Tim Burton's Batman Universe: Chronological Viewing and Reading Guide

Tim Burton's influence on the DC Universe remains significant, even decades after his last Batman film. Michael Keaton's return as Bruce Wayne in 2023's The Flash brought his version of Batman into the DCEU, albeit briefly. The Burton-Verse continues to expand with new comic books and novels, including the recently announced Batman: Revolution.

Navigating the entire Burton-Verse can be complex, but we're here to guide you through it. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of how Tim Burton's Batman movies, novels, and comics interconnect.

You can also explore our full guide to watching all the Batman movies in order.

How Many Burton-Verse Batman Stories Are There?

Including the upcoming Batman: Revolution, there are seven projects set in 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 not part of Burton’s Batman universe. We'll explain why later.

Where to Buy Tim Burton’s Batman

While Burton's Batman movies are available to stream on Max and the Batman ‘89 comics on DC Universe Infinite, owning physical copies can enhance your collection. Here are some recommended options:

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 contains a broad overview of the plot and mentions the heroes/villains who appear in that film or book.

1. Batman (1989)

This is the original movie that sparked it all. Burton’s first Batman pits Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight, early in his superhero career, against Jack Nicholson’s Joker. The movie ignited a summer of "Bat-Mania" and demonstrated a strong demand for darker, more mature superhero films in Hollywood.

2. Batman: Resurrection (2024)

John Jackson Miller's novel is set in the aftermath of the first movie, as Batman deals with the remnants of the Joker Gang and confronts the shape-shifting villain Clayface. The book bridges the gap between Batman and Batman Returns, introducing Christopher Walken’s Max Shreck and providing deeper insight into the collapse of Bruce Wayne and Vicki Vale’s (Kim Basinger) romance.

3. Batman: Revolution (2025)

Miller returns with another novel set between Batman and Batman Returns. Revolution introduces the Burton-Verse’s version of Riddler, a newspaper copy editor named Norman Pinkus who turns to crime after feeling unappreciated for his crime-solving skills, capitalizing on Gotham’s resentment towards its wealthy elite.

4. Batman Returns (1992)

Burton and Keaton reunite for this sequel, set a few years after the first film. Batman faces Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s Penguin as Gotham City endures a tumultuous holiday season. Plans for a third movie fell through, leading to Burton and Keaton's departure from what became Batman Forever.

5. Batman ‘89 (2021)

DC’s Batman ‘89 comic serves as a direct sequel to Batman Returns, set three years later. Written by Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm and illustrated by Joe Quinones, it draws from Burton’s abandoned third movie plans. The comic sees Billy Dee Williams’ Harvey Dent become Two-Face and introduces a Robin modeled after Marlon Wayans, with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman returning.

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

Batman ‘89: Echoes continues the comic series, acting as a hypothetical fourth Burton movie. Three years after Batman ‘89, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne goes missing, leaving Robin and the new Batgirl to confront Scarecrow (modeled after Jeff Goldblum) and Harley Quinn (modeled after Madonna).

7. The Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One (2019)

Every Character in the Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover

23 Images

While not essential for most fans, Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One features Robert Wuhl reprising his role as Alexander Knox on Earth-89, offering a brief glimpse into the Burton-Verse.

8. The Flash (2023)

Despite its mixed reception, The Flash provides closure for Keaton’s Batman. Keaton returns as an older Bruce Wayne, drawn out of retirement by Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen and the threat of Michael Shannon’s 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?

Basketball Forever (1995) and Batman & Robin (1997) were initially considered sequels to Batman and Batman Returns, despite Burton and Keaton's absence. The presence of characters like Pat Hingle’s Commissioner Gordon and Michael Gough’s Alfred provided some continuity. However, these films are now seen as tonally different and inferior to their predecessors.

With The Flash, DC officially places Batman Forever and Batman & Robin in a separate DC Universe. The Batman ‘89 comics are now the canon sequels to Batman Returns, detailing Keaton’s Bruce Wayne's journey between Returns and The Flash.

The Canceled Batgirl Movie

Warning: this section contains spoilers for The Flash!

The Flash was not meant to be the end for Keaton’s Batman. Plans included an ongoing role in the DCEU, with a previous version of the movie ending with Keaton’s Bruce and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl entering the restored DCEU. This led to Keaton reprising his role in the canceled Batgirl movie, where he played a mentor to Leslie Grace’s Barbara Gordon, with J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon and Brendan Fraser as Firefly.

The Batgirl movie reached post-production before being canceled by WB as a tax write-off, becoming a casualty of the studio's shifting plans for the DC line and the transition to James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU. Without leaks, Keaton's final Batman performance may remain unseen.

For more on DC's future, discover why Gunn needs to keep Robert Pattinson’s Batman out of the DCU and explore every DC movie and series in development.