Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale has worked with the best of the best when it comes to Hollywood’s behind-the-camera writers. That usually goes hand in hand with working with fellow Oscar-winning actors. While starring his latest vehicle Amsterdam was a flop, critically and commercially, it saw him team up again with award-winning director David O. Russell, and we hope the two team up again soon.
Speaking of – we took a closer look at Bale’s Oscarnominated filmography and narrowed that list down to the best projects. As we count down the days until Bale’s next movie The light blue eye hits the masses, let’s all celebrate his proudest achievements on the big screen. Read our ranked list of movies below.
7/7 The New World (2005)
Oscar-nominated for its stunning cinematography, compliments of the legendary Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki, The New World is one of Terrence Malick’s better efforts, especially when compared to his 21st century body of work. The award-winning director takes that true Disney classic (Pocahontas) and internalizes the colonial narrative in true “Malickian” form. The storyline follows Captain John Smith (Colin Farrell) as his ship arrives in 1607 to found Jamestown, an English colony in Virginia. Bale plays famed settler John Rolfe, who makes a dramatic entrance deep into the film’s second act when he also falls in love with Pocahontas. His character’s late arrival in the movie is well worth the wait.
6/7 American Hustle (2013)
Nominated for 10 Oscars, four of them from all acting categories (via THR), American hustle is pure David O. Russell cinema. A fictional film set in the seductive world of one of the most astounding scandals, the overflowing movie tells the story of brilliant con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his seductive “British” partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) , is forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia – and that means a great cameo in the third act. Bale put on a lot of weight for this project which impressively followed his turn in Russell’s previous film The fighter for which Bale would have had to lose an absurd amount of weight. What a guy!
5/7 The Prestige (2006)
Oscar-nominated for its cinematography and art direction, The prestige is one of Christopher Nolan’s best films, even if it’s often overshadowed by bigger titles like his Batman trilogy and Start. In 19th century London, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman), his beloved wife Julia (Piper Perabo) and Alfred Borden (Bale) are friends and assistants to a magician. When Julia accidentally dies during a performance, Robert blames Alfred for her death, and they become enemies. Both become famous and rival magicians, sabotaging the other’s performance on stage. The plot is full of clever twists – and Bale in a “double” role will make your head spin.
4/7 Vice (2018)
Nominated for eight Oscars, including Best Actor for Bale, Shame also won in a makeup and hair styling category. We all know the real situation playing out here: George W. Bush chooses Dick Cheney, CEO of Halliburton Company, as his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney’s impressive resume includes stints as chief of staff of the White House, House Minority Whip and Secretary of Defense. When Bush wins by a slim margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world – with fatal consequences.
3/7 The Fighter (2010)
Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including a win for Bale in the Best Supporting Actor category, The fighter is one of his best achievements. The drama centers on boxer “Irish” Micky Ward’s unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-esque rise was led by half-brother Dicky, a boxer turned trainer with a history of crime and drug abuse to his credit. Mark Wahlberg is the real protagonist as Irishman, but Bale’s journey in Dicky’s shoes is the character arc we’re really invested in here. Bale’s Oscar win was a shoo-in to say the least.
2/7 The Big Short (2015)
Nominated for five Oscars, including one for Bale in the Best Supporting Actor category, The big short follows three separate but parallel stories about the 2005 US mortgage crisis. Bale takes on the role of Michael Burry, an eccentric ex-doctor turned hedge fund manager who believes the US housing market is built on a bubble that is about to burst. He proceeds to bet against the housing market with the banks, who are more than happy to accept his proposal for something that has never happened in American history.
1/7 The Dark Knight (2008)
Nominated for eight Oscars, including two wins, The dark knight probably should have gotten one Best photo nod also. Oh well. The riveting story takes place within a year of the events of Batman begins (2005). Batman (Bale), Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and new District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) successfully begin rounding up the criminals plaguing Gotham City, until a criminal mastermind known only as the Joker (Heath Ledger) ). appears, creating a new wave of chaos. Batman’s fight against the Joker gets very personal. Bale’s scenes with Ledger are the ultimate hero versus villain moments we’ve been waiting for in superhero movies. This film will be talked about for generations to come.