If theDC Universe’s Batman movie has any chance of matching the greatest feat achieved by 1989’sBatman, then it would have to gross more than $1 billion worldwide. It is currently difficult to ascertain whether it stands a chance of reaching that figure, given very little isknown about the DCU’s Batmanmovie so far.
What is known is that the DCU’s Batman will likely star Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne’s son and a particularly violent Robin. This should help to make the DCU’sBatman stand out from past adaptations, which would be especially prudent if it releases while Matt Reeves’The Batmantrilogy is still underway.
At the very least, DC Studios can be relatively confident that its Batman movie, whenever it releases, is already in a favorable position. As one of the most popular superheroes ever, Batman boasts a particularly successful cinematic back catalog. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, for example, boasts two $1 billion movies.
Whether DC Studios can rest assured itsBatman movie will grossjust as much remains to be seen. Nevertheless, not even $1 billion would be enough to match the achievement of 1989’sBatman, if the making of the movie follows past precedent.
Batman 1989 Made A Wild Amount More Than Its Reported Budget
1989’sBatman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton in the titular role, helped to revolutionize the superhero genre. AlthoughSupermanlaid the groundwork,Batmancemented the notion that superhero movies could be bona fide blockbusters,raking in $413 million worldwide. When adjusted for inflation, this total equates to around $1 billion today.
This worldwide gross was earned against a reported budget of just $35 million ($90 million when adjusted for inflation), according toThe Numbers, meaningBatman’s final box office result is more than 11 times its production budget. This meansthe iconic Batman moviewasn’t just financially successful, but wildly profitable.
By comparison, the sequel,Batman Returns, earned $267 million against a reported budget of $80 million. Meanwhile,The Dark Knightgrossed $1 billion worldwide against a budget of $185 million, meaning the movie made 5.5 times its production budget. For the DCU’s Batman movie to be just as profitable as its iconic predecessor, it would have to make a dizzying amount.
DCU’s Batman Would Need To Make A Surreal Amount Of Money To Match This Feat
AsThe Dark Knight’s production budget helps to prove,it is implausible that a modern Batman movie could be made with a similar budget. Instead, modern superhero movie budgets tend to land around the $200 million mark, depending on the scale.Avengers: Endgame, for example, cost $400 million to make.
The DCU’sSupermanreportedly cost $225 million to make. Assuming the DCU’s Batman will cost around the same amount,it would have to make $2,475,000,000 to match the profitability of 1989’sBatman. Only one superhero movie,Avengers: Endgame, has hit that mark, as it grossed $2.7 billion against the aforementioned budget.
Even if the DCU’s Batman were made on a smaller budget, such asBlue Beetle’s $120 million, thenit would need to gross $1.3 billion. Given the highest-grossing Batman movie,The Dark Knight Rises, made just over $1 billion, this isn’t likely, especially consideringThe Dark Knight Riseswas the third installment of a highly successful trilogy.
External circumstances could also affect the profitabilityof the DCU’s Batman. WhileSupermanhas instilled confidence in the franchise overall,Batman’s DCU successmay be hampered if it is released at the same time as Matt Reeves’The Batmantrilogy. Striking a different tone than past Batman adaptations could additionally either work in its favor or against it.
Why Batman 1989 Made So Much More Than Its Budget
Batman’s production budget was certainly low compared to the current movie industry standard. Nevertheless,it was one of the highest budgets of the year,with other 1989 blockbusters,Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeandBack to the Future Part II, were made on a budget of just $48 million and $40 million, respectively.
Nevertheless, neither of these movies was as profitable asBatman, suggesting that the superhero movie was a unique phenomenon at the time. It almost goes without saying thatthe movie’s overall quality is largely to thank for its success, with it remaining one of themost highly regarded superhero moviesof all time to this day.
Batmanwas additionally perfectly cast. Jack Nicholson, who portrayed the Joker, was one of Hollywood’s greatest and most prominent stars at the time. Also,while Michael Keaton’s casting initially drew criticism, he ultimately excelled in the role, whichThe Flashwould pay homage to with his reprisal.
1989’sBatmanalso benefited from an unprecedented level of hype in a cultural phenomenon dubbed “Batmania,“where the now-iconic symbol used in the movie was ingrained in pop culture. This bolstered the movie’s already impressive box office with an inordinate amount of merchandise sales.
Perhaps positively for the DCU, if the franchise does strike a unique tone with its Batman adaptation, the tone of 1989’sBatmanalso worked in its favor. At the time, Batman was more closely associated with Adam West’s campy interpretation, meaningTim Burton’s more gothic and grounded take felt like a breath of fresh air.
