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Crime thriller

Batman (1989): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Batman (1989) movie poster

Batman is a 1989 crime thriller directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson. It brings to the screen characters from Batman: The Golden Age Vol. 1 by Bill Finger and Bob Kane. It runs 2 hours 6 minutes and earned $411.6 million worldwide on a $35 million budget. It earned 5 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the BAFTA 1990. Critics gave it 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

IMDb rating
7.5/10
worldwide gross
$411.6M
award nominations
5
Metascore
69
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Batman (1989) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 6m (126 min)
Director
Tim Burton
Genres
Thriller , Crime
Original language
English
Budget
$35M
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Batman About?

The premise of Batman without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In Gotham City, a masked vigilante known as Batman rises to confront the city's criminal underworld. His mission is challenged when the chaotic and manipulative Joker arrives, pushing Batman to his limits and testing his methods. The film depicts a dark and intense conflict between order and anarchy, establishing a new standard for superhero narratives.

Batman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • bruce wayne character
  • batman character
  • alfred pennyworth character
  • harvey dent character
  • james gordon character
  • martha wayne character
  • thomas wayne character
  • blockbuster
  • based on comic book
  • joker character
  • vicki vale character
  • criminal
+38 more
  • death of parents
  • animal in title
  • costumed hero
  • city
  • police
  • hero
  • parent killed in front of child
  • joker card
  • double life
  • good versus evil
  • superhero
  • organized crime
  • dual identity
  • batwing
  • fictional city
  • character name in title
  • gotham city
  • famous score
  • one word title
  • supervillain
  • wayne manor
  • cult film
  • cult director
  • pantyhose
  • slow motion scene
  • bat
  • maniac
  • mobster
  • gender in title
  • wealth
  • superhero action
  • laughter
  • female photojournalist
  • blonde woman
  • disfigured villain
  • assassination
  • product tampering
  • museum
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Cast & crew

Batman Cast

Michael Keaton leads the cast, with Jack Nicholson. Directed by Tim Burton.

Ratings

Batman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Batman 69 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.5/10.

Plot

Batman Plot Summary

What happens in Batman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The mayor of Gotham City is determined to tackle rising crime rates in anticipation of the city’s bicentennial and consequently commands District Attorney Harvey Dent and Police Commissioner James Gordon to ramp up police efforts. In the midst of this turmoil, reporter Alexander Knox and photojournalist Vicki Vale take on the task of investigating a mysterious vigilante known only as “Batman,” who is said to be systematically eliminating criminals from the streets.

Full summary

The whole story of Batman, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Batman Box Office & Budget

Batman grossed $411.6 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, 12 times what it cost. $251.4 million came from the US and Canada and $160.2 million (39%) from the rest of the world.

1989 box office

Worldwide gross

$411.6M

12× its budget

US & Canada
$251.4M
International
$160.2M
Budget
$35M
US & Canada 61% Rest of the world 39%
Awards

Batman Awards & Nominations

Batman earned 5 award nominations, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the BAFTA 1990.

5 nominations1 ceremony

  • British Academy Film Awards logo
    BAFTA 1990 5 nominations
    • Nominated Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Jack Nicholson
    • Nominated Best Costume Design
    • Nominated Best Production Design
    • Nominated Best Sound
    • Nominated Best Special Visual Effects
Videos

Batman Trailers & Videos

17 videos: 2 trailers, 1 teaser, 9 clips, 4 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 17 videos
Original Trailer
  • Trailer Modern Trailer Recut
  • Teaser Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Clip Joker Kills His Boss Carl Grissom Scene
  • Clip Joker Transformation Scene
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Batman?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the mayor of Gotham City in Batman (1989)?

Cars

Cars in Batman

40 cars on screen, including the 1989 Batmobile and the 1980 Chevrolet Citation.

All 40 cars
  • 1989 Batmobile in Batman 1989 Batmobile Featured role
  • 1980 Chevrolet Citation in Batman 1980 Chevrolet Citation Important role
  • 1979 Chevrolet Malibu in Batman 1979 Chevrolet Malibu Important role
  • 1972 Dodge 3700 GT in Batman 1972 Dodge 3700 GT Important role
Details

Batman Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “Betmen” and “Netopierí muž”.

Also known as
  • Betmen
  • Netopierí muž
  • Tim Burton’s Batman
  • Batman ‘89
  • 蝙蝠侠1
  • Бэтмен
  • Batman – A Denevérember
  • Батман
  • 蝙蝠侠
  • Бетмен
  • באטמן
  • Μπάτμαν
+10 more
  • バットマン
  • 배트맨
  • 蝙蝠俠
  • แบทแมน
  • Betmenas
  • Người Dơi
  • بتمن
  • बैटमैन
  • ਬੈਟਮੈਨ
  • Betmens

Seen Batman?

FAQ

Batman FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Batman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Batman?

Batman runs 2 hours 6 minutes (126 minutes).

When was Batman released?

Batman was released on June 23, 1989.

Who directed Batman?

Batman was directed by Tim Burton.

More films by Tim Burton

Who is in the cast of Batman?

Batman stars Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.

How much did Batman make at the box office?

Batman grossed $411.6 million worldwide ($251.4 million domestic, $160.2 million international) on a budget of $35 million.

How is Batman rated?

Batman has 7.5/10 on IMDb, 69 on Metacritic and 72% on TMDB.

Was Batman nominated for any awards?

Batman received 5 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Batman have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Batman has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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