Editing Batman Returns (section)

==Legacy==
===Cultural influence===
[[File:Dragon Con 2015 - Oswald Cobblepot & Selina Kyle (21716989458).jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|alt=A photograph of cosplayers{{snd}}a man dressed as the Penguin and a woman dressed as Catwoman|[[Cosplayers]] at the 2015 [[Dragon Con]] dressed as the ''Batman Returns'' versions of Penguin and Catwoman]]
Retrospectives in the 2010s and 2020s noted that ''Batman Returns'' had developed an enduring legacy since its release, with ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' describing it as the most iconic comic-book film ever made. Although initially criticized for its mix of the superhero and [[film noir]] genres, the film established trends toward dark tones and complex characters which have since become an expectation of many blockbusters.<ref name="THRReturnsat25"/><ref name="TheRinger2022"/><ref name="CBRLegacy"/> Some writers said that its "disturbing imagery", exploration of morality, and satire of corporate politics seemed even more relevant in the present day, as did the themes of prejudice and feminism explored in Catwoman.<ref name="ScreenRantBestBat20"/><ref name="CBRLegacy"/> Burton said that he believed ''Batman Returns'' was exploring new territory at the time, but it might be considered "tame" by modern standards.<ref name="THRReturnsat25"/> According to ''[[The Ringer (website)|the Ringer]]'', Burton's "weird and unsettling" sequel enabled future auteurs such as [[Christopher Nolan]], [[Peter Jackson]], and [[Sam Raimi]] to move into mainstream films.<ref name="TheRinger2022"/>

''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'' described the film as the first "anti-blockbuster", defying expectations and delivering a superhero film with little action set during Christmas (despite its July release).<ref name="ColliderRetro"/> The film's performances, score, and visual aesthetic are considered iconic, influencing Batman-related media and incarnations of the characters for decades (such as the ''[[Batman Arkham]]'' video games).<ref name="CBRLegacy"/><ref name="ScreenRantBestBat20"/> ''[[The Batman (film)|The Batman]]'' (2022) director [[Matt Reeves]] and Batman actor [[Robert Pattinson]] called ''Batman Returns'' their favorite ''Batman'' film, with Reeves ranking it alongside ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (2008),<ref name="PattinsonLooper"/><ref name="PattinsonSR"/><ref name="ReevesIGN"/> and director [[Robert Eggers]] said that it visually inspired his film ''[[Nosferatu (2024 film)|Nosferatu]]'' (2024).<ref name="Eggers"/>

Pfeiffer's Catwoman is considered iconic, a feat of characterization and performance which influenced subsequent female-superhero-led films.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="NYTimesCarynJames"/><ref name="AVClub2022"/><ref name="CBRLegacy"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicNerd"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicVarietyandKravitz"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicBuzz"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicCollider"/>}} Her performance is generally regarded as the best cinematic adaptation of the character (influencing future portrayals such as [[Zoë Kravitz]]'s in ''The Batman''),{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="CatwomanIconicNerd"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicVarietyandKravitz"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicBuzz"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicCollider"/><ref name="CatwomanIconicMarySue"/><ref name="CatwomanBestCatwomanVariety"/><ref name="CatwomanBestIGNUser"/><ref name="CatwomanBestScreenRant"/><ref name="CatwomanBestCBR"/><ref name="CatwomanBestComingSoon"/><ref name="CatwomanBestLATimes"/>}} one of the best comic book film characters, and among the greatest cinematic villains.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="AVClub2022"/><ref name="BestVillainsCatTime"/><ref name="BestVillainsCatSR"/><ref name="BestVillainsCatPengVulture"/>}} In 2022, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' ranked Pfeiffer's Catwoman as the second-best superhero performance of the preceding fifty years, behind [[Heath Ledger]].<ref name="VarietyBestof50"/> DeVito's performance as the Penguin is also considered iconic,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="PenguinIconicIndependent"/><ref name="PenguinIconicScreenRant"/><ref name="PenguinIconicIGN"/><ref name="PenguinIconicGameSpot"/><ref name="PenguinIconicMovieWeb"/><ref name="PenguinIconicMarySue"/><ref name="PenguinIconicCBR"/><ref name="PenguinIconicFarOut"/>}} and has been listed by some publications as one of the best cinematic Batman villains.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="BestVillainsCatPengVulture"/><ref name="PenguinBestBatmanVilColli"/><ref name="PenguinBestBatmanVilVariety"/><ref name="PenguinBestBatmanVilGSpot"/>}}

===Modern reception===
In the years since its release, ''Batman Returns'' has been  positively reappraised.<ref name="CBRLegacy"/><ref name="ScreenRantReappraised"/> It is now regarded as among the best superhero films ever made,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="BestSuperheroTheRinger"/><ref name="BestSuperheroRS"/><ref name="BestSuperheroEmpire"/><ref name="BestSuperheroEsquire"/><ref name="BestSuperheroSFXMag"/><ref name="BestSuperheroParade"/><ref name="BestSuperHeroPaste"/><ref name="BestSuperheroTechRadar"/>}} the best sequels,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="BestSequelEmpire13"/><ref name="BestSequelRT95"/><ref name="BestSequelEmpire16"/><ref name="BestSequelVulture41"/>}} and the best ''Batman'' films made.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="BestBatmanCollider2"/><ref name="BestBatmanPolygon2"/><ref name="BestBatmanVulture3"/><ref name="BestBatmanWrap3"/><ref name="BestBatmanTHR3"/><ref name="BestBatmanSlash4"/><ref name="BestBatmanEmpire4"/><ref name="BestBatmanTime5"/><ref name="BestBatmanIGN6"/><ref name="BestBatmanRT6"/>}}<ref name="BestBatmanEsquire10"/> ''[[Screen Rant]]'' called it the best Batman film of the 20th century<ref name="ScreenRantBestBat20"/> and, in 2018, ''[[Total Film]]'' named it the best Batman film.<ref name="TotalFilmBestBat"/> ''Batman Returns'' was number{{nbsp}}401 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time.<ref name="Empire500"/> Some publications have identified ''Batman Returns'' as part of Burton's unofficial Christmas trilogy, bookended by ''Edward Scissorhands'' and ''The Nightmare Before Christmas'', and it has become an alternative-holiday film along with films such as ''[[Die Hard]]'' (1988).{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="Escapist2020"/><ref name="TheRinger2022"/><ref name="CBRLegacy"/><ref name="ColliderRetro"/>}} Some publications have also listed it as one of the best Christmas films.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references:<ref name="XmasVariety"/><ref name="XmasEmpire"/><ref name="LastingRTXmas"/><ref name="XmasCountry"/><ref name="XmasTimeOut2019"/><ref name="XmasTimeOut2023"/><ref name="XmasTelegraph"/>}}

The film's writer Daniel Waters recalled being told that ''Batman Returns'' was a "great movie for people who don't like Batman".<ref name="VultureWaters"/><ref name="ColliderRetro"/> Although the film was criticized for depicting Batman killing people, Waters said, "To me, Batman not killing [the [[Joker (The Dark Knight)|Joker]] (played by Heath Ledger)] at the end of ''The Dark Knight'' after proving he can get out of any prison, it's like 'Come on. Kill Heath Ledger.{{'"}}<ref name="THRReturnsat25"/><ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> He believed that the reception to ''Batman Returns'' was improving with time, especially after the release of ''The Batman'' in 2022.<ref name="VultureWaters"/>

Critic Brian Tallerico said that the elements which originally upset critics and audiences are what makes it still "revelatory{{nbsp}}... It's one of the best and strangest movies of its kind ever made."<ref name="Ebert4k"/> Review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]] has an {{RT data|score}} approval rating from reviews by {{RT data|count}} critics, with an average score of {{RT data|average}}. According to the website's critical consensus, "Director Tim Burton's dark, brooding atmosphere, Michael Keaton's work as the tormented hero, and the flawless casting of Danny DeVito as The Penguin and Christopher Walken as, well, Christopher Walken make the sequel better than the first."<ref name="RottenTomatoesScore"/> The film has a score of 68 out of 100 on [[Metacritic]] (based on 23 critics), indicating "generally favorable" reviews.<ref name="MetacriticScore"/>