At least he wasn’t the worst!
Batman has been one of DC’s leading superheroes for decades, and a range of talented actors have portrayed the Dark Knight in their own way.
As of 2024, ten different actors have portrayed the Caped Crusader in both live-action films and on television with many more voicing Batman in animated and video game works.
One could argue that each performance has it merits, and that people enjoy different portrayals of Batman for specific reasons.
However, entertainment website CoveredGeekly have taken on the mammoth task of diving into the annals of the DC fandom in order to find out once and for all which actor did the best job of playing the iconic superhero.
Coming in at number six is arguably the most divisive of all Batman actors – Ben Affleck.
The two-time Academy Award winning actor and writer donned the cape for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and subsequent films.
While some lauded Affleck’s take on the character as a refreshing change, others criticised the lack of detective prowess and penchant for fighting that Batman is known for.
The newest addition to the Batcave came in in fifth place. Robert Pattinson graced cinema screens in 2022’s Batman, which was directed by Matt Reeves and also starred Paul Dano as Riddler and Colin Farrell as Penguin.
It was hard not to love the gritty, young, vengeance-fueled Batman who was obsessed with avenging his parents’ murders.
Fan’s fourth favourite Batman is the loveable, old-school Adam West version. West portrayed Batman in the iconic 1960’s television series that is best known for it’s graphic exclamations that lit up the screen such as “Kapow”, “Smok” and “Thwack”.
It was certainly a lighter, more comedic take on the character – a stark contrast to the darker comics of the era – and perhaps that’s why West’s Batman ranks so highly.
The third highest-ranked Batman actor of all time is a bit of a curveball.
Kevin Conroy earned fame for voicing the DC Comics superhero Batman in various animated media, beginning with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992.
The DC fandom have given Conroy an honorary place on the list, and his voiceover work is widely considered the definitive animated iteration of the Dark Knight.
For many lovers of the cartoon versions, Conroy’s Batman is the gold standard against which all others are measured.
Runner up in the rankings is Christian Bale, who was Christopher Nolan’s chosen one to don the cape for the Dark Knight franchise.
Bale’s portrayal is a complex, but memorable one.
He portrays Bruce Wayne as a tormented billionaire haunted by his past, and Batman as a ruthless vigilante willing to bend the rules for justice.
Bale’s Batman is widely lauded for its realism and intensity, not to mention his physical prowess.
And coming in at number one, as the definitive greatest portrayal of Batman of all time, is Michael Keaton.
Keaton’s Batman was brought to life in Tim Burton’s gothic masterpieces Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992).
It’s no wonder fans adore this adaption of their favourite character, as Keaton’s Batman is a dark, brooding spectre who sees himself as the protector of Gotham City, aiming to clean up the city’s crime and corruption while bringing its criminals to justice.
For many, that’s the essence of the character of Batman, and Keaton does the job masterfully.
So, there you have it, the darker and more sinister the better when it comes to tackling the job of playing Batman.
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