Batman: Mask of the Phantasm#Critical response

A young Bruce Wayne vows to avenge his parents' deaths by minimizing criminal activity in Gotham City. While he is successful at thwarting crimes, he is disappointed that criminals are unafraid of him and seeks a more frightening image. He also begins a relationship with Andrea Beaumont after the two bond at the Gotham Cemetery over the deaths of their loved ones. Though conflicted about whether to honor his promise to his parents or pursue a happy life with Andrea, Bruce eventually proposes to her. However, Andrea abruptly leaves Gotham with her father, businessman Carl Beaumont, ending the engagement in a Dear John letter. Heartbroken, Bruce commits to a new life as a vigilante crime fighter, converting a cavern under Wayne Manor into a base and assuming the mantle of Batman.

Years later, Batman interrupts mobster Chuckie Sol attempting to distribute counterfeit money in Gotham. Sol tries to escape in his car but is attacked by the Phantasm, a masked vigilante resembling the Grim Reaper, who causes him to die in a crash. Witnesses see Batman at the scene and believe him to have been responsible, leading councilman Arthur Reeves to vow to have him arrested. Mobster Buzz Bronski visits Sol's grave at the Gotham Cemetery, where he is murdered by the Phantasm, whom Bronski's bodyguards also mistake for Batman. While investigating the scene of Bronski's death, Batman encounters Andrea, who deduces his identity. Salvatore Velestra, the ailing former partner of Sol and Bronski, learns of their murders and fears that Batman will come for him next. He seeks help from former ally, councilman Reeves, but is rebuffed and in desperation turns to the Joker.

Batman discovers that Sol, Bronski, and Valestra all once operated dummy corporations bankrolled by Carl Beaumont. He interrogates Andrea about her father's dealings with the mob, but she denies knowledge of such dealings and her father's whereabouts. That night, the Phantasm invades Valestra's penthouse, finding that he has already been killed by the Joker. The apartment has been rigged with explosives, which the Joker detonates, but the Phantasm escapes the blast and avoids subsequent capture by Batman. Responding to the blast, the police attempt to apprehend Batman, who is saved by Andrea. She admits to Bruce that her father had worked for Valestra and was forced to go into hiding in Europe with Andrea when he could not repay Valestra money that he had embezzled. She returned to the city to stop her father from murdering his former partners. While she and Bruce consider resuming their relationship, Bruce examines a photograph of the mobsters and realizes that Valestra's enforcer is the man who became the Joker.

The Joker confronts Reeves in his office, accusing him of orchestrating the murders to conceal his mob connections. Reeves is exposed to Joker's toxin and taken to the hospital, where he is interrogated by Batman and confesses that he previously worked as the Beaumonts' lawyer and helped them hide from the mob. When Carl refused to bankroll Reeves's first struggling election campaign, Reeves revealed the Beaumonts' location to Valestra in exchange for the mob's support. Batman deduces that the mobsters had Beaumont killed and that the Phantasm is Andrea, whose final target is her father's murderer: the Joker. Andrea confronts the Joker at his hideout, the abandoned Gotham World's Fair, where he attempts to trap her, but she is saved by Batman, who unsuccessfully pleads with her not to go through with her revenge. The Joker attempts to escape the fair, which he has rigged to explode, but is stopped by Batman and surrenders to Andrea, who bids Bruce goodbye as the fair is destroyed. Bruce survives the blast but finds no trace of either Andrea or the Joker.{{efn|The Batman & Robin Adventures Annual #1 (November 1996), which acts as a direct sequel to Mask of the Phantasm, revealed that Andrea escapes the explosion through the sewers. As she contemplates whether to kill the Joker, she loses her grip on him and he gets washed away through the sewage river.}} He is later consoled by Alfred, who assures him that he could not have stopped Andrea's self-destruction. Batman resumes his watch over Gotham City while a sorrowful Andrea departs the city on an ocean liner.

{{main|List of DC Animated Universe characters#Batman: The Animated Series|l1=List of Batman: The Animated Series characters}}

• Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman
• Mark Hamill as The Joker
• Dana Delany as Andrea Beaumont / Phantasm
• Hart Bochner as City Councilman Arthur Reeves
• Stacy Keach as Carl Beaumont and voice of Phantasm
• Abe Vigoda as Salvatore "The Wheezer" Valestra
• Dick Miller as Charles "Chuckie" Sol
• John P. Ryan as Buzz Bronski
• Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred Pennyworth
• Bob Hastings as Commissioner James "Jim" Gordon
• Robert Costanzo as Detective Harvey Bullock
• Arleen Sorkin as Mrs. Bambi (uncredited)
• Ed Gilbert as Doctor and Police Dispatch
• Jeff Bennett as Burton Earny, Helicopter Cop #1 and Police Officer
• Charles Howerton as Helicopter Cop #2
• Neil Ross as Biker Thug
• Jane Downs, Pat Musick, Vernee Watson-Johnson, Peter Renaday, Dan Castellaneta, Tress MacNeille, Thom Pinto and Marilu Henner as Additional Voices

Impressed by the success of the first season of Batman: The Animated Series on Fox, Warner Bros. assigned Alan Burnett to write a story for a full-length animated film. The original idea for the film was to have Batman being captured by his enemies at Arkham Asylum and face a kangaroo court in which the villains try him for making them what they are. The idea's concept, however, was considered "too brainy", as it required Batman to be immobile for a long time, so the idea was later used in the series' episode "Trial", which was aired after the film's release.{{cite web| url=https://screenrant.com/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-animated-movie-facts-trivia/|title=15 Things You Didn't Know About Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm|date=February 1, 2017| website=Screen Rant| access-date= June 4, 2018}} Although the Joker does play a pivotal role in the film, it was Burnett's intention to tell a story far removed from the television series' regular rogues gallery. Burnett also cited he "wanted to do a love story with Bruce because no one had really done it on the TV show. I wanted a story that got into his head."{{cite book |first1= Paul | last1= Dini |author2-link=Chip Kidd |first2= Chip | last2= Kidd | title =Batman Animated | publisher = Titan Books | year = 1998 | page = 114 | isbn = 978-1-84023-016-1| title-link =Batman Animated |author1-link=Paul Dini }} Members of the creative team have claimed that they did not intend for the Joker to appear in the film; Paul Dini has contradicted this, stating that the Joker's role was always part of the story from the beginning of the film's production.{{cite tweet| title= Joker was always part of the story. Secondary to Phantasm, but still there in all the outlines and drafts. |user= Paul_Dini | last= Dini| first= Paul | number = 900566977831239680| date= August 23, 2017 |access-date= June 4, 2018}} The writers were highly cautious of placing the Joker in the film, as they did not want any connection to Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman, but writer Michael Reaves said, "We then realized that we could make his appearance serve the story in a way that we never could in live-action."{{cite news|first=Joe|last=Tracy|title = Interview with Michael Reaves| publisher= Animation Artist|url= http://www.animationartist.com/2000/Interviews/Screenwriters/Michael_Reaves/MReaves.html|access-date= January 22, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080211171116/http://www.animationartist.com/2000/Interviews/Screenwriters/Michael_Reaves/MReaves.html| archive-date= February 11, 2008 | url-status= usurped}} In order to keep the Joker as a solo threat, Bruce Timm and Burnett convinced frequent Animated Series writer Dini to not use Harley Quinn in the film for that reason (although Arleen Sorkin did a bit part in the film voicing a minor character). The same technique was previously used in the episodes "The Strange Secret of Bruce Wayne" and "Joker's Wild".{{cite web| url= https://issuu.com/twomorrows/docs/backissue99preview|title=Back Issue #99 Preview by TwoMorrows Publishing - Issuu|magazine=Back Issue!|issue=99|via=Issuu.com|date=May 25, 2017 |access-date=June 4, 2018}}{{pageneeded|date=March 2025}} Conversely, the episode "Harley's Holiday" featured Harley Quinn and did not feature the Joker.

Aiding Burnett in writing the script were Martin Pasko, who handled most of the flashback segments; Reaves, who wrote the climax; and Dini, who states he "filled in holes here and there". Orson Welles' 1941 classic Citizen Kane served as an influence for the flashbacks, a story about loss and the passage of time.{{cite book| first= Les|last=Daniels|title=Batman: The Complete History|isbn=978-0-8118-2470-5|publisher=Chronicle Books| location=New York| page= 184| year= 2000|author-link=Les Daniels}} According to Kevin Conroy, Andrea Beaumont was named after voice director Andrea Romano.{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill - Fan Expo Canada - Panel |date= September 5, 2016|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V1IB3viJK4&t=1334s |publisher =Convention Junkies |access-date=30 January 2023}} The character of Hazel, the cook robot of the World of the Future Fair, was named by Burnett after Hazel the Maid (portrayed by Shirley Booth), The Saturday Evening Post protagonist of cartoonist Ted Key's TV series Hazel.{{cite tweet| first= Paul| last= Dini |user= Paul_Dini| number= 902309884657524738 |title=Alan Burnett named her after Hazel the maid by cartoonist Ted Key. I always thought she was supposed to be a nod to the Jetson's Rosie.| date= August 28, 2017|access-date=June 4, 2018}} On the other hand, the design of the Phantasm went into 20 different versions until one was found which convinced the film's crew. According to Burnett, the Phantasm was like the Grim Reaper with a cape, although the idea was to make her resemble the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come of Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol,{{cite web| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydv8TS2wids| archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/Ydv8TS2wids| archive-date=2021-11-15 | url-status=live| title=The Making Of Batman Mask of The Phantasm|last=| date=September 11, 2015|access-date= June 4, 2018| publisher=Living Abstraction | via = YouTube}}{{cbignore}} something that even the Joker mentions in the finished version of the film.

{{Quote box|width=40%|align=right|quote="It was basically an expanded episode. We boarded the script and did all of our designs and shipped it overseas. We were treating it with more quality, but we originally didn't intend it for the big screen."|source=—Eric Radomski on Warner Bros.' decision to release the film theatrically{{cite news |first=Bob | last= Miller| title=Knight Vision|publisher=Comics Scene| date=June 1994}}}}

Early in production, Warner Bros. decided to release Phantasm theatrically, rather than straight to video. That left less than a year for production time (most animated features take well over two years from finished story to final release). Due to this decision, the animators went over the scenes in order to accommodate the widescreen theatrical aspect ratio.Dini, Kidd, p.117 The studio cooperated well, granting the filmmakers a large amount of creative control.{{cite news|first=Emru |last=Townsend|title=Paul Dini: From Babs and Buster Bunny to Batman| website=Purple Planet Media|date=May 17, 1999| url= http://purpleplanetmedia.com/eye/inte/pdini.php|access-date=January 22, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726212141/http://purpleplanetmedia.com/eye/inte/pdini.php|archive-date=July 26, 2011}}

Warner Bros. also increased the production budget to $6 million, which gave the filmmakers opportunities for more elaborate set pieces. The opening title sequence featured a flight through an entirely computer-generated Gotham City. As a visual joke, sequence director Kevin Altieri set the climax of the film inside a miniature automated model of Gotham City, where Batman and the Joker are giants. This was an homage to a mainstay of Batman comic books of the Dick Sprang era, often featuring the hero fighting against a backdrop of gigantic props (they would later do another homage to Sprang's works in The New Batman Adventures episode "Legends of the Dark Knight"). From start to finish, the film was completed within eight months. The film's animation was provided by regular Batman: The Animated Series overseas studios: Dong Yang Animation in South Korea and Spectrum Animation in Japan. While most of the animation was done by Dong Yang, Spectrum handled the layout work.

The film's plot heavily resembles the 1987 storyline "Batman: Year Two", written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by Alan Davis and Todd McFarlane.{{cite web |last=Sims |first=Chris|date=February 3, 2012 |title=Ask Chris #92: The Great and Terrible 'Batman: Year Two'|url=http://comicsalliance.com/ask-chris-batman-year-two/?trackback=tsmclip |access-date=June 14, 2017 |website=ComicsAlliance |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927171214/https://comicsalliance.com/ask-chris-batman-year-two/?trackback=tsmclip |url-status=live }} Bruce Timm called "Year Two" an "accidental inspiration" when designing the Phantasm, stating that he did not consciously base the Phantasm's look on the visually and thematically similar to "Year Two" villain the Reaper, while Alan Burnett said he modeled Phantasm's modus operandi after the Spider-Man villain Mysterio, namely "the idea of someone who could disappear into smoke."{{Cite web |last=Downey |first=Meg |date=2017-07-20 |title=SDCC: Batman Mask of the Phantasm, Remastered |url=https://www.cbr.com/sdcc-batman-mask-phantasm-remastered/ |access-date=2023-11-30 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125012252/http://www.cbr.com/sdcc-batman-mask-phantasm-remastered/ |url-status=live }} Conversely, in May 2017, Barr stated he believed Mask of the Phantasm{{'}}s similarities with "Year Two" were intentional, claiming, "I dropped by the offices of the BTAS staff twice [and] each time I dropped by I saw a guy—a different guy each time—industriously typing away, with a copy of Batman: Year Two open beside him. That was when I first became aware of their use of 'Year Two' [for the film]," with the early designs of the Phantasm in particular convincing him to bring up the matter of financial compensation to Paul Levitz at DC Comics. After telling Levitz, "I really want to keep this in the family," Barr was given a portion of the film's earnings, as well as money for the creation of the Phantasm herself.{{pageneeded|date=March 2025}}

Paul Dini intended each of the flashbacks into Batman's love life to "have a tendency to get worse, when you hope things will get better." Bruce's relationship with Andrea, which at first shows promise, eventually turns into turmoil. At first, Bruce and Andrea are set for marriage, but then Bruce is given a farewell note from Andrea cutting off their relationship. This seals Bruce's decision to become Batman after he had previously forsaken it to settle down with her.{{cite news|first=Richard |last=Verrier|title=More That Meets the Eye: Producer-Writer of Batman Gives All| work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 14, 1996}} Richard Corliss of Time felt this scene paralleled Andrea's decision to avenge her own parents and reject love when she finds her own father murdered. Both events transform the two people (Bruce becomes Batman, Andrea becomes the Phantasm).{{cite magazine|first=Richard|last=Corliss| title=Corliss' Roundups of Latest VHS Releases| magazine=Time|date=April 1994| author-link=Richard Corliss}} One scene depicts Bruce Wayne at his parents' tombstone saying, "I didn't count on being happy." According to Reaves, this scene was to be a pivotal moment in Bruce's tragic life, as he denies himself the opportunity to live a normal life.` Reaves also stated: "When Bruce puts on the mask for the first time, [after Andrea breaks their engagement], and Alfred says 'My God!' he's reacting in horror, because he's watching this man he's helped raise from childhood, this man who has let the desire for vengeance and retribution consume his life, at last embrace the unspeakable."

{{Main article|Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (soundtrack)}}

The soundtrack was composed by Shirley Walker, the main composer for The Animated Series. Walker cited the score as a favorite among her own compositions.{{cite news|first=Randall|last=Larson|title = Remembering Shirley Walker|work = Mania Music|date = December 7, 2006|url = http://www.mania.com/52977.html|access-date = December 16, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061210032117/http://www.mania.com/52977.html|archive-date = December 10, 2006}} In an interview with Cinemusic.com, Walker explained that the "Latin" lyrics used in the main title were actually names of key Warner Bros. staff read backwards.{{cite web|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm|url=http://www.cinemusic.net/reviews/1993/batmanmotp.html|website=Cinemusic.net|access-date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110192716/http://www.cinemusic.net/reviews/1993/batmanmotp.html|archive-date=January 10, 2007}} The song "I Never Even Told You" was written by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballard. It was performed by Tia Carrere. Hans Zimmer, who would later compose the score for The Dark Knight Trilogy, played the synthesizer on the score.

The score was originally released on December 14, 1993, by Reprise Records.[https://www.thesoundtrackgallery.com/2022/03/batman-mask-of-phantasm-shirley-walker.html?m=1 The Soundtrack Gallery] On March 24, 2009, La-La Land Records released a limited expanded edition.{{cite web|url=http://lalalandrecords.com/Site/BatManMOTP.html|title=film music - movie music- film score - Batman Mask Of The Phantasm - Shirley Walker - Limited Edition|website=lalalandrecords.com|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029121801/http://www.lalalandrecords.com/Site/BatManMOTP.html|archive-date=October 29, 2015}} The release includes all tracks found on the original release with some tracks expanded. It also features almost 30 minutes of previously unreleased material.

In December 1993, two novelizations were released. One was a young readers book written by Andrew Helfer,{{Cite book|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm: The Animated Movie, A Novelization|last1=Helfer|first1=Andrew|last2=Burnett |first2=Alan |date=1994|publisher=Skylark|isbn=978-0-553-48174-7|location=New York|language=en|url=https://archive.org/details/batmanmaskofphan00andr |url-access=registration}} the other an adult-oriented novelization authored by Geary Gravel.{{Cite book|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm|last=Gravel|first=Geary|date=December 1, 1993|publisher=Bantam|isbn=978-0-553-56581-2|location=New York|language=en}}

DC Comics released a comic book adaptation written by Kelley Puckett and drawn by Mike Parobeck.{{Cite book|title=Mask of the Phantasm: Batman: the Animated Movie|url=https://archive.org/details/maskofphantasmba00puck|url-access=registration|last1=Puckett|first1=Kelley|last2=Parobeck|first2=Mike|date=January 1, 1993|publisher=DC Comics|isbn=978-1-56389-122-9|edition=First|location=New York, NY|language=en}} The comic book adaptation was later included with the VHS release. Kenner, who had already released toys for the cartoon series, produced several tie-in figures for the film, including Joker and the Phantasm (packaged unmasked, spoiling a pivotal plot point in the film). Batman & Robin Adventures Annual #1: Shadow of the Phantasm is a comic book sequel to the film. It was written by Dini and released in 1996. In 2015, a DC Collectibles action figure 2-pack featuring Batman and Phantasm was released.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/23509-dc-reveals-2015-collectibles-line-up-arrow-the-flash-1st-scaled-batman-tas-batmobile.html|title=DC Reveals 2015 Collectibles Line-Up - Arrow, the Flash, 1st Scaled Batman: TAS Batmobile|website=Newsarama|access-date=June 4, 2018}}

Mask of the Phantasm was released on LaserDisc in April 1994{{Cite web|url=http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/05648/15500/|title=LaserDisc Database - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm [15500]|website=Lddb.com|access-date=September 8, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306132401/http://www.lddb.com/laserdisc/05648/15500/|url-status=live}} and on VHS in May of the same year.{{Citation|last1=Kirkland|first1=Boyd|title=Batman - Mask of the Phantasm|asin=630305899X|last2=Timm|last3=Riba|last4=Radomski|last5=Paur|first2=Bruce|first3=Dan|first4=Eric|first5=Frank|publisher=Warner Bros. Pictures}} The VHS was reissued in April 2003 as part of a three-tape pack with Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.{{Citation|last1=Kirkland|first1=Boyd|title=Batman Animated Collection|asin=B00000JRVV|last2=Timm|last3=Lukic|last4=Geda|last5=Riba|first2=Bruce|first3=Butch|first4=Curt|first5=Dan|publisher=Warner Home Video}} Mask of the Phantasm was first released on DVD in December 1999 as a snap case{{Citation|first1=Boyd|last1=Kirkland|title=Batman - Mask of the Phantasm|date=December 21, 1999|asin=B0000399WH|first2=Bruce |last2=Timm|author-link2=Bruce Timm|first3=Dan|last3=Riba|author-link3=Dan Riba|first4=Eric|last4=Radomski|author-link4=Eric Radomski|first5=Frank|last5=Paur|publisher=Warner Bros. Pictures}} and in October 2005 as a keep case with the insert.{{Citation|last1=Timm|first1=Bruce|author-link1=Bruce Timm|title=Batman - Mask of the Phantasm|date=December 6, 2005|asin=B000A9QKLE|last2=Radomski|first2=Eric|author-link2=Eric Radomski|publisher=Warner Bros. Pictures|language=en}} The film was re-released in April 2004 as a three-disc DVD box set that included SubZero and Return of the Joker. That version is currently out of print.{{Citation|last1=Kirkland|first1=Boyd|title=Batman Collection DVD 3-Pack|date=April 13, 2004|asin=B0001NBM3A|first2=Bruce|last2=Timm|author-link2=Bruce Timm|first3=Curt|last3=Geda|first4=Dan|last4=Riba|last5=Radomski|first5=Eric|author-link5=Eric Radomski|publisher=Warner Home Video|language=en}} Warner Home Video re-released the film again in February 2008 as a double feature DVD with SubZero.{{Citation|title=Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero / Batman: Mask of the Phantasm|date=February 12, 2008|asin=B000YDBP84|publisher=Warner Home Video}}

The film was released as part of the Warner Archive Collection on Blu-ray on July 25, 2017, featuring new high definition transfers in 16:9 and open matte 4:3 presentations.[https://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/860345-batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-blu Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Heads to Blu-ray] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928165228/https://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/860345-batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-blu |date=September 28, 2020 }}. Coming Soon. June 19, 2017. The film was also included in the Blu-ray release of the Batman: The Complete Animated Series box set in late 2018.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/batman-the-animated-series-blu-ray-review-the-box-/1100-6463171/ |title=Batman: The Animated Series Blu-Ray Review: The Box Set We Deserve |work=GameSpot |author=Chris E. Hayner |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=May 6, 2020 }}

The film was released on Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 12, 2023. It featured a 26-minute documentary about the legacy of Kevin Conroy, who died 9 months prior to the 4K re-release.{{cite web |url=https://www.avforums.com/reviews/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-4k-blu-ray-review.21116/ |title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 4K Blu-ray Review |work=AVForums |author=Casimir Harlow |date=September 13, 2023}}

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm opened on Christmas Day, 1993 in the United States in 1,506 theaters, accumulating $1.2 million over its first 2 days. The film went on to gross $5.8 million in the domestic total box office intake. The filmmakers blamed Warner Bros. for the unsuccessful marketing campaign, which is commonly attributed to the rushed production schedule due to the studio's last-minute decision to release the film theatrically. Despite this, Mask of the Phantasm eventually turned a profit with its various home media releases.

{{anchor|Critics}}

{{quote box|width=35%|align=right|Mask of the Phantasm is possibly the best Batman movie ever made; it certainly has the best story... That movie will always stand up against time and it's a testament to the quality of the show that Bruce (Timm) launched in 1992.|source=—producer Michael Uslan{{cite magazine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-animated-series-hirings-firings-last-minute-changes-1035120|title='Batman' at 25: Hirings, Firings and Other Last-Minute Changes Behind the Animated Classic|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 5, 2017|access-date=July 17, 2018|first1=Byron|last1=Burton|first2=Aaron|last2=Couch|archive-date=November 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116105015/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/batman-animated-series-hirings-firings-last-minute-changes-1035120|url-status=live}}}}

{{RT prose|83|7.1|58|Stylish and admirably respectful of the source material, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm succeeds where many of the live-action Batman adaptations have failed.|access-date=February 29, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_mask_of_the_phantasm|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130003635/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/batman_mask_of_the_phantasm/|archive-date=January 30, 2008|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}} {{Metacritic film prose |score=65|count=18|ref=yes|access-date=July 1, 2023}}

Empire cited it as the best animated film of 1993, and felt it contained better storylines than Tim Burton's Batman and Batman Returns.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?DVDID=10633 |title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm |magazine=Empire |access-date=January 21, 2008}} TV Guide Magazine was impressed with the Art Deco noir design that was presented. In addition the film's climax and Batman's escape from the Gotham City Police Department were considered to be elaborate action sequences.{{cite magazine| url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/batman-mask-phantasm/review/129315| title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm| magazine=TV Guide Magazine| access-date=January 21, 2008| archive-date=April 7, 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080407205302/http://www.tvguide.com/movies/batman-mask-phantasm/review/129315| url-status=live}} Richard Harrington of The Washington Post agreed with overall aspects that included the animation, design, dialogue and storyline, as well as Shirley Walker's film score.{{cite news|last=Harrington|first=Richard|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 27, 1993|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/batmanmaskofthephantasmpgharrington_a0aba0.htm|access-date=January 21, 2008|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104051702/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/batmanmaskofthephantasmpgharrington_a0aba0.htm|url-status=live}} Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert regretted not having viewed the film during its theatrical release and gave it a positive review on their television series, At the Movies, when the film was released on home media, with Siskel feeling that Phantasm was better than Batman Returns and Joel Schumacher's Batman Forever, and only slightly below Batman.{{cite news | author = Roger Ebert |author2=Gene Siskel | url = http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=1&subsec=1374 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20090626124816/http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=1&subsec=1374 | archive-date = June 26, 2009 | title = Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | publisher = Siskel & Ebert | date = June 12, 1995 | access-date = April 22, 2008|author-link=Roger Ebert |author2-link=Gene Siskel }}

However, Chris Hicks of the Deseret News felt "the picture didn't come alive until the third act" feeling that the animators sacrificed the visuals for the storyline.{{cite news|last=Hicks |first=Chris |title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm |work=Deseret News |date=January 6, 1994 |url=http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1,1257,144,00.html |access-date=January 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411091035/http://deseretnews.com/movies/view/1%2C1257%2C144%2C00.html |archive-date=April 11, 2008 }} Leonard Klady of Variety had mixed reactions towards the film, but his review was negative overall. He felt the overall themes and morals were clichéd and cited the animation to be to the "point of self-parody".{{cite magazine|last =Klady | first = Leonard|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm|magazine=Variety| date=December 27, 1993|url= https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117902185.html |access-date=January 22, 2008}}

Wired{{'}}s Scott Thill called Kevin Conroy "the finest Batman on record" in 2009.{{cite magazine|first=Scott|last=Thill| title=Who's the Best Batman of All Time?|magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2009/12/best-batman/ |date=December 22, 2009}} In a 2010 list, IGN ranked Mask of the Phantasm as the 25th best animated film of all time.{{cite web|first1=Phil|last1=Pirrello|first2=Eric|last2=Goldman|first3=Matt|last3=Fowler|first4=Scott|last4=Collura|first5=Cindy|last5=White|first6=Jesse|last6=Schedeen|date=June 14, 2012|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2010/06/25/top-25-animated-movies-of-all-time|title=Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time|website=IGN|access-date=October 10, 2012|archive-date=September 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905014716/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2010/06/25/top-25-animated-movies-of-all-time|url-status=live}} That same year, IGN also stated it was "the Dark Knight's best big screen story" until Batman Begins.{{cite web|first1=Phil|last1=Pirrello|first2=Eric|last2=Goldman|first3=Matt|last3=Fowler|first4=Scott|last4=Collura|first5=Cindy|last5=White|first6=Jesse|last6=Schedeen|title=Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time|website=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/25/top-25-animated-movies-of-all-time|date=June 26, 2010|access-date=April 20, 2020|archive-date=January 6, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220106124502/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/25/top-25-animated-movies-of-all-time|url-status=live}} In 2011, Total Film also named Mask of the Phantasm as one of the greatest animated films of all time, coming in at 47th out of 50.{{cite magazine|url= http://www.totalfilm.com/features/50-greatest-animated-movies/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-1993| title=50 Greatest Animated Movies| magazine= Total Film|access-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111109213457/http://www.totalfilm.com/features/50-greatest-animated-movies/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-1993|archive-date=November 9, 2011}} Time ranked Phantasm as one of the 10 best superhero films ever in 2011.{{cite magazine|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/06/03/top-10-superhero-movies/slide/iron-man-2008/#batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-1993|title=Top 10 Superhero Movies|magazine=Time|access-date=October 14, 2012|date=June 3, 2011|archive-date=October 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014113941/http://entertainment.time.com/2011/06/03/top-10-superhero-movies/slide/iron-man-2008/#batman-mask-of-the-phantasm-1993|url-status=live}} In 2017, Screen Rant named the film the best Batman film of all time.{{cite web|first=Joseph|last=Walter|url=https://screenrant.com/batman-mask-phantasm-best-movie-ever/| title=15 Reasons Mask Of The Phantasm Is The Best Batman Movie Ever| website=Screen Rant|date=July 12, 2017|access-date=June 29, 2022}} In 2018, Paste magazine called the film "the greatest Batman movie".{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Verel|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/batman/the-greatest-batman-movie-mask-of-the-phantasm-wil/| title=The Greatest Batman Movie, Mask of the Phantasm, Will Return to Theaters in November| website=Paste|date=October 4, 2018|access-date=June 29, 2022}} In 2022, Empire magazine named Mask of the Phantasm the best Batman film.{{cite web|first=Amon|last=Warmann|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/mask-of-the-phantasm-best-batman-movie/|title=Why Mask Of The Phantasm Is The Best Batman Movie|website=Empire|date=March 3, 2022|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629191358/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/mask-of-the-phantasm-best-batman-movie/|url-status=live}} Also in 2022, nearly 30 years after its release, Rolling Stone placed Mask of the Phantasm at number 19 on its list of the 50 Greatest Superhero Movies of All Time, being the only traditionally animated film included, the third-best animated superhero film and the second-best Batman film of all time, behind only The Dark Knight (number 8).{{cite magazine|first1=David|last1=Fear|first2=Brian|last2=Hiatt|first3=Alan|last3=Sepinwall|first4=Mosi|last4=Reeves|first5=Joe|last5=Gross|first6=Stephen|last6=Garrett|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/greatest-superhero-movies-of-all-time-1367814/superman-ii-1980-1368060/|title=50 Greatest Superhero Movies of All Time|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 29, 2022|access-date=June 29, 2022|archive-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629191358/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/greatest-superhero-movies-of-all-time-1367814/superman-ii-1980-1368060/|url-status=live}}

Mask of the Phantasm was cited as an example of a film that effectively personified the character's "inner bubble" and psyche by actor Robert Pattinson, who portrayed Batman in the Matt Reeves film The Batman (2022).{{Cite web|title=Premiere France Interview: The Batman: "Il était important de nous différencier des films de Nolan" [exclu]|url=https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/The-Batman--Il-etait-important-de-nous-differencier-des-films-de-Nolan--exclu|access-date=2022-01-26|website=Premiere France|date=January 25, 2022|language=en|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221041352/https://www.premiere.fr/Cinema/News-Cinema/The-Batman--Il-etait-important-de-nous-differencier-des-films-de-Nolan--exclu|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first=Mike|last=Reyes|date=January 27, 2022|title=Robert Pattinson Reveals Which Previous Batman Movie Is The Closest To Matt Reeves' Upcoming Blockbuster|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/superheroes/batman/robert-pattinson-reveals-which-previous-batman-movie-is-the-closest-to-matt-reeves-upcoming-blockbuster|access-date=February 21, 2022|website=CINEMABLEND|language=en|archive-date=February 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221041343/https://www.cinemablend.com/superheroes/batman/robert-pattinson-reveals-which-previous-batman-movie-is-the-closest-to-matt-reeves-upcoming-blockbuster|url-status=live}}

To commemorate the film's 20th anniversary, a screening of the film was held in Santa Monica with cast members Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany and Mark Hamill in attendance. To commemorate the film's 25th anniversary, Fathom Events rereleased the film for one day on November 12, 2018.{{Cite web |url=https://www.fathomevents.com/events/batman?date=2018-11-12%2000:00:00.000 |title=Batman Mask of the Phantasm - Fathom Events |access-date=October 4, 2018 |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928095418/https://www.fathomevents.com/events/batman?date=2018-11-12%2000:00:00.000 }}

Alongside The Lion King and The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mask of the Phantasm was nominated for an Annie Award in the category of Best Animated Feature, but lost to the former.{{cite web|url=http://imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Annie_Awards/1994|title=Annie Awards: 1994|website=Internet Movie Database|access-date=January 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102155958/http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000032/1994|archive-date=January 2, 2012}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | author=Bruce Timm |author2=Erick Nolen-Weathington|title=Modern Masters Volume 3: Bruce Timm |others=A detailed analysis on the works of Bruce Timm, the director of this film|type= Paperback |date=June 2004 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing|isbn=978-1-893905-30-6|author-link=Bruce Timm}}
• {{cite book | author=Andy Helfer|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm – The Animated Movie, A Novelization |others=Novelization of the film |type=Paperback |date=December 1, 1993 |publisher=Skylark |isbn=978-0-553-48174-7 |url=https://archive.org/details/batmanmaskofphan00andr|author-link=Andy Helfer }}
• {{cite book | author=Geary Gravel|title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm |others=Novelization of the film |type= Mass Market Paperback |date=December 1, 1993|publisher=Bantam Books |isbn= 978-0-553-56581-2|author-link=Geary Gravel }}
• {{cite book | author=Kelley Puckett |others=Mike Parobeck (illustrator) |title=Batman: Mask of the Phantasm; Comic book adaptation of the film |type= Paperback |date=December 1993 |publisher=DC Comics |isbn=978-1-56389-122-9|author-link=Kelley Puckett }}

{{wikiquote}}

{{portal|Animation|Film|Comics|1990s}}

• {{IMDb title|0106364}}
• {{mojo title|batmanmaskofthephantasm|Batman: Mask of the Phantasm}}
• {{rotten-tomatoes|batman_mask_of_the_phantasm|Batman: Mask of the Phantasm}}
• {{TCMDb title|412935|Batman: Mask of the Phantasm}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120722123058/http://wordballoon.libsyn.com/webpage/marty_pasko_interview_part_2 Interview with Writer Martin Pasko]

{{DC Animated Universe}}

{{Batman in film}}

{{Batman in popular media}}

{{Warner Bros. animation and comics}}

{{DC Comics animated films}}

{{Warner Bros. theatrical animated features}}

Category:1993 films

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