Batman Returns.

Fully capitalizes on Tim Burton's unique and zany style without going so far that it's not a fit (eg: Schumacher with Forever and B&R).

Batman '89 is hard to top - especially because of Nicholson's Joker. But elementary school me DEFINITELY saw Batman Returns more times in theaters (I think 12 times). I went and saw that movie with every combination of person in my family and friend circle.

Also, still got a Cobblepot For Mayor button on my shelf.

To be honest, I think both movies aged badly. A couple of years ago, I went on a marathon of classic DC and Marvel movies with a friend who was a newcomer to the scene. I fondly remembered the Tim Burton movies as eternal classics, but on a rewatch, I didn't quite like them. The art direction is still amazing, but especially on Batman '89, the script is incredibly basic and uninspired. I also dislike the portrayal of Bruce Wayne as someone who has homicidal bursts. That said, the campy take on the Penguin and Catwoman is still highly entertaining to me, so I'll go with Batman Returns.

While Batman '89 largely kickstarted my entire Batman obsession as a kid (and got me into more than a few playground fights,) I will always choose Batman Returns and I continue to die on the hill that it is a Christmas movie (don't get me started on how many times I have written about that.)

I remember being really into these movies around the time they came out. Revisiting them more recently, I can appreciate them, but they've definitely lost some of their magic.

That said, I'm going to go with Batman Returns because it's got more personality, and that personality is pretty weird. Also, this might be controversial, but I think Jack Nicholson makes a fine villain, but not a very convincing Joker; the performance just isn't far removed enough from what he's done in any number of other movies. Gimme the unhinged duo of Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman and Danny Devito's Penguin any day.

(I think Jim Carrey gave a better Joker performance as Riddler in Batman Forever than Nicholson did in the '89 movie.)

Batman Returns has 1) Christmas 2) Paul Reubens and 3) Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman. BR is the winner!

@Jamie Lovett 100% agree on the Jim Carrey / Riddler / Joker take 🤣

I think they both truly get the vibe of the times ... although from a current perspective, they have aged "less than well." Nevertheless, Batman '89 feels more natural, while some characters in Batman Returns seem to be "trying too hard."

Both Batman ’89 and Batman Returns are great, but I lean toward Returns. Burton’s darker, gothic tone and Pfeiffer’s complex Catwoman make it stand out. ’89 is iconic, but Returns feels deeper and more atmospheric.

I generally like the original better, but it's been a good while since I've watched either of them. I'll rewatch and then come back to this thread.

89

Batman (89)

Let's have a Batman watch party! I haven't seen either one in years.