Who Played Batman? Every Live-Action Batman Actor Ranked
From the 1943 serial to The Batman, here is every actor who played Batman in live action, how many there have been, and our ranking.
In this article
Who played Batman? In live-action films and serials, nine actors have played the Caped Crusader: Lewis Wilson, Robert Lowery, Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck and Robert Pattinson. Add voice actors like the late Kevin Conroy and the count grows much longer. Here is each one, what they starred in and how they rank.
How Many Actors Played Batman?
Counting the theatrical serials of the 1940s, the 1960s TV series and the big-screen films, nine actors have played Batman as the lead in live action. That number leaves out actors who played a young Bruce Wayne, and it leaves out the many voice actors in animation and video games.
| Actor | Main Batman appearances | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Wilson | Batman (serial) | 1943 |
| Robert Lowery | Batman and Robin (serial) | 1949 |
| Adam West | Batman TV series and 1966 film | 1966-1968 |
| Michael Keaton | Batman, Batman Returns, The Flash | 1989, 1992, 2023 |
| Val Kilmer | Batman Forever | 1995 |
| George Clooney | Batman & Robin | 1997 |
| Christian Bale | The Dark Knight trilogy | 2005-2012 |
| Ben Affleck | Batman v Superman, Justice League and others | 2016-2023 |
| Robert Pattinson | The Batman | 2022 |
Every Actor Who Played Batman, in Order
Lewis Wilson (1943)
The first live-action Batman. Columbia Pictures' 15-chapter serial Batman was shown in cinemas before main features. Wilson's Batman is a curiosity today, with a baggy costume and wartime storylines, but he got there first.
Robert Lowery (1949)
Lowery took over for the follow-up serial Batman and Robin. Like the first serial, it was low-budget and episodic, and it is mainly of interest to film historians and dedicated fans.
Adam West (1966-1968)
For a whole generation, the late Adam West was Batman. The colourful, tongue-in-cheek TV series, with its "POW!" and "BAM!" on-screen sound effects, ran for three seasons, and West also starred in the 1966 feature film. He later returned to the role in voice work, and the show remains hugely beloved for its campy fun.
Michael Keaton (1989, 1992)
Tim Burton cast Keaton in Batman (1989), a choice that drew fan doubts at first and then won them over. Keaton returned in Batman Returns (1992) and, decades later, in The Flash (2023). His quiet, slightly odd Bruce Wayne and dark Gothic Gotham changed how superhero films looked.
Val Kilmer (1995)
Kilmer stepped in for Batman Forever, directed by Joel Schumacher, opposite Jim Carrey's Riddler and Tommy Lee Jones's Two-Face. The film was a box-office success, though Kilmer played the role only once.
George Clooney (1997)
Batman & Robin is often called the low point of the franchise, and Clooney himself has joked about it in interviews over the years. Still, he is part of the list, and the film has gained an ironic cult following.
Christian Bale (2005-2012)
Christopher Nolan's trilogy, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, gave the character a grounded, realistic tone. Bale's committed performance and Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning Joker in The Dark Knight make this run many fans' favourite.
Ben Affleck (2016-2023)
Affleck played an older, battle-worn Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League and Zack Snyder's Justice League, with brief appearances in Suicide Squad and The Flash. Opinions on the films vary, but many fans rate his physical, brawling Batman highly.
Robert Pattinson (2022)
In Matt Reeves's The Batman, Pattinson plays a younger, brooding Batman in his second year of crime-fighting, with an emphasis on detective work. A sequel has been announced; check official studio news for current release plans.
Our Ranking of Batman Actors
Rankings are always personal, but here's ours, balancing performance, the films themselves and cultural impact.
| Rank | Actor | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christian Bale | Best overall films and a convincing Bruce Wayne and Batman |
| 2 | Michael Keaton | Defined the modern movie Batman |
| 3 | Robert Pattinson | Best detective Batman on screen |
| 4 | Adam West | Iconic, joyful and hugely influential |
| 5 | Ben Affleck | Great physical Batman in uneven films |
| 6 | Val Kilmer | Solid in a colourful, busy film |
| 7 | George Clooney | Likeable, but the film let him down |
| 8 | Lewis Wilson | A historic first |
| 9 | Robert Lowery | A historic second |
The Voice of Batman: Kevin Conroy and Others
For many fans, the definitive Batman never appeared on screen in the suit at all. Kevin Conroy voiced Batman in Batman: The Animated Series (from 1992) and went on to voice him across many animated films, series and the Batman: Arkham video games. His deep, calm delivery, with a softer voice for Bruce Wayne, became a benchmark. Conroy passed away in 2022.
Other notable voice Batmen include Will Arnett in The LEGO Batman Movie and the LEGO Movie films, and Diedrich Bader in Batman: The Brave and the Bold.
Batman in the Philippines: The Parody Era
Batman has long been popular in the Philippines, and local cinema produced its own unofficial and comedic takes. Batman Fights Dracula (1967) is a well-known example of the era's low-budget Filipino superhero films, and Alyas Batman en Robin (1991) starring Joey de Leon was a comedy spoof. These films are part of Philippine pop-culture history and show how quickly Hollywood heroes became local favourites.
Today, Filipino fans catch new Batman films in local cinemas; see what's showing in our guides to Cebu cinemas and Davao cinemas. If you like film festivals, read our MMFF guide.
Batman on Television and Beyond
The big-screen list doesn't tell the whole story. Batman and Bruce Wayne have also appeared in many live-action TV projects, often as younger or alternative versions of the character.
- Gotham (2014-2019) followed a teenage Bruce Wayne, played by David Mazouz, growing up in a crime-ridden city before he becomes Batman.
- Titans featured an older Bruce Wayne played by Iain Glen.
- Kevin Conroy appeared in live action as an older Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths, a treat for animation fans.
Because these actors mostly played Bruce Wayne rather than headlining as Batman in a film, most "how many actors played Batman" lists leave them out. Counting them is a matter of taste, and it's a debate that keeps fan forums busy.
What Makes a Great Batman?
Fans tend to judge Batman actors on a few things at once: whether they convince as the brooding hero in the cowl, whether they make Bruce Wayne believable as a public figure, and whether the film around them works. Keaton and Bale are often praised for the dual role, Pattinson for the detective side, and West for capturing the fun of the comics of his era. It's also why opinions shift over time, as older films get rewatched and new ones reframe the character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first actor to play Batman?
Lewis Wilson was the first, in Columbia's 1943 film serial Batman.
How many actors have played Batman in the movies?
Nine actors have played Batman as the lead in live action, counting the 1940s serials and Adam West's 1966 film and TV series.
Who played Batman the most times?
Among live-action actors, Ben Affleck appeared as Batman in the most films, and Christian Bale led a full trilogy. In voice work, Kevin Conroy played Batman more than anyone.
Who is the current Batman actor?
Robert Pattinson played Batman in The Batman (2022), and a sequel has been announced. Check official studio announcements for the latest casting and release news.
