This isn't a great movie. I will admit that Tim Burton creates, in Gotham City, a very intriguing place of darkness and corruption. However, nothing much happens there. The film is all set-up and not much pay off. The first 20 minutes of the film are engaging and, quite frankly, the best Batman stuff I've ever seen. However, it all goes downhill from there. Joker feels like a dillousional circus clown, not a satanic villain. Also in the beginning of the film, we are given two cool heroes: Vicky Vale and Bruce Wayne (Batman). The movie also gives us a sexy romance between them. However, soon afterwards, these characters become stale. They are so boring, we have to be reminded to root for them. This movie reaches greatness, then falls down into complete ludicracy. In the end, you will feel let down. Two scenes mainly make this film inapropriate for kids. In the first, Joker shoots a man multiple times to carnival music. You see the man's body, and blood on his desk. Later, Joker electrocutes a man, leaving a charred skeleton behind. Some people die in creepy ways, becoming like Joker right before they die. There is brief mention of Vicky and Bruce sleeping together, but nothing is shown. Language can get coarse: "SOB"s, "d*ck", "d**n", "b****rd", and "a*s".
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Batman (1989)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Stylish, violent, and often dull Batman adventure.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Batman (1989)
Parents need to know that kids watching this movie will see the murder of parents before their own kids, disfigurement, a quill pen jabbed in a man's throat and another electrocuted to death, along with numerous shoot-outs, wild chases, and vigilantism portrayed in a favorable light.
Read our full review by Ed Grant
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about vigilantism. When Batman decides to punish or kill criminals himself, instead of handing them over to the police, is he doing the right thing? For younger kids, you might discuss whether Batman acts like a good guy when he dangles people over city streets or kills criminals. Older kids might be interested in discussing real life instances of vigilatism and contrasting that with what happens in the movie.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
Starts Great, but Ends Up a Let Down...
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
I did not see this, but need help with the reviews. This site is usually pretty conservative, but the reviews of parents basically say this is for 12 and up while the main review says 9. Language is given no concerns although it say mild obscenities. Usually that rates at least a 1. Parents say language is worse than that. Drinking and drugs is not listed as problem but parents say it is. Is everyone seeing the same movie? I don't know whether to let my son watch it.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
for 8 lol they cant get sleep when they watch this movie in that age
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
The best batman movie, even better than the Dark Knight.
This is the way all Batman movie's should be made. I actually find this movie to be slightly better than "The Dark Knight". I also perfer this joker (played by Jack Nickelson) over the joker played by Heath Ledjer. Why? Because this joker acts obnitoux and is very unpridictable, and this is the way he should be, not some siycopath that jabbes a pencil through a guy's eye. Now don't get me wrong, I loved the dark knight, infact, I thought that it was the best movie of 2008, but this is the batman movie that all batman fans wanted. It's dark, it's mysterious, and it's actually funny at times. Also, I think that Michle Keton is by far the best actor to ever play batman. If your a fan of batman you have to see this movie, otherwise you cant call yourself a batman fan. And if your not a fan of comic book movies then prepare to become one.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Movie you've gotta see!!!
I Loved it! Best Batman movie ever! It rocks!!! 8 year olds have got to see this!!!
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Entertainment only; appropriate for teens.
Saw this for the first time in about 20 years last night with my 13 year old. There was some language that was a little harsh - a couple of sh-, son-of-a-, and a bast-. Other than that, the Lord's name was taken in vain a few times. The sexual behavior is pretty obvious, since Vickie and Batman are shown in bed together and she later recounts "I even slept with you". Lots of drinking - wine, scotch - Vickie admits that she's drunk. The violence was not bad by today's standards. Much worse can be seen in primetime. Ah, and don't forget the American Express placement - don't leave home without it. Overall, it was ok for my 13 year old, but it was sheer entertainment. There were no good role models in the movie and we had to have a little conversation about casual sex. After all that, let it be said that I really liked this movie as a teen myself. It has some classic movie lines in it that are still used today! Jack Nicolson is truly classic in this role.
- I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
talk about action!
love the movie awsome.
- I rate this title on for age 4 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
fine for all ages
second best batman movie yet (1st: dark knight)
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Are you kidding? 9+? This film was very violent and brutal. Common Sense Media should know better. How could 9 year olds handle this, you idiots?
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
a classic batman movie that every batman fan should watch
acting- 4/5 cinematography- 4/5 art direction- 4.5/5 direction- 4.5/5 musical score- 4.5/5 a great batman movie that set the tone for all the other serious comic book movies, because before this there was alan moore's the killing joke, some other dark comics and adam west's batman, so this really set the tone for was what to come
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
It's pretty good
I just saw this film for the second time a few days ago, liking it less than the first time (probably because I was nine when I first saw it and I just saw The Dark Knight). Still, it was a pretty well-made film with a dark atmosphere and a knockout villain (although not even touching Heath Ledger's variation on the character.) The thing I really admire about the old Batman films is that they have no sense of realism, so they're sort of just campy fun, this one being no different. Though it is campy, it is also very violent, ruling out a majority of the 7-9 set, though it didn't affect me when I was nine (I've always been strong-stomached). The scene that i found to be the most disturbing was the one where the joker stabs a pen into a man's neck, showing that indeed the pen is mightier than the sword. So, back on subject, pretty good movie, nowhere near "The Dark Knight" or "Batman Begins" though.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Often Dull? This Movie Rocks!
This is the best superhero movie ever because it was directed by Tim Burton and starred Jack Nicholson as a very creepy Joker.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
Way too dark for a kids film.
The violence is too dark and edgy to be taken as a fun-filled Batman story. Plus, the language isn't for kids. When seeing a PG-13 Batman movie, I expect a few "damn"s and "hell"s maybe even the use of "ass" a few times, but in this movie the Penguin shouts "Oh, shit!" and uses the word "pussy" in a scene. It's not some I'd want to watch with my son unless is at least 14 or older.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
i laughed!
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
Action Packed!
In this movie a criminal falls into a vat of chemicals and becomes Joker. Now, he tries to defeat Batman. A few times it seems like Batman's going to lose, but he wins. At the end, Joker faces his demise.
- I rate this title off for age 2 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
The Second Best Batman Movie
Tim Burton's original Batman is a stylish, fun, and interesting superhero movie. Jack Nicholson is fantastic, funny, and creepy as the Joker, but Batman himself is somewhat boring. Batman Begins was a better movie, but I thought this wasn't too far off. An enjoyable movie.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 75% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 50% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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