10 Best Pre-MCU Superhero Films
6. Batman Returns
The second of Tim Burton's Batman films was considerably weirder and darker than the already unusual first outing. The result was one of the most interesting big-screen Batman adventures we have.
For his second outing, Keaton's Batman faces off against Danny DeVito's impeccable Penguin in his plot to kill all of Gotham City's firstborn sons. Add Christopher Walken's dodgy tycoon Max Shreck and Michelle Pfeiffer's unforgettable turn as Catwoman, and you have the makings of an exquisite superhero romp.
Burton was initially reluctant to return for a Batman sequel, yet the resulting picture displays none of this hesitancy. It is bold, it is striking, and, most importantly, it is fun (despite the tonal shift to dark). Batman Returns was a high water mark for the Caped Crusader, until Christopher Nolan's Bat-pictures debuted.
Criticised for its darker tone upon release, if anything this is precisely the quality that has let the film age well. And, of course, there has probably never been better casting than Danny DeVito as the Penguin.