After receiving four Oscar nominations (winning one for 2010’s Best Supporting Actor;The Fighter) and bringing thebest live-action version of Batman/Bruce Wayneto the screen,Christian Baleis an actor almost everyone knows. He’s made headlines fordrastically transforming his body– going from rail-thin forThe Machinistto beefing up forBatman Begins– and for his meltdown on the set ofTerminator Salvation.
Bale has been acting since he was a child after starring in 1987’sEmpire of the Sun, and is now consistently praised for hisstellar performances. Given his large filmography since then, there’s bound to be a clunker among critical darlings likeAmerican Hustleor cult films likeAmerican Psycho. But there are bound to be some hidden gems within his movies as well. Often overlooked for more scenery-chewing roles or Oscar-bait movies, these Christian Bale films are worth a watch.
10’Swing Kids' (1993)
Directed by Thomas Carter
A year after starring inDisney’s live-action musicalNewsies, Bale took a supporting role in the very non-DisneySwing Kids. Taking place in 1930s Germany,Swing Kidsfollows two boys as they act as Hitler Youth during the day and pursue their love of swing dancing at night. Bale’s character, Thomas, believes in the Nazi ideology, which puts his friendships in jeopardy.
Swing Kidsfeatures mature themes like suicide and violence, and Bale stepped up to the plate.He flexed his acting chops as a character conflicted in his loyalties,and led by anger and fear. Bale also reinforced hisNewsiesdancing skills in excellently choreographed swing sequences. Just don’t expect a happy ending.
Swing Kidsis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
Rent on Amazon
9’I’m Not There' (2007)
Directed by Todd Haynes
I’m Not Thereis anunconventional biopicaboutBob Dylanthat features six different actors as Dylan in various stages of his career. The film is mostly known forCate Blanchett’s Oscar-nominated and Golden Globe-winning performance, but also stars other A-listers likeRichard GereandHeath Ledger. Critics generally enjoyed the film’s unique style, casting and editing, which resulted in a 77% onRotten Tomatoes.
Marking his second collaboration with directorTodd Haynesafter 1998’sVelvet Goldmine,Bale’s version of Dylan is Jack Rollins, whose story is told via a pseudo-documentary.Bale takes Rollins on a roller coaster of an emotional journey.Beginning as a folk musician famous for his protest songs, Rollins gets drunk at an awards ceremony, goes into hiding, and reemerges as an ordained minister. Even though Bale sang inNewsies, he unfortunately didn’t provide his own vocals for the musical numbers inI’m Not There.
I’m Not There
Ruminations on the life of Bob Dylan, where six characters embody a different aspect of the musician’s life and work.
I’m Not Thereis available to stream on CW in the U.S.
Watch on CW
8’Captain Corelli’s Mandolin' (2001)
Directed by John Madden
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, a romantic drama set in 1943’s Greece, features a love triangle between Mandras (Bale), Antonio (Nicolas Cagein one of his tamer roles), and Pegalia (Penélope Cruz). Mandras is engaged to Pegalia, but is called off to war; while he is away, Antonio and Pegalia start a romance.
Mandras runs the gamut of emotions inCaptain Corelli’s Mandolin: fun and flirty with Pegalia to determined and war-bound to broken-hearted. Ever the committed actor,Bale adopts his best Greek accent and shows off his torso as his character fishes.It’s a shame, then, that Pegalia opts for Antonio in this wartime romance.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolinis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
7’A Midsummer Night’s Dream' (1999)
Directed by Michael Hoffman
In one of manyWilliam Shakespeareadaptations,A Midsummer Night’s Dreamfeatures such a star-studded cast that Christian Bale can easily get lost in the mix. Actors likeMichelle Pfeiffer,Kevin Kline,Calista Flockhart, andStanely Tuccitake on major roles in this romantic and whimsical comedy; Bale stars as Demetrius, one of the Bard’s four bewitched lovers.
Unlike his later killer roles like Patrick Bateman, Demetrius letBale explore a softer, more romantic, side.He playfully banters in iambic pentameter, mud-wrestles with his rival (Dominic West), and shows audiences that happy endings are possible. And, as a sneak-peek of buff characters to come, Bale went shirtless in a brief comedic and flirty scene.
A Midsummer Night’s Dreamis available to rent on Amazon Prime in the U.S.
Rent on Amazon Prime
6’Shaft' (2000)
Directed by John Singleton
The same yearAmerican Psychowas released in theaters, Bale played another entitled baddy inShaft.Samuel L. Jacksonstars as John Shaft II, 1971’s Shaft’s nephew, in this sequel, with Bale taking on the sinister Walter Wade, Jr. Even if the film gets lost inJackson’s stellar filmography,Shaftspawned another sequel in 2019 andsolidified Bale as a certified bad boy.
Bale leans into Walter’s despicable behavior with an entitled pleasure that makes him a character viewers love to hate.Gone are the days of Bale as a romantic star; now, viewers enjoy the sight of his character taking a beating. Bale’s aura of privilege also serves as a glimpse into his future portrayal of Bruce Wayne (without Walter’s murder and racism).
Shaftis available to stream on Showtime in the U.S.
Watch on Showtime
5’Velvet Goldmine' (1998)
Christian Balestars with apre-Obi-Wan KenobiEwan McGregorin his first collaboration with director Todd Haynes inVelvet Goldmine, which follows the glam rock scene in 1970s Britain. Bale plays Arthur Stuart, a journalist and fan ofDavid Bowiestand-in Brian Slade (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) andIggy Popstand-in Curt Wild (McGregor).Velvet Goldminefollows the two musicians' career ups and downs, as well as Arthur’s fascination with them.
While Rhys-Meyers and McGregor are let loose in their wild musician roles, Bale’s Arthur is more understated. Arthur’s storyline explores his budding sexual identity, and how Slade and Wild gave him the courage to come out.Bale’s nuanced performance is touching and reflective,highlighted in Arthur’s tender and dream-like encounter with Wild.
Velvet Goldmineis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
4’Little Women' (1994)
Directed by Gillian Armstrong
BeforeGreta Gerwig’s 2019 take onLouisa May Alcott’s novel,Winona Ryderstarred as Jo March inLittle Women. Given the story’s reflections on sisterhood, Ryder was surrounded by astellar female supporting castincludingSusan Sarandon,Kirsten DunstandClaire Danes. And Christian Bale is in it, too. Bale plays posh pretty boy Laurie, who is infatuated with Ryder’s lively and unkempt Jo.
Coming offNewsiesandSwing Kids,Christian Bale was in prime teen heartthrob territory in 1994, which made it a shock to viewers when Jo turned down Laurie’s proposal. Later, Bale dons a small (and unconvincing) mustache to show he has aged when he pursues Jo’s sister Amy. At least viewers relaxed knowing that love was still in the cards for Laurie despite Jo confusingly - for a teenage girl - opting for the much older Friedrich Bhaer (Gabriel Byrne).
Little Womenis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
3’Public Enemies' (2009)
Directed by Michael Mann
Johnny Deppstars as criminal John Dillinger and Christian Bale stars as Melvin Purvis, the man trying to catch him, inPublic Enemies. This crime drama was released when both actors couldn’t be bigger – Depp finished his firstPirates of the Caribbeantrilogy, and Bale was coming offThe Dark Knight– but it failed to make much of a dent with audiences at the time. Ultimately a series of recreated historical moments,directorMichael Mann’s filmwas said to be lacking in drama and urgency.
Like Mann’s beloved classicHeat,Public Enemiesis a cat-and-mouse game between a criminal and the law – Dillinger and Purvis – which robs Bale and Depp of sharing a lot of screen time together.They both succeed in giving compelling and charismatic performances,but the film might have been less dry if these magnetic method actors were able to bounce off each other more.
Public Enemies
Public Enemies was based on Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933–34, a book by author Bryan Burrough. The 2009 film was directed by Michael Mann and follows a detective as he attempts to stop a crime wave that sparked during The Great Depression.
Public Enemiesis available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
Watch on Netflix
2’Equilibrium' (2002)
Directed by Kurt Wimmer
EquilibriumisKurt Wimmer’s answer toGeorge Orwell’sNinety Eighty-Four. John Preston (Bale) serves a totalitarian government that requires the population to take an emotion-suppressing drug. When the impeccably dressed Preston accidentally misses a dose,Bale gets to stretch his character from a rigid enforcer to a vulnerable protector,all while kicking major ass and dabbling in a romantic subplot.
While critics called the film a mishmash of previous sci-fi movies, giving it a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences loved the stylish action film, giving it an 81%. PredatingBatman Begins,Equilibriumgave Bale the chance to show off his action skills while fully investing in Preston’s 180-degree character arc.He single-handedly takes on gangs of faceless goons with swords, martial arts, and plenty of guns – nailing all of it. But the cherry on top of this action extravaganza is Preston’s interaction with a puppy. Yes, a puppy.
Equilibriumis available to stream on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
Watch on Apple TV+
1’Reign of Fire' (2002)
Directed by Rob Bowman
The same year asEquilibrium, Bale starred in anotherunderrated gem,Reign of Fire. In a London overrun with massive and well-rendered CGI dragons, Quinn (Bale) and Denton (a very intimidatingMatthew McConaughey) aim to protect a group of survivors. On their quest to kill the male, preventing the dragons from mating,Quinn affords Bale the chance to be vulnerable as well as a ferocious leader when called into action.
Reign of Fireis an entertaining film with convincing acting and special effects across the board. While McConaughey personifies the more assertive Denton, barking orders and sporting muscles covered in tattoos,Bale’s Quinn grounds the film in an emotional reality – even with the intimidating dragons.Reign of Firealso features Bale having a bit of fun reenacting a scene fromStar Warswith apre-300Gerard Butleras Quinn’s friend; a nice scene of levity during the destruction.
Reign of Fire
Reign of Fireis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
