Let’s be honest—quibbling over who best played Batman is essentially a nerdy initiation ritual. Throughout the decades, a broad range of actors have donned the cape and cowl, each applying their take on the broodiest billionaire in Gotham.
Some flew, some flopped harder than a Batarang tossed backward. In the spirit of good-natured argument and Bat-fandom, here’s our entirely subjective, totally frivolous ranking of the nine most iconic Batmen to ever darken the big screen. Spoiler: the nipples didn’t work.
9. George Clooney
We adore George, but his interpretation of Batman was, ah. Let’s just say it’s more notorious than legendary. In Batman & Robin, Clooney appeared as though he regretted committing the moment he glimpsed the molded pecs of the costume. Charming? Absolutely. Heroic? Sort of. Convincing as the Dark Knight? Not really. Even Clooney himself has expressed regret for the part. When the Bat-suit includes built-in nipples and ice puns, it’s difficult to emerge victorious.
8. Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer’s Batman was more of a waste of potential than a complete failure. He possessed the physical presence and intensity to make something interesting, but the final version of Batman Forever took away the starrier psychological dimensions. What we were left with was a Batman who wore the suit nicely but had little else to him besides that. Unfortunately, most of his more complex work was relegated to deleted scenes. Nevertheless, something is compelling about the Batman we nearly received.
7. Will Arnett
Yes, it’s Lego Batman—but stick with us. Will Arnett took what might’ve been a one-trick horse character and made one of the most surprisingly genuine renditions of the Caped Crusader. In The Lego Batman Movie, Arnett’s gravelly-voiced, emotionally arrested Batman grapples with actual issues: loneliness, fear of attachment, and his weirdly codependent relationship with the Joker. And he’s also a riot. It’s satire that’s got heart, and against all odds, it succeeds.
6. Adam West
You can’t discuss Batman without dipping your cowl to Adam West. His far-out, pun-infused take on the character from the 1960s television show and film is camp in its purest form. West acted the part with complete seriousness, which made the ridiculous situations even funnier. Whether disarming a cartoon bomb or spouting Bat-logic straight-faced, West provided a Batman who was happy-go-lucky, chivalrous, and iconic in his manner. Pure retro Bat-magic.
5. Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck’s Batman is bruised, bitter, and battle-hardened—the vigilante who’s been through hell and isn’t sure what he’s fighting for anymore. His take, especially in Batman v Superman, is intense and complicated. Some fans found him too dark, but others saw a fascinating, broken version of Bruce Wayne trying to justify his methods. Love him or not, Affleck gave us one of the most physically imposing and emotionally complex Batmen yet.
4. Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton’s Batman redefined the character on screen. His Bruce Wayne was strangely withdrawn, bordering on aloof, while his Batman was a cold, calculating figure. Keaton’s interpretation in Tim Burton’s films proved Batman could be gothic, dark, and slightly off his head. His interpretation wasn’t perhaps the flashiest fighter, but he was compelling—and his decision to return to the role decades later only sealed his legend.
3. Robert Pattinson
The latest actor to don the cape, Robert Pattinson infused The Batman with a broody, emo vibe that somehow managed to be both new and true. His Bruce Wayne is still trying to get his bearings, weighed down by remorse, sorrow, and eyeliner. This take on Batman is very much detective noir, and Pattinson’s determination to play a loner who is still figuring out how to be a symbol adds fresh emotional resonance to the character. It’s early days, but his Bat-journey is shaping up nicely.
2. Christian Bale
Christian Bale didn’t act Batman—he lived through every aspect of Bruce Wayne’s life, from aimless wealthy kid to battle-hardened icon of justice. His work in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy presented us with a real-world, earthy Dark Knight who was still mythic. Bale’s Bruce was smart, emotionally closed-off, and occasionally frightening. And although the Bat-voice polarized audiences, The Dark Knight trilogy raised the bar for superhero storytelling that continues to be felt today.
1. Kevin Conroy
Whenever most fans hear Batman in their minds, it’s Kevin Conroy speaking. The veteran voice actor of Batman: The Animated Series, the Arkham video games, and many animated movies, Conroy delivered the definitive interpretation over several decades of Bat-tales. He expertly walked the line between Bruce Wayne’s warmth and Batman’s gravitas, frequently switching between them with only a subtle shift in tone. He didn’t merely voice the character—he embodied the character for generations.
And there you have it—the definitive Bat-ranking, from the flops to the legends. Whether you like your Batman goofy, serious, brutal, or somewhere in between, there’s one for all. Gotham’s favorite vigilante is endlessly versatile, after all, and that’s half the fun.