Batman is one of the most iconic superheroes of all time and he’s been portrayed by some incredible actors over the years. Batman has been silly, scary and everything in between over the 80 years he’s delighted fans on screens both big and small. Each one of these actors brings something different to the role and the legacy of the Caped Crusader. These are the Batman actors that Gotham deserves.

Swipe ahead for a history of every actor who played Batman.

Lewis Wilson (1943)

Lewis Wilson is the first actor to ever portray Batman, starring in a WWII serial that finds Batman as a U.S. secret agent trying to catch a Japanese agent in Los Angeles. It was criticized for being absurd, but is also responsible for introducing fan favorites like Alfred and the Batcave.

Photography: Columbia Pictures

Robert Lowery (1949)

Robert Lowery starred in the Batman and Robin serial opposite Johnny Duncan. Batman and Robin lasted 15 chapters and was widely ridiculed for its low budget, continuity issues and poorly-fitted costumes.

Photography: Columbia Pictures

Adam West (1966 - 1968)

Adam West’s starring role on the TV series Batman continues to be iconic to this day. The colorful, often comical show ran for 120 episodes and a movie that featured some of Batman’s most legendary villains. Adam was already a known actor, but Batman made him a star.

Photography: 20th Century-Fox Television

Michael Keaton (1989 – 1992, 2023)

Michael Keaton brough the Dark Knight into the modern era with his brooding portrayal in Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns. The films set a new standard for Batman on the big screen. Michael Keaton reprised his role in 2023’s The Flash.

Photography: Warner Bros.

Val Kilmer (1995)

Val Kilmer had the tough job of following up Michael Keaton in Batman Forever. Val Kilmer’s Batman teamed up with Robin to defeat Two-Face and the Riddler, but wasn’t able to win over fans of the franchise. Kilmer’s Batman is widely considered to be the funniest.

Photography: Warner Bros. Pictures

George Clooney (1997)

George Clooney took over after Val Kilmer for Batman and Robin, alongside Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl. Despite Clooney being one of the most successful actors to ever play Batman, his portrayal is generally thought to be the worst depiction of the Dark Knight.

Photography: Warner Bros. Pictures

Christian Bale (2005 - 2012)

Christian Bale was the intense, occasionally difficult to understand star of Chris Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. Christian Bale managed to effortlessly balance Batman’s dark persona with Bruce Wayne’s shallow façade. The films ushered in a new era of realism for superhero movies.

Photography: Warner Bros. Pictures

Kevin Conroy (1992 - 2019)

Many longtime fans of Batman consider Kevin Conroy to be the definitive voice of the Dark Knight. Kevin voiced Batman in dozens of projects including Batman: The Animated Series and the Arkham video game series. He also portrayed a real life Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse before sadly passing away in November of 2022.

Photography: Warner Bros. Animation

Ben Affleck (2016 - 2023)

Ben Affleck first appeared as Batman in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Despite the movie’s lackluster reviews, critics praised the depth that Ben Affleck brought to the role. Ben appeared in multiple DC movies and had plans to write, direct and star in The Batman but had to pull out due to personal reasons.

Photography: Warner Bros. Pictures

Robert Pattinson (2022 - Present)

Robert Pattinson is the latest actor to play Batman in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Robert plays a younger, inexperienced Batman who is still learning to save Gotham and making plenty of mistakes along the way. Robert’s gritty, nuanced performance dazzled fans of the iconic hero.

Photography: Warner Bros. Pictures