4. Batman Returns (1992)
What is this? Batman Returns placed higher up than Burton's first? Yes you are reading it correctly. While no one can deny the sheer comedic brilliance of Jack Nicholson's legendary take on the Joker or the fact the film won an an Academy Award, Batman Returns, as a whole, is a far more fulfilling Batman movie- primarily because of screenwriter Daniel Water's desire to explore the tragic origins of Penguin. Batman Returns sees Burton once again incorporate his dark visionary brilliance here, this time within a far more in depth story compared to his previous Batman. Michael Keaton, whom was a self confessed comedic actor, seemed far more comfortable in the serious role of the caped crusader and he, most notably, also seemed far more comfortable in the role of Bruce Wayne's shoes. The main villain this time was Penguin, portrayed down right frighteningly by Danny DeVito, whom was nominated for a Saturn Best Supporting Actor award for his role. DeVito's performance is arguably just as good, if not possibly better than Jack Nicholson's performance as Joker. He managed to convey Penguin not just as a deformed criminal mastermind as his creators intended but also underneath as a villain haunted by his past. It gave Batman Returns' substance that extra weight and dimension the previous Batman film was lacking. And as if it was needing any more reason to be placed fourth behind Nolan's films, it had Michelle Pfeiffer sporting nine lives within an incredibly tight latex catsuit and Christopher Walken basically playing his legendary self as Max Shreck, Penguin's political campaign leader. These extra characters and talented actors involved gave Batman Returns the larger narrative scope, sharper dialog, and all round satisfying Batman film experience between the two Burton movies.