10 Best Quotes From Tim Burton"s Batman Movies, Ranked

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Tim Burton"s two Batman movies feature many great characters, and also a number of excellent lines of dialogue across the two-film arc. 1989 saw director Tim Burton tackle the delicate task of adapting one of the most iconic superheroes of all time to the big screen. His two films are often seen as two of the best Batman movies, with both Batman and Batman Returns having aged decidedly well and helping to shape the modern superhero genre.
As well as proving to be another pair of collaborations between Tim Burton and Michael Keaton, Burton’s Batman movies featured many excellent moments. The director’s quirky style and darkly humorous approach to storytelling is evident throughout the two-film arc, with a unique blend of imagination and comic-accuracy that makes both movies especially memorable. With that in mind, here are the 10 best quotes from Tim Burton’s Batman movies, ranked.
10 “You Wanna Get Nuts?” Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989) After unexpectedly encountering the Joker at Vicki Vale’s apartment, Bruce Wayne finds himself in an impossible situation. In order to protect his cover, he deliberately aggravates the villain, with his monologue ending in a spirited delivery of the line: “You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts!” The incitement is enough for the Joker to shoot Wayne, who is protected by a tray hidden beneath his shirt, preserving both his life and his secret identity.
What makes the quote such an excellent one is simply how it relates to Michael Keaton’s performance as Bruce Wayne. Though many actors have played Batman in live-action, few could have so perfectly brought Bruce Wayne to life in Burton’s world as Keaton. The frenetic energy with which he delivers the line helps to set Keaton’s Bruce Wayne apart from Batman, while also conveying the character’s calculating and intelligent nature.
9 “This Town Needs An Enema!” Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989) 1989’s Batman saw another actor become the Joker in live-action, with Jack Nicholson assuming the role. His version of the iconic villain is introduced as a violent criminal who is transformed after falling into a vat of chemicals. After becoming the Joker, he announces himself to the people of Gotham with a public act of violence, though his appearance is overshadowed by news of Batman. In disgust, he announces: “this town needs an enema!”
The line is one that only Nicholson’s Joker could get away with, as it communicates both the silliness and the maturity of Burton’s movies. It’s an unexpected and humorous addition to the film, making it an especially memorable quote from the villain. It also speaks to the Joker’s feelings toward Batman, establishing the villain’s animosity over something as petty as news coverage.
8 “I Made You, You Made Me First.” Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman (1989) The final showdown between the Joker and Batman remains one of the most rewatchable scenes in Burton’s Batman movies. The culmination of the villain’s plan sees Batman lured to the roof of Gotham Cathedral, with the pair finally facing one another on even terms. After the Joker tells Batman that the hero was responsible for his creation, Batman replies with the immortal line: “I made you, you made me.”
Though the decision to entwine Batman and the Joker’s origins proved controversial, the line is an excellent one. It succinctly summarizes the movie’s reimagining of both characters’ origins, also setting the Joker up for an excellent comeback in the process. The quote may be the product of a divisive narrative element, but it nevertheless continues to stand out as a brilliantly written piece of cinematic history.
7 “I Played This Stinkin’ City Like A Harp From Hell!” Danny DeVito as the Penguin in Batman Returns (1992) Danny DeVito’s iteration of the Penguin stood out as a unique interpretation of the character, as it leaned heavily into the villain’s deformities rather than solely his avian-themed criminal proclivities. Burton’s take on the Penguin was notable for many reasons, including being excellently written throughout Batman Returns. One moment sees the character lobbying to be elected as Mayor of Gotham City, only for Bruce Wayne to play back a recording of Penguin saying that he “played this stinkin’ city like a harp from hell” over his speech.
As well as being written perfectly for the character, the line is expertly delivered by DeVito. The use of it within Batman Returns’ narrative is also brilliant, as it serves as both a plot point and a key piece of characterization for the movie’s main villain. As a result, it stands out as an especially great quote in the two-film arc.
6 “Wait’ll They Get A Load Of Me.” Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989) When rewatching the Batman movies made by Tim Burton, a handful of details stand out as particularly noteworthy. One of the most obvious is that Jack Nicholson’s take on the Joker is truly excellent in a number of ways, from comic accuracy and comedic timing to being equal parts humorous and horrifying. One of the villain’s best lines has since become almost as iconic as the character himself, when the Joker simply announces: “wait’ll they get a load of me.”
The line is the Joker’s response to reading a headline about Batman terrorizing the city, and it perfectly encapsulates the villain’s mindset. He sees Batman being considered frightening something of a personal affront, and also the opportunity to make a joke about his own fearsome potential. It’s a moment that taps into the dark and twisted psyche of the Joker, with the line delivered to perfection by Nicholson.
5 “Mistletoe Can Be Deadly If You Eat It.” Michael Keaton as Batman & Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle in Batman Returns (1992) Batman Returns introduced Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman to Burton’s Batman continuity, detailing the anti-hero"s origins as well as the foundations of her relationship with Batman. The movie sees Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle connect while unaware of one another’s alter egos, only to discover the truth while dancing together at Max Shreck’s costume ball. In a reversal of an earlier scene where they meet as Batman and Catwoman, Selina says: “Mistletoe can be deadly if you eat it,” to which Bruce replies: “but a kiss can be even deadlier if you mean it.”
The symmetry of the moment is understated, but cleverly written. Having Selina Kyle repeat Batman’s earlier line only to have Bruce Wayne repeat Catwoman’s in response is a subtle but brilliant touch, and it’s a quote that cements the pair’s mutual fascination. Despite their romance being somewhat doomed from the start, the line perfectly captures the essence of the undeniable spark between them.
4 “Ah, The Direct Approach. I Admire That In A Man With A Mask.” Danny DeVito as the Penguin in Batman Returns (1992) In Tim Burton’s quirky and darkly humorous take on Gotham City, interactions between Batman and his villains often stand out as especially great moments. The seriousness of Batman combined with the inherent otherness of his villains lends itself perfectly to subtle humor, and Batman and the Penguin’s dynamic taps directly into this idea. While quizzing Penguin about his plan, the villain quickly retorts: “Ah, the direct approach. I admire that in a man with a mask.”
Pointing out the hypocrisy of Batman not only makes for a funny moment within the movie, but it establishes DeVito’s Penguin as deceptively clever and distinctly perceptive. It also serves to blur the lines between hero and villain, as Penguin points out that Batman really isn’t all that different from his antagonists. As such, the quote stands out as both hilarious and clever writing even decades after the film’s release.
3 “You Know What, I Mistook Me For Someone Else.” Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne in Batman Returns (1992) There are many qualities of Tim Burton’s Batman movies that help them stand out even amongst their contemporaries. Chief among them is Burton’s ability to inject personality and quirkiness into every aspect of his continuity, extending even to the eponymous hero. Upon meeting Selina Kyle for the first time, Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne becomes visibly flustered, telling her “I’m sorry, I mistook me for someone else.”
The line, though delivered in passing, conveys multiple layers of meaning at once. As well as referencing Bruce Wayne’s double life and the difficulty he has in keeping his two identities separate, it also communicates how unseated he is by his first meeting with Selina Kyle. It’s a line so subtly and comedically delivered by Keaton that its multiple meanings add a wealth of depth to the character, marking it as a deceptively great quote.
2 “Still... Could Be Worse. My Nose Could Be Gushing Blood.” Danny DeVito as the Penguin in Batman Returns (1992) Danny DeVito’s Penguin is by far one of the most memorable Batman movie villains of all time, not least due to his deliberately unsettling appearance and animalistic mannerisms. Shortly after introducing himself to Gotham City, the Penguin is approached by Max Shreck, and the plan to have him run for Mayor is formed. One of the people tasked with transforming Penguin into a respectable citizen remarks on his appearance, only for the villain to reply: “Still, could be worse... My nose could be gushing blood.” He then abruptly sinks his teeth into the man’s face.
The quote is one of the first moments in Batman Returns to mark Penguin as every bit as intelligent as he is violent. The vicious response to being insulted is decidedly humorous, and also visceral in its execution. It cements DeVito’s Penguin as an unpredictable and formidable enemy, as well as serving as a great moment of dark humor.
1 “Have You Ever Danced With The Devil In The Pale Moonlight?” Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman (1989) When considering the best quotes in Tim Burton’s Batman movies, longevity is undoubtedly an important factor. One particular quote that has stood the test of time and has eventually become relatively iconic in its own right is uttered several times throughout the film, as the Joker uses it as something of a catchphrase. When killing his victims, the Joker reveals that he enjoys asking them: “Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?”
Not only is the line memorable and poetic, but it’s also used to great effect throughout the movie. Most notably, it’s used to have Bruce Wayne learn the true identity of the Joker and uncover the connection in their origins, marking a key moment in the 1989 movie’s plot. In that, it stands out as the best quote from Tim Burton’s Batman movies.
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