Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) are returning to movie theaters later this month.
The beloved superhero caper and its direct follow-up, both directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton in the title role, will be released in Dolby Cinema and Dolby Atmos for one night only on August 25.
Screenings for these new remastered versions will be held exclusively at over 160 Dolby Cinema and AMC Theaters across North America. This marks the first time both films will be presented in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
What’s New With the Batman and Batman Returns Re-Releases?
According to Variety, “The enhanced presentation promises to showcase Burton’s gothic vision of Gotham City with unprecedented clarity. Dolby Vision will deliver deeper blacks, sharper contrast, and more vivid colors, while Dolby Atmos will create a multi-dimensional sound experience that envelops audiences in everything from the Batwing’s engines to Danny Elfman’s celebrated score.”
Tim Burton’s 1989 film is one of the most celebrated films in the genre. Starring Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Jack Nicholson as The Joker, it is widely considered one of the most influential superhero films of all time, alongside Christopher Reeve’s Superman (1978).
The History of Michael Keaton’s Batman and the Burtonverse
Batman (1989) got a direct sequel in 1992 with Batman Returns. Keaton reprised his role, facing off against Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, before handing the Batcave over to Val Kilmer for Batman Forever (1995). Kilmer then passed the torch to George Clooney for Batman & Robin (1997). Both films were directed by Joel Schumacher.
In 2023, Keaton returned to play Batman in the DCEU movie, The Flash, appearing as a Multiversal variant of his character. His Burtonverse version of the Dark Knight, however, has also appeared in the comic books, “Batman ’89: Shadows” and “Batman ’89: Echoes”, and the novel by John Jackson Miller titled “Batman: Resurrection.”
Miller is currently penning a follow-up titled “Batman: Revolution,” which will be released in October.
Related: Michael Keaton’s Batman History Explained as Official Burtonverse Sequel Looms
Will Michael Keaton Ever Return?
Keaton also filmed scenes for the Batgirl movie, which was famously scrapped by Warner Bros. in 2022. While the chances of seeing the actor return to the role again are slim, especially now that James Gunn’s Superman (2025) has kick-started a brand-new DC Universe, which is expected to feature a new Batman, fans who never got to see Burton’s two films on the big screen will now at least get the chance to do so later this month.
“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,” Burton said of the upcoming re-release of his two films. “Dolby Atmos and Vision brought it all to life in a fresh way.”
Related: Goodbye, Michael Keaton — Actor Recast in New ‘Batman’ (1989) Sequel
Expect New Cinematic Experiences for the Two Films
“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.”
Jeff Goldstein, president of global distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, added: “Tim Burton’s acclaimed Batman films deliver a dark, iconic vision of Gotham City that continues to influence the modern super hero 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.”
Batman and Batman Returns will be released exclusively in over 160 Dolby Cinema and AMC Theaters across North America on August 25.
Will you try to catch these beloved superhero movies in Dolby theaters on August 25? Let us know in the comments section down below!
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