Michael Keaton is a Hollywood icon with a career spanning four decades. From his early comedic roles to his iconic turn as Batman and his recent resurgence in superhero films, Keaton’s movies bring in the big bucks. Throughout his career, his films have collectively raked in over $6.8 billion worldwide. As of 2024, Keaton has an estimated net worth of $50 million.
Keaton rose to fame with comedic performances in films like Night Shift and Beetlejuice. He gained even wider recognition when he donned the Batsuit as the titular superhero in 1989’s Batman and its 1992 sequel, Batman Returns. More recently, he returned triumphantly to superhero movies as the villainous Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming and is reprising his Batman role in the upcoming film The Flash. He’s even got another Beetlejuice movie in the works – Beetlejuice 2 is scheduled for a 2025 release!
Let’s take a closer look at the highest-grossing Michael Keaton movies of all time:
11. The Other Guys (2010)
Global Box Office: $170,458,922
Michael Keaton slid back into the spotlight with a supporting role in Adam McKay’s buddy cop comedy, The Other Guys. He played Captain Gene Mauch, the surprisingly laid-back, poetry-loving boss of Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg’s mismatched detective duo. The film opened strong with a $35.5 million opening weekend and was a box office success.
10. Need for Speed (2014)
Global Box Office: $203,277,636
The widespread Need for Speed video game franchise hit the big screen in 2014, with Michael Keaton playing Monarch, the organizer of a high-stakes underground cross-country race. The film, driven by high-octane action and a quest for revenge, received mixed reviews but still revved up a solid box office performance.
9. RoboCop (2014)
Global Box Office: $242,688,965
In the 2014 remake of the science-fiction classic, Michael Keaton played Raymond Sellars, the ethically questionable CEO of Omnicorp who spearheaded the creation of RoboCop. While the film was compared to the original and received mixed reviews, it achieved considerable financial success, exceeding its $100 million production budget.
8. Batman Returns (1992)
Global Box Office: $266,940,209
Keaton again donned the Batsuit in Tim Burton’s darker, more gothic sequel, Batman Returns. This follow-up saw Bruce Wayne face off against two iconic villains: Danny DeVito’s menacing Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s captivating Catwoman. Despite criticism of its darker tone and controversial elements, the film was a box office hit.
7. The Flash (2023)
Global Box Office: $271,333,313
In a thrilling return to the superhero genre after three decades, Keaton reprised his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Flash, the DCEU’s Multiverse-Bending Film. The film reignited fan nostalgia and generated huge buzz. While it had a strong opening weekend, it ultimately fell short of expectations due to various controversies.
6. Dumbo (2019)
Global Box Office: $353,284,621
Keaton reunited with his longtime collaborator, Tim Burton, for Disney’s live-action remake of Dumbo. He played V.A. Vandevere, the ambitious and ruthless entrepreneur who sees potential profit in Dumbo, the flying baby elephant. Despite mixed critical reviews, the film soared at the box office.
5. Batman (1989)
Global Box Office: $411,569,241
Michael Keaton’s iconic portrayal of Bruce Wayne/Batman in Tim Burton’s groundbreaking 1989 film redefined the superhero genre. His brooding and complex performance is still considered by many to be the definitive Batman. This blockbuster shattered box office records and spawned a massively successful franchise.
4. Cars (2006)
Global Box Office: $461,996,328
Michael Keaton brought his voice acting talents to Pixar’s Cars, voicing Chick Hicks, the cocky veteran race car determined to keep Lightning McQueen from stealing his glory. The film was a critical and commercial darling, launching a beloved multimedia franchise that continues to this day.
3. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Global Box Office: $880,167,151
Keaton made a thrilling entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Spider-Man: Homecoming, portraying Adrian Toomes, aka the Vulture. His menacing yet nuanced villain was praised by critics and fans alike. The film was a blockbuster hit, surpassing expectations and revitalizing the Spider-Man franchise.
2. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Global Box Office: $1,067,316,101
Keaton brought laughter and charm as the voice of Ken in the critically acclaimed Toy Story 3. The film marked the emotional and seemingly final chapter in the beloved franchise – and was a phenomenal box office success. It was the highest-grossing animated film until Frozen surpassed it in 2014.
1. Minions (2015)
Global Box Office: $1,159,457,503
The adorable yellow Minions conquered the box office in their 2015 prequel film, with Michael Keaton voicing Walter Nelson, a bank-robbing dad who gives the Minions a ride. Despite mixed reviews, its immense popularity with audiences made Minions the highest-grossing Michael Keaton film of all time.
Featured image by Gage Skidmore. The photo was cropped and background removed for our site.