A negative electrode for a lithium metal battery, the negative electrode including: a lithium metal electrode comprising lithium metal or a lithium metal alloy; and a protective layer on at least a portion of the lithium metal electrode, wherein the protective layer has a Young's modulus of about 106 Pascals or greater, wherein the protective layer includes at least one first particle, wherein the first particle includes an organic particle, an inorganic particle, an organic-inorganic particle, or a combination thereof, and wherein the first particle has a particle size of greater than 1 micrometer to about 100 micrometers, and a crosslinked material comprising a polymerizable oligomer, which is disposed between first particles of the at least one first particle.