Batman (1989)

Most people think so. 83% of audiences gave it a thumbs up, by Google's archived audience score. Critics agree, scoring it 73%.

Having witnessed his parents' brutal murder as a child, millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne fights crime in Gotham City disguised as Batman, a costumed hero who strikes fear into the hearts of villains. But when a deformed madman known as 'The Joker' seizes control of Gotham's criminal underworld, Batman must face his most ruthless nemesis ever while protecting both his identity and his love interest, reporter Vicki Vale. Wikipedia ↗

Batman is a 1989 American superhero film directed by Tim Burton, the film that redefined the comic book movie genre and proved that dark, serious superhero storytelling could achieve massive commercial success. Michael Keaton stars as Bruce Wayne/Batman, a reclusive billionaire who wages a secret war on crime in Gotham City, a nightmarish urban dystopia of Gothic architecture and perpetual night. Tim Burton's vision of Gotham City, designed by Anton Furst, was one of the most influential production designs in cinema history — a fusion of 1940s noir, German Expressionism, and industrial decay that established the visual template for dark superhero films.

Jack Nicholson's Joker was a showstopping performance of theatrical menace and darkly comic excess, earning him a $6 million salary plus a percentage of gross that reportedly netted him over $60 million. Michael Keaton's casting was initially met with fan outrage — he was known primarily as a comedian — but his intense, understated performance won over skeptics. Danny Elfman's gothic orchestral score became iconic.

Batman earned $411 million worldwide on a $35 million budget and launched the modern era of superhero blockbusters.