
Explore our complete guide to watching every Batman film in order for additional context.
How Many Burton-Verse Batman Stories Exist?
Counting the upcoming Batman: Revolution, there are seven core Burtonverse projects - three films, two novels, and two comics: 1989's Batman, 1992's Batman Returns, 2023's The Flash, novels Batman: Resurrection and Batman: Revolution, plus comics Batman '89 and Batman '89: Echoes.
Note this excludes 1995's Batman Forever and 1997's Batman & Robin, which DC now considers separate continuity. We'll explain this distinction later.
Where to Purchase Tim Burton's Batman
While available digitally on Max and DC Universe Infinite, physical collectors have excellent options:
Batman Favorites Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]
Includes Burton's Batman, Batman Returns, plus subsequent films Batman Forever and Batman & Robin.
$64.99 at Amazon (28% off $90 MSRP)
Batman '89
$15.27 at Amazon (39% off $24.99 MSRP)
Batman '89: Echoes
$22.49 at Amazon (10% off $24.99 MSRP)
Tim Burton's Batman in Chronological Order
1. Batman (1989)
The iconic origin establishes Michael Keaton's Dark Knight battling Jack Nicholson's Joker in Burton's signature Gothic vision. This cultural phenomenon proved darker superhero films could succeed.
2. Batman: Resurrection (2024)
John Jackson Miller's novel bridges the gap between the first two films, exploring Joker Gang remnants and introducing Clayface while foreshadowing Batman Returns' Max Shreck.
3. Batman: Revolution (2025)
Miller's sequel novel presents Burton's version of Riddler - newspaper editor Norman Pinkus who turns villain amid Gotham's class tensions.
4. Batman Returns (1992)
Burton's holiday-themed sequel teams Keaton with Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and Danny DeVito's grotesque Penguin, establishing Burton's definitive Gotham aesthetic.
5. Batman '89 (2021)
This comic sequel realizes Burton's unmade third film, featuring Two-Face (Billy Dee Williams) and introducing Marlon Wayans-inspired Robin alongside Pfeiffer's Catwoman.
6. Batman '89: Echoes (2024)
Set three years later, this sequel comic features Robin and new Batgirl combating Jeff Goldblum-inspired Scarecrow and Madonna-inspired Harley Quinn.
8. The Flash (2023)
While divisive, this film provided closure for Keaton's Batman, showing his older version aiding Ezra Miller's Flash against General Zod.
The Legacy of Burton's Batman
The original continuity between Burton's films and the Joel Schumacher sequels has been officially retconned. The Batman '89 comics now serve as canonical sequels, with The Flash establishing Keaton's final chronological appearance.
The canceled Batgirl movie would have further expanded this universe, featuring Keaton as a mentor to Leslie Grace's Barbara Gordon. While shelved, these developments demonstrate the enduring appeal of Burton's distinctive Batman vision.
