Editing Batman & Robin (film) (section)

==Reception==
===Box office===
''Batman & Robin'' was released on June 20, 1997, in the United States and Canada, grossing $42,872,605 in its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite news |last=Appelo |first=Tim |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-holy-blockbuster-batman-r/136316234/ |title=Holy blockbuster, Batman! Recent 'big movies' stink
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126154255/https://www.newspapers.com/article/southern-illinoisan-aliens-released/98855854/ |date=June 29, 1997 |access-date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=January 26, 2024 |page=76 |work=Newhouse News Service |publisher=[[Star Tribune]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="box">{{cite Box Office Mojo|title=Batman & Robin (1997)|id=0118688|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817190027/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0118688|archive-date=August 17, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> That made it the third-highest opening weekend gross of 1997, behind ''[[Men in Black (1997 film)|Men in Black]]'' and ''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]]'',<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108633734/presidential-bravery-triumphs-at-box/ |title=Presidential bravery triumphs at box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902221737/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108633734/presidential-bravery-triumphs-at-box/ |newspaper=[[The Reporter (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)|The Reporter]] |page=13 |date=July 28, 1997 |access-date=September 2, 2022 |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1997&p=.htm|title=1997 Domestic Grosses|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|publisher=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|access-date=November 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216052510/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1997&p=.htm|archive-date=December 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> and the seventh-highest non-holiday opening weekend of all time as of its release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-24-ca-6286-story.html|title=A Weekend Enjoyed by Two|date=June 24, 1997|last=Dutka|first=Elaine|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=April 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401174618/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-24-ca-6286-story.html|archive-date=April 1, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/06/24/ent_210323.shtml|agency=[[Associated Press]]|title={{'}}''Batman and Robin''{{'}} tops box office; {{'}}''Speed 2''{{'}} sinks|work=[[The Augusta Chronicle]]|date=June 24, 1997|access-date=June 24, 2013|archive-date=April 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406161121/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/1997/06/24/ent_210323.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film would hold the record for having the highest opening weekend for an [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] film until 2003 when it was surpassed by ''[[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102350343/arnold-comes-back-to-lagging-box-office/|title=Arnold comes back to lagging box office|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523194824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102350343/arnold-comes-back-to-lagging-box-office/|newspaper=[[Palladium-Item]]|page=1|date=July 7, 2003|access-date=May 23, 2022|archive-date=May 23, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-status=live}}</ref> Its opening weekend gross also remained [[George Clooney]]'s highest until the release of ''[[Gravity (2013 film)|Gravity]]'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/gravity-finally-takes-george-clooneys-opening-weekend-record-away-from-batman-robin-but-can-it-top-oceans-for-his-best-overall-34201/|title={{'}}''Gravity''{{'}} Finally Takes George Clooney's Opening Weekend Record Away From {{'}}''Batman & Robin'',' But Can It Top {{'}}''Oceans''{{'}} For His Best Overall?|date=October 7, 2013|last=Knegt|first=Peter|work=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=November 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126171338/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/10/gravity-finally-takes-george-clooneys-opening-weekend-record-away-from-batman-robin-but-can-it-top-oceans-for-his-best-overall-34201/|archive-date=January 26, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> It reached the number one spot at the box office during its opening weekend, beating out ''[[My Best Friend's Wedding]]'' and ''[[Speed 2: Cruise Control]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-holy-box-offi/133491532/ |title=Holy box office! Dynamic Duo soars |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015175925/https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-florida-sun-sentinel-holy-box-offi/133491532/ |date=June 25, 1997 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |page=51 |publisher=[[Sun Sentinel|South Florida Sun Sentinel]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> This would become Schwarzenegger's most recent film to achieve this feat for five years until ''[[Collateral Damage (2002 film)|Collateral Damage]]'' opened in 2002.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muscatine-journal-schwarzeneggers/129221163/ |title=Schwarzenegger's 'Collateral Damage' strongarms way to No. 1 at box office |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731230140/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muscatine-journal-schwarzeneggers/129221163/ |date=February 11, 2002 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |page=12 |publisher=[[Muscatine Journal|The Muscatine Journal]] |url-status=live}} {{Open access}}</ref> ''Batman & Robin'' declined by 63% in its second week,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/box-office/bat-beats-up-b-o-1116677093/|title={{'}}''Bat''{{'}} beats up B.O.|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 8, 1997|access-date=November 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606005907/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1116677093|archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> which was credited to poor word of mouth and early competition with ''[[Face/Off]]'', ''[[Hercules (1997 film)|Hercules]]'', and ''Men in Black''.<ref name="market">{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1997/07/11/batman-robin-disappointment/|title=Big Chill|last=Karger|first=Dave|date=July 11, 1997|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=November 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106113913/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,288644,00.html|archive-date=January 6, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In the UK, it had the second-highest opening ever behind ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' with a gross of £4,940,566 ($8.2 million) for the weekend.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Groves |first=Don |date=July 1, 1997 |title='Batman' flying high o'seas |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/box-office/batman-flying-high-o-seas-1116677494/ |access-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Batman Takes Flights|magazine=[[Screen International]]|date=July 4, 1997|page=27}}</ref>

The film went on to gross $107.4&nbsp;million in the United States and Canada and $130.9&nbsp;million internationally, coming to a worldwide total of $238.3&nbsp;million.<ref name="box" /> It grossed substantially less than the previous film in the series,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Batman#tab=summary|title=Batman Franchise Box Office History|website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611200637/https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Batman#tab=summary|url-status=live}}</ref> and finished outside of [[1997 in film#Highest-grossing films|the top ten films of 1997]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1997 Worldwide Grosses |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |url=http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711093937/http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?view2=worldwide&yr=1997 |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> With a production budget of $125–160 million,<ref name="20years" /><ref name="confessions" /><ref name="ST" /> the film was considered to have under-performed at the box-office, although it was estimated to have at least [[Break-even (economics)|broken even]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/batman-robin-is-the-silliest-superhero-blockbuster-b-1826352841|title=''Batman & Robin'' is the silliest superhero blockbuster, but is it really the worst?|date=March 1, 2022|last=Breihan|first=Tom|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=November 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920141917/https://www.avclub.com/batman-robin-is-the-silliest-superhero-blockbuster-b-1826352841|archive-date=September 20, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Schumacher criticized "prejudicial prerelease buzz" online and false news reports as a cause for the film's poor commercial performance.<ref>{{cite news|first=Rex|last=Weiner|url=https://variety.com/1997/digital/news/www-h-w-d-ticked-1116675713/|title=Www.h'w'd.ticked|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=July 29, 1997|access-date=November 11, 2008|archive-date=December 16, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216115446/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1116675713|url-status=live}}</ref> Warner Bros. acknowledged ''Batman & Robin''{{'}}s shortcomings in the domestic market but pointed out its success in other markets.<ref name="market"/> In his book ''Batman: the Complete History'', [[Les Daniels]] analyzed the film's relatively strong performance outside of the United States, speculating that "nuances of languages or personality were likely to be lost in translation and admittedly eye-popping spectacle seemed sufficient."<ref>{{cite book|last=Daniels|first=Les|title=Batman: the Complete History|year=1999|isbn=1840231130|publisher=Titan Books|pages=187–188}}</ref>

===Critical response===
{{RT prose|12|3.8|97|Joel Schumacher's tongue-in-cheek attitude hits an unbearable limit in ''Batman & Robin'', resulting in a frantic and mindless movie that's too jokey to care much for.}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1077027-batman_and_robin|title=''Batman & Robin'' (1997)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229181720/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1077027_batman_and_robin|archive-date=December 29, 2020|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> {{Metacritic film prose|score=29|count=21|ref=yes|access-date=January 31, 2024}} Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "C+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="CinemaScore">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-gets-worst-cinemascore-814137|title={{'}}''Fantastic Four''{{'}} Gets Worst CinemaScore Ever for Studio Superhero Movie|last=McClintock|first=Pamela|date=August 9, 2015|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=May 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530153910/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fantastic-four-gets-worst-cinemascore-814137|archive-date=May 30, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jay Boyar of ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' believed ''Batman & Robin'' to be the least distinctive chapter in the series, calling it a "bat-smorgasbord of action, camp, pathos, spectacle and whatever" and blaming its blandness on the studio's increased involvement in its production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/os-xpm-1997-06-20-9706190244-story.html|title=Super Series Suffers from Bat-tle Fatigue|date=June 20, 1997|last=Boyar|first=Jay|work=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126122931/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1997-06-20-9706190244-story.html|archive-date=November 26, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> In his "thumbs down" review, [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' found the film to be "wonderful to look at" although it had "nothing authentic at its core", criticizing its [[toyetic]] approach.<ref>{{cite news|first=Roger|last=Ebert|author-link=Roger Ebert|title=''Batman & Robin''|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/batman-and-robin-1997|date=June 20, 1997|access-date=November 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216115418/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19970620%2FREVIEWS%2F706200301%2F1023|archive-date=December 16, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', [[Gene Siskel]], who gave positive reviews to the previous ''Batman'' films, also gave ''Batman & Robin'' a "thumbs down" rating, calling it a "sniggering, exhausting, overproduced extravaganza".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-20-9706200276-story.html|title=No. 4 {{'}}''Batman''{{'}} Strikes Out|date=June 20, 1997|last=Siskel|first=Gene|author-link=Gene Siskel|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=September 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429215245/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-06-20-9706200276-story.html|archive-date=April 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> While commending the film's visuals, [[Kenneth Turan]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' called the film "indifferently acted" and "far too slick for even a toehold's worth of connection", believing that it "killed" the [[Batman in film|''Batman'' film series]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Kenneth|last=Turan|author-link=Kenneth Turan|title=Meanwhile, Back at the Batcave...|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-06-20-ca-5024-story.html|date=June 20, 1997|access-date=November 12, 2008|archive-date=June 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625015857/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-06-20/entertainment/ca-5024_1_batman-forever|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Desson Thomson|Desson Howe]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' disapproved of Schumacher's direction and Akiva Goldsman's script, calling it an "emptily flashy, meandering fashion show of a summer flick" and also believing that it should mark the end to the series.<ref>{{cite news|first=Desson|last=Howe|title={{'}}''Batman''{{'}}: Winged Defeat|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/batmanandrobinhowe.htm?noredirect=on|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=June 20, 1997|access-date=January 27, 2019|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916092921/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/batmanandrobinhowe.htm?noredirect=on|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Andrew Johnston (critic)|Andrew Johnston]], writing in ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'', remarked, "It's hard to tell who ''B&R'' is intended for. Anyone who knows the character from the comics or the superb [[Batman: The Animated Series|animated show]] on [[Fox Kids|Fox]] will be alienated. And though Schumacher treats the [[Batman (TV series)|Adam West version]] as gospel, that show's [[Camp (style)|campy]] humor is completely incompatible with these production values."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Johnston|first=Andrew|date=June 26 – July 3, 1997|title=''Batman & Robin''|journal=[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]|pages=70}}</ref> [[James Berardinelli]] questioned the "random amount of rubber nipples and camera angle close-ups of the Dynamic Duo's butts and Bat-crotches".<ref>{{cite web|last=Berardinelli|first=James|author-link=James Berardinelli|date=1997|title=''Batman and Robin''|work=ReelViews|url=http://www.reelviews.net/movies/b/batman4.html|access-date=November 13, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070605114555/http://www.reelviews.net/movies/b/batman4.html|archive-date=June 5, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In his review for the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'', [[Mick LaSalle]] said that the film failed to "convincingly inhabit the grandeur of its art direction and special effects", criticizing George Clooney as "the big zero of the film", who "should go down in history as the [[George Lazenby]] of the series".<ref>{{cite news|first=Mick|last=LaSalle|author-link=Mick LaSalle|title=Batman Chills Out / George Clooney can't fill Batsuit, so Uma and Arnie save lightweight sequel|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/BATMAN-CHILLS-OUT-George-Clooney-can-t-fill-2834605.php|work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]|date=June 20, 1997|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916060130/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/BATMAN-CHILLS-OUT-George-Clooney-can-t-fill-2834605.php|url-status=live}}</ref> While deeming Clooney "the most ideal Batman to date" in a physical sense, [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' found the character uninteresting and Clooney "unable to compensate onscreen for the lack of dimension on paper". Conversely, he described Thurman and Schwarzenegger's performances as the villainous duo as the "highlights of the film", pointing out Thurman's "comic wit conspicuously lacking elsewhere in the picture".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/batman-robin-1200450193/|title=''Batman & Robin''|date=June 16, 1997|last=McCarthy|first=Todd|author-link=Todd McCarthy|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014221230/https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/batman-robin-1200450193/|archive-date=October 14, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing for ''[[Star Tribune]]'', Jeff Strickler criticized its "almost embarrassingly mundane" dialogue and called Schwarzenegger "wasted" in the role of Mr. Freeze and his character "drably written".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/11485606.html|title=''Batman & Robin''|date=June 19, 1997|last=Strickler|first=Jeff|work=[[Star Tribune]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112201229/https://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/11485606.html|archive-date=January 12, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave a more positive review and praised Thurman's performance as "perfect", comparing it to [[Mae West]]'s "[mix of] true femininity with the winking womanliness of a drag queen", but criticizing Silverstone and Clooney's performances.<ref>{{cite news|first=Janet|last=Maslin|author-link=Janet Maslin|title=Holy Iceberg! Dynamic Duo Vs. Mr. Freeze|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/20/movies/holy-iceberg-dynamic-duo-vs-mr-freeze.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=June 20, 1997|access-date=September 16, 2018|archive-date=September 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912204252/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/06/20/movies/holy-iceberg-dynamic-duo-vs-mr-freeze.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Steven Rea of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' found Thurman at times "amusing" and similarly described her performance as "Mae West with moss".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1997-06-20/entertainment/25524919_1_batman-robin-batman-movies-bat-guy|title=Holy Bat-pics! It's Long, Loud, Pointless|date=June 20, 1997|last=Rea|first=Steven|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109235556/http://articles.philly.com/1997-06-20/entertainment/25524919_1_batman-robin-batman-movies-bat-guy|archive-date=November 9, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Legacy===
''Batman & Robin'' is considered to be one of the worst superhero films<ref name="apology" /> and among the [[List of films considered the worst|worst films ever made]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/mikenelsonsmovie00nels|url-access=registration|page=79|title=Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese|publisher=[[HarperCollins]]|isbn=978-0-380-81467-1|last=Nelson|first=Michael J.|date=June 20, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/features/50-worst-movies-ever/default.asp?film=1|title=The 50 Worst Movies Ever|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|access-date=April 17, 2013|archive-date=May 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514063827/http://www.empireonline.com/features/50-worst-movies-ever/default.asp?film=1|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, [[Marvel Studios]] president [[Kevin Feige]] said that ''Batman & Robin'' may be the most important comic book film ever made in that it was "so bad that it demanded a new way of doing things" and created the opportunity to make ''[[X-Men (film)|X-Men]]'' (2000) and ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]'' (2002) in a way that respected the source material to a higher degree.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-oct-18-ca-akiva18-story.html|title=For Akiva Goldsman, a beautiful turnaround|date=October 18, 2009|last=Boucher|first=Geoff|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=October 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025063638/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-oct-18-ca-akiva18-story.html|archive-date=October 25, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' 20 years after its release, director [[Joel Schumacher]] apologized for the film while taking full responsibility for its poor reputation, stating, "I want to apologize to every fan that was disappointed because I think I owe them that. A lot of it was my choice. No one is responsible for my mistakes but me." He added, "I was scum. It was like I had murdered a baby", recounting his initial reaction to the overwhelmingly negative public response.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/14/entertainment/joel-schumacher-batman-robin/index.html|title=Joel Schumacher apologizes for {{'}}''Batman & Robin''{{'}}|date=June 14, 2017|last=Respers France|first=Lisa|work=[[CNN]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220822001756/https://edition.cnn.com/2017/06/14/entertainment/joel-schumacher-batman-robin/index.html|archive-date=August 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/joel-schumacher-apologizes-batman-robin/|title=Joel Schumacher Apologizes for ''Batman & Robin''|date=June 13, 2017|last=Mithaiwala|first=Mansoor|work=[[Screen Rant]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029013812/https://screenrant.com/joel-schumacher-apologizes-batman-robin/|archive-date=October 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Screenwriter [[Akiva Goldsman]] also apologized, saying, "we didn't mean for it to be bad. I swear, nobody was like, 'This will be bad.'" and elaborating that the film was initially intended to be darker in tone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/batman-and-robin-batman-forever-akiva-goldsman-interview/|title=Akiva Goldsman Reflects on the '90s Batman Movies & the {{'}}''Batman Forever''{{'}} Arc He Wanted to Keep|date=May 12, 2020|last=Gemmill|first=Allie|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915220121/https://collider.com/batman-and-robin-batman-forever-akiva-goldsman-interview/|archive-date=September 15, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:New York Comic Con 2013 - Mr Freeze (10275480704).jpg|thumb|A person [[cosplay]]ing as the film's depiction of Mr. Freeze.]]
Retrospectively, George Clooney has spoken critically of and apologized for his involvement in the film, saying in 2005, "I think we might have killed the franchise",<ref name="Boston Globe">{{cite news|title=''Batman and Robin''|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2005/06/12/behind_the_masks/?page=1|access-date=May 17, 2006|first=Mac|last=Daniel|date=June 12, 2005|archive-date=February 11, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211122321/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2005/06/12/behind_the_masks/?page=1|url-status=live}}</ref> and calling it "a waste of money".<ref name="confessions" /> In 2015, while promoting [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney's]] ''[[Tomorrowland (film)|Tomorrowland]]'' at [[New York Comic Con]], Clooney said that he had met former Batman actor [[Adam West]] and apologized to him for the film.<ref name="apology">{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/george-clooney-batman-apologies.html#:~:text=At%20a%20surprise%20appearance%20at,panel%20for%20his%20upcoming%20Tomorrowland.|title=A Brief History of George Clooney Apologizing for Being a Bad Batman|date=October 14, 2014|last=Jones|first=Nate|work=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713202119/https://www.vulture.com/2014/10/george-clooney-batman-apologies.html|archive-date=July 13, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Furthermore, when asked during a 2015 interview on ''[[The Graham Norton Show]]'' about whether he had ever had to apologize for ''Batman & Robin'', Clooney responded, "I always apologize for ''Batman & Robin''".<ref>{{cite AV media|title=George Clooney Apologises For Destroying ''Batman''|date=May 22, 2015|work=[[The Graham Norton Show]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXzcSCf3kwg|via=[[YouTube]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|access-date=May 22, 2015|archive-date=May 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530045232/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXzcSCf3kwg|url-status=live}}</ref> In late 2020, he told [[Howard Stern]] that it was "physically" painful to watch his work in the role: "The truth of the matter is, I was bad in it. Akiva Goldsman — who's won the Oscar for writing since then — he wrote the screenplay. And it's a terrible screenplay, he'll tell you. I'm terrible in it, I'll tell you. Joel Schumacher, who just passed away, directed it, and he'd say, 'Yeah, it didn't work.' We all whiffed on that one."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/george-clooney-says-it-physically-hurts-him-to-watch-batman-robin-4106895/ | title=George Clooney Says It "Physically Hurts" Him to Watch 'Batman & Robin' | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=December 17, 2020 }}</ref> In 2021, Clooney said he refuses let [[Amal Clooney|his wife]] to watch the film.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/george-clooney-batman-and-robin-the-tender-bar-amal-clooney-1235080929/ |title=George Clooney Jokes That He ‘Destroyed’ Batman Franchise so He Wasn’t Asked to Join ‘The Flash’ |work=Variety |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=April 10, 2025}}</ref> In April 2023, Clooney was asked about what his biggest regret, he responded "I regret doing fucking Batman".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/george-clooney-oceans-11-johnny-depp-b2322476.html |title=George Clooney says Johnny Depp ‘regrets’ turning down Ocean’s Eleven |work=The Independent |last=Harrison |first=Ellie |date=19 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2025}}</ref> Conversely, in an interview with ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' in 2012, [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] stated that, despite its poor reception, he did not regret making the film, commenting about his role as Mr. Freeze and his involvement with the studio, "I felt that the character was interesting and two movies before that one Joel Schumacher was at his height. So the decision-making process was not off. At the same time I was doing ''[[Eraser (film)|Eraser]]'' over there and Warner Bros. begged me to do the movie."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/arnold-schwarzenegger-doesnt-regret-batman-robin/|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger Doesn't Regret ''Batman & Robin''|date=December 30, 2012|last=Berlingame|first=Russ|work=[[ComicBook.com]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604104820/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/arnold-schwarzenegger-doesnt-regret-batman-robin/|archive-date=June 4, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, 25 years after its theatrical release, [[Uma Thurman]] described her work on the film as a "fantastic experience".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/uma-thurman-batman-and-robin-25th-anniversary-rubber-costume-poison-ivy/|title=Uma Thurman Reflects on {{'}}''Batman & Robin''{{'}} 25 Years Later: 'As Much Rubber as I've Ever Worked with'|date=February 4, 2022|last=Juneau|first=Jen|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=September 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605075401/https://people.com/movies/uma-thurman-batman-and-robin-25th-anniversary-rubber-costume-poison-ivy/|archive-date=June 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

The nipples seen on the character's costumes, first appearing in ''[[Batman Forever]]'' and accentuated for ''Batman & Robin'' at Schumacher's request, remain among the most defining aspects of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/batman-robin-movie-george-clooney-batsuit-auction-price/|title=George Clooney's ''Batman & Robin'' Nipple Suit In Auction For $40,000|date=July 6, 2022|last=Bentz|first=Adam|work=[[Screen Rant]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711084520/https://screenrant.com/batman-robin-movie-george-clooney-batsuit-auction-price/|archive-date=July 11, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Recounting his involvement with the film, costume designer Jose Fernandez stated that he was opposed to "sharpening" the nipples, calling them "ridiculous".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/06/batman-and-robin-nipple-suit-joel-schumacher-1234732204/|title={{'}}''Batman & Robin''{{'}} Costume Designer: Joel Schumacher Loved the 'Ridiculous' Nipples|date=June 9, 2022|last=Bergeson|first=Samantha|work=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627030818/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/06/batman-and-robin-nipple-suit-joel-schumacher-1234732204/|archive-date=June 27, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, [[Tim Burton]] commented about Warner Bros.' decision to replace him as director with Schumacher after ''[[Batman Returns]]'', "You complain about me, I'm too weird, I'm too dark, and then you put nipples on the costume? Go fuck yourself."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/tim-burton-on-batman-forever-nipple-suit-go-f-yourself/|title=Tim Burton On ''Batman Forever''{{'}}s Nipple-Suit: 'Go F–– Yourself'|date=June 7, 2022|last=Travis|first=Ben|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|access-date=October 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030014139/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/tim-burton-on-batman-forever-nipple-suit-go-f-yourself/|archive-date=October 30, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> George Clooney's screen-worn suit was put up for auction by [[Heritage Auctions]] in 2022 with a starting bid of $40,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/george-clooney-batman-nipple-costume-auction-40000/|title=George Clooney's 'Infamous' Batman Nipple Costume Up for Auction with Starting Bid of $40,000|date=July 6, 2022|work=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220716040305/https://people.com/movies/george-clooney-batman-nipple-costume-auction-40000/|archive-date=July 16, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> A previous owner had estimated it to be worth $100,000 in 2006 when Clooney was at the height of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/news/george-clooney-s-batman-costume-sale-wbna11398759|title=George Clooney's {{'}}''Batman''{{'}} costume for sale|date=February 17, 2006|agency=[[Reuters]]|via=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201123047/https://www.today.com/news/george-clooney-s-batman-costume-sale-wbna11398759|archive-date=December 1, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> The suit would go on to sell for $57,500.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-industry-news-22-2151913|title=Art Industry News: Experts Warn That the Ocean Is Not Finished With the Titanic, and Is Now Disintegrating the Accursed Boat + Other Stories|date=July 26, 2022|work=[[Artnet|Artnet News]]|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804124830/https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-industry-news-22-2151913|archive-date=August 4, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2009 film ''[[Watchmen (2009 film)|Watchmen]]'', director [[Zack Snyder]] and comic book artist [[Dave Gibbons]] chose to parody the molded muscle and nipple [[Batsuit]] design from ''Batman & Robin'' for the [[Ozymandias (Watchmen)|Ozymandias]] costume.<ref>{{cite news|title=Exclusive Zack Snyder Video Interview Backstage at Saturn Awards|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=June 26, 2008|url=https://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/article.asp/aid/8331/tcid/1|access-date=November 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121030239/http://www.collider.com/entertainment/news/article.asp/aid/8331/tcid/1|archive-date=November 21, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|first=Dave|last=Gibbons|author-link=Dave Gibbons|title=''Watchmen''{{'}}s artist tells us how the famed graphic novel changed his life and gives some thoughts on the upcoming movie and game|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|date=December 2008|page=53}}</ref> The film is referenced in the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Legends of the Dark Mite!", when [[Bat-Mite]] briefly uses his powers to transform Batman's costume into the same suit shown in Schumacher's ''Batman'' films, before declaring it "too icky".<ref>"Legends of the Dark Mite!". Ben Jones (director), [[Paul Dini]] (writer). ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''. May 29, 2009. No. 19, season 1.</ref> Twenty-six years after the release of ''Batman & Robin'', Clooney made a [[cameo appearance]] as Bruce Wayne in the 2023 [[DC Extended Universe]] superhero film ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]''. Clooney was asked to reprise the role when the film was already in post-production, agreeing to join after seeing a cut of the film; filming took place in secret six months before release and lasted half a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/the-flash-inside-george-clooney-return-batman-1235517975/|title=Inside {{'}}''The Flash''{{'}} Ending and That Cameo Secretly Filmed 6 Months Ago|date=June 17, 2023|last=Kit|first=Borys|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=June 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617230153/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/the-flash-inside-george-clooney-return-batman-1235517975/|archive-date=June 17, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{Anchor|Accolades|Awards}}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col"| Ref
|-
|rowspan=11| [[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
| Worst Picture
|rowspan=3| ''Batman & Robin''
| {{nom}}
|rowspan=11| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=37|title=1997 Archive|date=August 23, 2000|last=Wilson|first=John|publisher=[[Golden Raspberry Awards]]|access-date=September 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426070620/http://razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=37|archive-date=April 26, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| Worst Remake or Sequel
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Reckless Disregard for Human Life and Public Property
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Director
| [[Joel Schumacher]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Screenplay
| [[Akiva Goldsman]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Supporting Actor
| [[Chris O'Donnell]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Supporting Actor
| [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Supporting Actress
| [[Alicia Silverstone]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Worst Supporting Actress
| [[Uma Thurman]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Screen Couple
| [[George Clooney]] and Chris O'Donnell
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Song for "[[The End Is the Beginning Is the End]]"
| [[Billy Corgan]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]]
| [[Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie|Favorite Movie]]
| ''Batman & Robin''
| {{nom}}
| <ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OkhUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA70|title=Kids' Choice Awards look Rosie again|last=Bobbin|first=Jay|date=April 4, 1998|newspaper=[[Boca Raton News]]|access-date=October 8, 2024|archive-date=October 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241008102312/https://books.google.com/books?id=OkhUAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA70|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aIAfAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA26|title=Children choose favorite shows and celebrities|date=April 6, 1998|newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|access-date=October 8, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=5| [[Stinkers Bad Movie Awards]]
| Worst Picture
|rowspan=3| ''Batman & Robin''
| {{won}}
|rowspan=5| <ref>{{cite web|title=The Stinkers 1997 Ballot|url=http://www.thestinkers.com/1997.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818030700/http://www.thestinkers.com/1997.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 18, 2000|publisher=[[Stinkers Bad Movie Awards|The Stinkers]]|access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Worst Sequel
| {{nom}}
|-
| Worst Screenplay for a Film Grossing More Than $100M Worldwide Using Hollywood Math
| {{won}}
|-
| Worst Director
| Joel Schumacher
| {{won}}
|-
| Worst Supporting Actress
| Alicia Silverstone
| {{won}}
|-
|}