Ranking the Live-Action Daredevil Actors: Who Wore the Horns Best?

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The character known as Daredevil is a highly recognized and enduring superhero in the Marvel Comics universe. Originating from the creative minds of Stan Lee, artist Bill Everett, and the input provided by Marvel luminary Jack Kirby, Daredevil first appeared in his own comic series, titled “Daredevil“, issue #1, which was published in April 1964. The character, Matt Murdock, is a lawyer who is blind but possesses extraordinary sensory abilities that heighten his hearing. During the day, he practices law as a public defender, taking on cases for individuals who have been wronged, while at night he transforms into the vigilante known as Daredevil, battling criminals who manipulate the legal system. Throughout the years, acclaimed writers such as Frank Miller, David Mack, Kevin Smith, Ed Brubaker, Mark Waid, Charles Soule, Chip Zdarsky, Ann Nocenti, and Brian Michael Bendis have all contributed to Daredevil’s long-lasting narrative, solidifying him as one of Marvel’s most iconic and cherished superheroes.

The versatile nature of Daredevil, a vigilante who employs martial arts to combat crime, has made him one of the most flexible characters within the franchise. His abilities seamlessly transition between big and small screens, needing fewer special effects compared to characters like Spider-Man or the Hulk. Since his introduction, three different actors have portrayed “The Man Without Fear“, each bringing their unique interpretation to the character. The year 2025 holds significance for Daredevil, with his recent role in “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” and the Disney+ series “Daredevil: Born Again“, which intends to carry on the narrative initiated in his initial Netflix series. With Daredevil once again in the limelight, let’s take a look at the three live-action actors who have played him ranked.

3
Rex Smith

‘The Trial of the Incredible Hulk’ (1989)

In 1989, Rex Smith was the initial actor to portray Daredevil in the TV movie titled The Trial of the Incredible Hulk. Although efforts to create Spider-Man and Doctor Strange series during the 1970s were unsuccessful, The Incredible Hulk proved to be a significant triumph for Marvel Comics, transforming the green colossus into a popular cultural figure. The show concluded in 1982 after five seasons, but its universe was revisited through two television movies that served as stepping stones for other Marvel characters to headline their own shows. The initial of these films was 1988’s The Incredible Hulk Returns, which presented an alternate version of Thor. The sequel, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, saw Bruce Banner go on trial and be defended by none other than Matt Murdock, a character better known as Daredevil.

Although this version of Daredevil lacks some classic features like his red suit and a modified backstory, it still captures the spirit of the character, notably when he grapples with doubt over whether the villains have found out that he is blind. This 1980s-inspired portrayal draws heavily from Frank Miller’s influential comic run, with Kingpin serving as Daredevil’s primary adversary and Matt Murdock being shaped into a leading man fitting for the ’80s. Among the Marvel adaptations in this realm, he is the most conventional “superhero,” which makes his characterization intriguing, given Daredevil’s unique personality. However, it results in an engaging interpretation – one that could only have emerged during this specific period and offers a glimpse into where Marvel was at the time with live-action adaptations.

Although Smith’s portrayal of Daredevil may not have been widely recognized, it significantly shaped the character and its depiction. The film’s choice to replace the traditional red costume with a streamlined, black suit inspired by ninjas directly impacted Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s design for the prototype suit in “Daredevil: The Man Without Fear,” published in 1993, four years after the TV movie. Notably, this design was later worn by Charlie Cox during Seasons 1 and 3 of his series, demonstrating that Smith’s influence on Daredevil lingered even 26 years after he first played the character.

2
Ben Affleck

‘Daredevil’ (2003)

The most prominent figure on the roster, Ben Affleck, portrayed Matt Murdock in the 2003 film “Daredevil” and made a brief appearance in the director’s edition of “Elektra”. Affleck was passionate about landing this role, being a long-time fan of the comics since his youth. In a 2002 interview, he shared, “There’s something from my childhood that I remember vividly, and this story was it.” Affleck also served as an inspiration for his friend Kevin Smith and artist Joe Quesada’s depiction of Daredevil in their “Guardian Devil” storyline. To ready himself for the part, he dedicated himself to reading as much “Daredevil” material as possible, aiming to do justice to the character.

In Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Matt Murdock/Daredevil, his dedication is evident but the movie fails to fully support his performance, although the director’s cut offers some enhancement. He excels in embodying the charismatic side of Daredevil during his early swashbuckling days, a role that complemented Affleck’s known charm at the time. However, the depiction of Murdock’s moodier, brooding aspects seems to contradict Affleck’s knack for portraying likable, easygoing characters. As his career progressed with films like The Town and Argo, Affleck proved himself to be a suitable choice for Batman in the DCEU. Yet, his Daredevil character doesn’t quite reach its potential, despite showing glimpses of it.

Ben Affleck’s portrayal of Daredevil didn’t receive a follow-up movie, and while this turn of events might have been beneficial, it’s not a point of significant disagreement among fans. Many would have appreciated another appearance from Affleck in projects like Deadpool and Wolverine, and some may still be hoping for a surprise cameo in Avengers: Secret Wars. In the end, Affleck was an ideal Daredevil during a less-than-optimal period.

1
Charlie Cox

‘Daredevil’ (2015), ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ (2025)

Could there ever have been another actor to play Daredevil as convincingly as Charlie Cox did? Starting from his debut as Daredevil in April 2015, Cox quickly became the embodiment of the character for fans everywhere. He masterfully portrayed Daredevil’s internal struggles and hidden fury, while also showcasing Matt Murdock’s charismatic swagger that highlights the character’s dual nature. In various roles across series such as She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Cox demonstrated his ability to embody both the dark, Frank Miller-inspired Daredevil from his solo series and the original, swashbuckling version of the character as conceived by Stan Lee and Bill Everett.

Instead of Charlie Cox merely appearing as Daredevil, it seems like he embodies the character. Just as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans are synonymous with Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America respectively, Cox’s portrayal of Daredevil is equally integral. After the cancellation of Daredevil in 2018, fans were disheartened thinking they wouldn’t see more of Cox as Daredevil. However, his reappearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home was just as thrilling as the return of other beloved Spider-Man actors. Now, with Daredevil being one of the key characters in the Multiverse Saga, the upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again is set to mark the character and actor’s fifth appearance in this new phase. Cox’s diverse depictions of Daredevil across live-action and animated mediums clearly demonstrate his affection for the role.

Initially, fans proposed various actors like Guy Pearce and Michael C. Hall for the role of Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, after Charlie Cox was cast, it seems almost unthinkable to consider anyone else for the part. He embodies Daredevil so convincingly that it’s as if the character jumped straight from the pages of a comic book onto the screen.

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2025-03-01 20:32