Non-sport trading cards experienced a surge in popularity during the early 1990s, coinciding with the release of major blockbuster films. Collectible cards tied to Tim Burton’s 1992 film, Batman Returns, represent a specific example of this phenomenon. These cards typically featured images of characters, scenes, and behind-the-scenes artwork from the movie, often with descriptive text on the reverse. Variants such as prism cards, foil cards, and autographed cards added to the collectibility.
These collectibles served multiple purposes. For movie studios, they acted as an additional revenue stream and a marketing tool to promote their films. For collectors, the cards offered a tangible connection to a beloved movie, a way to engage with its themes and characters, and a potential investment. The release of trading card sets often coincided with the film’s theatrical run, capitalizing on the excitement surrounding the movie. The varying levels of rarity associated with different card types fueled the pursuit of completing a set and contributed to their perceived value.
