Top 10 Greatest Takes on Batman
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest times an actor put on the cowl and cape. For this list, we’ll only be looking at live-action performances. Shine your Batsignal in the comments below and tell us who your favorite Batman is.
Having recently broken out of TV and onto the big screen, Geroge Clooney was in the middle of a meteoric rise to stardom when he strapped on the utility belt. However he may not have been the correct choice for the campy vibes that Joel Schumacher took the character in (remember the Bat-Credit Card?). Clooney has even gone as far as to personally refund people who saw the film in theaters. But his portrayal wasn’t without any merit whatsoever. When not in costume, he effectively played the part of a handsome and charming billionaire playboy. In fact he even returned as Bruce Wayne in a tongue in cheek cameo decades later.
This TV series took a look at the Batman mythos from another direction, acting as an ensemble crime show set before the caped crusader became a superhero. It thus gave us a very different Bruce Wayne. In fact one of the first storylines in the show involved Detective James Gordon attempting to solve the murder of a young Bruce Wayne’s parents. Over the show’s five seasons we watched Bruce grow from a grieving boy into a young man, taking his first steps into the world of vigilantism. While Mazouz was fine on the show, it's really a Batman role in name only as the show served much more as a prequel to an actual Batman story, so it doesn’t place particularly high on our list.
Appearing in a serial of 15 chapters, Robert Lowery’s Batman had a presence on the big screen that he’d never had before. Only the second actor to play Batman, Lowey’s long career acting in Westerns and action films made him perfect for the part of a superhero. Although much of Lowery’s performance (and the movie as a whole) is dated by today’s standards, his portrayal of the Bat helped set the standard for actors in superhero films. Furthermore, his physically imposing build and acting chops help make the “Batman and Robin” serial a worthwhile early entry in Batman’s canon.
If we were including animation, Kevin Conroy would have been the most iconic Batman actor. Over the years he played the part a number of times, however only ever in animated form. That is until the massive crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” stretched across five live action DC shows on the CW. As Batwoman and company traveled to Wayne Manor in an alternate reality, we heard an unmistakable voice as Conroy, for the first and only time in live action, entered as Batman. It's spectacular to finally see Conroy as Bruce Wayne in the flesh, even if it’s tragically short. Some fans were also disappointed that this version of Batman had taken a particularly dark turn, but we were happy to see him nevertheless.
As the second of three actors to play Batman in the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films, it can be easy to overlook Val Kilmer’s time in the role. Upon closer inspection though, there’s a lot in Kilmer's singular turn, as more than in any portrayal before, he examined the psychology of Batman. Much of “Batman Forever” was concerned with duality, particularly the dual identity of Batman and Bruce Wayne. Introspective and intense, Kilmer investigated the inner depths of Batman’s psyche. Reportedly however, he clashed with director Joel Schumacher, who described him as rude and inappropriate towards the crew. Ultimately his portrayal was interesting but flawed, landing it in the middle of the list.
Batfleck, as he is affectionately known by his fans, had the blessing and the curse of being part of a wider cinematic universe. The downside of this meant he never got a solo film, but the upside meant he was able to play off of a number of other iconic heroes. Staring as a wounded loner in “Batman v Superman”, Batfleck had seen too many friends die, and brought a sense of gravitas to the role. As he grew closer to other members of the Justice League over the next few films, he was able to add more dimension and humor to the character. Even when he only appeared in a cameo capacity, Affleck's Batman was one of the funnest parts of whatever film he was in.
Through the years, Batman has ranged from gritty and serious to fun and campy, and absolutely no one managed to pull the latter off as well as the late great Adam West. Over the course of three seasons and a movie he played the goofiest iteration of Batman, all with a straight face. Playing the role decades after the serials, and decades before the Burton films, West was the only and definitive Batman to an entire generation. His deadpan delivery was comic gold, but also gave his version a sense of earnestness and a boy scout-like devotion to upholding justice.
After breaking out in the “Twilight” films, Robert Pattinson seemed determined to dedicate his career to complex roles in mostly indie films. His turn as the tortured trust fund orphan in Matt Reeves’ Batman film brought all that layered nuance to the role. Pattinson gave the character the charm he needed to be Bruce Wayne, the intensity needed for Batman, and the brokenness he needed for both. Physically imposing, darkly funny, and a bit of an emo kid, Pattinson’s Bruce goes on an emotional journey as he tries to cope with his parent’s legacy. More than anything else, he makes you believe that this guy is just weird enough to dress up as a giant bat.
Those looking for a more serious take on Batman need look no further. After missteps caused the franchise to be rebooted, the character was given a more realistic take. That included a more stoic portrayal of the character from leading man Bale. Bale not only brought nuance to the character emotionally, but went through a massive transformation to give realistic physical portrayal of the character. He bulked up to 220 lbs and trained in weapons and martial arts. Unlike other actors, Bale had the opportunity to play Batman in the beginning, middle, and end of his journey. Over three films, Bale gave Bruce a complete character arc, perfectly capturing every part of his emotional journey.
You have to be a little nuts to be Batman, and well, Keaton, he got nuts. In his portrayal of a guy who dressed up in a costume and beat up criminals, Keaton understood that Bruce Wayne was a little bit weird and a little bit sad. He straddled the line between fun and dark, giving us a Batman who was both silently tragic and subtly comical. Keaton was at his best playing off his iconic villains, with his scenes opposite Jack Nicholson’s Joker feeling positively electric. Likewise in “Batman Returns”, where his star-crossed romance with Michelle Pfeiffer’s equally damaged Catwoman is as lovely as it is ultimately tragic. Even after 30 years away from the role, he still felt like Batman.
#10: George Clooney
“Batman & Robin” (1997)Having recently broken out of TV and onto the big screen, Geroge Clooney was in the middle of a meteoric rise to stardom when he strapped on the utility belt. However he may not have been the correct choice for the campy vibes that Joel Schumacher took the character in (remember the Bat-Credit Card?). Clooney has even gone as far as to personally refund people who saw the film in theaters. But his portrayal wasn’t without any merit whatsoever. When not in costume, he effectively played the part of a handsome and charming billionaire playboy. In fact he even returned as Bruce Wayne in a tongue in cheek cameo decades later.
#9: David Mazouz
“Gotham” (2014-19)This TV series took a look at the Batman mythos from another direction, acting as an ensemble crime show set before the caped crusader became a superhero. It thus gave us a very different Bruce Wayne. In fact one of the first storylines in the show involved Detective James Gordon attempting to solve the murder of a young Bruce Wayne’s parents. Over the show’s five seasons we watched Bruce grow from a grieving boy into a young man, taking his first steps into the world of vigilantism. While Mazouz was fine on the show, it's really a Batman role in name only as the show served much more as a prequel to an actual Batman story, so it doesn’t place particularly high on our list.
#8: Robert Lowery
“Batman and Robin” (1949)Appearing in a serial of 15 chapters, Robert Lowery’s Batman had a presence on the big screen that he’d never had before. Only the second actor to play Batman, Lowey’s long career acting in Westerns and action films made him perfect for the part of a superhero. Although much of Lowery’s performance (and the movie as a whole) is dated by today’s standards, his portrayal of the Bat helped set the standard for actors in superhero films. Furthermore, his physically imposing build and acting chops help make the “Batman and Robin” serial a worthwhile early entry in Batman’s canon.
#7: Kevin Conroy
“Batwoman” (2019-22)If we were including animation, Kevin Conroy would have been the most iconic Batman actor. Over the years he played the part a number of times, however only ever in animated form. That is until the massive crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” stretched across five live action DC shows on the CW. As Batwoman and company traveled to Wayne Manor in an alternate reality, we heard an unmistakable voice as Conroy, for the first and only time in live action, entered as Batman. It's spectacular to finally see Conroy as Bruce Wayne in the flesh, even if it’s tragically short. Some fans were also disappointed that this version of Batman had taken a particularly dark turn, but we were happy to see him nevertheless.
#6: Val Kilmer
“Batman Forever” (1995)As the second of three actors to play Batman in the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher films, it can be easy to overlook Val Kilmer’s time in the role. Upon closer inspection though, there’s a lot in Kilmer's singular turn, as more than in any portrayal before, he examined the psychology of Batman. Much of “Batman Forever” was concerned with duality, particularly the dual identity of Batman and Bruce Wayne. Introspective and intense, Kilmer investigated the inner depths of Batman’s psyche. Reportedly however, he clashed with director Joel Schumacher, who described him as rude and inappropriate towards the crew. Ultimately his portrayal was interesting but flawed, landing it in the middle of the list.
#5: Ben Affleck
The DC Extended Universe (2013-24)Batfleck, as he is affectionately known by his fans, had the blessing and the curse of being part of a wider cinematic universe. The downside of this meant he never got a solo film, but the upside meant he was able to play off of a number of other iconic heroes. Staring as a wounded loner in “Batman v Superman”, Batfleck had seen too many friends die, and brought a sense of gravitas to the role. As he grew closer to other members of the Justice League over the next few films, he was able to add more dimension and humor to the character. Even when he only appeared in a cameo capacity, Affleck's Batman was one of the funnest parts of whatever film he was in.
#4: Adam West
“Batman” (1966-68) “Batman” (1966)Through the years, Batman has ranged from gritty and serious to fun and campy, and absolutely no one managed to pull the latter off as well as the late great Adam West. Over the course of three seasons and a movie he played the goofiest iteration of Batman, all with a straight face. Playing the role decades after the serials, and decades before the Burton films, West was the only and definitive Batman to an entire generation. His deadpan delivery was comic gold, but also gave his version a sense of earnestness and a boy scout-like devotion to upholding justice.
#3: Robert Pattinson
“The Batman” (2022)After breaking out in the “Twilight” films, Robert Pattinson seemed determined to dedicate his career to complex roles in mostly indie films. His turn as the tortured trust fund orphan in Matt Reeves’ Batman film brought all that layered nuance to the role. Pattinson gave the character the charm he needed to be Bruce Wayne, the intensity needed for Batman, and the brokenness he needed for both. Physically imposing, darkly funny, and a bit of an emo kid, Pattinson’s Bruce goes on an emotional journey as he tries to cope with his parent’s legacy. More than anything else, he makes you believe that this guy is just weird enough to dress up as a giant bat.
#2: Christian Bale
The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-12)Those looking for a more serious take on Batman need look no further. After missteps caused the franchise to be rebooted, the character was given a more realistic take. That included a more stoic portrayal of the character from leading man Bale. Bale not only brought nuance to the character emotionally, but went through a massive transformation to give realistic physical portrayal of the character. He bulked up to 220 lbs and trained in weapons and martial arts. Unlike other actors, Bale had the opportunity to play Batman in the beginning, middle, and end of his journey. Over three films, Bale gave Bruce a complete character arc, perfectly capturing every part of his emotional journey.
#1: Micheal Keaton
“Batman” (1989), “Batman Returns” (1992), “The Flash” (2023)You have to be a little nuts to be Batman, and well, Keaton, he got nuts. In his portrayal of a guy who dressed up in a costume and beat up criminals, Keaton understood that Bruce Wayne was a little bit weird and a little bit sad. He straddled the line between fun and dark, giving us a Batman who was both silently tragic and subtly comical. Keaton was at his best playing off his iconic villains, with his scenes opposite Jack Nicholson’s Joker feeling positively electric. Likewise in “Batman Returns”, where his star-crossed romance with Michelle Pfeiffer’s equally damaged Catwoman is as lovely as it is ultimately tragic. Even after 30 years away from the role, he still felt like Batman.
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