The free streaming service Tubi

continues to add exciting new titles to its library. Some iconic titles (and one infamous movie) in DC’s library are now available on the platform, with Tim Burton’s 1989 film Batman, its sequel Batman Returns, and the third film in the trilogy, Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher, now all available to stream for free on the platform. There have been many live-action iterations of the Caped Crusader, but Burton’s interpretation of the character remains influential for showing the potential of comic book adaptations.
While Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy would set a new prestige precedent for what comic book movies could be in the modern era, Tim Burton’s Batman movies arguably first proved that such projects were viable. From the larger-than-life depiction of Gotham City, to the iconic castings of Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Jack Nicholson as The Joker, Batman 1989 truly felt like a comic book brought to life. Now, the movie will become even more widely available on Tubi, as it is now free to watch with advertisements.

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There is also the sequel, Batman Returns, a now-classic Christmas movie that expands upon Burton’s vision of Gotham with two new villains. Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as the Penguin would become as memorable as Nicholson’s Joker in a darker sequel that would be Burton and Keaton’s last Batman collaboration. The third film that would follow up, Batman Returns, shifted into an entirely new direction and tone, along with a new actor, the late, great Val Kilmer, playing the Caped Crusader.
Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ Set a Precedent For Future Comic Book Movies

Warner Bros.

Batman Forever is the standalone sequel to Batman Returns, although it features an entirely new director and cast. In place of Burton is Joel Schumacher, who would go on to direct the remaining films in the series. Val Kilmer takes on the iconic role in his first and only turn as Bruce Wayne/Batman, picking up the mantle and leading this more lighthearted and cartoonish comic book movie. The third film received mixed reviews at the time, but continued the box office success trend from Burton’s previous entries, and is now looked upon fondly by fans.
Now, fans can watch the first three films in the original Batman series for free on Tubi. Each iteration of Batman has managed to carve a place for itself in the cinematic landscape, with Nolan’s films being the more grounded take, and Snyder’s vision of the character in Batman v. Superman and Justice League offering a jaded version of the character late in his superhero career. In the case of Burton’s (and later Schumacher’s) version of Batman, the character is presented as much larger-than-life compared to these other versions of the popular hero.
Keaton would return to the role of Batman in the 2023 DC film The Flash, directed by Andy Muschietti. While poorly received, the movie would give the actor one last chance to portray Batman over 30 years after he first brought the character to the forefront of comic book adaptations. Thanks to Tubi, fans now have the chance to witness the early creative visionaries whose success would lead to many other Batman films being released years later. And no doubt for many years to come.

Batman

Release Date

June 23, 1989

Runtime

126 Minutes