When Does the Film "Batman & Robin" (1997) Take Place?

"Batman & Robin" is a crime superhero film written by Akiva Goldsman [adapting "Batman" #375 v1 (1984) by Doug Moench as well as the Batman story in "Detective Comics" #373 v1 (1968) by Gardner Fox, the third Batman story in "Batman" #121 v1 (1958) by Dave Wood, the first story in "Batman" #181 v1 (1966), and the first story in "Batman" #183 v1 (1966), both by Robert Kanigher] that released June 20th, 1997. So when is "Batman & Robin" set? 

It takes place on an alternate timeline of the fictional DC Films Universe in the year: 

2011? AD 

We know this because Alfred Pennyworth records information to send to his brother onto a CD-ROM, a technology invented in 1982 AD. So it must be after 1982 AD. 

Also, during the "Gotham Botanical Gardens" charity party scene Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy (1940-) appears [Senator Leahy also appears in "The Dark Knight" (2008) and "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) as a Wayne Enterprises board member, in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016) as Senator Purrington, but in "Batman Forever" (1995) extremely quickly during the rooftop gala at "the Ritz Gotham" and in this movie as himself. At least, per the end credits that include "Himself SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY".] and he served as a senator from January 3rd, 1975 AD to January 3rd, 2023 AD. So it is most likely before January of 2023 AD. 

Doctor Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy's written proposal titled "WAYNE ENTERPRISES-  A CESSATION OF TOXIFICATION" includes the sentence: "At current levels of industrialization, the very life forces that make this planet inhabitable for mankind will be extinguished within the next twenty years." Climate scientists have been saying for some time that 2030 AD could mark the moment Planet Earth permanently passes the dangerous 1.5°C warming limit in the real world. That would put the present around 2010 AD. 

2,030 - 20 = 2,010. 

Dick Grayson's presence and his use of the Robin persona means it must be after he has first become a crime fighter with Batman, seen by audiences in the previous film, "Batman Forever" (1995), which has no official date but may take place in July of 2010 AD. That would put us some time after July of 2010 AD. 

Julie Madison says to Bruce Wayne, "We've been going out for over a year now and..." since Bruce was dating Doctor Chase Meridian when he was last seen by audiences in the previous film, "Batman Forever" (1995), which has evidence (though thin...) for taking place in July of 2010 AD. It is possible the movie takes place sometime in late 2011 AD. 

7.2,010 + 1 = 7.2,011. 

Specifically, Barbara Wilson says, "I'm on break from-" and Bruce finished her sentence saying, "Oxbridge Academy, Alfred's alma mater." Spring break is traditionally in March or April and summer vacation starts in May or June and lasts until September. So it is currently either spring or summer (possibly of 2011 AD). 

Additionally, early on there's a flashback to Bruce's childhood in Wayne Manor. In the main action, Alfred Pennyworth says, "I must have dozed off. My sincerest apologies.", Bruce responds "Well, there's no apology necessary, Alfred. It's the first time it's happened in 30 years.", so this must be sometime . 

YEAR - 30 = YEAR. 

Also, there's another extremely quick flashback to a different point after the death of Bruce's parents. It must take place sometime within Bruce's childhood. The next film, Batman Begins" (2005) offers a point in time for the death of the Waynes: 1993 AD. As such, this flashback is unplaceable other than being maybe after 1993 AD and before Bruce is college-age in another of the flashbacks in "Batman Begins", in 2000 AD. 

Finally, there's a third flashback to Bruce'e childhood while Alfred reads him a book in bed and one sentence is clearly heard: "". Other than . 

It is a chronologically midway film in the DC Films timeline (a midway film to feature Bruce Wayne/Batman and a first to feature Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy) and can be watched at its timeline point. 

It was adapted to comics in mid 1997.