All-Time Best Christian Bale Movies

In Terminator Salvation, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, a resistance fighter who is the leader of the human resistance against the machines in a post-apocalyptic future. He is tasked with leading the fight against the machines and saving humanity. Bale's performance in the film earned him critical acclaim and was nominated for multiple awards.

In Out of the Furnace, Christian Bale plays the role of Russell Baze, a former steelworker from a small Pennsylvania town who searches for his missing brother who has been involved in an illegal underground fight club. With the help of his friend Rodney (Casey Affleck), Russell is forced to face the dark and dangerous world of organized crime.

Bale plays Gorr the God Butcher, a villainous alien with a vendetta against all gods. He seeks to end the reign of the gods and bring about a new age of darkness, leading Thor and the Avengers to stand against him.

In The New World, Christian Bale stars as Captain John Smith, a British explorer who is part of the Jamestown settlement in colonial Virginia. Smith falls in love with a Native American woman named Pocahontas, and the two become entangled in the complex politics of the time. Bale is highly praised for his performance in the film, which incorporates elements of his physicality and subtlety.

Swing Kids is a 1993 American musical drama film directed by Thomas Carter. The film stars Christian Bale, Robert Sean Leonard, Frank Whaley, and Barbara Hershey. The film follows a group of teenagers living in Nazi Germany during the 1930s, who form a swing band and use the music to rebel against the regime.

I'm Not There is a 2007 American experimental drama film co-written and directed by Todd Haynes. It tells the story of six different incarnations of Bob Dylan, portrayed by six different actors: Christian Bale, Marcus Carl Franklin, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Ben Whishaw and Heath Ledger. Bale portrays an acoustic version of Dylan in the 1960s.

Harsh Times is a 2005 drama film directed by David Ayer and starring Christian Bale. Bale plays Jim, a former U.S. Army Ranger who struggles to find purpose in a civilian life in Los Angeles with his best friend, Mike. Jim's behavior becomes increasingly dangerous and destructive as he begins to succumb to the pressures of life and his own mental instability. Bale's portrayal of Jim is a raw, intense, and realistic performance that captures the desperation of a man struggling to cope with his own inner demons.

Bale appeared as the lead character, Jack Kelly, in the 1992 musical Newsies. He won critical acclaim for his performance and was nominated for the Young Artist Award for Best Actor. He was also nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance.

In the film "Velvet Goldmine," Christian Bale portrays the character Arthur Stuart, a journalist who delves into the mysterious disappearance of glam rock star Brian Slade. Set in the 1970s music scene, Bale's character serves as the narrator and connects the various threads of the story. Bale's performance in "Velvet Goldmine" showcases his versatility and ability to embody complex characters within the context of a visually stunning and music-driven film.

In the film "Public Enemies," Christian Bale portrayed the character Melvin Purvis. An FBI agent, Melvin Purvis was tasked with apprehending and bringing down the notorious bank robber John Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp. His character's pursuit of Dillinger forms a central conflict in the film, creating a cat-and-mouse dynamic between the two characters. Bale's performance added depth and intensity to the crime drama.

In the 1990 film "Treasure Island", Bale portrayed the character of Jim Hawkins, the young protagonist who embarks on a perilous adventure in search of buried treasure. The film, directed by Fraser Clarke Heston, is a faithful adaptation of the classic novel by Robert Louis Stevenson. Bale's performance as Jim Hawkins showcased his talent even at a young age and added to the overall charm and excitement of the film.

In American Hustle, Christian Bale plays the role of Irving Rosenfeld, a con artist who is forced to help an FBI agent (played by Bradley Cooper) bust other criminals. Bale's character is a complex one, as he is both a masterful con artist and a caring family man. He is also deeply flawed, as his cons have caused him to become deeply in debt and have caused him to lose the trust of those closest to him. His performance in the film is both nuanced and powerful, and he is able to imbue his character with both a sense of humor and a sense of desperation.

In the 2017 Western-drama Hostiles, Christian Bale stars as a U.S. Cavalry officer who is tasked with escorting a Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their tribal lands. Bale plays the role of Captain Joseph Blocker, a hardened soldier who finds himself struggling to find redemption on his mission. The film was met with positive reviews, with many praise for Bale's performance.

In Vice, Christian Bale plays the role of Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of the United States, who served under President George W. Bush. The film follows Cheney's rise to power and his influence on the Bush Administration, as well as his personal life and relationships. Bale's performance was widely praised, with many critics noting his spot-on portrayal of the former vice president.

Bale plays Theodore "Laurie" Laurence, a wealthy neighbor of the March family, whose friendship with Jo helps her to grow. Laurie's romantic interest in Jo causes tension between the two, as Jo is determined to remain independent.

Rescue Dawn is a 2006 biographical war drama film written and directed by Werner Herzog and starring Christian Bale. The film is based on the true story of German-American aviator Dieter Dengler, who was shot down and captured by villagers sympathetic to the Pathet Lao during a U.S. Navy mission over Laos in 1966. Bale starred as Dengler, a U.S. Navy pilot who is shot down and is taken prisoner by the Pathet Lao in the jungles of Laos. The film follows Dengler's attempts to escape and survive his captivity.

Bale plays John Preston, a top-ranking member of the totalitarian society of Libria. Preston is a Grammaton Cleric, a member of the ruling police force given the task of tracking down and eradicating those who do not follow the strict laws that have been established in the society. Preston begins to have doubts about the society he serves and eventually rebels against it, ultimately leading a revolution against the oppressive regime.

In "Jin ling shi san chai," also known as "The Flowers of War," Bale portrayed the character John Miller, an American mortician who requests shelter in a Catholic church during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937. He becomes involved in protecting a group of schoolgirls and courtesans from the invading Japanese forces. Bale's performance in "The Flowers of War" showcased his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray complex and emotionally charged characters.

Henry V is a play written by William Shakespeare that follows the story of King Henry V of England as he leads his army into battle against the French. The play was famously adapted to film in 1989 with legendary actor Christian Bale playing the titular role of King Henry V. Bale's performance as the young king is considered to be one of his best performances to date. He is able to capture the king's youthful optimism as well as his determination and courage in the face of adversity. Bale also manages to capture the king's humility and compassion which adds a layer of depth to the character. His performance as Henry V has been praised for its subtlety and nuance, and it is considered a classic.

American Psycho is a 2000 American psychological horror-thriller film directed by Mary Harron and starring Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy, materialistic Wall Street investment banker who descends into psychosis. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis.

In the 1987 film Empire of the Sun, Christian Bale plays the lead role of Jim Graham, a young British boy stranded in Shanghai during World War II. The film follows Jim's journey as he is separated from his family and sent to live in a Japanese internment camp, where he must survive the hardships of war and find a way to reunite with his parents.

In The Machinist, Christian Bale plays the lead role of Trevor Reznik, an insomniac machinist whose life spirals out of control after a series of disturbing events. Bale's physical transformation for the role was remarkable, with him reportedly losing 63 pounds to portray Reznik's extreme emaciation.

In 3:10 to Yuma, Christian Bale stars as a rancher named Dan Evans who is struggling to make ends meet. After taking on a job to escort notorious outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the 3:10 train to Yuma, Dan finds himself in a life-or-death situation. Throughout the movie, Bale plays a man of honor, courage and perseverance, willing to face danger for what he believes is right. With his masterful performance, Bale brings the character of Dan Evans to life, making him a hero we can all admire.

Christian Bale stars as Dicky Eklund in the 2010 biographical sports drama film The Fighter. The film follows the story of professional boxer Micky Ward and his older brother Dicky Eklund, who is a former boxer and Micky's trainer. Bale won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.

In The Big Short, Christian Bale plays the role of Michael Burry, a hedge fund manager who made a prescient bet against the U.S. housing market. He is a complex character, and Bale exquisitely captures the intensity, intelligence, and eccentricity of Burry. His performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

In the film "Batman Begins," Christian Bale played the lead role of Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman. Bruce Wayne is a billionaire playboy who, after witnessing the murder of his parents as a child, dedicates his life to fighting crime and protecting Gotham City. Bale's portrayal of Batman showcases the character's dark and brooding nature, as well as his determination and physical prowess.

Christian Bale stars as Bruce Wayne/Batman in The Dark Knight Rises. He is forced out of retirement by the Joker's rampage and the emergence of Bane, a terrorist leader determined to destroy Gotham City. With the help of his trusted allies, Batman must face the greatest challenge of his life and save the city he loves.

In The Prestige, Christian Bale plays Alfred Borden, a magician who is locked in a bitter rivalry with Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman). Borden is dedicated to his craft, willing to go to any lengths to outdo his rival. He is also determined to keep his secrets hidden, no matter the cost.

Christian Bale played the role of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman, in The Dark Knight. He was praised for his portrayal of the iconic superhero, which earned him numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.