Batman, every actor RANKED from 'worst to best'

Batman, the Gotham Vigilante has been played by many actors, and every one of them had a unique way of portraying the persona.

Without a doubt, Batman is one of the most admired and respected pop culture superheroes of all time. Few superheroes from comic books have enjoyed as much success in films and television as the Caped Crusader.

His public debut took place in the 15-chapter theatrical serial Batman, starring Lewis Wilson, released in 1943. The episodic short films are remarkable for being the earliest cinematic depictions of Batman, and they also gave rise to a second Batman and Robin serial in 1949, starring Robert Lowery.

After a brief hiatus in Hollywood, the Adam West–led Batman series from the 1960s saw the DC superhero return to screens with a bang.

The 1989 Tim Burton-directed Batman marked the masked vigilante's comeback to the movie world after more than 20 years. Audiences were genuinely attracted by the renowned director's serious and less cartoonish approach, which brilliantly displayed the complexity of the DC character.

Following that movie, many A-list actors attempted the powerful role, with varied degrees of success. Now that Robert Pattinson is donning the costume in the critically acclaimed latest movie The Batman, with Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck back in The Flash, let's examine each actor who has played Batman in depth, including the best, the worst, and then, George Clooney.

10) George Clooney (Batman & Robin, 1997)

When Val Kilmer was unable to make a comeback owing to schedule issues, George Clooney stepped in to play the masked vigilante.

The San Francisco Chronicle, referring to the one-and-done James Bond actor, said of Clooney's performance, "George Clooney is the big zero of the film, and should go down as the George Lazenby of the series." 

Despite receiving a lukewarm response, it would be unfair to blame Clooney alone for the movie's failure. Even the Batman outfit received criticism for its moulded chest and muscle designs while the plot and script were lacklustre. Clooney has criticised the terrible reputation of Batman & Robin, once saying, "I think we might have killed the franchise," and called the film "a waste of money."

9) Lewis G. Wilson (Batman, 1943)

Beginning with a 15-chapter theatrical serial starring Lewis Wilson as Batman and Douglas Croft as his sidekick Robin, the Caped Crusader first appeared on television in the 1940s. 

Dr Daka, a fictional figure who is a covert operative for the Japanese Imperial government, is the antagonist. Batman is famous for being the vigilante's first film appearance as well as for introducing plot elements that immediately became ingrained in the character's mythology, like the "Bat's Cave" and its covert entrance through a grandfather clock in Wayne Manor.

The serial also altered Alfred's physical appearance, transforming him from a hefty, polished man to an on-screen persona who was leaner and more moustachioed in subsequent Batman tales.

8) Robert Lowery (Batman and Robin, 1949)

Later in the same decade, Batman and Robin was released as another 15-chapter serial. This time, Johnny Duncan portrayed Robin and Robert Lowery played Batman. 

In this plot, the dynamic team battles the Wizard, a hooded bad guy who uses a car-controlling electrical device to fuel his urge to provide challenges to Batman and Robin. 

The Caped Crusaders don't figure out who the Wizard is until the very end. Lowery does a good job holding the screen as the masked vigilante, which is seen by critics as a modest improvement on the 1943 series that had unintentionally come off as a joke to many.

7) Val Kilmer (Batman Forever, 1995)

When Michael Keaton decided not to return for the third episode of Warner Bros.'s original Batman series, Val Kilmer took over as Bruce Wayne. 

After Kilmer's standout performance in Tombstone, director Joel Schumacher was interested in casting him as the lead. The actor was a tremendous fan of the superhero and used to go to the recording facilities where the 1960s television series was produced. Without knowing the specifics or having seen the screenplay, he agreed to play the part. 

Batman must defend Gotham City in Batman Forever by facing up against not one, but two fearsome foes, the Riddler and Two-Face (played by Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, respectively).

Critics were divided on Val Kilmer's portrayal of the renowned crusader; many compared it to Michael Keaton's. The actor gave the character some humanity and portrayed Bruce Wayne and Batman as two different people: Wayne as a sombre, traumatised man dealing with loss, and Batman as a strong, unrestrained force that doesn't have to follow the laws. But Kilmer was able to personalise the superhero for sadly just one movie.

6) Ben Affleck (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League, 2016-2017)

Ben Affleck played the mysterious vigilante in Zack Snyder's much-awaited 2016 blockbuster Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice for his first appearance as the recognisable DC character. 

Fans were dubious about the actor's controversial casting at the time, and even Affleck himself expressed concern. The actor was concerned that he "didn't fit the traditional mould" following the failure of his previous superhero movie Daredevil. He instantly joined in once he realised the course Snyder wanted to go with the character. 

Even after receiving a lot of criticism from comic book enthusiasts, the filmmaker stood by his decision and gave his justification, stating, "I definitely wanted an older Batman. I wanted a war-weary Batman. That’s why, in a lot of ways, Ben was perfect for me."

Batman and Henry Cavill's renowned Superman engaged in a power fight in the film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This Batman iteration acted as the character's cinematic reboot, but regrettably, it created a stir for all the wrong reasons.

Despite making money at the box office, the blockbuster film received unfavourable reviews from spectators and critics who criticised its heavy use of CGI, pacing, and tone. It's surprising that Affleck's portrayal of Bruce Wayne was one of the movie's few highlights; he did a good job of embodying the gloomy, disillusioned hero.

5) Iain Glen (Titans, 2019-2023)

Iain Glen, a Game of Thrones fan favourite, played Bruce Wayne on television. A group of young superheroes are followed in Titans as they battle evil and other threats. They battle crime in a number of places, including Gotham City, San Francisco, and Detroit. In the second season, Glen made his debut as an older Wayne.

Greg Walker, the show's creator, explained why he chose Glen for the legendary part by saying, "You look at a guy like Iain, and what I see is a guy who has lived. He's been through a lot. He doesn't fit the cookie-cutter or the model that we've known in previous Batmans."

4) Adam West (Batman TV series, 1966-1968)

With the wildly successful television series Batman from the 1960s, the legendary Adam West is credited with bringing the caped crusader to the small screen. The show was tremendously entertaining and frequently inadvertently hilarious due to its bouncy music and campy style. 

The powerful combination, which includes Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, battled crime in Gotham City for three successful seasons and a companion feature film in 1966.

West's Batman was the world's official introduction to the DC superhero and was colourful and light-hearted, a far cry from 'The Dark Knight,' as Batman would later be known. West had earned the coveted part because, according to their screen test, he was the only one who could deliver the lines with a serious face

Despite being unquestionably the dumbest Batman depiction, West genuinely adored dressing up in the iconic suit and thoroughly enjoyed playing the part. The best thing about the Batman series is that it celebrated the iconic DC character without taking itself too seriously. While West loved playing the superhero, he also struggled to live up to the stereotype of his silly and joyful persona.

3) Robert Pattinson (The Batman, 2022)

Thanks to Pattinson's distinctive portrayal of the Caped Crusader, The Batman enjoyed success at the box office. He may not have all the cutting-edge technology that other versions have shown, but the character more than makes up for it with wit.

Simply said, this Batman is a true detective. The other Batman projects feature the Caped Crusader kicking ass, fighting bad guys, and saving the day. Nevertheless, they never truly pay attention to what makes Batman unique: a detective vigilante who operates outside the law.

2) Michael Keaton (Batman, Batman Returns, 1989-1992)

Many people might be surprised to learn that Michael Keaton's initial casting as Batman for the Tim Burton movie was not well received by comic book aficionados. 

The casting of the comedic star (from Mr Mom and The Squeeze, no less!) raised concerns among many fans that the big-screen adaption would be cheesy like the 1960s series, prompting nearly 50,000 letters of protest to be addressed to Warner Bros. offices.

Batman became a critical and financial triumph thanks to Keaton's talent for striking a balance between seriousness and comic charm as well as his relatable and lonely approach to the role. 

His attention-grabbing performance astonished critics and is undoubtedly one of the best depictions to date. Tim Burton's hugely successful movie spawned the appropriately called Batman Returns, a sequel that was just as well-known, successful, and grim.

1) Christian Bale (The Dark Knight trilogy, 2005-2012)

The new Batman project was given to director Christopher Nolan, Memento, in 2003, and the rest, as they say, is history. Christian Bale won the highly sought-after part by portraying the complexities of the superhero, besting notable actors like Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Billy Crudup, Hugh Dancy, and Billy Crudup.

Nolan proclaimed of his casting choice, "He has exactly the balance of darkness and lightness that we were looking for."

From Batman Begins to The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, Bale's portrayal of Batman gets darker and more sombre. However, he also approaches the Wayne role with an emotional compassion that won over moviegoers.

Despite his enormous fortune, cutting-edge technology, and status as a ladies' man, Bale's Bruce Wayne still struggles to comprehend his sad background and is in many ways like that scared little kid who longs for his parents. Additionally, he does a great job of portraying the character's sombre aura and beats many bad guys when donning the classic costume.

Bale's performance as Batman received glowing reviews, and the movie was a box-office hit. The middle film in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy is considered to be one of the best films ever produced and went on to earn $2.4 billion at the box office. Without a doubt, Bale's superhero character development is among the best in movie history.