DC: 10 "I'm Batman" Lines In Movies And TV, Ranked

The words "I'm Batman" will forever go down in history as the most iconic phrase Batman has ever said. Sure, he's had plenty of other great lines including "Swear to me" and "Do you bleed" but they still don't have the same impact as that catchphrase

The line is actually so iconic that it would surprise people that Batman actually doesn't say it that often. Ben Affleck's Batman across his three appearances so far has yet to say it, but with the upcoming Snyder cut, is it possible that fans will? Here's another question for fans to contemplate. Out of all the people who have donned the cowl, who delivered the line the best.

10 "Hi, Freeze..." - Batman & Robin

It was George Clooney's turn to take on Batman as well as the famous line. Sadly, it is easily the worst version of the famous catchphrase. As Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze attempts to steal a diamond from the Gotham Museum, Batman arrives through the skylight. The entrance wasn't bad but it is immediately followed up by, "Hi, Freeze. I'm Batman."

Rather than seeming like an intimidating vigilante or even adding an ounce of charm to the line, Clooney says it in a casual yet bored manner. George Clooney has openly stated that he hated working on 1997's Batman & Robin and it shows through the delivery.

9 "How Do You Know All This?" - Beware The Batman

Rather than interrogating a criminal or making some grand entrance, he's trying to save himself and Harvey Dent from bombs. He tells Harvey Dent that Anarky won't let the bomb squad help them; when Dent asks how he knows so much, Batman replies with "I'm Batman." As if he's showing off.

This one has a nice delivery from Anthony Ruivivar in the criminally underrated Beware The Batman. It's less of the typical variation of the phrase and more playing to the joke fans make about how Batman can do anything simply because he's Batman.

8 "Good Afternoon, Mr. Glee..." - Batman (1966)

There has been a joke in the community that Adam West's Batman never had to say who he was; he just had to show up and everyone knew he was Batman. While he never had to, he actually did say the line before. In the episode "The Joker's Last Laugh," Batman approaches the bank teller who happens to be a robot.

"Good morning, Mr. Glee. I'm Batman." This is very similar to how Clooney said it but Adam West brings much more charm to it. The best part though is how Mr. Glee responds: with an emotionless, "Obviously, sir." The man's attitude is the opposite of his name and the delivery lends to perfect comedic timing.

7 "You Are...Bruce Wayne?" - The Batman VS Dracula

This straight-to-video film based on The Batman animated series from 2003 is an odd one. It does feature some fun action scenes, however, including a final confrontation between Batman and Dracula. Batman uses a sunlight generator from WayneTech to ambush Dracula. With this, Dracula discovers the truth and asks, "You are...Bruce Wayne?"

Batman opens his cape like a pair of wings to cast a shadow over Dracula, "I'm the Batman. And you're dust." Batman not only grapples into the air to let the sun rays burn Dracula but he comes back down and with one slam, turns Dracula into a pile of ashes.

6 "Who Is This Guy?" - Batman: The Brave And The Bold

Diedrich Bader's Batman does not get enough credit; he's often referred to as the funny one but when needed, Bader could go darker and more serious. Such as in Batman: The Brave And The Bold, the episode Deep Cover For Batman features the Dark Knight on a parallel Earth where the many DC superheroes are the villains.

So he goes undercover as his counterpart Owlman. However, it is not long until he is discovered and a big fight commences. The villains think they have defeated him but Batman, in his true suit, comes flying in. As the evil Green Arrow asks, "Who is this guy?!?" Batman knocks them out and Bader finally gets to say the line: "I'm Batman."

5 "You're Pretty Strong For Some Clown Who Thinks He's Batman" - Batman Beyond

This time it's not Bruce Wayne saying the line, it's Terry McGinnis from Batman Beyond. In the two-part pilot episode, Terry is fighting the man who carried out the hit on his father: Mr. Fixx. Fixx just casually remarks that he's "pretty strong for a clown who thinks he's Batman."

How else could Terry respond but by solidifying his place as the new Dark Knight, "I am Batman!". Will Friedle's voice is perfect in this moment and for many fans, this was when they accepted Terry McGinnis.

4 "I'm Both Bruce Wayne And Batman." - Batman Forever

There were several detractors in Batman Forever but Val Kilmer was not one of them. Val truly put his passion into the character and it shows throughout despite the studio tampering. Easily one of his best moments is after the climax when he's defeated Riddler and Two-Face. He approaches the Riddler and finally finishes off the greatest riddle of the film and his personal arc.

"Poor Edward. I had to save them both. You see I'm both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Not because I have to be. Now...because I choose to be." The music swells and Val Kilmer leaves his own awesome stamp on the character forever.

3 "What Are You?" - Batman (1989)

This line from Tim Burton's Batman was the one that turned the phrase into an iconic part of Batman's vocabulary. It's a perfect introduction, where Batman surprises two muggers who had just robbed a family. After disposing of one thug, Batman dangles the other over the edge and instructs the criminal to tell his friends about him.

Michael Keaton's whispery Batman voice is perfect already but it gets better. The criminal yells in fear, "What are you?!?" Of course, the Dark Knight says, "I'm Batman." Fast, simple, and effective for an introduction. Michael Keaton will always be Batman and that's why fans look forward to his return in The Flash movie.

2 "What The Hell Are You?" - Batman Begins

This one in Batman Begins is very similar to Michael Keaton's introduction but even better. Up to this point, Batman has been kept in the shadows without a long clear look at him. He's taken out all of Falcone's men while Falcone cowers in his car with a shotgun at the ready. "What the hell are you?"

Batman smashes through the skylight, lifts Falcone up, and Christian Bale perfectly informs him: "I'm Batman," before knocking him out with a single headbutt. This was when Bale's voice was at its most refined (unlike in the sequels and it fit beautifully into the scene). The scene also acts as a perfect ending to the origin of Batman.

1 "I Am Not A Disgrace!" - Batman: The Animated Series

Michael Keaton may have started the catchphrase but it was Kevin Conroy that perfected it in Batman: The Animated Series. In the episode "Nothing To Fear," Scarecrow's fear toxin makes Batman see his worst fear; that fear is failing his father. During the final battle, the toxin kicks in again and an illusion of Thomas Wayne taunts that he's a disgrace.

This leads to easily the most iconic line ever said by Batman: "You are not my father. I am not a disgrace! I am vengeance...I am the night! I am Batman!" A line so perfectly delivered that movies, shows, and other forms of media tribute/parody it. Kevin Conroy would even get to say the line once more in Batman: Arkham Knight.

NEXT: 5 Ways Batman Arkham Knight Is Still The Best Comic Book Game (& 5 Ways It's Spider-Man)