Tim Burton’s Batman Movies Return to Theaters With Significant Upgrades: ‘Completely New Cinematic Experiences’

Tim Burton’s take on Batman is considered to be one of the best film versions of the iconic DC comic. Starring Michael Keaton as the titular Caped Crusader, Burton’s 1989 Batman won an Academy Award for Best Art Direction. The 1992 follow-up, Batman Returns, continued the story and featured the addition of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman and Danny DeVito’s take on Penguin.

Now, decades after Batman and Batman Returns were first released, the films are headed back to the big screen in a one-night-only event in a “completely new cinematic experience.” Per Variety, the two films are returning, exclusively at Dolby Cinema locations on Aug. 25. Batman and Batman Returns will be presented at more than 160 Dolby Cinema at AMC Theaters in the U.S. on that night.

Not only will fans be able to see Michael Keaton and company on the big screen, but the Aug. 25 event will mark the first time that both Batman and Batman Returns will be screened in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The premium treatment of the film will be an opportunity for comic book fans to see Burton’s darker vision of Gotham City in a new light.

Dolby Vision is known for its deeper tones on screen as well as more vivid colors and sharper contrast. Dolby Atmos is expected to create a more “multi-dimensional” sound experience, sure to showcase Danny Elfman’s iconic music. Screening the films in this premium way is a full-circle moment for Batman Returns, as it was the first movie to be presented in Dolby Digital back in 1992.

Burton had this to say about the two movies returning to the big screen: “I hadn’t watched these films since I made them, and seeing them again with this level of clarity, beauty, color, and sound felt really new and exciting. Dolby Atmos and Vision brought it all to life in a fresh way.”

“Batman and Batman Returns remain seminal films in the history of the superhero genre,” said Michelle Maddalena, VP of global content and industry relations at Dolby. “The new presentation of these films in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos honors Tim Burton’s bold creativity while showcasing how far audio and image technology have evolved,” she continued.

President of Global Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, Jeff Goldstein, added, “Tim Burton’s acclaimed Batman films deliver a dark, iconic version of Gotham City that continues to influence the modern superhero genre today. With their advancements over the past decades, Dolby now transforms these beloved classics into completely new cinematic experiences through Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, delivering unprecedented visual and audio fidelity.”

The Status of The Batman Part II is Still Up in the Air

While Burton’s take on Batman remains one of the best, several other filmmakers have brought their own iteration of Bruce Wayne to the big screen. Notably, Christian Bale starred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, starting with 2005’s Batman Begins, and continuing with The Dark Knight (2008) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

Matt Reeves then directed 2022’s The Batman, which starred Robert Pattinson in the titular role. The follow-up to The Batman has faced several hurdles, and now The Batman Part II is slated for an October 2027 release. In June, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn offered a status update on The Batman Part II. “What Matt’s (Reeves) doing is still really important, despite all stories to the contrary,” Gunn told Entertainment Weekly. “We’re supposed to see that script shortly, and I can’t wait,” he added.

In addition to Keaton, Batman starred Jack Nicholson as Joker, Kim Basinger as Vicki Vale, Billy Dee Williams as Harvey Dent, and Michael Gough as Alfred. Keaton and Gough returned for the sequel, which also starred Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, and Christopher Walken. Batman was a huge hit in 1989, earning more than $411.5 million worldwide against a budget of $35 million, per Box Office Mojo. The 1992 sequel earned $266.9 million globally with an $80 million budget.

Fans can buy tickets for Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns via the AMC Theaters website.

Source: Variety