View source for Batman Beyond

{{Short description|American animated television series}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| alt_name           = Batman of the Future<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X4wETFqHcM|title=Batman of the Future ''Opening / Intro''|date=July 6, 2008|author=[[Warner Bros. Television Animation]]|access-date=July 6, 2008|via=[[YouTube]]|work=R.F.}}</ref>
| image              = Batman Beyond (logo).svg
| image_size         = 200
| caption            =
| num_seasons        = 3
| genre              = {{ubl|[[Superhero fiction|Superhero]]|[[Science fiction]]|[[Action fiction|Action]]|[[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]|[[Cyberpunk]]|[[Tech Noir]]}}
| runtime            = 21–22 minutes
| creator            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Paul Dini]]
* [[Bruce Timm]]
* [[Alan Burnett]]
}}
| based_on           = {{based_on|[[Batman]]||[[Bob Kane]]|{{quad}}[[Bill Finger]] (uncredited)}}
| director           = 
| writer             = {{Plainlist|
* Alan Burnett
* Paul Dini
* Stan Berkowitz
* [[Rich Fogel]]
* [[Hilary Bader]]
}}
| voices             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Will Friedle]]
* [[Kevin Conroy]]
* [[Cree Summer]]
* [[Lauren Tom]]
* [[Frank Welker]]
* [[Stockard Channing]]
* [[Angie Harmon]]
}}
| composer           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Shirley Walker]]
* [[Lolita Ritmanis]]
* Michael McCuistion
* [[Kristopher Carter]]
}}
| country            = United States
| language           = English
| company            = [[Warner Bros. Family Entertainment]]<br />[[Warner Bros. Animation|Warner Bros. Television Animation]]
| network            = [[The WB]] <small>(episode 1-2 pilot)</small><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/batman-beyond-primetime|title="Batman Beyond" in primetime|first=Amid|last=Amidi|date=February 9, 2022|website=awn.com}}</ref><br />[[Kids' WB]] <small>(episodes 1-46, 48-52)</small><br />[[Cartoon Network]] <small>(episode 47)</small>
| first_aired        = {{Start date|1999|01|10}}
| last_aired         = {{End date|2001|12|18}}
| num_episodes       = 52
| list_episodes      = List of Batman Beyond episodes
| executive_producer = [[Jean MacCurdy]]
| producer           = {{Plainlist|
* Alan Burnett
* Paul Dini
* [[Glen Murakami]]
* Bruce Timm
}}
| related            = {{ubl|''[[The New Batman Adventures]]''|[[The Batman (TV series)|''The Batman'' (TV series)]]|''[[The Zeta Project]]''|[[DC Animated Universe#TV series|DC Animated Universe television series]]}}
}}
'''''Batman Beyond''''' (also known as '''''Batman of the Future''''' in some territories) is an American animated [[cyberpunk]] [[Superhero fiction|superhero]] television series based on the [[DC Comics]] superhero [[Batman]], and serving as the [[sequel]] to both ''[[Batman: The Animated Series]]'' and ''[[The New Batman Adventures]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/762629/the-untold-truth-of-batman-beyond/|title=The Untold Truth Of Batman Beyond|first=Sergio|last=Pereira|date=February 9, 2022|website=Looper.com}}</ref> Created and developed by [[Paul Dini]], [[Bruce Timm]], and [[Alan Burnett]] and produced by [[Warner Bros. Animation|Warner Bros. Television Animation]],<ref>{{cite news|title= A History of Batman on TV|work= [[IGN]]|url= http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/891/891807p8.html|access-date=August 15, 2010}}</ref> the series began airing on January 10, 1999 on [[The WB]]'s Sunday Night lineup as a two-part pilot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/batman-beyond-primetime|title="Batman Beyond" in primetime|first=Amid|last=Amidi|date=February 9, 2022|website=awn.com}}</ref> In the United Kingdom, it began airing on September 4, 2000.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |pages=114–122}}</ref>

The series follows the exploits of teenager [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Terry McGinnis]], who becomes the new Batman for the city of Gotham in the near future. Terry is aided and mentored by the retired Batman, Bruce Wayne, as he faces a variety of criminals including several new supervillains. Despite being conceived as a kid-friendly Batman series by Warner Bros. Animation, it ended up being darker than its predecessor ''Batman: The Animated Series'',<ref>Batman Beyond: Making of (DVD)</ref><ref name="mmv3">{{cite book |title= Modern Masters Volume 3: Bruce Timm |last= Nolen-Weathington |first= Eric |date= June 1, 2004 |publisher= [[TwoMorrows Publishing]] |isbn= 978-1-893905-30-6 |page= 67 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EMwn_4llWK0C&q=Bruce+Timm+kid-friendly+Batman+Beyond+cartoon&pg=PA67 |access-date= July 18, 2010}}</ref> yet went on to receive critical acclaim and gained a [[cult following]].

''Batman Beyond'' ran for three seasons, concluding with a [[direct-to-video]] [[feature film]], ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''. The decision to end production on the series came due to Warner Bros. Animation opting to favor pushing forward production for the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' animated series, though with ''Batman Beyond'' featuring crossovers with additional shows in the [[DC Animated Universe]].

==Plot==
In the then-future year of 2019, [[Bruce Wayne]] is in his late fifties and still fighting crime as [[Batman]], despite suffering recurring health issues relating to his age and past injuries. During a rescue of a kidnapped heiress, Bruce suffers a heart attack, and at the risk of being killed by a criminal, betrays a lifelong principle by threatening him with a gun, the weapon used to murder his parents and motivate him to become Batman in the first place. Realizing that he will inevitably have to break his strict code to never kill for survival if he continues to fight crime, Bruce reluctantly decides to permanently retire as Batman. By this point, his butler and confidant [[Alfred Pennyworth]] and additional colleagues such as [[Lucius Fox]] and [[Jim Gordon (character)|James Gordon]] have since died. All of his rogues gallery are either still incarcerated or residing at [[Arkham Asylum]], reformed, missing, in exile, retired, or dead. Bruce has also severed ties with [[Superman]] and the Justice League. 

Twenty years later, Bruce lives alone in Wayne Manor with only the company of his Doberman Ace. One-night, teenage [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Terry McGinnis]] is chased by thugs onto the lawn of Wayne Manor, and he and Bruce fight them together, but Bruce has another heart attack shortly afterwards. Terry takes Bruce inside and takes care of him. Exploring the mansion, Terry discovers the [[Batcave]] and asks Bruce to let him take up his mantle.      

Terry's decision to become Batman stems from sharing a similar origin story to Bruce, in that his father, Warren McGinnis, is murdered after learning of an illegal weapons project being conducted at Wayne-Powers. Bruce grants Terry a high-tech Batsuit he made shortly before his retirement, granting him increased strength and agility, flight capabilities, stealth, and enhanced sensor systems, with Bruce allowing him to use it not only to get justice for his father's murder, but also to prevent the illegal weapon being manufactured being sold to a foreign power. His actions lead to Bruce accepting him as the new Batman and providing him cover for his work under the pretense of Terry doing part-time work for him outside of school hours, with the two having moments where they differ in methods but also gaining respect for each other's work as Batman.

Terry mainly lives with his remaining family - his mother Mary, who was divorced from Warren around the time of his death; and his brother Matt - while dating fellow student Dana Tan, though his life as Batman creates complications to their relationship. Alongside Bruce, Terry is aided in his life by [[Maxine "Max" Gibson|Max Gibson]], a close friend and highly intelligent student who uncovers his secret several weeks after he becomes Batman, serving in a role similar to [[Alfred Pennyworth]]. Apart from Max, Terry's role as Batman is also known to [[Barbara Gordon]], who aided Bruce as [[Batgirl]] before parting ways with him to become the Gotham City's Police Department's new police commissioner following her father's death. Like Bruce, Terry develops his own rogues gallery amongst the criminals he brings to justice, and also faces some of Bruce's own enemies from his time as the Dark Knight.

==Voice cast==
{{main|List of Batman Beyond characters|List of DC Animated Universe characters}}
* [[Will Friedle]] as [[Batman (Terry McGinnis)|Terry McGinnis / Batman]]:<br />The second Batman, he is a high school student and former delinquent. Under the pretense of doing errands for Bruce, Terry fights crime as the new Batman. Terry was chosen to be the new Dark Knight as he shared a similar loss as Bruce had, that being the death of a parent (although unlike Bruce, who lost both of his parents, Terry only lost his father).
* [[Kevin Conroy]] as [[Batman|Bruce Wayne]]: <br />The original Batman, although initially reluctant he later becomes Terry's employer, mentor, and predecessor who guides Terry through the Batcomputer but also occasionally ventures into the field to help his successor if the situation demands it, despite the risks associated with his age. During his final mission, rescuing a wealthy heiress as the Dark Knight twenty years prior to the events of the main story, Bruce suffered a [[heart attack]] that nearly cost him his life, forcing him to break his primary moral principle by threatening to kill a criminal with a gun in self-defense. Horrified that he nearly used the type of weapon that took his parents' ([[Thomas Wayne|Thomas]] and [[Martha Wayne|Martha]]) lives and the very thing that drove him to become a vigilante, and afraid of what he might do next, Wayne reluctantly hung up the cowl.
* [[Cree Summer]] as Maxine "Max" Gibson:  A genius high schooler and friend of Terry's. She discovers his secret identity, and from then on occasionally helps Batman in a role akin to that of Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne's deceased former butler, though she is considered a nuisance to his predecessor (but less so as time went on). Her parents are divorced and she has an unnamed sister.
*[[Lauren Tom]] as Dana Tan: <br />Terry's on-and-off girlfriend in high school who is initially and formerly unaware of his secret identity as the new Dark Knight, and thus surprised or upset by his frequent absences which she only knows due to him working as a personal assistant for Bruce Wayne, to support his family financially following his father's death. She also has a father who is disapproving of Terry because of the latter's past as an irresponsible delinquent, which serves as a reminder and another motivation for Terry being Batman.
* [[Frank Welker]] as [[Ace the Bat-Hound|Ace]]:<br />Bruce Wayne's pet dog and his sole companion in Wayne Manor, the billionaire rescued and took in the stray [[Great Dane]] after the canine defended him from a [[Jokerz]] thug during one of Wayne's annual visits in memory of his parents to [[Crime Alley]]. Fiercely loyal to Bruce, he eventually develops a bond with Terry as well.
* [[Stockard Channing]] (Seasons 1 and 2) and [[Angie Harmon]] (Season 3) as [[Barbara Gordon]]: <br />The new Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, having succeeded her father [[Jim Gordon (character)|Jim]] and one of Bruce's former crime-fighting partners, Batgirl. Barbara was at one point in her younger years romantically involved with Bruce, which ended badly. Unlike her father, Barbara initially has a rocky relationship with the new Batman, being aware of his criminal record and showing resentment towards Bruce for dragging him into this life and is at first against him intervening in police duty, even threatening him with arrest. This is revealed to have been due to a long standing grudge towards Bruce for how he treated his former partners and also because of [[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker|a fateful night when the Bat-family splintered]]. She slowly gains a grudging respect for Terry after he helps her in several sticky situations and begins acknowledging his help whenever needed, though she does not use a [[Bat-Signal]], unlike her father. However, she still has direct access to the Batcave. She is married to Sam Young, the District Attorney of Neo-Gotham.

==Episodes==
{{main|List of Batman Beyond episodes}}
{{:List of Batman Beyond episodes}}

===Crossovers===
The third season of ''Batman Beyond'' featured the two-part episode "The Call" with (for the first time) a futuristic [[Justice League]], a [[springboard]] for the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' animated series. The setting and characters of ''Batman Beyond'' were also briefly revived in ''[[Static Shock]]'' during the episode "[[Future Shock (Static Shock)|Future Shock]]" in which [[Static (DC Comics)|Static]] is accidentally transported 40 years into the future.

''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' revisited the ''Batman Beyond'' world twice in 2005. The first was in "[[The Once and Future Thing]]" (Part 2), which featured [[Batman]], [[Wonder Woman]] and [[John Stewart (character)|Green Lantern]] transported 50 years into the future to stop a [[Chronos (character)|time-travelling villain]] with the help of the future Justice League (Batman II, Static, and [[Warhawk (DC Comics)|Warhawk]]).

The second time was meant to be the de facto [[series finale]] for ''Batman Beyond'': the episode "[[Epilogue (Justice League Unlimited episode)|Epilogue]]" reveals that Bruce Wayne is Terry McGinnis's biological father. The story, set 15 years after ''Batman Beyond'', centers on Terry (now in his early 30s) tracking down an elderly [[Amanda Waller]]. She explains through [[Flashback (narrative)|flashbacks]] that, even though she grew to trust and respect Batman, she was aware of him aging, getting slower, and getting weaker, thus accepting the idea of either Bruce retiring or being killed at some point. Finding the idea of a world without Batman unacceptable, Waller used her [[Project Cadmus]] connections to gather the technology for "Project Batman Beyond", whose goal was to physically create a new Batman, starting with a secretly collected sample of Bruce Wayne's DNA. Some years after Bruce retired, Waller found a young Neo-Gotham couple—the McGinnises—with psychological profiles nearly identical to those of Bruce's parents and gave Warren McGinnis a [[Nanotechnology|nanotech]] solution to rewrite his [[Reproduction|reproductive]] material with that of Bruce. The eventual result was his wife Mary McGinnis giving birth to Terry, a child sharing the genetic traits of his mother and Bruce Wayne. When Terry was eight years old, Waller employed an elderly [[Andrea Beaumont]] in her Phantasm alias as an assassin to kill Terry's family, hoping the [[Psychological trauma|trauma]] would put him on the path to becoming Batman. However, Beaumont could not commit the act, arguing that she would be doing something against what Bruce stood for. Waller eventually conceded that Beaumont had been right and abolished the project altogether. Eight years afterward, Warren would be murdered because of [[Derek Powers]], and Terry would meet Bruce by happenstance—resulting in Terry becoming Batman's successor. Waller concludes by reminding Terry that he is Bruce's son, not his clone, and that, despite the circumstances of his existence, he still has [[free will]] to live out his own life; Although not his clone she later tells Terry how he is not even close to as smart as Bruce Wayne but he does have his heart. Terry comes to terms with his revelations, and continues in being Batman. With a new sense of purpose, Terry plans to propose to Dana, while continuing his life of crimefighting.

===Animation===
In order to complete the series, Warner Bros. Animation outsourced ''Batman Beyond'' to [[Dong Yang Animation]], [[CNK International|Koko Enterprises]] and Seoul Movie (a subsidiary of TMS) in Seoul, South Korea. While the South Korean studios animated the series' episodes, the feature film ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]'' was animated by [[TMS Entertainment]] in Tokyo, Japan.

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name         = '''''Batman Beyond'''''
| type         = soundtrack
| artist       = [[Shirley Walker]], [[Kristopher Carter]], [[Lolita Ritmanis]], Michael McCuistion
| cover        = 
| alt          = 
| caption      = 
| released     = {{Start date|1999|08|31}}
| recorded     = 
| venue        = 
| studio       = 
| genre        = 
| length       = {{Duration|m=39|s=58}}
| label        = [[Rhino Entertainment]]
| producer     = 
| prev_title   = 
| prev_year    = 
| next_title   = 
| next_year    = 
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="am">{{cite web|last=Phares|first=Heather|title=Batman Beyond|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r428036|pure_url=yes}}|access-date=July 18, 2010}}</ref>
}}Released on August 31, 1999, the soundtrack to ''Batman Beyond'' features many of the same composers who worked on the previous animated ''Batman'' shows. The music style is more [[Industrial music|industrial]], with some [[Industrial metal|metal]] influence, to tie in with the show's futuristic [[cyberpunk]] genre.
{{Track listing
| headline      = ''Batman Beyond''
| extra_column  = Composer
| title1        = Batman Beyond (Main Title)
| length1       = 1:00
| extra1        = Kristopher Carter
| title2        = Cold vs. Hot
| length2       = 3:12
| extra2        = Lolita Ritmanis
| title3        = Terrific Trio vs. Rocketeers
| length3       = 1:50
| extra3        = Michael McCuistion
| title4        = Bat-Slapped in Store
| length4       = 1:16
| extra4        = Kristopher Carter
| title5        = Farewells
| length5       = 2:44
| extra5        = Lolita Ritmanis
| title6        = Batman Defeats Chappell
| length6       = 2:14
| extra6        = Kristopher Carter
| title7        = Batman Chases Inque
| length7       = 2:43
| extra7        = Kristopher Carter
| title8        = Yachting with the Card Gang
| length8       = 2:09
| extra8        = Shirley Walker
| title9        = Batman's First Fight
| length9       = 2:57
| extra9        = Michael McCuistion
| title10       = The Legacy Continues
| length10      = 1:24
| extra10       = Michael McCuistion
| title11       = Hotel Scuffle
| length11      = 1:57
| extra11       = Shirley Walker
| title12       = Trouble in the Museum
| length12      = 1:46
| extra12       = Shirley Walker
| title13       = Inque Escapes!
| length13      = 1:22
| extra13       = Kristopher Carter
| title14       = Nuclear Lab Destruction
| length14      = 1:54
| extra14       = Michael McCuistion
| title15       = Golem Chases Shoppers
| length15      = 2:00
| extra15       = Shirley Walker
| title16       = Willie Defeated
| length16      = 2:37
| extra16       = Shirley Walker
| title17       = Genetic Theft
| length17      = 1:29
| extra17       = Michael McCuistion
| title18       = Joker Chase
| length18      = 3:08
| extra18       = Lolita Ritmanis
| title19       = Move to the Groove
| length19      = 1:16
| extra19       = Lolita Ritmanis
| title20       = Batman Beyond (End Credits)
| length20      = 1:00
| extra20       = Shirley Walker
}}

==Critical reception==
While the idea of ''Batman Beyond'' seemed as if it were "not a proper continuation of the legacy of the Dark Knight",<ref name="ign"/> the series received critical acclaim and a cult following after its release. It has been praised for its dark and cyberpunk storytelling. The show was nominated for four [[Daytime Emmy Awards]], two of which it won in 2001 for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program and Outstanding Music Direction and Composition. In addition, the show was nominated for five [[Annie Awards]] and won two of those nominations in 1999 and 2001.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} In 2009, [[IGN]].com named ''Batman Beyond'' the 40th-best animated television series of all time.<ref name="ign">{{Cite web |url=http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/40.html |publisher=IGN |title=40. Batman Beyond |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122200042/http://tv.ign.com/top-100-animated-tv-series/40.html |archive-date=January 22, 2009}}</ref>

Den of Geek, when listing the best episodes of the series, wrote that "Batman Beyond's first year on the air represents the show at its most realized form. It's the only season of the show that's written at the same level of quality as ''Batman: The Animated Series''. Not to say that later seasons don't have their moments, but it seemed like the writers approached Beyond as a Saturday morning cartoon during seasons two and three, whereas during season one, they most certainly did not."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/batman-beyond-best-episodes/ | title=Batman Beyond: The Essential Episodes | date=January 10, 2020}}</ref> Creator [[Bruce Timm]] has stated ''Batman Beyond'' is the most uneven series of the main [[DC Animated Universe]] shows, particular in regard to the latter two seasons.<ref>[https://animesuperhero.com/forums/threads/which-dcau-season-is-considered-the-best-and-which-dcau-season-is-considered-the-worst.5795423/post-87876011 Forum post] {{dead link|date=April 2023}}</ref> [[Greg Weisman]] commented that while the series was well made, it felt more like a [[Spider-Man]] series and much less like Batman.<ref>{{cite web |title=Search Ask Greg |url=http://www.s8.org/gargoyles/askgreg/search.php?qid=2114 |publisher=Gargoyles : Station Eight}}</ref> ''Batman Beyond'' was cited by actor [[Jacob Bertrand]], who voice-acted [[Batmobile|Bam the Batmobile]] in ''[[Batwheels]]'', as his introduction to the Batman franchise.

==Home media==
===VHS===
Some episodes of the series were released on [[VHS]] from 1999 to 2000, including the series' premiere (as ''Batman Beyond: The Movie''), and select episodes as five VHS volumes containing three episodes per tape (the same contents as the individual [[DVD-Video|DVD]] volume releases, see below), and the direct-to-video film ''Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker'' (edited version).

===Season DVDs===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!DVD name!!Release date!!Episodes!!Additional information
|-
|''The Complete First Season''|| March 21, 2006|| style="text-align:center;"|13|| Special features: creators' commentary on two key episodes; ''Inside ''Batman Beyond'': Meet the Series' Creators''; ''Music of the Knight'': Enjoy Score-Only Versions of Key Scenes.
|-
|{{nowrap|''The Complete Second Season''}}|| October 24, 2006|| style="text-align:center;"|26|| Special features: creators' commentary on two key episodes; ''Inside ''Batman Beyond'': The Panel – In-Depth Dialogue with the Show's Creators''. DVD art designed by Jesse Stagg at RDI.
|-
|''The Complete Third Season''|| March 20, 2007|| style="text-align:center;"|13|| Special features: ''Inside Batman Beyond''; featurettes on four episodes by producers, directors and Will Friedle. DVD art designed by Jesse Stagg at RDI.
|-
|''The Complete Series''|| {{nowrap|November 23, 2010}}||style="text-align:center;"|52|| Special features: creator commentaries, season retrospectives, bonus 9th disc with 95 minutes of new special features, ''Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics'' documentary and three all-new, all-revealing featurettes.
|}

===Individual DVDs===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!DVD name!!Release date!!Episodes!!Additional information
|-
|''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''<br/>(edited version, 73 min.)||{{nowrap|December 12, 2000}}|| style="text-align:center;"|1||Commentary by the filmmakers*; behind-the-scenes documentary; deleted scenes; animation tests; music video ''Crash'' by [[Mephisto Odyssey]] featuring [[Static-X]]; animated character bios; interactive menus; production notes; trailers; scene access; subtitles: English and French.
|-
|''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''<br/>(uncut version, 76 min.)|| April 23, 2002|| style="text-align:center;"|1||Commentary by the filmmakers*; behind-the-scenes documentary; deleted scenes; animation tests; music video ''Crash'' by Mephisto Odyssey featuring Static-X; animated character bios; interactive menus; production notes; trailers; scene access; subtitles: English and French.
|-
|''Batman Beyond: The Movie''|| May 18, 1999 ||style="text-align:center;"|6|| Compilation of the [[List of Batman Beyond episodes#Season One: 1999|first six episodes]] (by production order, not by air date) of the series: "Rebirth" (Parts 1 and 2), "Golem", "Dead Man's Hand", "Meltdown", and "The Winning Edge"
|-
|''Batman Beyond: School Dayz and Spellbound''|| March 2, 2004|| style="text-align:center;"|6||Contains the episodes: "Golem", "Heroes", "Spellbound", "Shriek", "Disappearing Inque", and "Hooked Up", plus all of the episodes as one long movie
|-
|{{nowrap|''Batman Beyond: Tech Wars and Disappearing Inque''}}|| March 2, 2004|| style="text-align:center;"|6|||
|}
* '''*Note''': The audio commentaries for both the edited and uncut versions of ''Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker'' were provided by the same contributors; however, both versions are slightly different from each other.

===Blu-ray===
''Batman Beyond'' was released on [[Blu-ray]] on October 29, 2019. The four-disc set includes all 52 episodes and the uncut version of ''Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker''. Forty-one of the episodes and ''Return of the Joker'' were remastered. The remaining 11 episodes were an [[Video scaler|upconversion]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/batman-beyond-blu-ray-release-remastered/|title='Batman Beyond' is Finally Getting a Remastered Blu-ray Release This October [Comic-Con 2019]|date=2019-07-18|website=/Film|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-19}}</ref>

==Spin-off==
{{main|The Zeta Project}}
A spin-off from ''Batman Beyond'', an animated series called ''[[The Zeta Project]]'', featured the android [[Infiltration Unit Zeta|Zeta]] from the ''Batman Beyond'' episode "Zeta", who was redesigned to possess a more humanoid appearance. Batman would guest star in the episode "Shadows". The super villain [[Stalker (DC Comics)|Stalker]] was to have appeared in ''The Zeta Project'' episode "Taffy Time", but ultimately did not do so.<ref name="worldsfinestonline1">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/zetaproject/backstage/kuhr.php |title=The World's Finest - The Zeta Project |publisher=Worldsfinestonline.com |access-date=January 2, 2011}}</ref> The second-season episode "Ro's Gift" has an appearance by the Brain Trust from the ''Batman Beyond'' episode "Mind Games". Terry McGinnis/Batman was originally slated to appear in this episode as well, but was cut since [[Bruce Timm]] and company were working on ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''.<ref name="worldsfinestonline1"/>

==In other media==

===Comics===
{{Main|Batman Beyond (comic book)}}

===Books===
''Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker'', a novelization of the feature film written by Michael Teitelbaum, was released on November 1, 2000.

Two ''Batman Beyond'' books for young readers were released on November 14, 2000: ''Batman Beyond: New Hero in Town'' and ''Batman Beyond: No Place Like Home'', followed by two more, released on May 28, 2002: ''Batman Beyond: Hear No Evil'' and ''Batman Beyond: Grounded''.

===Toys===
In 1999, [[Hasbro]] released a ''Batman Beyond'' Toyline with sub-lines. In 2000, [[Burger King]] included ''Batman Beyond'' toys in their kids' meals.

In 2023, [[Bandai Namco]] released DC versions of the Vital Bracelet Digital Monster (Vital Hero in the USA) toy line.<ref>https://x.com/VitalheroOFC/status/1669012432025714689</ref> These included many heroes and villains from the DC universe along with a bundle-only Batman-themed card. The Batman card contains multiple versions of Batman and Robin including Terry McGinnis.<ref>https://x.com/VitalheroOFC/status/1691164400974204933</ref>

===Films===
{{main|Batman in film}}
A [[direct-to-video]] feature film, ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]'', was released on December 12, 2000. The original release was censored for elements of violence and death following the [[Columbine High School massacre]], though a second, uncensored version was later released. Nevertheless, it received critical acclaim for its story, voice acting, animation and score.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_beyond_return_of_the_joker/ | title=Batman Beyond - Return of the Joker | date=December 12, 2000 | publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] | access-date=2009-10-23| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091022162149/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_beyond_return_of_the_joker/| archive-date= 22 October 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> A second ''Batman Beyond'' film, focusing on the origins of Terry McGinnis, multiple clones of Bruce Wayne, and the appearance of an elderly [[Catwoman|Selina Kyle]], was planned by [[Bruce Timm]] and [[Glen Murakami]], though it was never scripted, as it never went beyond a 45-minute impromptu plotting session between the two. The project was scrapped due to the dark tones and controversies surrounding ''Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://jl.toonzone.net/episode50/episode50.htm |title=Epilogue |access-date=2010-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516063839/http://jl.toonzone.net/episode50/episode50.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2016 |df=mdy}}</ref> Despite this, the plot elements were eventually reworked into the second-season finale of ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' titled "Epilogue" (which was intended to be the series finale until the show was renewed for a third and final season) where Terry discovers his genetic origins. [[Amanda Waller]] planted Bruce Wayne's DNA into Warren McGinnis through his routine flu shot and later helps create a copy of Bruce Wayne; Selina Kyle is briefly mentioned in passing.

Among the live action films proposed between the critical failure of ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]'' and the [[Batman Begins|reboot of the ''Batman'' franchise]] was ''Batman Beyond''. In August 2000, Warner Bros. announced that it was developing a live-action [[film adaptation]] with [[Boaz Yakin]] attached to co-write and direct. The TV series' creators, Dini and [[Alan Burnett]], were hired to write a screenplay for the feature film, with [[Neal Stephenson]] as consultant. Yakin hoped to cast [[Clint Eastwood]] as the retired Batman.<ref>{{cite news |last=Harris |first=Dana | url=https://variety.com/2000/film/news/there-s-new-batman-in-wb-s-belfry-1117785384/ | title=There's new 'Batman' in WB's belfry | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=August 22, 2000 | access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref><ref name="greenberg20050508">{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-08-ca-batman8-story.html |title=Rescuing Batman |last=Greenberg |first=James |date=2005-05-08 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2019-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202014002/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/08/entertainment/ca-batman8 |archive-date=December 2, 2008 |url-status=live |page=E-10}}</ref> By July 2001, a first draft was turned in to the studio, and the writers were waiting to see if a rewrite would be needed. The studio, also exploring other takes of Batman in development<ref>{{cite news |last=Linder |first=Brian | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/301/301455p1.html | title=''Beyond'' Doubt | publisher=IGN | date=July 17, 2001 | access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> eventually placed ''Batman Beyond'' on hold in August 2001, but ultimately canceled the proposal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Linder |first=Brian | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/305/305442p1.html | title=Aronofsky's Sci-Fi Epic Postponed | publisher=IGN | date=August 31, 2001 | access-date=May 17, 2007}}</ref> Yakin reportedly wanted the film to be dark, nihilistic, and with swearing and violence, and not the [[PG-13]] film the studio wanted.{{r|greenberg20050508}}

In January 2019, rumors began to circulate that [[Warner Animation Group]] was developing an animated ''Batman Beyond'' film following the critical and commercial success of [[Sony Pictures Animation]]'s ''[[Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Gerber |first=Jamie |title=Batman Beyond Animated Movie In Development at Warner Bros. |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-beyond-animated-movie-development-warner-bros/ |website=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=July 3, 2020 |date=January 30, 2019}}</ref> but was later reported that no such film was in the works.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wood |first=Matt |title=Sorry, The Batman Beyond Movie Rumor Was Shot Down |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2466275/sorry-the-batman-beyond-movie-rumor-was-shot-down |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=July 3, 2020 |date=February 2, 2019}}</ref> In the later August interview with [[DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]], Paul Dini revealed that Warner Bros. continues to express interest in a film adaptation but have put emphasis on other projects.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lapin-Bertone |first=Joshua |title=BATMAN BEYOND Writer & Director on a Possible Movie |url=https://www.dcuniverse.com/news/batman-beyond-writer-director-possible-movie/ |website=[[DC Universe (streaming service)|DC Universe]] |access-date=July 3, 2020 |date=August 22, 2019}}</ref> Actor [[Tyler Posey]] has expressed interest in playing Terry McGinnis in the possible film adaptation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Teen Wolf Star Tyler Posey Wants to Play Batman Beyond |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/batman-beyond-teen-wolf-tyler-posey-wants-to-play/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=Movies |date=October 18, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> In June 2020, [[Michael Keaton]] entered talks to play an elderly Bruce Wayne, reprising his role from [[Tim Burton]]'s ''[[Batman (1989 film)|Batman]]'' (1989) and ''[[Batman Returns]]'' (1992), in the DCEU film, ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]'', which was set for release in 2023. According to ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Warner Bros. hopes for Keaton to return for multiple DCEU films in a way "akin to the role played by [[Samuel L. Jackson]] as [[Nick Fury (Marvel Cinematic Universe)|Nick Fury]] in the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]], something of a mentor or guide or even string-puller".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Micheal Keaton in Talks to Return as Batman for 'Flash' Movie |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/micheal-keaton-talks-return-as-batman-flash-movie-1299668 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=June 22, 2020 |date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> Keaton was officially confirmed to return in August of the same year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=August 20, 2020 |title=Ben Affleck Will Return as Batman in ''The Flash'' |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/08/ben-affleck-returns-batman-the-flash-multiverse-keaton |url-status=live |access-date=August 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820190653/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/08/ben-affleck-returns-batman-the-flash-multiverse-keaton |archive-date=August 20, 2020}}</ref> In December 2022, it was announced that [[Christina Hodson]], writer of ''The Flash'' and the cancelled [[Batgirl (film)|''Batgirl'']] film, had been hired to write a script for a live-action Batman Beyond film. The plot would have involved an aged Bruce Wayne, continuing the plot threads from his appearance in ''The Flash'', and would have included the return of [[Michelle Pfeiffer]]'s [[Selina Kyle (Batman Returns)|Catwoman]]. Development on the film was shelved after [[James Gunn]] and [[Peter Safran]] were appointed as co-heads of DC Studios.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nebens |first=Richard |date=2022-12-09 |title=Michael Keaton's Batman Reboot Reportedly Killed at Warner Bros |url=https://thedirect.com/article/batman-michael-keaton-reboot-warner-bros |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=The Direct |language=en}}</ref> In January 2023, Gunn and Safran stated that there is potential for a future multiverse project in which they may incorporate Keaton's incarnation of Batman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Massoto |first=Erick |date=2023-01-31 |title=James Gunn Says There Are "Possibilities" for Michael Keaton's Batman |url=https://collider.com/michael-keaton-batman-james-gunn-comments/ |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref>

In March 2023 it was reported that an animated ''Batman Beyond'' film had been put into development, written by [[Daniel Casey (screenwriter)|Daniel Casey]] and serving as WB's answer to [[Into the Spider-Verse|''Spider-Man'': ''Into the Spider-Verse'']]. However, the project was put into commission under the leadership of [[Walter Hamada]], who served as DC Films president from 2018 to 2022, and it is currently unknown if it is still happening under Gunn and Safran's direction, though Jeff Sneider of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' noted that nobody who was working on the project was told it was cancelled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hargrave |first=Sam |date=2023-03-03 |title=Batman Beyond Movie: New Details Revealed (Report) |url=https://thedirect.com/article/batman-beyond-movie-details-report |access-date=2023-03-06 |website=The Direct |language=en}}</ref>

===Video games===
The first appearance of the Terry McGinnis version of Batman in a video game is in the [[Nintendo 64]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], and [[Game Boy Color]] video game ''[[Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (video game)|Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker]]''.

The ''Batman Beyond'' Batsuit appears as an alternate costume in ''[[Justice League Heroes]]'' and as downloadable content in ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'' and ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]''.

A ''Batman Beyond'' DLC was included in the third ''Lego Batman'' video game.

A "Batman of the Future" character pack featuring the Terry McGinnis Batman with all its trademark gadgets (such as the flying suit and the ability to turn invisible) and other ''Batman Beyond''-era characters were revealed to be [[PS3]]/[[PS4]]-exclusive DLC for ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/09/26/the-batman-of-the-future-is-coming-to-lego-batman-3-in-europe/|title=The Batman of the Future is coming to LEGO Batman 3 in Europe|date=September 26, 2014|publisher=VG247.com}}</ref>

[[Rocksteady Studios]] created their own unique take on the ''Batman Beyond'' Batsuit for ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]'' as a pre-order bonus along with ''The Dark Knight Returns'' Batsuit titled "Gotham's Future Pack".

Batman Beyond appears in the mobile games ''Teeny Titans'' and ''Teen Titans Go! Figure''.

===Animation===
In April 2014, a ''Batman Beyond'' short by [[Darwyn Cooke]] premiered at [[WonderCon]]. The short, which saw Will Friedle and Kevin Conroy reprise their roles, sees Batman (Terry McGinnis) battle a Batman android (resembling the design from ''The New Batman Adventures'') in the Batcave with help from the elderly Bruce Wayne and the [[Batmobile]] (resembling the design from ''Batman: The Animated Series''). Once defeated, Batman and Bruce look out to see and prepare to fight seven additional invading androids resembling the designs from ''[[Beware the Batman]]'', ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'', ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'', ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'', [[Batman (1989 film)|''Batman'' (1989 film)]], [[Batman (TV series)|''Batman'' (1960s TV series)]], and the original design by [[Bill Finger]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/batman-beyond-75th-anniversary-exclusive-short-darwyn-cooke-214026355.html |title=Spot the Easter Eggs in a New Batman Film for His 75th Anniversary |last=McDaniel |first=Matt |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |date=April 18, 2014 |access-date=April 20, 2014}}</ref> Though the androids' source is unstated, they are reminiscent of [[Heart of Steel (Batman: The Animated Series)|the story arc]] from ''Batman: The Animated Series'' involving the [[His Silicon Soul|computer program HARDAC]].

''Batman Beyond'' is alluded in ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' In the episode "Sandwich Thief", [[Robin (character)|Robin]] travels to the future to his father [[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]]'s apartment where a poster of the ''Batman Beyond'' Batman can be seen, indicating that Nightwing admires this incarnation of Batman.

==References==
{{reflist}}
<ref>{{Cite web |last=cameronmoviesandtv |date=2022-11-19 |title=Justice League Unlimited – Season 1, Episode 26 – "Epilogue" – The Legacy of Batman and Remembering Kevin Conroy |url=https://cameronmoviesandtv.wordpress.com/2022/11/19/justice-league-unlimited-season-1-episode-26-epilogue-the-legacy-of-batman-and-remembering-kevin-conroy/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=cameronmoviesandtv |language=en}}</ref>

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Batman Beyond}}
{{Portal|Television|United States|Cartoon|Speculative fiction|1990s|2000s}}
* [http://www.dccomics.com/tv/batman-beyond-1999-2001 DC page]
* [http://www.batmanbeyond.com/HTML/index.html Warner Bros. site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009005237/http://batmanbeyond.com/HTML/index.html|date=October 9, 2006}}
* {{IMDb title|0147746}}
* {{dcauw|Batman Beyond}}
* [http://www.toonopedia.com/b-beyond.htm ''Batman Beyond''] at [[Don Markstein's Toonopedia]]. [https://archive.today/20240528074736/https://www.webcitation.org/6xQujSKpK?url=http://www.toonopedia.com/b-beyond.htm Archived] from the original on February 22, 2018.

{{DC Animated Universe}}
{{Batman in popular media}}
{{DC Comics animated TV series}}
{{Justice League Beyond}}
{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}
{{Kids' WB}}
{{Annie Award for Best Animated Television Production}}

[[Category:Batman Beyond| ]]
[[Category:1990s American animated television series]]
[[Category:1990s American children's television series]]
[[Category:1990s American drama television series]]
[[Category:1990s American high school television series]]
[[Category:1990s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:1990s American science fiction television series]]
[[Category:1990s American superhero television series]]
[[Category:1999 American animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2000s American animated television series]]
[[Category:2000s American children's television series]]
[[Category:2000s American drama television series]]
[[Category:2000s American high school television series]]
[[Category:2000s American mystery television series]]
[[Category:2000s American science fiction television series]]
[[Category:2000s American superhero television series]]
[[Category:2001 American television series endings]]
[[Category:American anime-influenced animated television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated action television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated mystery television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated science fiction television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated superhero television series]]
[[Category:American children's drama television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:American sequel television series]]
[[Category:American teen animated television series]]
[[Category:Animated Batman television series]]
[[Category:Animated television shows based on DC Comics]]
[[Category:Annie Award winners]]
[[Category:Cyberpunk television series]]
[[Category:DC Comics titles]]
[[Category:Emmy Award–winning programs]]
[[Category:Fiction about flying cars]]
[[Category:Juvenile delinquency in fiction]]
[[Category:Kids' WB original shows]]
[[Category:Teen superhero television series]]
[[Category:Television series about alien visitations]]
[[Category:Television series about genetic engineering]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Animation]]
[[Category:Television series set in 2019]]
[[Category:Television series set in 2039]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:The WB animated television series]]
[[Category:Works about atonement]]