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

Navigating the Burton-Verse can be quite complex due to its expanding nature. Here’s a detailed guide to help you understand how the various Tim Burton Batman movies, novels, and comics interlink.

You can also explore our comprehensive guide on watching all the Batman movies in order.

How Many Burton-Verse Batman Stories Are There?

Including the forthcoming Batman: Revolution, there are currently seven projects within Burton’s Batman universe. These encompass three films, two novels, and two comics: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1992), The Flash (2023), 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 no longer considered part of Burton’s Batman universe, a distinction we'll discuss further below.

Where to Buy Tim Burton’s Batman

While Burton’s Batman movies are available for streaming on Max and the Batman ‘89 comics can be read on DC Universe Infinite, owning physical copies can enhance your collection. Here are some purchasing options:

Batman Favorites Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]

Batman Favorites Collection [4K UHD + Blu-Ray]

This collection 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

Following the Joker's demise, Batman faces a new threat in Gotham City.

$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 entry includes a broad plot overview and highlights the key heroes and villains.

1. Batman (1989)

The film that sparked it all, where Michael Keaton's Batman confronts Jack Nicholson's Joker during his early days as a superhero, igniting a wave of "Bat-Mania" and paving the way for more mature superhero films.

2. Batman: Resurrection (2024)

Set after the first movie, this novel by John Jackson Miller follows Batman as he tackles the remnants of the Joker Gang and the emergence of Clayface, bridging the narrative gap to Batman Returns and delving deeper into Bruce Wayne's personal life.

3. Batman: Revolution (2025)

Continuing between Batman and Batman Returns, this novel introduces the Burton-Verse's Riddler, Norman Pinkus, who turns to crime after feeling unappreciated, exploiting Gotham's growing disdain for its elite.

4. Batman Returns (1992)

In this sequel, Batman battles Catwoman and the Penguin amidst a tumultuous holiday season in Gotham, marking the last collaboration between Burton and Keaton on a Batman film.

5. Batman ‘89 (2021)

This comic series acts as a sequel to Batman Returns, set three years later, exploring Burton's unproduced third movie ideas. It features Harvey Dent's transformation into Two-Face and introduces Robin, with Catwoman returning.

Click here to learn more about how Batman ‘89 adds to the Burton-Verse.

6. Batman ‘89: Echoes (2024)

Acting as a hypothetical fourth Burton movie, this comic follows the disappearance of Bruce Wayne, leaving Robin and Batgirl to confront Scarecrow and Harley Quinn.

7. The Flash (2023)

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?

Originally considered sequels, Batman Forever and Batman & Robin diverged significantly in tone from Burton's films. With the release of The Flash, they are now recognized as belonging to a separate DC Universe, with Batman ‘89 serving as the canonical continuation of Burton's narrative.

The Canceled Batgirl Movie

Warning: this section contains spoilers for The Flash!

Keaton's Batman was set to continue in the DCEU with a role in the now-canceled Batgirl movie, where he would mentor a new Batgirl. This project was scrapped as a tax write-off, marking a significant shift in DC's cinematic strategy toward James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU.

For further insights into the DC cinematic universe, discover why Gunn needs to keep Robert Pattinson’s Batman out of the DCU and stay updated with every DC movie and series in development.