7 best Christian Bale movies, ranked
Christian Bale has been in our lives longer than we realize. Bale broke out as a child star in 1987’s “Empire of the Sun” before making memorable appearances in early 1990s movies “Newsies” and “Little Women.” It wasn’t until 2000’s “American Psycho” that Bale showcased the star power audiences have come to love and appreciate.
Bale is categorized as a serious dramatic actor known for his intense work ethic and physical transformations. It’s this dedication to his craft that elevates Bale into elite status. After a small hiatus, he returns as one of the stars of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride!” In honor of his return, we ranked Christian Bale’s seven best movies.
7. ‘Out of the Furnace’
How did director Scott Cooper recruit a murderer’s row of talent for a mid-budget movie? Listen to this cast: Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker, Willem Dafoe, Zoë Saldana, Sam Shepard, and Boyd Holbrook. Bale headlines “Out of the Furnace” as Russell Baze, a blue-collar worker who looks after his brother, Rodney (Affleck), a war veteran and gambling addict.
Rodney agrees to fight in a high-stakes match run by local drug lord Harlan DeGroat (Harrelson) to clear his debt. Rodney disappears after the fight, and the police fail to find him. Unwilling to wait much longer, Russell risks his own livelihood to find his brother. “Out of the Furnace” is a gritty family drama about the working class and the sacrifices they make to survive. It’s a classic haves vs. have-nots story, one elevated by its overqualified cast.
Rent or buy on Amazon or Apple
6. ‘American Psycho’
Before playing Bruce Wayne, Bale’s most recognizable role came as Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho.” Honestly, it still might be Bale’s most famous role in some minds. Based on Bret Easton Ellis’ notorious novel, “American Psycho” inserts audiences into the world of Patrick Bateman, a New York City investment banker who prioritizes wealth, social status, and image.
On the inside, Bateman holds a dark secret—he is a serial killer. As Bateman’s anger intensifies, so too does his affinity for murder. The satirical take on masculinity falls flat on its face without a strong commitment from Bale, whose excessive performance is the perfect blend of dark comedy and violent rage. “American Psycho” marks the start of Bale’s ascension to leading man status.
Watch on Prime Video
5. ‘3:10 to Yuma’
In the years since its 2007 release, “3:10 to Yuma” has consistently been described as an underrated Western. It’s 1884 in Arizona, and rancher Dan Evans (Bale) finds himself in a world of debt. Desperate for money, Evans agrees to help escort outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to another town and put him on a train to prison.
With a bounty on Wade’s head, Evans and his crew face danger at every turn, which leads to several life-or-death confrontations. As the journey progresses, the honorable Evans and the ruthless Wade reluctantly work together to survive the ordeal. “3:10 to Yuma” is an extraordinary Western with riveting action and two standout performances from Bale and Crowe. It’s in the running for best Western this century, meaning it’s time to remove “underrated” from its description.
Rent or buy on Amazon or Apple
4. ‘The Fighter’
It was only a matter of time before one of Bale’s complete transformations resulted in an Oscar. In “The Fighter,” Bale played Dicky Eklund, a former boxer and the half-brother of Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg). Dicky now trains Micky, who aspires to be a welterweight champion one day. However, Dicky’s crack cocaine addiction and his domineering mother (Melissa Leo) threaten to derail Micky’s success.
Like many boxing movies that followed “Rocky,” “The Fighter” embodies the underdog mentality, as Micky must overcome several obstacles, mainly from his family, to earn his title shot. Bale lost 30 pounds to play Dicky, and the Welsh-born actor nails the mannerisms and mindset of a drug-addicted person. It is a sensational performance, proving that Bale belongs on the list of best actors of the 21st century.
Watch on Paramount+
3. ‘Ford v Ferrari’
![FORD v FERRARI | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX - YouTube](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zyYgDtY2AMY/maxresdefault.jpg)
Describing “Ford v Ferrari” as having “big dad energy” should be viewed as a compliment, not an insult. James Mangold’s biopic about an overlooked moment in sports history is riveting from start to finish. In the early 1960s, Ferrari stood at the top of the auto racing world, having dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans competition for years.
The Ford Motor Company hired automotive designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) to build a car to beat Ferrari. Shelby’s controversial first move is to hire Ken Miles (Christian Bale), a hot-headed British driver and mechanic, to drive for his team. This unlikely pairing blossoms as Shelby and Miles build a car capable of beating Ferrari. “Ford v Ferrari” has all of the beats of a sports movie — chills, thrills, and triumph. However, the best thing about the movie (besides the sound) is the chemistry between Damon and Bale, who anchor this wildly entertaining drama.
Watch on Netflix
2. ‘The Prestige’
Bale and Nolan are best known for their collaborations involving the Caped Crusader in Gotham City. Between “Batman Begins” and “The Dark Knight,” Nolan directed “The Prestige,” a sci-fi thriller about former friends turned rival magicians in 1890s London. On one side of the battle stands Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), an eccentric performer who squares off against his working-class enemy, Alfred Borden (Bale).
The two men become obsessed with outmaneuvering each other, especially when they each debut a teleportation trick. Like many of Nolan’s scripts, “The Prestige” has more twists and turns than a maze. Jackman and Bale are the perfect tandem to depict a story about one-upmanship. Frankly, it’s Nolan’s first flex as a filmmaker, proving he didn’t need recognizable IP to attract an audience. All Nolan needed was his name on the poster.
Rent or buy on Amazon or Apple
1. ‘The Dark Knight’
Was anything ever going to surpass “The Dark Knight” as Bale’s best movie? That is a resounding no. Nolan’s sequel to “Batman Begins” is so groundbreaking and influential that the Academy Awards changed their eligibility rules for Best Picture because of “The Dark Knight’s” omission from the category.
In “The Dark Knight,” Batman (Bale) faces his toughest enemy to date: the Joker (Heath Ledger), a nihilistic clown who wants to watch the city burn. The Joker has no problems killing citizens, but the real damage is the mental stress he inflicts on Batman. Is a masked vigilante the best person to inspire change, or does this hero need a face? “The Dark Knight” proved audiences were ready for a philosophical action movie disguised as a superhero adventure.
Watch on HBO Max
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