Tear Jerker / Batman Returns

• The opening, with Oswald Cobblepot's parents abandoning him in the sewers for being too monstrous. In Christmas time no less, this is a Tim Burton film after all.
• When the Red Triangle Gang attacks the tree lighting ceremony and the police activate the Bat-signal, we cut to Bruce, who’s sitting there, alone, in the dark, as if he's just been waiting for this for who knows how long. With Vicky gone and no one else to relate to, this is it; being Batman is all he has.
• Selina Kyle emotionally unloading after the attempt on her life by Max. She destroys practically every surface of her apartment in an anguished rage before emerging as Catwoman.
• Oswald/Penguin's speeches about being abandoned by his parents. They might mostly be a ruse to earn him sympathy while he carries out his plot; but having grown up more-or-less alone in the sewers over thirty-three years, that doesn't mean he pulled those lonely feelings out of nowhere.
  • Bruce Wayne's line about Oswald's search for his roots.
    Bruce: His parents... I hope he finds them.
  • Later as Bruce's research into Cobblepot and the Red Triangle Gang turns out disturbing results, as Bruce genuinely wanted to believe the Penguin's claims.
    Alfred : I suppose you feel better now, sir.
    Bruce : No, actually I feel worse.
  • Eventually Oswald does find his parents' graves. While it's unclear in the film whether or not it's for publicity's sake, he still leaves them roses to pay his respects. They threw him away like trash and left him to turn to evil...but it never stopped him from visiting them anyway.^note Though this is only if you watch the film by itself. A lesser known All There in the Manual detail mostly subverts the tragedy, as it states that Penguin did visit his parents' grave for a publicity stunt, and had actually killed them himself out of vengeance.
• Selina has a brief breakdown at Shreck's party covered up by laughter as she's dancing with Bruce. She's just revealed that she came to the party to off Max, and even brought a snub-nosed pistol to this effect.
  Selina: Now don't give me a killing-Max-won't-solve-anything speech, because it will. Aren't you tired of this sanctimonious robber baron always coming out on top when he should be six feet under?
  Bruce: Listen, I know you've got a lot of problems with your boss, but... who the hell do you think you are?
  Selina: (tears in her eyes) I don't know anymore... Bruce... (starts laughing and crying at the same time)
• This is made even worse when, as they kiss, Selina makes a quip about how mistletoe is poisonous. As Bruce makes the response that a kiss is even deadlier, the two realize that they said those exact words when they fought as Catwoman and Batman (albeit reversed so it was Batman that talked about the Mistletoe and Catwoman who said kissing is deadlier) and the two have an awkward, tear-filled moment before Selina, having just revealed her plans to kill Max moments prior, asks the obvious question:
  "Oh my God... Does this mean we have to start fighting?"
• The Penguin's funeral when the penguins gather around him and drag his body into the toxic waste-filled pool. It's made even sadder by Penguin slowly limping out of it first, barely holding out for one last attempt to kill Batman with one of his trick umbrellas. However, it comes to naught as he accidentally pulls out the harmless, toy-covered one.
  Penguin: Oh, shit... I picked the cute one! (drops it as he gurgles in agony) This heat's getting to me... I'll murder you momentarily. (gagging) But first... I need a cool drink. Of iced... water. (with a rattle, he collapses and dies from his injuries on the spot)
  • As monstrous a person as Penguin is, his death itself is still quite a sad moment. When he finally falls over dead, you'll probably be thinking, "It didn't have to be this way..."
  • Throughout the movie, the Penguin refers to the actual penguins as his "babies", provides a home for them, and loves them as his pets. Even though his endgame was to abandon them for the surface world, then sacrifice them in his missile attack, they give him as dignified a burial as they can.
  • Beyond his tragic backstory, the Penguin was a lovable Evil Is Hammy antagonist even well after he crosses the Moral Event Horizon. Even removing all other context from the ending, it feels so bleak and quiet partially because such a bold and energetic presence like him just... isn't there anymore.
• Selina/Catwoman rejecting Bruce's offer to live with him.
  Selina: Bruce, I would, I would to live with you in your castle... forever, just like in a fairy tale.
  (Bruce tries to reassuringly put a hand on her shoulder, she hisses and slashes him across the face)
  Selina: I just couldn't live with myself! So, don't pretend this is a happy ending!
• For 30 years, this was the final film that Michael Keaton appeared in as Batman. In addition, it's the end of Tim Burton's run as director of the Batman movies. Both factors can render the final scene of the film, where Alfred drives a forlorn Bruce home, quite sad.
  • In the scene itself, Bruce sees a shadow projected on a wall in an alleyway; of whom he thinks is Catwoman. He asks Alfred to stop the car, gets out to follow it... and finds Miss Kitty, Selina Kyle's old pet cat whom she left for him. Bruce strokes her, and takes Miss Kitty with him as Alfred muses on the whole situation.
    Alfred: Well, come what may. Merry Christmas, Mister Wayne.
    Bruce: Merry Christmas, Alfred. Goodwill to all men... (sadly) ...and women.

---