Batman
Movie, 1989, Burton, Set in Gotham City
Batman is #2 of 26 in release order and #2 of 26 in chronological order in the Batman.
The story
Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman known as 'The Joker' seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale.
Batman recap
Gotham City is run by crime boss Carl Grissom, and a masked vigilante is frightening its criminals. Photographer Vicki Vale and reporter Alexander Knox look into the Batman legend, and Vicki starts dating Bruce Wayne. Grissom sets up his right-hand man, Jack Napier, who is sleeping with Grissom's mistress, to die in a police raid on Axis Chemicals. Batman intervenes, and Jack falls into a vat of chemicals. He comes out with white skin, green hair and a fixed grin, calls himself the Joker, kills Grissom and takes over his gangs. The Joker poisons cosmetics with Smylex, a chemical that kills people laughing, and becomes obsessed with Vicki. Bruce realises the Joker is the mugger who murdered his parents in front of him when he was a boy, and tells Vicki he is Batman.
Batman ending explained
The Joker lures Gotham to a parade by throwing money from balloons filled with Smylex gas. Batman hauls the balloons away with the Batwing, but the Joker shoots it down and drags Vicki up a cathedral bell tower. Batman fights him at the top; as the Joker escapes on a helicopter ladder, Batman ties his leg to a stone gargoyle, and the Joker falls to his death. Commissioner Gordon unveils the Bat-Signal and Alfred brings Vicki to the Batmobile.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Batman
Batman is streaming on HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.5/10, Rotten Tomatoes 77%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Batman, before Batman Returns.
- Chronological order: after Batman, before Batman Returns.
What to watch before Batman
Nothing. Batman (1989) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Michael Keaton as Batman / Bruce Wayne
- Jack Nicholson as Joker / Jack Napier
- Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale
- Robert Wuhl as Alexander Knox
- Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon
- Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent
- Michael Gough as Alfred
- Jack Palance as Grissom
- Jerry Hall as Alicia
- Tracey Walter as Bob the Goon
- Lee Wallace as Mayor
- William Hootkins as Eckhardt
Directed by Tim Burton.