All Christian Bale Movies Ranked

Critics Consensus: Dark, complex, and unforgettable, The Dark Knight succeeds not just as an entertaining comic book film, but as a richly thrilling crime saga.

Synopsis: With the help of allies, Lt. Jim Gordon and DA Harvey Dent, Batman is able to keep a tight lid on crime in Gotham City.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: Thanks to a powerhouse lineup of talented actresses, Gillian Armstrong's take on Louisa May Alcott's Little Women proves that a timeless story can succeed no matter how many times it's told.

Synopsis: In this 1994 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic, the March sisters confront growing pains, financial shortages, family tragedies and romantic rivalries in mid-19th-century Massachusetts.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Winona Ryder, Gabriel Byrne, Trini Alvarado, Samantha Mathis

Directed By: Gillian Armstrong

Critics Consensus: Riotously funny and impeccably cast, American Hustle compensates for its flaws with unbridled energy and some of David O. Russell's most irrepressibly vibrant direction.

Synopsis: Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) dabbles in forgery and loan-sharking, but when he falls for fellow grifter Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), things change in a big... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Amy Adams

Directed By: David O. Russell

Critics Consensus: Led by a trio of captivating performances from Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, and Amy Adams, The Fighter is a solidly entertaining, albeit predictable, entry in the boxing drama genre.

Synopsis: For Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), boxing is a family affair. His tough-as-nails mother is his manager. His half-brother, Dicky (Christian Bale), once a promising boxer... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo

Directed By: David O. Russell

Critics Consensus: Director Werner Herzog has once again made a compelling tale of man versus nature, and Christian Bale completely immerses himself in the role of fighter pilot (and prisoner of war) Dieter Dengler.

Synopsis: During the Vietnam War, Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale), a U.S. fighter pilot, is shot down over Laos and taken captive by enemy soldiers. Interned in... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies, Galen Yuen

Directed By: Werner Herzog

Critics Consensus: The Big Short approaches a serious, complicated subject with an impressive attention to detail -- and manages to deliver a well-acted, scathingly funny indictment of its real-life villains in the bargain.

Synopsis: In 2008, Wall Street guru Michael Burry realizes that a number of subprime home loans are in danger of defaulting. Burry bets against the housing... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt

Directed By: Adam McKay

Critics Consensus: This remake of a classic Western improves on the original, thanks to fiery performances from Russell Crowe and Christian Bale as well as sharp direction from James Mangold.

Synopsis: Outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) terrorizes 1800s Arizona, especially the Southern Railroad, until he is finally captured. Wade must be brought to trial, so Dan... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Russell Crowe, Christian Bale, Logan Lerman, Dallas Roberts

Directed By: James Mangold

Critics Consensus: The Dark Knight Rises is an ambitious, thoughtful, and potent action film that concludes Christopher Nolan's franchise in spectacular fashion.

Synopsis: It has been eight years since Batman (Christian Bale), in collusion with Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), vanished into the night. Assuming responsibility for the death... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well.

Synopsis: Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends wizard Howl (Christian Bale), who... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner

Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

Critics Consensus: Brooding and dark, but also exciting and smart, Batman Begins is a film that understands the essence of one of the definitive superheroes.

Synopsis: A young Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels to the Far East, where he's trained in the martial arts by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a member... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: I'm Not There's unique editing, visuals, and multiple talented actors portraying Bob Dylan make for a deliciously unconventional experience. Each segment brings a new and fresh take on Dylan's life.

Synopsis: Several actors portray legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan at different stages in his personal life and career. In 1959 a guitar-strumming youth (Marcus Carl Franklin) rides... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere

Directed By: Todd Haynes

Critics Consensus: Brad Anderson's dark psychological thriller about a sleepless factory worker is elevated by Christian Bale astonishingly committed performance.

Synopsis: Factory worker Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) suffers from insomnia so severe that his condition has taken its toll on his weight and his mental health.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian

Directed By: Brad Anderson

Critics Consensus: Full of twists and turns, The Prestige is a dazzling period piece that never stops challenging the audience.

Synopsis: An illusion gone horribly wrong pits two 19th-century magicians, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Rupert Angier (Hugh Jackman), against each other in a bitter battle... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Critics Consensus: One of Steven Spielberg's most ambitious efforts of the 1980s, Empire of the Sun remains an underrated gem in the director's distinguished filmography.

Synopsis: Jamie Graham (Christian Bale), a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, John Malkovich, Miranda Richardson, Nigel Havers

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: Hostiles benefits from stunning visuals and a solid central performance from Christian Bale, both of which help elevate its uneven story.

Synopsis: In 1892, legendary Army Capt. Joseph Blocker reluctantly agrees to escort a dying Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their tribal land. Embarking... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, Wes Studi, Jesse Plemons

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Critics Consensus: Though the movie itself is flawed, McDormand is fantastic as Jane.

Synopsis: Sam (Christian Bale) and his fiancée, Alex (Kate Beckinsale), move to Los Angeles for the summer to stay at the luxurious house of his mother,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Frances McDormand, Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale, Natascha McElhone

Directed By: Lisa Cholodenko

Critics Consensus: Michael Mann's latest is a competent and technically impressive gangster flick with charismatic lead performances, but some may find the film lacks truly compelling drama.

Synopsis: Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger's charm and audacity endear him to much of America's downtrodden public, but he's also a thorn in the side of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup

Directed By: Michael Mann

Critics Consensus: If it falls short of the deadly satire of Bret Easton Ellis's novel, American Psycho still finds its own blend of horror and humor, thanks in part to a fittingly creepy performance by Christian Bale.

Synopsis: In New York City in 1987, a handsome, young urban professional, Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale), lives a second life as a gruesome serial killer by... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon

Directed By: Mary Harron

Critics Consensus: With a charismatic lead, this new Shaft knows how to push the right buttons.

Synopsis: Crooked cops on the take -- small-time drug lords -- sleazy informers and sadistic rich kids ready to kill --- for police detective John Shaft,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Vanessa Williams, Jeffrey Wright, Christian Bale

Directed By: John Singleton

Critics Consensus: Faultless production and shining performances display the Bard's talent propitiously.

Synopsis: This version of the renowned comedic play finds the world of humans intersecting with the realm of magic. The lovely Hermia (Anna Friel) is to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci

Directed By: Michael Hoffman

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: Bobby (Christian Bale) is a mentally handicapped young man with an affinity for animals. He runs away from home after his stepfather (Daniel Benzali) kills... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Hurt, Christian Bale, Daniel Benzali, James Faulkner

Directed By: Jeremy Thomas

Critics Consensus: In some ways, Thor: Love and Thunder feels like Ragnarok redux -- but overall, it offers enough fast-paced fun to make this a worthy addition to the MCU.

Synopsis: "Thor: Love and Thunder" finds Thor (Chris Hemsworth) on a journey unlike anything he's ever faced -- a quest for inner peace. But his retirement... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson

Directed By: Taika Waititi

Critics Consensus: Despite arresting visuals and strong lead performances, The New World suffers from an unfocused narrative that will challenge viewers' attention spans over its 2 1/2 hours.

Synopsis: Arriving with a British expedition in Virginia in 1607, Capt. John Smith (Colin Farrell) is captured by Native Americans. His life is spared thanks to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, Q'orianka Kilcher, Jason Aaron Baca

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Critics Consensus: The Pale Blue Eye lacks its source material's piercing gaze, but this well-cast mystery is just intriguing enough to investigate.

Synopsis: West Point, 1830. In the early hours of a gray winter morning, a cadet is found dead. But after the body arrives at the morgue,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In late-1970s suburban London, Chris (Christian Bale) and Marion (Emily Watson) have settled into a comfortable yet all-too-predictable middle-class existence. Chris receives an unexpected visit... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Lee Ross, Emily Watson, Elsa Zylberstein

Directed By: Philip Saville

Critics Consensus: Velvet Goldmine takes a visual and narrative approach befitting its larger-than-life subject, although it's still disappointingly less than the sum of its parts.

Synopsis: Glam rock star Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys Myers) plays a character on stage named Maxwell Demon who predicts his death on stage. Shortly after he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Toni Collette, Christian Bale

Directed By: Todd Haynes

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: American big-band jazz beats in the hearts of young German friends (Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley) confronted by the Nazis.

Starring: Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, Barbara Hershey

Directed By: Thomas Carter

Critics Consensus: Pocahontas means well, and has moments of startling beauty, but it's largely a bland, uninspired effort, with uneven plotting and an unfortunate lack of fun.

Synopsis: This is the Disney animated tale of the romance between a young American Indian woman named Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) and Capt. John Smith (Mel Gibson),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Mel Gibson, Linda Hunt

Directed By: Mike Gabriel, Eric Goldberg

Critics Consensus: While it may not make the most of its incredible cast, Out of the Furnace is still so packed with talent that it's hard to turn away.

Synopsis: Steelworker Russell Baze works a dead-end job and holds tight to his sense of family, duty and loyalty. Rodney Baze, Russell's brother, returns home after... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Woody Harrelson, Casey Affleck, Forest Whitaker

Directed By: Scott Cooper

Critics Consensus: Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle brings impressive special effects to bear on the darker side of its classic source material, but loses track of the story's heart along the way.

Synopsis: Human child Mowgli is raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Rohan Chand, Benedict Cumberbatch

Directed By: Andy Serkis

Critics Consensus: The Promise wastes an outstanding cast and powerful real-life story on a love triangle that frustratingly fails to engage.

Synopsis: Brilliant medical student Michael (Oscar Isaac) meets beautiful dance instructor Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) in late 1914. Their shared Armenian heritage sparks an attraction that... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon, Christian Bale, Shohreh Aghdashloo

Directed By: Terry George

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In 1880s London, pornographic bookseller Verloc (Bob Hoskins) is a double agent for the Russian government, providing information to Chief Inspector Heat (Jim Broadbent) about... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bob Hoskins, Patricia Arquette, Gérard Depardieu, Jim Broadbent

Directed By: Christopher Hampton

Critics Consensus: Despite a dedicated performance by Christian Bale, Harsh Times suffers from a heavy-handed and overly bleak plot.

Synopsis: Jim is a Gulf War veteran, and he believes it is his sworn duty to protect Americans by policing the streets of Los Angeles. His... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Freddy Rodriquez, Eva Longoria, Terry Crews

Directed By: David Ayer

Critics Consensus: Knight of Cups finds Terrence Malick delving deeper into the painterly visual milieu he's explored in recent efforts, but even hardcore fans may struggle with the diminishing narrative returns.

Synopsis: A Los Angeles screenwriter (Christian Bale) indulges his wild side with a stripper (Teresa Palmer), a model (Freida Pinto) and a married woman (Natalie Portman).

Starring: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Brian Dennehy

Directed By: Terrence Malick

Critics Consensus: Beautiful, indulgently heady, and pretentious, The Portrait of a Lady paints Campion's directorial shortcomings in too bright a light.

Synopsis: Ms. Isabel Archer (Nicole Kidman) isn't afraid to challenge societal norms. Impressed by her free spirit, her kindhearted cousin writes her into his fatally ill... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, Barbara Hershey, Mary-Louise Parker

Directed By: Jane Campion

Critics Consensus: Reign of Fire gains some altitude with its pyrotechnic action and a smolderingly campy Matthew McConaughey, but the feature's wings are clipped by a derivative script and visual effects that fizzle out.

Synopsis: In present-day London, 12-year-old Quinn watches as his mother wakes an enormous fire-breathing beast from its centuries-long slumber. Twenty years later, much of the world... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, Izabella Scorupco, Gerard Butler

Directed By: Rob Bowman

Critics Consensus: Zhang Yimou's stylistic flair is in full bloom during The Flowers of War, but his colorful treatment of a historical genocide ultimately does a disservice to the horrifying events' inherent drama.

Synopsis: An American (Christian Bale) tries to protect a group of Chinese students and prostitutes from Japanese soldiers in 1937 Nanjing.

Starring: Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Huang Tianyuan, Zhang Xinyi

Directed By: Yimou Zhang

Critics Consensus: Equilibrium is a reheated mishmash of other sci-fi movies.

Synopsis: In a futuristic world, a regime has eliminated war by suppressing emotions: books, art and music are strictly forbidden and feeling is a crime punishable... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs, Angus Macfadyen

Directed By: Kurt Wimmer

Critics Consensus: Extra! Extra! Read all about Newsies instead of suffering through its underwhelming musical interludes, although Christian Bale makes for a spirited hero.

Synopsis: In this musical, homeless New York City newsboy Jack "Cowboy" Kelly (Christian Bale) befriends two newcomers to his trade, brothers David (David Moscow) and Les... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Robert Duvall, Ann-Margret, David Moscow

Directed By: Kenny Ortega

Critics Consensus: With storytelling as robotic as the film's iconic villains, Terminator Salvation offers plenty of great effects but lacks the heart of the original films.

Synopsis: Although Judgment Day has in fact occurred, the future for which John Connor (Christian Bale) was prepared has been partly altered by the appearance of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: McG

Critics Consensus: Amsterdam has a bunch of big stars and a very busy plot, all of which amounts to painfully less than the sum of its dazzling parts.

Synopsis: In 1933 three close friends find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.

Starring: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Chris Rock

Directed By: David O. Russell

Critics Consensus: While sporadically stirring, and suitably epic in its ambitions, Exodus: Gods and Kings can't quite live up to its classic source material.

Synopsis: Egyptian princes Moses and Ramses are raised together as brothers. When Ramses becomes pharaoh, Moses is his most-trusted adviser. However, Moses soon discovers his Hebrew... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul

Directed By: Ridley Scott

Critics Consensus: The cinematography is gorgeous, but the movie plays it fast and loose with history and the novel it was adapted from. Mostly, the movie fails because the romance between the leads strains credulity and the story is largely uninvolving.

Synopsis: An epic tale about the enduring hope of love and the devastating brutality of war, set amid the Italian occupation of Greece during World War... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Penélope Cruz, John Hurt, Christian Bale

Directed By: John Madden