Michael Keaton has had an expansive career, with a huge variety of roles over the past five decades. So when trying to filter down the best Michael Keaton movies, it’s a huge task. But that we have, selecting some of his most iconic as well as most revered roles.
The Best Michael Keaton Movies
Keaton’s heyday was most certainly the 80s and 90s but he’s seen a welcome resurgence of late. You’ll see him in movie theatres later in 2023 reprising his role as Batman, watch the new trailer for The Flash on that. Another character making a welcome comeback is Beetlejuice. That’s right, Beetlejuice 2 is official, with Tim Burton back at the helm.
But all that is to come. For now, take a look at our favourite movies from the legend.
Beetlejuice
Tim Burton and Keaton at their bizarre best, 1988’s Beetlejuice was fantastic from start to finish. Creepy and funny in equal measure, the horror comedy starred Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin as Barbara and Adam Maitland who move into a new home in the countryside. After dying and coming back to haunt their home, they call on the help of Keaton’s Betelgeuse to help them get rid of the new owners.
Cue plenty of weird and surreal high jinks, with musical numbers and gross special effects. Definitely one of his most outlandish performances.
Batman
Outside of comic books, the Batman character had little success since the 1960s campy TV show. That all changed with Burton and Keaton teaming up once again for Batman (1989). With his comedy background, few saw Keaton as the logical choice to play the caped crusader but that criticism was put to bed upon the film’s release.
His portrayal of Batman revived the character for a whole new audience and would set the benchmark for superhero movies for years to come. With Jack Nicholson also putting in a stellar performance as the Joker and Prince on soundtrack duties, the combination ensured that Keaton would return…
Batman Returns
And return in style he did, three years later in fact with Batman Returns (1992). Possibly even better than the first – depending on who you ask – Batman Returns added some of his most well-known adversaries The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Added to that mix was Christopher Walken and you got one hell of a movie, with all the Tim Burton darkness you could want.
This would be the last good Batman movie for a while, as in the late 90s Joel Schumacher turned the franchise into a mess. Thankfully Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins saved the bat, and now Keaton returns again!
PORCO ROSSO
Keaton has lent his voice to several animated characters over the years, from Cars and Minions to Toy Story 3. However, it is his starring role in Studio Ghibli’s PORCO ROSSO that deserves the biggest praise. From renowned Japanese animator Hiyao Miyazaki, Keaton voices the titular character, a World War I flying ace previously known as Marco Pagott before he’s mysteriously turned into a pig.
Now a pilot for hire, halting the attempts of pirates off the Italian coast, PORCO ROSSO is a delightful tale brought to life by Keaton’s gruff voicing acting and indomitable charm.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Back in another superhero movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming was a huge hit in 2017. This time around Keaton wasn’t the hero, that’s Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. No, Keaton played Adrian Toomes, a.k.a. The Vulture, a new villain for Spidy to deal with all by himself after previously partnering up with the Avengers.
Big, brash and unmistakably, Marvel, Keaton was a perfect counter as a disgruntled salvager who turns to arms dealing to make money. In stark contrast to Holland’s youthful exuberance as the web-slinger, who is now under the watchful eye of Tony Stark.
Spotlight
There’s no shortage of Keaton stretching his legs in dramatic roles, he’s been doing it since the 80s. However, two of his most recent roles stand out from the rest. The first is Spotlight (2015) where he plays veteran journalist Walter “Robby” Robinson. The Oscar-winning film is about The Boston Globe’s investigation into Boston’s Catholic clergy and the allegations of sexual abuse.
Robinson was the leader of the Globe’s “Spotlight” team which exposed rampant abuse by the priests. Joining Keaton on the all-star cast were Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, and Stanley Tucci.
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
The second dramatic performance that has to be mentioned is Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance). Netting Keaton a Golden Globe win and Oscar nomination, he plays Riggan Thomson an actor best known for playing a former cinema superhero whose career is stagnating.
Trying to turn his luck around, Thomson aims to revive his career with an ambitious Broadway production. Things are never simple, of course, as a castmate is injured, he needs to juggle his girlfriend, daughter and ex-wife, and deal with the superhero persona dominating his psyche. Also starring Edward Norton, Birdman is one of Keaton’s most outstanding performances.
What did you think of our best Michael Keaton movies? Which others should have made the list? Let us know in the comments below.
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