There have been many different actors to dawn the cowl ofBatmanover the years. One of the most fervent debates comic book movie fans have on the internet is which Batman is best. While some maintain that the classic performances by Adam West and Michael Keaton were the definitive takes on the character, others prefer the more recent versions played by Christian Bale and Robert Pattinson. However, the one Batman that undoubtedly has the most vocal fanbase of them all is the version of the character played byBen Affleck.
Affleck was initially cast as the Caped Crusader in 2013. Yes, it has been more than a decade since fans found out that Ben Affleck would be playing Batman, and while the initial reaction from fans was negative, Affleck quickly won them over. He stepped into the role as Warner Bros. began developing its own interconnected universe of DC superhero films, which was largely spearheaded by Zack Snyder at the time. Although this universe — either the DCEU or the Snyderverse, depending on who you ask — failed to replicate the same financial success as Marvel’s Cinematic Unverse, Affleck has still appeared as Batman in more films than any other actor that has worn the mask.
With hiscameo inAquaman and the Lost Kingdomcutfrom the final film, it seems that Affleck’s time as the Caped Crusader has come to an end. The DCU has since entered the process of rebooting itself and moving on fromthe Snyderverse visionthat once was, withAquaman and the Lost Kingdombeing the final installment of the pre-James Gunn universe. With it, Affleck has donned the cowl for the last time inThe Flashin 2023.
Updated Aug 22, 2025: This article has been updated with additional content and features.
As audiences say goodbye to Batfleck, now is a good time to look back on the decade the actor has spent in the role. Here is a ranked list of Ben Affleck’s appearances as Batman, from cameos to main cast performances.
Ben Affleck’s Performances as Batman in Chronological Order
Title of Film
Release Date
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Jun 29, 2025
Suicide Squad
Aug 07, 2025
Justice League
Jul 25, 2025
Zack Snyder’s Justice League
Jul 24, 2025
Jul 09, 2025
2016’sSuicide Squadwas a bitter disappointment for Warner Bros., as many audiences and critics found the film to be a colorful but disorienting mess of a movie. The film does have some excellent sequences that have earned it a bit of a following over the years, but there’s a reason that the movie was largely ignored by the timeJames Gunn’s quasi-sequelThe Suicide Squadwas released in 2021.
The 2016 film marked the second occasion that fans saw Affleck’s Batman on the big screen after he debuted inBatman v Supermanearlier that year. The film primarily focused on various villains from Batman and the DC universe’s rogues' gallery, but the Caped Crusader does appear briefly in the film on a number of occasions.
Affleck’s Batman Can’t Save Suicide Squad
Affleck appears in costume as Batman through various flashbacks that establish the characters of Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), and The Joker (Jared Leto). With Deadshot, Affleck appears in a short scene that sees him apprehending Deadshot while the sharpshooter was out shopping with his daughter. As for Harley Quinn and The Joker, there’s an extended sequence of Batman chasing the two of them in the Batmobile before Joker escapes, leaving Batman to save Harley from drowning. His final appearance in the film comes in a post-credit scene that sees Bruce Wayne meeting Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), as he’s gathering information on the group of meta-humans that he will bring together to form the Justice League.
Overall, while it was a nice bit of interconnectivity to have Batman in 2016’sSuicide Squad, his appearances in the film are fairly forgettable. They don’t really add much to the film, nor do they develop Batman beyond what audiences already knew of him fromBatman v Superman. It also makes him seem weirdly complicit with a person as morally corrupt as Amanda Waller. We have to give props to Warner Bros. and David Ayer for somehow working the character into the movie, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t leave much of an impression.
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4Justice League (2017)
Steppenwolf and his Parademons return after eons to capture Earth. However, Batman seeks the help of Wonder Woman to recruit and assemble Flash, Cyborg and Aquaman to fight the powerful new enemy.
Although the 2017 version ofJustice Leaguebears director Zack Snyder’s name, in reality, the film was mostly directed and molded by Joss Whedon, which has resulted in many nicknaming the film “Josstice League.” Well, the “Josstice League” is a real mixed bag when it comes to Affleck’s Batman.
While his version of the character is arguably the lead in the movie, with the entire plot centering around him bringing the team together to fight Steppenwolf and revive Superman, the characterization of Batman in the film is incredibly bland. While watching it, it’s apparent that Affleck had mentally checked out of the role during the extensive reshoots, and who can blame him? All indications show that theproduction of the film turned into a nightmareafter Snyder left and Whedon came on board.
Justice League’s Batman Isn’t Very Interesting
The way that Batman is portrayed in the 2017Justice Leagueis just not that interesting. He’s turned into a generic “cool guy” who is just spewing half-baked dialogue and cheesy jokes the whole time. Some of these lines work in the context of Bruce Wayne having learned to “lighten up” following the events ofBatman v Superman, and Affleck is naturally charming, so he can sell the lines. But it just doesn’t work.
The only reason this outing is ranked aboveSuicide Squadis that it featured some pretty decent action sequences, along with bringing back the classicBatmantheme from Tim Burton’s films. We also have to give special mention to a certain scene involving Affleck and Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen. The scene in question comes when Barry Allen is doubting his ability to be a hero. Batman encourages him by affirming that, as long as he can “save one person,” then the rest will come. As bad as the movie may be, that was a great scene, and it fits the character of Batman.
Explained: How the Ben Affleck Movies Got Batman Right
Ben Affleck’s portrayal of the Dark Knight has had fans split from the very beginning, but he may have been one of the most accurate portrayals yet.
3The Flash (2023)
While DC’s long awaited movie,The Flash,may not have lived up to their expectationsat the box office, Ben Affleck’s appearance as the Caped Crusader is a bright spot in the film. Other films on this list may have Affleck in more of a prominent role, but his final outing is the one that most embodies the comic book nature of Batman. His version of Batman is one that’s been operating for over 20 years, and we only got a look at the tail end of his career, seeing him go from someone who lost their way to finding hope again at the end ofZack Snyder’s Justice League. InThe Flash, it’s the first time we get to see him as a fully realized version of the character.
Not only is Batfleck finally donning the classic blue and gray costume from the comics, but he’s moving and fighting like his comic counterpart would too. From dropping into the battle with the Flying Fox, to zipping around on the Batcycle, to gliding around with a grappling hook, he’s finally moving as he should. More gadgets than ever are being utilized, and it feels like the height of the character’s combat on-screen. Affleck finally got a chance to play a fully-realized Batman here, but it’s not without its faults to justify this place on the list.
Affleck’s Batman Was a Glorified Cameo
His screen time in the film is, understandably, very short. Affleck only appears in two sequences in the movie after hispost-credit scene was cut from the film. In the time he is there, his character doesn’t get much to do or go through any arc. He serves more as a cameo and gives the character one final sendoff before James Gunn’s reboot wipes the slate clean.
We do get to see the growth he’s gone through in a conversation with Barry, showing that he’s worked through the trauma of losing his parents. Bestowing wisdom on Barry to live his life, not his past, and to not let his tragedy define him, is a fantastic scene. It shows how far he’s come since the days ofBatman v Superman. Had we gotten this version of Batfleck for an entire film, it’s possible it could have been the best version of the character.
2Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Now we’re at the point in the list that consists of genuinely great performances from Affleck in the role. At this point, everybody is well aware that theZack Snyder cut ofJustice Leaguethat was released on Max in 2021 is significantly better than the 2017 version. Affleck’s Batman is one of the main reasons for that. There’s so much more of an edge to the character in this film, and it’s much more in line tonally with how the character was established inBatman v Superman.
Much of this version of the movie was filmed at a point in which Affleck was still all-in on the character, and that really shows on-screen. Whereas in the 2017 version, it felt like it was Affleck dressed up as Batman, inZack Snyder’s Justice League,the actor really disappears into the role and embodies this version of Bruce Wayne. He’s a character driven by guilt, grief, and desperation. He’s not forming the Justice League just for the fun of it; he’s doing it because he knows that he can’t stop Steppenwolf alone.
The Snydercut Improved Affleck’s Batman Significantly
This version of Batman is so much more developedand well-realized than that of the 2017 film, and he is given much more meaningful material. Rather than being the main character by default, he’s thoroughly part of the ensemble while also being an active driver in the plot. Seeing this performance and iteration of Batman inJustice Leagueall the years after the initial 2017 release really hammers home the lost potential of the Snyderverse and this particular take on the character.
Ben Affleck’s Best Moments as Batman, Ranked
It was clear from the start that Affleck was willing to give his all to Batman. Let’s take a look at his best moments as the Dark Knight.
1Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice
This is where it all started. 2016’sBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewas where DC fans around the world were first introduced to Affleck’s Batman. It was simultaneously the first time the character had been on-screen since Bale’s take on the character.
What Affleck brought to Bruce Wayne/Batman inthis movie was incredibly refreshingand exhilarating. It’s a very different take on Batman than what had been done previously inThe Dark Knighttrilogy and the various otherBatmanoutings. Affleck’s Batman is much darker, more aggressive, and more damaged. Affleck really embraces the character inBatman v Superman, and the performance he delivers isarguably one of the bestanyone has ever been given in the role.
Batman v Superman Was Affleck’s Best Batman Performance
The film’s numerous script issues aside, Affleck truly commits to the performance and shines in every scene. While the overall reception toBatman v Supermanwasn’t super positive, which began the downward spiral that plagued the DCEU in the years following, none of that is the fault of Affleck’s performance. He came on board, committed to the character, and embodied this iteration of Batman better than anyone else could have. Despite some of the story and pacing issues, Affleck’s Batman really stands out as a massive bright spot in the film. Of the all-time great Batman performances, Affleck’s inBatman v Supermancertainly deserves to be in the conversation for the top spot.
Looking for a lighthearted take on the Caped Crusader? Though it may not feature Ben Affleck, our exclusive interview withMerry Little Batmandirector Mike Roth shines some light on what’s to come for Batman’s newest animated adventures.
