There have been 7 live-action Batman portrayals so far, spanning decades across the silver screen. While fans eagerly await to see what Robert Pattinson’s Batman gets up to in The Batman: Part 2, and the potential for the Batman of the DCU coming at a later date with the Brave & the Bold, it might be a fun time to look back on the Batmen of cinema history to see who is the bravest.
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There have been dozens of Batman films over the years. Whether animated or live-action, each of them deserves a watch, but which of them is the best?
Some of these versions of Batman have fought petty criminals, self-proclaimed supervillains, and literal gods, so which of them can hold the title of the bravest Batman in live-action so that they can wear their bat ears prouder than the rest?
7
Val Kilmer’s Batman
A One-Shot Batman That Saved the Day from Two Villains at Once
- Bravest Act: Stopping Riddler and Two-Face in one night
- Featured in: Batman Forever (1995)
While Val Kilmer and Joel Schumacher didn’t exactly get the cut they were looking for with Batman Forever (1995), they still provided a campy movie that could be enjoyed by young audiences and fans of Batman, even if there were less notable acts of Batman’s bravery present as the film dared to seek the psychological of the Bruce Wayne/Batman debate.
However, Val Kilmer’s great portrayal of Batman does do something extremely brave and Batman-like when paired with the impossible ultimatum: save Dr. Chase Meridian, Bruce’s love interest, or Dick Grayson, Batman’s one and only partner, Robin. In typical Batman fashion, he boldly defies the Riddler and manages to save both and put a stop to Two-Face and Riddler’s brainwave extravaganza that plagues Gotham, all in one short night.
6
George Clooney’s Batman
Another One-Shot Batman Who Stopped Mr. Freeze From Engulfing Gotham in an Ice Age
- Bravest Act: Stopping Gotham City from a new Ice Age
- Featured in: Batman & Robin (1997)
Mr. Freeze has sadistic plans for Gotham, forged by his own self-hatred and failures to save his own wife. With his ultimate goal to freeze Gotham City for a paradise for him and his wife, Batman, alongside Batgirl and Robin, is quick to put a stop to him – but that is perhaps just a part of his bravest act.
Batman forgives Mr. Freeze, and even asks him for his help – showcasing that vengeance isn’t the most powerful tool for Batman, but forgiveness, and the ability to give life as he asks for help in curing Alfred Pennyworth of McGregor’s Syndrome.
5
Adam West’s Batman
The Campy Batman of the 60s Who Knew No Danger
- Bravest Act: Running around with a bomb ready to detonate
- Featured in: Batman (1966–1968)
Adam West is an iconic Batman, and his many adventures over the years highlight the camp and fun of the 60s. While Adam West’s version of Batman has endured many different antics and villains, perhaps none are as memorable as the battle against a shark with the infamous shark repellent spray, or that time when Batman was trying to get rid of a bomb that was seconds away from detonating.
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The image of Batman running around frantically looking for a spot to safely detonate a bomb with a short fuse while he encounters people who are constantly in the way might seem funny, and it is, but it also shows Batman’s bravery as he risks his own life continuously to save others.
4
Robert Pattinson’s Batman
Vengeance Becomes Hope as This Batman Battles a Masked Serial Killer
- Bravest Act: Fighting an army of Riddler fanatics
- Featured in: The Batman (2022)
The Batman (2022) focuses on the early years of Batman’s crime-fighting career, in which he doesn’t have much hope for Gotham City, which in turn makes him bitter and vengeful for the city that his parents loved and he vowed to save. Robert Pattinson’s darker Batman might be inexperienced and fearful at times, like with his first glide off of the GCPD building, but his bravery is unlike any other.
Running down sky scrappers, risking his identity to save Catwoman, and battling a small army of Riddler thugs who attempt to assassinate the new mayor of Gotham – this is a Batman who gives his blood and sweat to Gotham, and one who is brave enough to understand that the city needs hope, not vengeance.
3
Christian Bale’s Batman
A Batman Who Does Not Fear Death Can Save Everyone
- Bravest Act: Sacrificed himself for Gotham by carrying a nuke out of the city
- Featured in: Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
For Bruce Wayne, he has lost it all. His parents, his money, his body, the love of his life, and now potentially, his city. As Batman, Bruce wanted to save Gotham, to give it hope that it could be better. Yet, with Bane and his men storming Gotham with an army and a nuclear bomb, Batman is broken physically and mentally, but that won’t stop him from mending his back and returning to Gotham City to save it again.
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Batman’s final act in The Dark Knight Rises (2012) is by far his bravest, as not only does he climb out of the pit where Bane was imprisoned, risking a fall to his death if he fails, but he also returns to Gotham to fight against Bane’s militia and fly the nuclear bomb out of the city so it can detonate at a safe distance. Batman’s self-sacrifice here is like no other, and his bravery in the face of death is emotional to all who respect him.
2
Michael Keaton’s Batman
The Batman Who Made Gotham the Safest City in the World
- Bravest Act: Having a solo fight against Nam-Ek
- Featured in: Batman (1989), Batman Returns (1991), The Flash (2023)
Michael Keaton’s Batman is the pinnacle of bravery. With his fight to save Gotham from the Joker, Penguin, and the other decades of adventures since the late 80s, this Batman was able to retire peacefully and live at Wayne Manor knowing that Gotham was saved, and the mission was finished – the war was won.
Yet, when an alternate timeline Barry Allen came to his world and the threat of General Zod was at this Earth’s doorstep, Bruce Wayne suited up as Batman again – proving that age has nothing to do with his skills and bravery. What’s more, is that even in the final fight against the Kryptonian invaders, Batman fought the biggest, Nam-Ek, with nothing but agility and explosives with no fear for his own safety.
1
Ben Affleck’s Batman
A Human Who Fights Gods and Monsters Without Fear
- Bravest Act: Challenged a god to a 1v1
- Featured in: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), The Flash (2023)
Ben Affleck’s version of the Caped Crusader is far more grizzled and experienced than the other variants, and across his 20 years as Batman, this version is one who never backs down from a fight. When the world forever changes with the world being introduced to Superman, Batman grows extremely cautious and even challenges the Man of Steel to a fight. Whether it’s crazy or brave, one has to admit that this Batman has the guts to challenge Superman to a battle of fists and gadgets.
Even after the two become friends, Batman still shows extreme bravery, as he’s not a god nor does he have incredible power outside of his martial arts and gadgets, which is why his attempt to help meta-humans save the world with Justice League places him on a pedestal above the rest.
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