Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Movie, 2000, Animated, Set in Neo-Gotham
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is #9 of 26 in release order and #9 of 26 in chronological order in the Batman.
The story
The Joker is back with a vengeance, and Neo-Gotham's Dark Knight, Terry McGinnis, needs answers as he stands alone to face the old Gotham's most infamous Clown Prince of Crime.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker recap
The Joker reappears in Neo-Gotham decades after he vanished, leading the Jokerz gang in a string of high-tech thefts, and Bruce insists it cannot be him. Terry learns from Barbara Gordon what happened: years earlier the Joker and Harley Quinn kidnapped the young Robin, Tim Drake, and tortured him for weeks until he became a small copy of the Joker. In the fight that followed, the brainwashed Tim shot the Joker dead and Barbara buried the body, and Bruce, guilty over what happened to Tim, eventually retired. The new Joker attacks Bruce in the Batcave, leaving him badly hurt, and Terry learns the stolen equipment is being used to take over a military satellite.
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker ending explained
The new Joker is Tim Drake, now a grown man: the Joker had planted a microchip in him carrying his own mind, and it has been taking Tim over. Terry beats the Joker on his space-weapon base by mocking him into rage, then destroys the chip with a joy buzzer, freeing Tim. Tim recovers, and Bruce, who had wanted Terry to quit, tells him he is Batman for good.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is streaming on YouTube (free) in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10, Rotten Tomatoes 100%
Where it fits
- Release order: after Batman Beyond, before The Batman.
- Chronological order: after Batman Beyond, before Batman Begins.
What to watch before Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker
In release order, the essentials before Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) are Batman: The Animated Series (1992), Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), and Batman Beyond (1999).
Cast
- Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis / Batman (voice)
- Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne (voice)
- Mark Hamill as The Joker (voice)
- Angie Harmon as Commissioner Barbara Gordon (voice)
- Dean Stockwell as Tim Drake (voice)
- Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn (voice)
- Tara Strong as Batgirl (voice)
- Mathew Valencia as Robin (voice)
- Andrea Romano as Laughing Boy (voice)
- Melissa Joan Hart as Dee Dee (voice)
- Henry Rollins as Bonk (voice)
- Michael Rosenbaum as Ghoul (voice)
Directed by Curt Geda.