Key Takeaways
- Kevin Conroy sets the benchmark for all others.
- Peter Weller excelled as an older, more brutal Batman in The Dark Knight Returns.
- Will Arnett brings depth and humor to his portrayal of Batman in The LEGO Batman Movie.
The Caped Crusader has been fighting crime since 1939. He’s without a doubt one of the most popular superheroes around and, over the years, has appeared in everything from radio shows and films to video games and animated shows. These days there’s no getting away from him.
Related
8 Most Immersive Batman Games, Ranked
Batman games are extremely entertaining and usually have great stories. Here are some Batman titles that feel very immersive and fun.
So far, around 26 voice actors have lent Batman their voices, in full-length animated films, games, and animated TV shows. While the live-action versions tend to get the most attention, some of the best Batman movies are animated, and some of the best Batmen have been voice actors. We’ve put together a list of some of the best Batman voice actors. They’ve been chosen and ranked based on how well they voiced the iconic character as well as what they brought to the role compared to other actors.
8 Troy Baker
Brings His Incredible Range To The Caped Crusader
- Most notable appearance: Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Putting a voice actor as talented and well-respected as Troy Baker in the bottom place almost feels sacrilegious but we have good reason. Baker has played the character in both Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and the Telltale games. In both projects, he did an excellent job of bringing the character to life but did little to distinguish himself.
In Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the veteran voice actor seems to settle for copying Conroy’s version of Batman rather than doing his own thing. In the case of the Telltale games, his Batman voice is admirable but nothing special. Considering how gifted a voice actor Baker is, his stints at Batman feel like wasted opportunities. Maybe someday he’ll be given a Batman project that lets him show off his real range.
7 Roger Craig Smith
Specializes In Playing Unique Batmen
- Most notable appearance: Superman: Red Son
No other actor has played quite so many versions of Batman. While none of Roger Craig Smith’s Batmen have been scene stealers it is impressive that all his versions of the character sound distinct while maintaining that Batman edge. He first played the character in Batman: Arkham Origins. The legendary Conroy had voiced Batman in the first two Arkham games, so Smith was in a pretty unenviable position. He did an admirable job of making himself sound like a slightly younger version of Conroy and helped make Origins one of the best prequel games of all time.
Related
5 Best Horror Episodes Of Batman: The Animated Series
This Batman cartoon didn’t shy away from scary themes, and these episodes show how much inspiration it took from the horror genre.
Since then, Smith has cut out a niche voicing weirder versions of the character. He played a Russian Batman well in Superman: Red Son and also played the titular character in Batman Ninja. Unfortunately, in recent years DC hasn’t given Smith much of a chance to shine. He’s mainly been relegated to voicing a more generic version of the character in the Batman Unlimited films that are squarely aimed at selling toys to children. Given the right material, Roger Craig Smith has the potential to rise much higher.
6 Rino Romano
Played A Younger, Underrated Version Of Batman
- Most notable appearance: The Batman (2004)
Batman: The Animated Series was a hard act to follow, but The Batman found success by doing something new. Whereas most earlier Batman projects had focused on older, experienced versions of the character, this show did the opposite. It followed a young Batman who had only been fighting crime for three years.
It might be a little underrated, but The Batman is one of the best Batman cartoon series, and among a talented cast, Romano’s performance stands out. His Batman sounds younger and more inexperienced but is still unmistakably Batman. The show ran for four years and Romano did an awesome job of modulating his voice to reflect the character’s growth. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to rank him higher due to his limited experience. Romano only voiced Batman in The Batman and Batman vs Dracula. With both being aimed mainly at children, he was never given a chance to tackle more mature themes, meaning his Batman lacks a little depth. Hopefully, if DC ever goes back to portraying a younger Batman, Romano will get another chance.
5 Jason O’Mara
Voices The DC Animated Movie Universe’s Batman
- Most notable appearance: DC Animated Universe
O’Mara had an impressively long run voicing Batman from 2014’s Justice League: War up until that version of the universe was destroyed in Justice League Dark: Apokolips War. He voiced what was basically the New 52 version of the character and had a good six years to perfect his interpretation.
Related
Best Batman Movie Endings, Ranked
Certain Batman movie endings are incredibly hard to forget. Here are some of the best ones that fans of the Caped Crusader can check out.
It’s fair to say he did a good but not a great job, which is why he gets a middling ranking. There’s nothing wrong with O’Mara’s Batman. His voice is strong and commanding and this version got his fair share of emotional moments. But, unlike higher-ranking entries on this list, there isn’t anything to single out O’Mara’s voice acting. He gave fans the perfect generic Batman. Still, keeping in mind he appeared in some of the best DC Universe Animated movies, O’Mara gets a mid-ranking.
4 Will Arnett
Adds An Impressive Level Of Depth To A Joke Batman
- Most notable appearance: The LEGO Batman Movie
This might be a controversial pick for fourth place, but there’s a method to the madness. Yes, this version of the usually serious Batman is played for laughs, but that doesn’t mean Arnett doesn’t do a seriously good job. Arnett’s version of Batman is inspired because it borrows something from other great versions of the character while making it his own.
The actor’s gravelly voice is a perfect match for the Caped Crusader, while his comedic timing and delivery make every line he utters hilarious. Just as importantly, it never feels like Arnett is mocking the beloved character himself, just the tropes that surround him. And it isn’t all fun and games. For a version of the character that is mostly meant to make kids (and their parents) laugh, Arnett lends his Batman a surprising level of pathos. Beneath all the jokes, there’s a lot of depth to Arnett’s Batman. Arnett does an awesome job of voicing Batman, and it would be cool to see him do it outside the LEGO franchise.
3 Peter Weller
Voiced The Most Difficult Version Of Batman
- Most notable appearance: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Peter Weller had an even harder job before him than most other Batman voice actors when he was picked for the role. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is one of the best Batman Elseworld Comic Stories and fans had high expectations for this version of the character. This is a much older, scarred, and damaged version of the character, meaning Weller couldn’t just mimic other popular voice actors and call it a day.
5:23
Related
7 Batman Games With The Best Stories, Ranked
There a number of Batman games that players can enjoy featuring thrilling storylines and boss battles that are very entertaining.
Weller owns this version of the Dark Knight. Weller’s voice reflects an older, weary, more brutal Batman who has experienced decades of pain and defeat. At the same time, he never strays too far away from the Batman fans know and love. His Batman is one of the best things about The Dark Knight Returns duology. He might not have voiced the character anywhere else, but this fact alone is enough to earn him third ranking.
2 Bruce Greenwood
Brought The Relationship Between Batman And Red Hood To Life
- Most notable appearance: Batman: Under The Red Hood
There are plenty of reasons that Batman: Under The Red Hood is one of the most rewatchable Batman movies and Greenwood’s performance as Batman is certainly one of them. The film hinges on the chemistry between Batman and Red Hood and Greenwood and Jensen Ackles were a perfect fit. Batman is infamously stoic, but the actor brings to life the pain and betrayal that Batman feels watching his former protégé becoming a killer.
Related
8 Most Replayable Batman Games, Ranked
Some Batman games are so good that they’re worth playing more than just once to really get the thrills of combat and the story of the Caped Crusader.
But Greenwood isn’t just excellent as Batman in Under The Red Hood; he’s played the character a handful of times. In Young Justice, he plays a slightly different version of the character. This Batman tends to be more cold and calculating and morally gray compared to Red Hood’s. Greenwood’s voice is a perfect match for Batman and the actor gives a nuanced performance, emphasizing Batman’s stoicism and terrifying intensity while also revealing his human heart when necessary.
1 Kevin Conroy
The G.O.A.T. Of Batman Voice Actors
- Most notable appearance: Batman: The Animated Series
was
Batman for an entire generation. His name is synonymous with the role, the same way that Robert Downey Jr.’s is with Ironman and Mark Hamill’s is with the Joker. Conroy voiced Batman for over thirty years, and his performance in
Batman: The Animated Series
is the benchmark that all other Batman performances are judged on. His portrayal of Batman in the
Arkham
games is one of the things that make them
the best Batman games
around.It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that made Conroy such a good Batman. He gave Batman just the right amount of gravitas and nailed the delivery of the hero’s no-nonsense attitude and dry humor. He was also gifted at voicing both Batman and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, something even the most talented voice actors have struggled with. Sadly, Conroy passed away in 2022, and there’s not a Batman fan on the planet who won’t miss his version of the character.
More
Best Batman Live-Action Movie Villains, Ranked
Batman’s Rogues Gallery has been explored in various decades, and some incredible talent has filled the shoes of Gotham’s most twisted villains.
Leave a Reply