Box office
Batman grossed $2.2 million in late night previews on June 22, 1989, on 1,215 screens and grossed $40.49 million in 2,194 theaters during its opening weekend.[78] This broke the opening weekend records held by Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (which had a 4-day Memorial Day weekend gross of $37.0 million the previous month)[79] and Ghostbusters II (which had a $29.4 million 3-day weekend the previous weekend).[80][81] Upon opening, the film would go on to reach the number one spot above Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.[82] Additionally, it had the largest opening weekend for a Jack Nicholson film for 14 years until it was dethroned by Anger Management in 2003.[83] Batman also set a record for a second weekend gross with $30 million (also the second biggest 3-day weekend of all-time)[79] and became the fastest film to earn $100 million, reaching it in 11 days (10 days plus late night previews).[80][84] The film closed on December 14, 1989, with a final gross of $251.4 million in North America and $160.2 million internationally, totaling $411.6 million.[85] The film would hold the record for being the highest-grossing Warner Bros. film until 1996 when Twister surpassed it.[86] It was the highest-grossing film based on a DC comic book until 2008's The Dark Knight.[87] Furthermore, Batman held the record for being the highest-grossing superhero film of all time until it was taken by Spider-Man in 2002.[88] The film's gross is the 143rd highest ever in North American ranks.[89] Although Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade made the most money worldwide in 1989,[90] Batman was able to beat The Last Crusade in North America,[91] and made a further $150 million in home video sales.[92] Box Office Mojo estimates that the film sold more than 60 million tickets in the US.[93]
Despite the film's box office – over $400 million against a budget of no more than $48 million – Warner Bros. claimed it ended up losing $35.8 million and "not likely to ever show a profit," which has been attributed to a case of Hollywood accounting.[94]
Critical response
Batman was criticized by some for being too dark, but nonetheless received a generally positive response from critics.[7] On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 76% based on 138 reviews, with an average score of 7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "An eerie, haunting spectacle, Batman succeeds as dark entertainment, even if Jack Nicholson's Joker too often overshadows the title character."[95] On Metacritic, the film received a weighted average score of 69 based on 21 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[96] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[97]
Many observed that Burton was more interested in the Joker and the art and set production design than Batman or anything else in terms of characterization and screentime.[7] Comic book fans reacted negatively over the Joker murdering Thomas and Martha Wayne; in the comic book, Joe Chill is responsible. Writer Sam Hamm said it was Burton's idea to have the Joker murder Wayne's parents. "The Writer's Strike was going on, and Tim had the other writers do that. I also hold innocent to Alfred letting Vicki Vale into the Batcave. Fans were ticked off with that, and I agree. That would have been Alfred's last day of employment at Wayne Manor," Hamm said.[64]
The songs written by Prince were criticized for being "too out of place".[13] While Burton has stated he had no problem with the Prince songs, he was less enthusiastic with their use in the film.[16] On the film, Burton remarked, "I liked parts of it, but the whole movie is mainly boring to me. It's OK, but it was more of a cultural phenomenon than a great movie."[92]
Despite initial negative reactions from comics fans prior to the film's release, Keaton's portrayal of Batman was generally praised.[72][98] James Berardinelli called the film entertaining, with the highlight being the production design. However, he concluded, "the best thing that can be said about Batman is that it led to Batman Returns, which was a far superior effort."[99] Variety felt "Jack Nicholson stole every scene" but still greeted the film with positive feedback.[100] Roger Ebert was highly impressed with the production design, but claimed "Batman is a triumph of design over story, style over substance, a great-looking movie with a plot you can't care much about." He also called the film "a depressing experience".[101] On the syndicated television series Siskel & Ebert, his reviewing partner Gene Siskel disagreed, describing the film as having a "refreshingly adult" approach with performances, direction and set design that "draws you into a psychological world."[102]
