The Flash hits theaters this week, which suggests we’re getting one other dose of Michael Keaton‘s Batman. After practically 35 years, Keaton returns to don the famed cape and cowl to battle the evildoers of Gotham and spark debates about the perfect live-action Batman actors.

Remarkably, since Keaton first wore the sharp ears, we’ve witnessed at least 5 actors tackling the function on the massive display in dwell motion. Compared, we’ve solely had two new Supermen — not together with the quite a few TV interpretations.

However which Batman did it greatest? I’m glad you requested, as a result of I’ve put collectively a snazzy checklist so that you can look over and debate. Test it out (ranked from worst to greatest), then tell us your checklist! Up, up, and away — or one thing like that.

7) George Clooney – Batman and Robin (1997)

Clooney practically derailed his budding movie profession by starring in Joel Schumacher‘s 1997 turkey, Batman and Robin. Whereas his portrayal of Bruce Wayne works somewhat properly, this explicit Bats spends far an excessive amount of time rattling off campy one-liners and never sufficient time brooding or kicking ass. To be truthful, WB and Schumacher opted for one thing extra within the vein of Adam West after the shocked response to Batman Returns and doubled down on the splashy, neon-lit insanity that audiences appeared to take pleasure in in Batman Without end with disastrous outcomes. No, actually, by the point Bats produces his personal customized bank card, this dumb, two-hour toy industrial has actually leapt over the proverbial shark into one thing resembling trash artwork.

Fortunately, Clooney is in on the joke, typically mocking his portrayal because the Caped Crusader on varied discuss reveals. He additionally seems on the finish of The Flash in a enjoyable cameo that left my viewers in stitches. Actually, I wouldn’t thoughts seeing him painting an older, grizzled Bruce Wayne in future Flash films, however I doubt anybody desires to see Clooney don the cape and cowl once more.

6) Adam West – Batman: The Film (1966)

Earlier than Tim Burton got here alongside and rescued the character from obscurity, this was the one live-action interpretation of Batman we had. Certain, there’s a sure attraction to the madcap shenanigans on show. Everybody concerned is clearly having a blast, together with the nice Cesar Romero and West’s trustworthy sidekick Burt Ward. I can respect Batman: The Film for its earnest attraction, however it nonetheless poorly represents the character, irrespective of how cool his Batmobile is.

5) Val Kilmer – Batman Without end (1995)

In an alternate actuality, Val Kilmer stepped right into a extra critical interpretation of the Caped Crusader and have become the best Batman of all of them. Alas, like Clooney, his strong efficiency in Schumacher’s formidable however finally uneven Batman Without end will get misplaced beneath a heap of campy nonsense. It begins within the opening scene the place we see Batman, lit in darkish shadows not too far faraway from Burton’s type and tone, step into the body and ship his first line: “I’ll get drive-thru.” Oye. How are you going to take a hero who rambles off bits like “Because of this Superman works alone” significantly? Reply: you’ll be able to’t. Kilmer is clearly sport and appears nice within the go well with, however the manufacturing (and Jim Carrey’s manic efficiency) sadly lets him down. Even peak Nicole Kidman couldn’t save this bloated product from cruising off the rails.

4) Robert Pattinson – The Batman (2022)

The jury remains to be out on Robert Pattinson’s interpretation of the character. Whereas Matt Reeves’ The Batman is undeniably superior, a spectacular piece of filmmaking that ranks among the many greatest comedian ebook variations regardless of its prolonged runtime and slow-burn tempo, Batman/Bruce Wayne’s journey nonetheless has an extended technique to go earlier than we are able to totally assess Pattinson’s portrayal. Because it stands, this model of Batman comes throughout as brooding and considerably harking back to a moody teenager, which hampers full appreciation.

Moreover, his Bruce Wayne lacks charisma and is oddly much less interesting than his superhero alter ego. I do respect the look of Batman on this movie and stay curious in regards to the future path Pattinson will take with the character. For now, he delivers a strong, if not excellent, portrayal of the beloved comedian ebook icon, leaving ample room for development and growth.

3) Michael Keaton – Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992)

Look, I grew up with Michael Keaton’s Batman. The person is a legend, and I’ll go to bat for Tim Burton’s unique blockbuster any day. In spite of everything these years, it’s nonetheless an thrilling, trendy piece of filmmaking with strong manufacturing values and a handful of legendary performances from Keaton and Jack Nicholson. Likewise, Batman Returns provides morbid leisure and works as a weird Burton comedy aided by an unimaginable manufacturing design (higher fitted to a unique movie) and Danny Elfman’s magnetic rating.

Nonetheless, I’d be hard-pressed to name Keaton the perfect Bats as a result of, properly, he’s hardly a personality. His complete arc in Batman revolves round vengeance and he all however takes a backseat to Danny DeVito’s Penguin and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman in Batman Returns. Merely put, there’s not a lot to Keaton’s Batman/Bruce Wayne. He’s extra James Bond than a street-smart ninja, relying extra on gadgetry than brains to get the job achieved. For some time, Keaton was the one and solely Batman till Christopher Nolan got here alongside and gave us the hero we deserved.

Having seen The Flash, my opinion of Keaton hasn’t modified. His Batman actually will get extra to do on his third big-screen look and has a few unimaginable struggle sequences, however his function doesn’t serve the story a lot and primarily features as hole fan service. Actually, I want they’d trimmed the prolonged first act of The Flash by about half-hour and devoted extra display time to Keaton’s character. Even at 71 years outdated, he nonetheless seems to be nice within the go well with!

2) Ben Affleck – Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice (2016) and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Disregard the disaster that was 2017’s Justice League, Ben Affleck‘s tackle the Darkish Knight is the stuff of comedian ebook goals. Designed very a lot within the type of Frank Miller — learn: dour, brooding, and violent — Affleck’s Batman marks the primary time we’ve seen a superpowered interpretation of the character on the massive display. This man beats the holy bejesus out of unhealthy guys, goes toe-to-toe with the Man of Metal, and doesn’t blink when confronted by literal gods from different dimensions.

Actually, the one factor holding Affleck again from the highest spot is the shortage of a solo film. Whereas he enjoys a satisfying character arc by means of BvS and ZSJL, morphing from an offended, vengeful man right into a hopeful, spirited hero, his Batman nonetheless feels frustratingly incomplete. Oh, the adventures we might have had with the massive man. Alas, we’ll at all times have the well-known warehouse scene — arguably the best Batman sequence to grace the display.

On a detrimental observe, his cameo in The Flash leaves a lot to be desired. I dug his motorbike chase and the varied devices and gizmos he makes use of to thwart a truck stuffed with unhealthy guys. However holy hell, his go well with is abysmal! Particularly in broad daylight. So as to add insult to harm, director Andy Muschietti takes his cues from 2017’s Justice League and makes Affleck’s Batman a strolling joke. The lasso of fact bit is tough to observe. I get WB’s need to lighten the temper following viewers dissatisfaction with the Snyderverse, however (as typical) the studio overcorrects, leading to an underwhelming ship off for Batfleck.

1) Christian Bale – Batman Begins (2005), The Darkish Knight (2008), The Darkish Knight Rises (2012)

Was there ever any doubt? From begin to end, Christian Bale‘s tackle the Caped Crusader is perfection. Sure, even right down to his gravelly voice. Out of everybody on this checklist, his Batman/Bruce Wayne is the one one who enjoys an entire arc, overcoming his inside demons to discover a smidgeon of happiness on the conclusion of The Darkish Knight Rises. It helps to star in the perfect Batman (and comedian ebook) film ever made, 2008’s good The Darkish Knight, the place he dutifully delivers a criminally neglected efficiency and greater than holds his personal towards Heath Ledger’s unbelievable Joker. Additionally, kudos to Christopher Nolan for lastly letting Batman flip his damned head.

The Darkish Knight collection is particular, people — a masterful trilogy that transcends its comedian ebook roots and delivers the sort of cinematic magic that solely comes alongside as soon as in a terrific whereas, and Bale’s Batman is the glue holding all of it collectively. As such, he takes the cake and can stay our biggest Darkish Knight till somebody knocks him off his perch.