[Top 10] Batman Best Actors (Ranked Worst to Best )

Updated:

25 Dec 2021

Batman has had numerous adaptations on-screen. Some of them were amazing while some were straight up trash. Maybe it was the actor, the casting manager, the script or the director, but some ‘Batmen’ stand out from the rest very obviously. Let’s take a dive into the Batverse and rank the worst to best Batman actors.

10. Lewis Wilson

Lewis Wilson, the original live-action Batman, featured in the 1943 film series as the World's Greatest Detective. The 15-part black-and-white film, aptly named Batman, was premiered in cinemas and was a commercial success, inspiring a sequel.

Though it hasn't aged well, it was also not much lauded upon its premiere — with one of the primary critiques being the film's lack of production quality. Unfortunately, it was also a reference to the costumes, and given how much of Batman's aura is based on looks, Wilson was up against it.

9. George Clooney

George Clooney is unquestionably one of Hollywood's all-time greats, having starred in a number of noteworthy films and television productions. Unfortunately, his outstanding resume, dazzling appearance, and seductive voice were insufficient to qualify him as a decent Batman.

In 1997's famously crazy pantomime Batman & Robin, the actor donned the mask and, in all honesty, it was exactly what you'd expect from George Clooney as Batman in a notoriously camp pantomime.

To state categorically that Clooney was a horrible Batman would be unjust — he was the somewhat respectable Batman that the tremendously over-the-top world required, and if you set aside the baggage associated with such an iconic character, he is fairly convincing (within the confines of the movie). This does not, however, make him a good Batman.

8. Diedrich Bader

While it's difficult to top Kevin Conroy's legendary voice portrayal as Batman, Diedrich Bader personified a totally distinct version of the character rooted in the history of Super Friends and the 1960s Batman program.

Despite the obvious comparisons, Batman: The Brave & The Bold placed a greater emphasis on all-ages adventure and a much deeper bench of DC Universe knowledge than many of its predecessors, positioning Bader's authoritative and outspoken Batman as the focal point of a funnier, friendlier Gotham City than many other adaptations.

7. Olan Soule

Olan Soule isn't a big name, but chances are you'd instantly think of Batman if you heard his voice. Olan Soule played the Dark Knight Detective in Super Friends and several of its various spin-offs before Kevin Conroy became the definitive Batman voice actor.

Soule also dubbed Batman in the infamous animated crossover with Scooby-Doo and in Filmation's Batman animated series before switching to Hanna-Barbera and establishing himself as the definitive voice of Batman for most of the 1970s and 1980s.

6. Michael Keaton

Fans who believe that comic book film casting issues are a new issue are generally unaware of the uproar sparked by Michael Keaton's casting as Batman in the 1980s.

Keaton is best known as a humorous actor, but director Tim Burton saw something in him after working with him on Beetlejuice and hired him in 1989's Batman.

Despite concerns that hiring a comic as Batman would result in a repeat of the campy '60s program, Keaton dominated the parts of Batman and Bruce Wayne, establishing the gold standard for live action Batman performances against which all following performers would be measured.

5. Will Arnett

It's difficult to judge if Arnett has it easier or harder playing the Lego version with just a Batman voice, but it's hilarious anyway.

In "The Lego Movie," "The Lego Batman Movie," and "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part," he voiced the character flawlessly.

4. Val Kilmer

Kilmer's smoother manner worked well as a replacement for Michael Keaton, who pulled out of producing a third Batman film.

The film grossed much more than "Batman Returns." It would have been fascinating to explore what may have transpired had Kilmer continued on for another film.

3. Ben Affleck

Zack Snyder's Justice League trilogy has received much criticism. However, there is one aspect of his works that is always lauded. That component? Bruce Wayne/Batman is played by Ben Affleck.

Affleck faced the social media backlash that comes with being a celebrity in today's society from the moment he was cast in "Batman v Superman." However, he did an excellent job portraying the role as moody and beyond his prime.

Despite his fairly meager material, Affleck embodies Batman's gloom and strife to a tee. He embodies an old guy whose crime-fighting exploits have made him jaded and disillusioned of the world. We all know that Batman is severely psychologically unstable (normal individuals do not parade around the city dressed as the Bat, after all), and Affleck's portrayal, particularly in B v S, nails this. One can only hope that Pattinson's portrayal of Batman reflects some of this inner turmoil.

2. Christian Bale

Christian Bale was hardly a household name when he was cast as Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, but he swiftly became a household name.

From the moment he raised the crooked Detective Flask and hissed "Swear to me!" it was evident that Bale's Batman was a significant change from George Clooney and Val Kilmer's increasingly ridiculous late-'90s representations, as well as Michael Keaton's more serious but considerably less gritty interpretation.

Bale's portrayal garnered considerable attention for his highly affected growl and for taking a second seat to Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight, but despite these complaints, Bale's Batman was the closest fans have come to witnessing the current comic book Batman on the big screen to date.

1. Kevin Conroy

Though his performance has never extended beyond Batman's voice, Kevin Conroy's portrayal of Bruce Wayne and his cowled alter ego in Batman: The Animated Series remains the definitive take on the Dark Knight, having voiced the character consistently for nearly 25 years in animated series, films, and video games.

Conroy's portrayal as Batman is as legendary as they come - you can't hear his voice without seeing Batman, or even see Batman without hearing his voice. Conroy, like the animated series that began his career, remains the most authentic Batman in many fans' hearts. Kevin Conroy is also responsible for voicing Batman in most of the Batman Arkham games.

Conclusion

There have been good and bad Batman adaptations throughout the years, but in recent times, we can safely say that cinema has done Batman justice. Many amazing actors are voicing and acting as our beloved superhero. Only time will tell where Robert Pattinson (the new Batman) will land on this list.

I hope you enjoyed reading!