Batmanhas been brought to life by a plethora of talented actors over the years, not just in live-action but also in animated films and series. Some of the most recognizable voices in entertainment have stepped into the iconicDCrole, lending their unique interpretations to the Dark Knight. From seasoned veterans to surprising newcomers, these portrayals highlight Batman’s versatility as a character, with some surprising stars assuming a metaphorical cape and cowl in animatedBatmanprojects.
Batman has been a powerhouse in animation since theclassic 1990sBatman: The Animated Series, which garnered the first animatedBatmanmovie,Mask of the Phantasm. Dozens of animated series andBatmanmovies soon followed, becoming some of the most celebrated entrants in the DCU timeline. As such, Batman has become as desirable a role in animation as he is in live-action, with e swathe of famous faces voicing the iconic Dark Knight.
10Adam West Voiced The Classic Batman
The New Batman Adventures & Batman: Return Of The Caped Crusader
Adam West first portrayedBatman in the 1960s live-action television series, but he also returned to voice the character in various animated projects. West voiced Batman in 1976’sThe New Adventures of Batman.West became synonymous with the role, later lending his voice toBatman: Return of the Caped Crusadersand its sequel,Batman vs. Two-Face. These films paid homage to his campy, lighthearted portrayal of the Caped Crusader.
How 1 Batman: The Animated Series Episode Secretly Includes A Live-Action Batman Actor
Batman: The Animated Series featured a wealth of vocal talent to bring Gotham City to life, but one character was actually voiced by Batman himself.
West’s voice work allowed him to revisit his iconic role while bringing a sense of nostalgia to a new generation of viewers. His distinct delivery and comedic timing worked perfectly for these projects, blending humor and heroism in a way that honored his original performance. Adam Westremains a cornerstone in Batman’s legacy, and his contributions to the animated world solidified his status as a fan-favorite version of the character.
9William Baldwin in Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths
Directed By Lauren Montgomery and Sam Liu
William Baldwin voiced Batman inJustice League: Crisis on Two Earths. The 2010 animated movie explored a multiverse storyline where the Justice League face off against their villainous counterparts, the Crime Syndicate. Baldwin’sBatman stood out as a calculated and determined hero, crucial to the team’s success in overcoming the Syndicate’s plans. While Baldwin wasn’t a traditional choice for Batman, his portrayal was a pleasant surprise.
Baldwin’s voice brought an understated intensity to the character, offering a version of the Dark Knight that was serious but not overbearing. Baldwin’s performance complemented the film’s ensemble cast, allowing his Batman to feel like a vital part of the team without overshadowing the other characters. Baldwin’s casting inCrisis on Two Earthsis particularly pertinent asBaldwin was on the shortlist to appear in Joel Schumacher’sBatman Foreverin the title role.
8Ben McKenzie Voiced Batman in Batman: Year One
Ben McKenzie, best known to DC viewers for his role as Commissioner Jim Gordon in the television seriesGotham. However, he also provided the voice for Bruce Wayne/Batman in the 2011 animated adaptation ofBatman: Year One. This film focused onBruce Wayne’s early days as Batman, returning to Gotham after years of training. A highlight was his initial partnership with Gordon, who was voiced byBreaking Badstar, Bryan Cranston.
Ben McKenzie’s performance captured the uncertainty and raw determination of a young Batman still finding his footing as Gotham’s new protector. While his voice lacked the gravelly depth associated with more seasoned Batmen, it worked well for this origin story, reflecting Bruce Wayne’s relative inexperience. Ben McKenzie’s connection to the Batman mythos through Gotham adds an interesting layer to his portrayal, ashe has played two key figures in Batman’s world.
7Peter Weller in The Dark Knight Returns
Directed By Jay Oliva
Peter Weller voiced an older, battle-hardened Batman in the two-part animated adaptation of Frank Miller’s celebratedThe Dark Knight Returns. The story follows Bruce Wayne as he comes out of retirement to confront crime in a dystopian Gotham,having hung up the cape and cowl after Jason Todd’s death. Returning to clean up Gotham, he faces enemies like the Mutant Leader, Joker, and Superman.
Peter Weller’s deep, commanding voice was a perfect match for this grizzled version of the Dark Knight. His portrayal exuded authority and weariness, embodying a man pushed to his limits but unwilling to give up the fight. Known for his titular role in theRoboCopmovies, Peter Weller’s sci-fi backgroundlent a sense of gravitas to his Batman, making him one of the most memorable voice actors to tackle the character.
6Will Arnett is Lego Batman
The Lego Movie, The Lego Batman Movie, & The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Will Arnett portrayed Batman in theLegofranchise, appearing inThe Lego Movie,The Lego Batman Movie, andThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. Will Arnett’s performance instantly became iconic,managing to adequately embody the hero while also undermining him for comedic purposes. This version of Batman parodied the character’s brooding nature while still highlighting his heroic qualities within the vibrantLegouniverse.
Will Arnett’s trademark gravelly, exaggerated voice was celebrated in shows likeBoJack Horsemanand perfectly suited the over-the-top humor of theLegouniverse. His Batman was hilariously self-absorbed yet surprisingly vulnerable, making him a layered and endearing version of the character. Arnett’s take on Batman resonated with audiences of all ages, proving thateven a satirical portrayal could honor the Dark Knight’s legacy. Arnett subsequently returned to voice the character inLegovideo games.
5Jensen Ackles is the Tomorrowverse Batman
Batman: The Long Halloween, Legion Of Superheroes, Justice League Warworld, & Justice League Crisis On Infinite Earths
Jensen Ackles is best known for his role as Dean Winchester onSupernatural. Ackles also voiced Batman in theTomorrowverse, the second era of DC’s interconnected animated films beginning in 2020. He debuted as Batman inBatman: The Long Halloween(Parts 1 and 2) and returned for three more animated movies, including 2024’sJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earth, whichconcluded the Tomorrowverse in a bombastic three-part adventure.
10 Batman: The Animated Series Episodes That Make You Empathize With the Villains
Batman: The Animated Series established the precedent of Batman having sympathetic villains with tragic backstories, producing heartbreaking foes.
Jensen Ackles brought a blend of charisma and gravitas to the role of Batman, capturing Batman’s duality as both a stoic hero and a compassionate ally. His long-standing connection to DC characters - having voiced Jason Todd inBatman: Under the Red Hood-made his transition to voicing Batman feel natural and well-earned. It also provided him with greater insight into the emotional turmoil inherent in Batman’s world.
4Ethan Hawke Has a Minor Role as Batman
Batwheels (2022-)
Ethan Hawke voiced Batman inBatwheels, a lighthearted animated series aimed at younger audiences that focuses on Batman’s vehicles. While his version of Batman wasn’t the focus of the show,Hawke brought a calm and approachable energy to the character,making him accessible for children. Instead,Batwheelsdepicted an anthropomorphized Batmobile, along with other famed vehicles associated with the Bat-Family.
Ethan Hawke’s Batman is mostly a background character inBatwheels, but the star added a level of gravitas with his captivating voice. Though not as prominent as other portrayals, Hawke’s involvementdemonstrates the enduring appeal of Batman across all demographics. His performance added a touch of star power to the series, further cementing Batman’s status as a character that transcends age and medium. Interestingly, Hawke was also on the shortlist to play Batman inBatman Forever.
3David Giuntoli Appeared in Two Animated Batman Movies
Batman: Soul Of The Dragon & Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham
David Giuntoli is best known for his roles onGrimmandA Million Little Things.Giuntoli voiced Batman in two animated movies,Batman: Soul of the DragonandBatman: The Doom That Came to Gotham.These films explored unique interpretations of the Dark Knight,blending elements of martial arts and cosmic horrorinto diverse Batman stories.Soul of the Dragonis set in the 1970s and is inspired by the martial arts movies of Bruce Lee.
Meanwhile,The Doom That Came to Gothamsees Batman facing supernatural threats in the 1920s. Giuntoli’s voice work captured Batman’s adaptability, allowing him to fit seamlessly into these unconventional narratives. His performanceshighlighted Batman’s versatility as a character, proving that the Dark Knight can thrive in a variety of genres. Giuntoli’s Batman is notable for exploring alternate renditions of the mythos, exploring fascinating hypothetical narratives independent of the Tomorrowverse.
2Anson Mount Appeared in Injustice
Directed By Matt Peters
Anson Mount is best known as Captain Pike inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsand as Black Bolt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mount voiced Batman inInjustice, the animated adaptation of the popular video game and comic book series, which began withInjustice: Gods Among Us. The filmexplores a dark alternate timeline where Superman becomes a tyrantafter being driven mad and killing Lois Lane, forcing Batman to lead a rebellion.
6 Batman: The Animated Series Actors Who Also Appeared In Live-Action Batman Movies
A total of 6 actors who appeared in Batman: TAS also appear in live-action Batman movies, creating a thrilling connection for ardent Batman fans.
Anson Mount’s commanding voice brought depth to Batman’s role as a leader and moral anchor in a world gone wrong inInjustice. His portrayal balanced Batman’s stoicism withthe emotional weight of fighting against his former allies, making it a standout performance in the film. Indeed, many of the vocal performances inInjusticewere praised, despite the movie’s more mixed critical reviews.
1Bruce Greenwood Voiced Batman in Movies and Television
Batman: Under The Red Hood, Batman: Gotham By Gaslight, Batman: A Death In The Family, & Young Justice
Bruce Greenwood is probably best remembered for movies likeThe Core,Thirteen Days, and the title role inGerald’s Game, an adaptation of Stephen King’s story of the same name. Greenwoodfirst voiced Batman in the animated filmBatman: Under the Red Hoodand later reprised the role inBatman: Gotham by Gaslightand the adaptation ofA Death in the Family.Meanwhile, Greenwood was playing the Caped Crusader inYoung Justice, which focussed on teenage superheroes and sidekicks.
Greenwood’s portrayal emphasized Batman’s intelligence, compassion, and unyielding determination. Greenwood’s nuanced performance made him a fan favorite, particularly for his ability toconvey Batman’s complex relationships with his allies and enemies. His work inYoung Justiceexplored his talent for balancing Batman’s mentorship role with his darker, more isolated tendencies. With a career spanning decades, Greenwood is one of the more notable stars to play the Dark Knight in animatedBatmanhistory.
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders
Cast
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders features Adam West and Burt Ward reprising their roles as Batman and Robin. The animated film sees the dynamic duo face off against iconic villains including The Joker, The Riddler, The Penguin, and Catwoman, battling threats in Gotham City and beyond.
Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths
A heroic Lex Luthor from an alternate universe recruits the Justice League to help save his Earth from the Crime Syndicate, a villainous counterpart of the League. As the battle intensifies, Owlman devises a plan that could destroy the multiverse, forcing the heroes to act before all existence is obliterated.
Batman: Year One
Based on the DC comic story arc of the same name, this animated film tells the story of Bruce Wayne’s first year as a superhero. While the new Batman faces off against Carmine Falcone, detective James Gordon investigates Bruce Wayne’s connection to the mysterious caped vigilante.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1
Based on the dark and gritty graphic novel, The Dark Knight Returns Part One is an animated action film set in the same world as Batman: Year One. The film follows a retired Batman following the death of the last Robin ever taken under his wing, Jason Todd. Two-Face, having been released and supposedly reformed, and a sudden wave of major crimes forces Bruce Wayne to don the cowl once more as an aged and far more brutal Batman, but even takes on a new Robin protege named Carrie Kelley.
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 is an animated film directed by Jay Oliva. The story continues Bruce Wayne’s emergence from retirement as Batman to confront new threats. Set in a dystopian Gotham City, Batman faces challenges from familiar foes, the government, and the media. Voiced by Peter Weller as Batman, the film delves into themes of justice and heroism against a backdrop of societal unrest.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part One is an animated film set in the DC Universe, where heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman unite with counterparts from multiple Earths. They confront an imminent existential threat, gathering under the leadership of the mysterious Monitor to prevent a multiverse-wide cataclysm.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Two follows the combined forces of superheroes including Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, as they battle an invading army of shadow demons threatening all realities. They confront hidden secrets involving the Monitor and Supergirl, which challenge their efforts to save the multiverse.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part Three continues the saga with the Anti-Monitor unleashing an unyielding assault on surviving Earths. As universes face annihilation, heroes from different timelines unite with the Justice League and allies in a final confrontation against this formidable threat to existence.
