This Day in Horror History: BATMAN RETURNS Hit Theaters in 1992

On this day in horror history, Tim Burton’s Batman Returns with Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, and Michelle Pfeiffer was released back in 1992.

Produced by Burton and Denise Di Novi, Batman Returns grossed $266.8 million worldwide on a budget of $80 million. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Visual Effects and Best Makeups.

Burton didn’t want to direct another Batman movie but returned after Warner Bros. granted him more control. Annette Bening was originally cast as Catwoman, but became pregnant and was replaced with Pfeiffer.

The flick tells the tale of the Penguin, who lives in the sewers beneath Gotham, and joins up with wicked businessman Max Shreck to topple the Batman once and for all. But when Shreck’s assistant, Selina Kyle, finds out, and Shreck tries to kill her, she is transformed into Catwoman. She teams up with the Penguin and Shreck to destroy Batman, but sparks fly unexpectedly when she confronts the caped crusader.

It stars Michael Keaton as Batman / Bruce Wayne with Danny DeVito as Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman / Selina. Christopher Walken joined them as Max Shreck with Michael Gough as Alfred, Andrew Bryniarski as Chip, and Pat Hingle as Commissioner Gordon.

The film sports a 79% approval rating over on Rotten Tomatoes with a Critics Consensus that reads: 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.

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