Batman, who is among the most widely recognized characters from DC Comics, has made appearances in a number of live-action films and television shows, resulting in each actor establishing a distinct legacy. Due to being devoid of conventional super-powered abilities, Bruce Wayne as Batman has consistently been a more appropriate candidate for adaptations compared to a number of his graphic novel counterparts.

Because of this, there is a Batman for every personality, including the theatrical, peculiar, spirited, and pretty much anything in between. Below is a list of every incredibly talented actor who has played Batman in a live-action film or television show, ranked by their version's respective strengths and skills.

13 David Miller — Gotham Knights

David Miller as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Gotham Knights (2023)
The CW

David Miller portrayed Batman in the first episode of the new Gotham Knights (2023) television series by The CW. He is ranked last on this list because his abilities are unknown. After Batman dies, a new group of unusual heroes known as the Gotham Knights, led by Turner Hayes (Oscar Morgan), Bruce Wayne's adopted son, step forward to defend Gotham. They are also trying to figure out who really killed Batman and why.

12 Lewis Wilson — Batman (1943)

Wilson-Batman-1943-Columbia
Columbia Pictures

Lewis Wilson was the first live-action incarnation of Batman in 1943’s Batman film serial. With 15 film segments, Batman followed the masked protagonist as he battled Dr. Daka, a Japanese renegade who was spreading havoc in Batman's community of Gotham City. This version's narrative is shockingly racist and would be unlikely to be produced in today's society. Wilson's Batman is celebrated primarily for being groundbreaking than for holding up to contemporary interpretations of the character due to his lack of skills, power, and other attributes.

Related: Why Batman Is More Successful in Film Than Superman

11 Robert Lowery — Batman and Robin (1949)

Robert Lowery in Batman and Robin (1949)
Columbia Pictures

A follow-up serial, Batman and Robin (1949), featuring Robert Lowery as Batman, was released as a result of the previous 1943 serial's phenomenal success. It is famous for several absurd plot points, including the fact that Batman uses a big torch that comes out of his utility belt and that the bat signal works during the day. The serial was republished by Rifftrax in 2013 and has since gained a small cult-like following, but fundamentally this version of Batman is inferior to more contemporary interpretations.

10 Adam West — Batman (1966)

Batman: The Complete Series Blu-ray Trailer Remasters The 60s TV Classic
ABC

Adam West debuted as Batman in the 1966 series Batman, leading to the film Batman: The Movie, which was released the same year. West's interpretation is rather peculiar. His Batman suit has an oddly tacky style and is incredibly bizarre to look at. The Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, and Riddler were just a few of the many foes this Batman faced off against. Although West's Batman may not possess the same strength as the more modern great detectives, he did lay the groundwork for some of the finest superhero films ever made.

9 Mikhail Mudrik (uncredited)

Gotham Will End with Season 5, as Bruce Finally Becomes Batman

The television adaption Gotham premiered in 2014 with a focus on Commissioner Gordon's early life, subsequently broadening its scope to cover the escapades of a young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) and the beginnings of other Batman adversaries. Focusing on Gordon, who is typically a supporting character, and a younger Batman lent to an interesting storyline.

Throughout the five seasons of the show, Bruce grows into the potential Batman, who is depicted in the series finale and is portrayed by uncredited actor Mikhail Mudrik. Bruce Wayne's abilities in this interpretation are largely unknown because we don't really get to see him as Batman within the series.

8 Iain Glen — Titans

Ian Glen as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Titans
DC Entertainment
Warner Bros. Television

The Titans television series debuted in 2018 and centered on Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), a former sidekick of Batman and reluctant Teen Titans commander. After years of nonstop crime fighting, Bruce Wayne/Batman eventually made an appearance on screen portrayed by actor Iain Glen. While Glen's American accent and seeming lack of sympathy in his act seemed to disappoint some viewers, and consequently fall short of the show's expectations, others liked his perspective. Glen's Batman is an older man within this series, making him by default a weaker and less skilled iteration of the character.

7 Kevin Conroy — Crisis on Infinite Earths

Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne in Batwoman (Crisis on Infinite Earths Crossover)-1
The CW

Actor Kevin Conroy is most well known for portraying the part in the popular animated television show Batman: The Animated Series. He went on to voice the character for multiple animated television series, feature films, and video games over the next three decades.

Crisis on Infinite Earths, a crossover event involving the CW's numerous Arrowverse shows, debuted in 2019. Within this crossover (in particular, Batwoman) Conroy made his live-action debut as a different Bruce Wayne who was twisted and resentful by his losses. Fans thought that Conroy's abilities had been wasted after years of portraying Batman in acclaimed media because of an interpretation that made Bruce the villain. Sadly, Conroy passed away from cancer on November 10, 2022, at age 66, per Deadline.

Related: The Evolution of Batman's Villains on the Big Screen

6 George Clooney — Batman & Robin

How Batman & Robin Bombing Helped George Clooney Become Better at His Job
Warner Bros.

Although this movie, Batman & Robin (1997), was at first criticized and was even dubbed the worst Batman movie by some, it is actually better than you probably recall. In order to illustrate that this version of Batman had some strength and ability, George Clooney who plays The Dark Knight, along with Robin (Chris O’Donnell), and Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone) all manage to defeat Bane, Poison Ivy, and Mr. Freeze. While the movie was rather strange, it wasn't all that horrible. Additionally, Clooney's costume wasn't all that dreadful either.

5 Val Kilmer — Batman Forever

Val Kilmer Batman Forever
Warner Bros.

In Batman Forever (1995), Val Kilmer assumes the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman. One may argue that this Batman is significantly underappreciated. He drives a nice automobile, and has cool gear and equipment. He even outwitted Two-Face and the Riddler on top of that! To finish it off, he appointed Robin as his sidekick to aid in the defeat of his adversaries.

4 Robert Pattinson — The Batman

Pattinson The Batman 2022 WB
Warner Bros. Pictures

Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Bruce Wayne / Batman in the live-action film The Batman (2022) makes him the newest actor to play the character. Incredibly, Pattinson's interpretation of the part gives Batman another kind of power and expertise by emphasizing his investigative rather than vigilante side. The story takes up during Bruce Wayne's second year as The Dark Knight, giving the protagonist a gloomier and darker tone. As reported by Variety, The Batman II is scheduled to be released in 2025.

3 Ben Affleck — DCEU Franchise

Ben Affleck's Batman in 2017's Justice League
Warner Bros. Pictures

Ben Affleck, or Batfleck as the fandom has taken to calling him, is the Dark Knight for the Justice League. He appears in Batman v. Superman (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), Justice League (2017), and Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021). Since Affleck's Batman is very resourceful, he has a little bit more power than other iterations. He drives a fairly good Bat-themed automobile and always has a ton of gadgets about him. And he is the only Batman to apparently have a superpower — being rich — according to him.

2 Michael Keaton — Batman / Batman Returns

Michael Keaton is Batman
Warner Bros.

Michael Keaton played the Caped Crusader role in the Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992) movies. This Batman is recognized as one of the best on this list because he defeated the Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman with ease. Batman as played by Keaton is extremely strong and intellectual. Overall, his costume is extremely awesome. Additionally, Keaton's Batmobile is by far the greatest.

1 Christian Bale — The Dark Knight Trilogy

Christian Bale as Batman in Batman Begins
Warner Bros. Pictures

After his trilogy, which includes Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), and The Dark Knight Rises (2011), Christian Bale was hailed as one of the greatest live-action versions of Batman. He has fantastic armor, an awesome automobile, and excellent gadgets. The villains, Ra's Al Ghul, Scarecrow, Joker, Two-Face, and Bane were also defeated by him practically single-handedly. At one point, Bale's Batman even engages in combat without any of the usual weapons or devices that characterize Batman, demonstrating just how formidable he truly is.