Christian Bale has captured the hearts of many since his childhood. The A-list star surprisingly got his start in a Pac-Man cereal commercial from the '80s, but since then, Bale has launched a career toward increasingly more influential roles. From superheroes to period romances, he has proven his ability to play a wide range of characters and to transform himself incredibly in order to do so. Whether it is a period romance or a new action movie, Bale can rise to the task.
Updated June 30, 2023: If you're a fan of the chameleonic actor, you'll be happy to know this article has been updated with additional content and films.
Bale's career has spanned almost forty years, and he doesn't show a need or desire to slow down anytime soon. 2022 was a big year for the actor as he starred in Thor: Love and Thunder, Amsterdam, and The Pale Blue Eyes. With such an impressive resume, here are Christian Bale's best movies ranked.
13 Vice (2018)
An intense political drama unfolds in Vice, charting the ascension of Dick Cheney, the unexpectedly influential bureaucrat who reached the pinnacle of the vice-presidential office in US history. Christian Bale endured a radical transformation to embody Cheney, gaining 45 pounds, adopting a bald look, and enduring hours of makeup to mimic Cheney's unique look.
With Bale perfectly embodying Cheney's strategic and subdued menace, it's a transformation that's as psychological as it is physical. Defined by a full immersion into the character, Bale's performance in Vice drives the movie's plot and gives the entire cast a sense of grounded authenticity.
12 Public Enemies (2009)
Public Enemies provides a cinematic lens into the notorious crime spree that shook America during the agonizing times of the Great Depression. In the directorial hands of Michael Mann, the film casts Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis, the relentless FBI agent whose mission is to take down infamous criminal John Dillinger, embodied by Johnny Depp.
Bale's impressive acting skill offers a nuanced depth and steadfastness to the role of Purvis, whose restrained yet compelling performance introduces an added layer, lifting the film above your run-of-the-mill crime drama. A stark contrast between Bale's dogged, rule-bound Purvis and Depp's extravagant Dillinger is skillfully portrayed, which fuels an engaging dynamic that keeps the audience hooked throughout its runtime.
11 Empire of the Sun (1987)
This movie came at the beginning of Bale's career. Even though he had yet to grow into the actor we know today, Bale displays a remarkable performance in Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun for someone who was just 12 years old. Bale stars as Jamie, the son of a British man living in Japan. During a WWII occupation of his settlement, Jamie is separated from his parents. Trapped and alone in a war-ridden country, Jamie is forced to grow up more quickly than he ever expected.
Bale is great in this role because of the range of emotions he manages to convey. From heartbreak to triumph, Bale embodies every situation as though he were actually experiencing it. As a young actor, he shows depth beyond his years as he captures the life of a prisoner of war. All of Bale's raw talent and dedication are evident even in this early film.
10 Reign of Fire (2002)
Even though it didn't perform well at the box office initially, Reign of Fire is a downright fun movie to watch.Complete with dragons, an exciting plot, and Christian Bale, it is still a cult classic years later. After miners accidentally awaken a dragon nest, Earth's population goes into hiding. Quinn Abercromby (Bale) leads a small colony of people hiding underground, but when a stranger with a plan to kill off all the dragons wanders into their camp, Quinn must face his greatest fears in an attempt to save the ones he loves and the human race.
Bale excellently portrays the inner struggle that Quinn feels in the middle of a seemingly hopeless war. But even with high emotional stress, the actor brings a spark of good humor to this character's serious demeanor. The otherwise bleak setting would be incomplete without his emotional range to garner interest.
9 American Hustle (2013)
Panorama Media
Christian Bale brilliantly portrayed a notorious con artist in David O. Russell's star-studded film American Hustle, appearing alongside fellow greats like Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Lawrence in the crime comedy that chronicles a dangerous FBI sting operation's efforts to take down a group of corrupt politicians in 1970s New Jersey.
Lauded for its phenomenal performances, savvy storytelling, and witty humor, the Oscar-nominated flick went on to garner numerous accolades, including Golden Globes and Satellite Awards, with Bale also nabbing an Academy Award nod for Best Actor. The stellar chemistry between the talented ensemble cast also helped American Hustle rake in over $250 million at the box office.
8 Rescue Dawn (2006)
This engrossing war drama, Rescue Dawn, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog, tells the harrowing true-life story of Dieter Dengler, with Christian Bale in the starring role. Bale, as Dengler, a US fighter pilot shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War, showcases an individual pushed to the brink of endurance. Pushed past the precipice of human fortitude, the narrative recounts an enthralling story of survival and the resilience of the human spirit amid adversity.
The movie does a great job to Highlight Bale's impeccable method acting commitment to his roles. He undertook a weight loss of considerable measure to mirror Dengler's prison camp experiences, this not only gave the movie a more authentic and realistic feel but also shows how dedicated Bale is to his craft.
7 The Big Short (2015)
The Big Short successfully breaks down the housing market crash of 2007 so that general audiences can understand it better. Some history and economic terms may go over audiences' heads, but the compelling plot and director Adam McKay's use of humor make up the difference.
Christian Bale stars as Michael Burry, the real-life investor who brilliantly foresaw the housing market crash. He is joined by the excellent performances of Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Brad Pitt in this all-star, critically lauded hit. Their hilarious performances help balance out all the mathematical jargon and make this story the perfect blend of education and entertainment.
6 The Fighter (2010)
Bale took home both an Academy Award and Golden Globe for his riveting performance as former professional boxer Dicky Eklund in the biographical sports drama The Fighter, which follows half-brothers Dicky and Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) as the younger sibling attempts to break free from the shadow of his big brother and family and become the welterweight world champion.
Bale's compelling portrayal of the struggling Dicky, whose drug addiction caused him to fall from grace and ended his boxing career, was singled out by critics; the San Francisco Chronicle called it "shrewdly observed, physically precise and psychologically acute." In true Bale fashion, the actor completely immersed himself in the role, losing 30 pounds and thoroughly researching Eklund's unique Boston accent and mannerisms that helped him deliver a knockout performance.
5 The Machinist (2004)
Insomnia is not an unfamiliar problem to many of us who let Netflix automatically play the 'next episode' all night. The Machinist takes our sleepless fears to the next level, as Christian Bale stars as a character who has not slept in a year. As a consequence, Trevor Reznik suffers from hallucinations, guilt, and paranoia.
Bale went all out for this role by famously dieting for four months and dropping to 120 pounds (being forced to stop by producers for medical reasons). His physically fatigued state contributes to the haunting performance in this disturbing psychological thriller which is sure to engage anyone looking for a good scare.
4 American Psycho (2000)
Many consider American Psycho to be the film that made Christian Bale famous. He perfectly embodies the terrible consciousness of psychopath Patrick Bateman, a normal businessman by day, and serial killer by night. This story follows him as he tries to hide his malicious, murderous acts from the police.
Bale once again shows off his versatility in this role by balancing the two opposite lifestyles of one character. Patrick is charismatic and successful one minute and absolutely diabolical the next. Both his subtle mannerisms and more over-the-top excitement contribute to the film's personality without breaking its believability.
3 The Prestige (2006)
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Prestige, a mesmerizing gem in Christopher Nolan's oeuvre, features Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, an ambitious and skilled magician caught in a lethal feud with Robert Angier, played by Hugh Jackman. Set against the backdrop of the alluring and mystical Victorian England, the film weaves a story around Borden's relentless quest for the perfect illusion.
Bale's performance in The Prestige is captivating and enigmatic as he artfully unravels Borden's complex persona, combining a deep-seated passion for magic with an intense ambition to outshine his adversary. Contributing significantly to the film's success is Bale's compelling performance and his meticulous character development. With Bale's riveting performance and the film's intricate storytelling, the film etches an enduring appeal, crafting an unforgettable cinematic experience for its audience.
2 Ford V. Ferrari (2019)
In Ford V. Ferrari, Bale plays Peter Miles, a washed-up car mechanic looking for a new way to support his family and live his life's passion. When Ford Motor Company decides to build a prize-winning race car, Miles gets a chance to prove himself.
Once again, Christian Bale transforms before our eyes into an almost unrecognizable character. Without saying a word, Bale's facial expressions can communicate all the conflicts in Patrick's life. His subtle mannerisms bring a whole world of depth to the character; audiences can easily imagine that they are watching the real Patrick Miles. If the stellar cinematography and beautiful vintage cars don't glue audiences to their screens, the emotional performances will (along with Bale's hilarious chemistry with co-star Matt Damon).
1 Batman Begins (2005)
This entire list could include all of Bale's The Dark Knight trilogy, they're just that good. Batman has been played many times before, but Christopher Nolan's three films brought the character massive acclaim and adoration; his direction is not the only reason why this series is still a fan favorite, though. Bale's portrayal of Batman progresses over time in ways that other renditions do not; he struggles with emotional heartbreak, self-worth, identity crises, and a sense of duty, with Bale bringing a lot of complexity and realism to his rendition of the Caped Crusader.
This movie tops the list because it essentially makes the other two possible. In Batman Begins, Bruce Wane seeks to find himself. He goes to Asia in order to train in martial arts and returns to Gotham with a determination to clean up the city. As he grapples with his own moral quandaries, he must become the protector that Gotham City needs. Bale perfectly embodies the transformation (both physical and mental) that the character goes through and proves why he's one of the best working actors today. There's a reason he was named the best Batman of all time.
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