If there is a chameleon-like actor who has done everything and has practically faced brutal physical changes, almost from one year to the next, that is, without a doubt, Christian Bale.
The Welsh actor, who has won 2 Golden Globes, 2 SAG Awards and an Oscar for his more than 30 films, is a true acting monster with very different roles.
On this occasion, I have gathered The 14 Best Christian Bale Movies, ranked from worst to best according to critics, so you can review the most interesting parts of his extensive filmography.
The American Hustle
- Year: 2013
- Director: David O. Russell
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence
Synopsis: The film tells the story of Irving Rosenfeld, a very intelligent man who, along with his attractive partner Sydney Prosser, is forced by an FBI agent to work on a complicated and dangerous case. The agent pushes them into a world full of mobsters located in New Jersey where they must complete a mission.
What have the critics said?: With a fascinating quartet of protagonists and a very peculiar characterization, American Hustle is set up as a highly entertaining show, even if the plot is not that great. The best thing? Christian Bale’s role, which he nails. Hobby Consoles
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 92%-6740% / IMDb: 7.2
The vice of power
- Year: 2018
- Director: Adam McKay
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell
Synopsis: The Vice of Power is a biopic about former US Vice President Dick Cheney, who evaded military service during the Vietnam War. It is released in Spanish cinemas on January 11, 2019.
What have the critics said?: McKay writes and directs a new film full of unexpected resources: a biopic far from the general tone that, thanks to its satirical and self-referential humor, manages to make a stark critique of a character capable of pulling the strings of power like a puppeteer and breaking all conventions. The best part? The games with the narrative, the film’s frenetic pace and the amazing performances by Christian Bale and Sam Rockwell. Hobby Consoles
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 65%-60% / IMDb: 7.2
Equilibrium
- Year: 2002
- Director: Kurt Wimmer
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Sean Bean, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs
Synopsis: A totalitarian regime in a future society has managed to eliminate war by suppressing all kinds of emotions, and feelings are punishable by death. John Preston is a government agent in charge of persecuting those who disobey, but at some point he begins to wonder if what he does is really worth it.
What have the critics said?: “It makes a statement: freedom of opinion is a threat to totalitarian systems (…) It handles this idea in the most effective way (…)”. (Roger Ebert)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 41%-81% / IMDb: 7.4
Thor: Love and Thunder
- Year: 2022
- Director: Taika Waititi
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman
Synopsis: Thor embarks on a journey to find inner peace, but his retreat is interrupted by the emergence of a galactic assassin known as Gorr the Godbutcher (Christian Bale), who seeks to wipe out all deity. He’ll be aided in combating the threat by his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who wields the magical hammer, and Queen Valkyrie.
What have the critics said?: “It’s a more than entertaining superhero movie with some very funny moments (especially starring Russell Crowe’s Zeus), but the story is a bit weak” — Hobby Consoles
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 71% / IMDb: 7.4
American Psycho
- Year: 2000
- Director: Mary Harron
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage, Willem Dafoe
Synopsis: In a world where clothes make more sense than skin, Patrick Bateman is a guy who meets all the requirements of Master of the Universe. He is practically perfect, like almost everyone around him, and he tries to fit into that world. However, it is impossible for him and this feeling drags him into a whirlwind of hatred and endless bloodlust.
What have the critics said?: “The best monster movie to come out in years.” (BBC)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 69%-85% / IMDb: 7.6
The empire of the sun
- Year: 1987
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Distribution: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers
Synopsis: When the Japanese army occupies Shanghai, James Graham’s life changes completely: he is separated from his parents and confined in a concentration camp where he must learn to survive.
What have the critics said?: “Visual splendor, heroic adventures, and sheer scope make it unforgettable.” (New York Times)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 77%-83% / IMDb: 7.7
The machinist
- Year: 2004
- Director: Brad Anderson
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, John Sharian
Synopsis: Trevor Reznik is a factory worker who suffers from a serious insomnia that causes hallucinations. He gradually becomes ostracized by his environment due to his deplorable physical and mental state, something that explodes when he is involved in a terrible accident.
What have the critics said?: “Brad Anderson tightens the screws of suspense, but it is Christian Bale’s fascinating and above-the-call performance that keeps you captive (…)”. (Rolling Stone)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 77%-83% / IMDb: 7.7
The Fighter
- Year: 2010
- Director: David O. Russell
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo
Synopsis: A troubled but talented boxer tries to redeem himself by training his younger brother who has become a boxing prospect, but sadly always ends up defeated.
What have the critics said?: “Filmed with unusual elegance (…) two hours of good cinema (…) a masterful creation by Christian Bale installed in an unusual interpretative brilliance (…)”. (Cinemamania)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 91%-89% / IMDb: 7.8
The Big Short
- Year: 2015
- Director: Adam McKay
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Steve Carrell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
Synopsis: Three years before the 2008 housing crisis, four guys were the only ones who saw that the entire mortgage market was going to collapse and decided to do something totally unusual at that time: bet against the housing market.
What have the critics said?: “Adam McKay hits us in the stomach with a didactic and dynamic film in which he explores the format to expose a harsh reality: the one that preceded the collapse of the world economy. The best part? The breaking of the fourth wall, the asides, the playfulness with the spectator and the cast.Hobby Consoles)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 89%-88% / IMDb: 7.8
Le Mans ’66
- Year: 2019
- Director: James Mangold
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, Matt Damon
Synopsis: An eccentric American team of car designers led by Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles have the difficult mission of building from scratch a new car that will end Ferrari’s eternal dominance at Le Mans.
What have the critics said?: “James Mangold steps on the accelerator to bring us Ford’s confrontation with Ferrari in their quest to build a new racing car capable of taking away their absolute dominance at Le Mans and in passing talk about the symbiosis of Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles that made it possible.Hobby Consoles)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 92%-98% / IMDb: 8.1
Batman Begins
Synopsis: The film tells the origins of Batman. Bruce Wayne sees his parents killed and, tormented by grief, flees Gotham and finds a place where he is taught to fight evil. Upon his return, he fights crime under the name of Batman, but a very powerful threat looms over the city.
What have the critics said?: ““A decent and well-shot conclusion to a saga that has made history. It doesn’t surprise or break the mold like the previous films, but it does know how to entertain” (Hobby Consolas)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 87%-90% / IMDb: 8.4
The Dark Knight Rises
- Year: 2012
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman
Synopsis: Batman has retired, but 8 years after his exile a new enemy appears and forces him to return to the scene and face the toughest test he has ever known.
What have the critics said?: “Nolan brings a radical change to the Batman universe, flooding the story with realism and depth, within an impressive technical production and with an extraordinary cast of actors. The best? The story and its approach. The actors. Balance between rhythm and reflection.” (Hobby Consoles)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 84%-94% / IMDb: 8.2
The final trick
Synopsis: Two rival magicians try to make the other fail by revealing their best tricks. However, there is one trick in question that no one knows how to do and that drives one of the magicians crazy, who will put all his effort into revealing what he was able to do.
What have the critics said?: “Powerful dramatic intrigue (…) Less romantic but more mysterious and agile than ‘The Illusionist’, the film benefits from Nolan’s visual power” (The Country)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 76%-92% / IMDb: 8.5
The Dark Knight
- Year: 2008
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Distribution: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Synopsis: Batman returns to continue his fight against organized crime, but the appearance of the Joker turns the established order upside down and he must stop him by all means while chaos takes over Gotham.
What have the critics said?: “Nolan dazzles with a sensational thriller, a brilliant spectacle of almost 3 hours of pure cinema in which the unforgettable figure of the Joker emerges, one of the best villains in the history of cinema. The best Batman.” (Hobby Consoles)
What do users think? Rotten Tomatoes: 94%-94% / IMDb:9.0
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Tags: Movies, Best Movies Ranking, Lists, Cinema