:Christian Bale

Christian Charles Philip Bale{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/01/christian-bale-welsh-accent-golden-globes-2019.html|title=Christian Bale's Accent Is Always a Shock|date=6 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Cut|url-access=limited|last=Ceròn|first=Ella|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035646/https://www.thecut.com/2019/01/christian-bale-welsh-accent-golden-globes-2019.html|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=live}} was born on 30 January 1974 in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, to English parents—Jenny James, a circus performer, and David Bale, an entrepreneur and activist.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/celebrity-birthdays-beth-hart-ray-stevens-hip-hop-and-rap-nastassja-kinski-25346e8a89639f8fd7b919440e1e9156|title=Celebrity birthdays for the week of Jan. 24–30|date=19 January 2021|access-date=30 April 2021|publisher=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120043710/https://www.apnews.com/article/celebrity-birthdays-beth-hart-ray-stevens-hip-hop-and-rap-nastassja-kinski-25346e8a89639f8fd7b919440e1e9156|archive-date=20 January 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/awards-season/a25773141/christian-bale-accent-golden-globes/|title=Christian Bale surprises the world with his British accent|work=Harper's Bazaar UK|date=7 January 2019|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519075757/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/awards-season/a25773141/christian-bale-accent-golden-globes/|archive-date=19 May 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Francis|first1=Damien|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jul/22/christian.bale|title=Batman star Christian Bale arrested|work=The Guardian|date=22 July 2008|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126145856/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/jul/22/christian.bale|archive-date=26 January 2021|url-status=live}} Bale has remarked, "I was born in Wales but I'm not Welsh—I'm English."{{cite web|last1=Butler|first1=Tom|url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/christian-bales-accent-is-seriously-confusing-people-in-the-first-le-mans-66-trailer-144026897.html|title=Christian Bale's accent is seriously confusing people in the first 'Le Mans '66' trailer|publisher=Yahoo! Movies|date=3 June 2019|access-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205063552/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/christian-bales-accent-is-seriously-confusing-people-in-the-first-le-mans-66-trailer-144026897.html|archive-date=5 December 2020|url-status=live}} He has two elder sisters, Sharon and Louise, and a half-sister from his father's first marriage, Erin. One of his grandfathers was a comedian while the other was a stand-in for John Wayne.{{cite news|last1=Hiscock|first1=John|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/8271873/Christian-Bale-Yes-it-is-the-same-guy.html|title=Christian Bale: Yes, it is the same guy|access-date=9 February 2014|date=21 January 2011|work=The Daily Telegraph|url-access=registration|archive-date=23 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123051635/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/8271873/Christian-Bale-Yes-it-is-the-same-guy.html|url-status=live}} Bale and his family left Wales when he was two years old,{{cite web|last1=Fisher|first1=Luchina|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5440296&page=1|title=Big Tent Childhood: Growing up in the Circus|publisher=ABC News|date=27 July 2008|access-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027102601/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5440296&page=1|archive-date=27 October 2020|url-status=live}} and after living in Portugal and Oxfordshire, England, they settled in Bournemouth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2445620/Batman-actor-Christian-Bale-released-after-assault-allegation-arrest.html|title=Batman actor Christian Bale released after assault allegation arrest|date=22 July 2008|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph|url-access=registration|last1=Irvine|first1=Chris|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909163809/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2445620/Batman-actor-Christian-Bale-released-after-assault-allegation-arrest.html|archive-date=9 September 2019|url-status=live|last2=Edwards|first2=Richard}} As well as saying that the family had lived in 15 towns by the time he was 15, Bale described the frequent relocation as being driven by "necessity rather than choice" and acknowledged that it had a major influence on his career selection.{{cite web|last1=Heaf|first1=Jonathan|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/gq-film-christian-bale-interview|title=Christian Bale on suffering from insomnia and running into Viggo Mortensen in Rome|work=British GQ|date=23 July 2012|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923170846/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/gq-film-christian-bale-interview|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Black|first1=Johnny|title=Christian Bale: 20 Things You (Probably) Don't Know About the 'Out of the Furnace' Star|url=http://lotr.moviefone.com/2013/12/06/christian-bale-facts/|access-date=3 February 2016|publisher=Moviefone|date=6 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307053909/https://lotr.moviefone.com/2013/12/06/christian-bale-facts/|archive-date=7 March 2016|url-status=dead}} He attended Bournemouth School, later saying he left school at age 16.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2004/10/13/celebrities_feature.shtml|title=Dorset celebrities|publisher=BBC News|date=24 September 2014|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416030312/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2004/10/13/celebrities_feature.shtml|archive-date=16 April 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Riley|first1=Jenelle|title=Christian Bale: Reluctant Movie Star Talks 'Furnace', 'Hustle'|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/christian-bale-reluctant-movie-star-talks-furnace-hustle-1200884247|access-date=5 June 2021|work=Variety|date=26 November 2013|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731171240/https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/christian-bale-reluctant-movie-star-talks-furnace-hustle-1200884247/|url-status=live}} Bale's parents divorced in 1991, and at age 17, he moved with his sister Louise and their father to Los Angeles.{{cite web|last1=Blunden|first1=Mark|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/christian-bale-s-sister-says-actor-needs-help-to-deal-with-temper-6852619.html|title=Christian Bale's sister says actor needs help to deal with temper|work=Evening Standard|date=13 April 2012|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608104718/https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/christian-bale-s-sister-says-actor-needs-help-to-deal-with-temper-6852619.html|archive-date=8 June 2021|url-status=live}}

Bale trained in ballet as a child.{{cite web|last1=Burns|first1=Judith|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40138653|title=Sporting plan to boost boys in ballet|publisher=BBC News|date=3 June 2017|access-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121131803/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-40138653|archive-date=21 January 2019|url-status=live}} His first acting role came at eight years old in a commercial for the fabric softener Lenor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/04/christian-bale-i-was-asked-to-do-a-romantic-comedy-i-thought-theyd-lost-their-minds|title=Christian Bale: 'I was asked to do a romantic comedy. I thought they'd lost their minds'|date=5 January 2018|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Guardian|last=Carroll|first=Rory|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420135646/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/jan/04/christian-bale-i-was-asked-to-do-a-romantic-comedy-i-thought-theyd-lost-their-minds|archive-date=20 April 2021|url-status=live}} He also appeared in a Pac-Man cereal commercial.{{Cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/a-brief-history-of-video-game-cereals-and-their-ridicul-1798251864|title=A brief history of video game cereals and their ridiculous commercials|date=8 September 2016|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The A.V. Club|last=Gerardi|first=Matt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209171033/https://news.avclub.com/a-brief-history-of-video-game-cereals-and-their-ridicul-1798251864|archive-date=9 February 2021|url-status=live}} After his sister was cast in a West End musical, Bale considered taking up acting professionally.{{cite web|last1=Yarrow|first1=Andrew L.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/16/movies/boy-in-empire-calls-acting-really-good-fun.html|title=Boy In 'Empire' Calls Acting 'Really Good Fun'|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=16 December 1987|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723133333/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/16/movies/boy-in-empire-calls-acting-really-good-fun.html|archive-date=23 July 2020|url-status=live}} He said later he did not find acting appealing but pursued it at the request of those around him because he had no reason not to do so.{{cite web|last1=Feinberg|first1=Scott|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/furnace-star-christian-bale-his-658087/|title='Out of the Furnace' Star Christian Bale on His 'Love-Hate' Relationship with Acting (Q&A)|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=7 December 2013|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518160309/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/furnace-star-christian-bale-his-658087/|archive-date=18 May 2021|url-status=live}} After participating in school plays, Bale performed opposite Rowan Atkinson in the play The Nerd in the West End in 1984. He did not undergo any formal acting training.

After deciding to become an actor at age ten, Bale secured a minor role in the 1986 television film Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna. Its star, Amy Irving, who was married to director Steven Spielberg, subsequently recommended Bale for Spielberg's 1987 film Empire of the Sun.{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Andy|last2=Anderman|first2=Maya|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/discovered-by-spielberg-a-lucky-891580/|title=Discovered by Spielberg: How a Lucky Encounter With the Director Launched These 6 Stars|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=6 May 2016|access-date=8 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608055048/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/discovered-by-spielberg-a-lucky-891580/|archive-date=8 June 2021|url-status=live}} At age 13, Bale was chosen from over 4,000 actors to portray a British boy in a World War II Japanese internment camp.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/tbd/5-things-you-gotta-know-about-christian-bale/|title=5 Things You Gotta Know About Christian Bale|date=20 October 2004|access-date=30 April 2021|website=People|last=Kappes|first=Serena|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000821/https://people.com/tbd/5-things-you-gotta-know-about-christian-bale/|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=dead}} For the film, he spoke with an upper-class cadence without the help of a dialogue coach.{{cite web|last1=Sanello|first1=Frank|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-12-20-8704040617-story.html|title=Christian Bale: Spielberg's Newest Child Star|work=Chicago Tribune|date=20 December 1987|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723203046/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-12-20-8704040617-story.html|archive-date=23 July 2021|url-status=live}} The role propelled Bale to fame,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/09/christian-bale-american-hustle-acting|title=Christian Bale: pressure as a child formed 'love/hate' relationship with acting|date=9 December 2013|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Guardian|last=Child|first=Ben|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009211437/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/dec/09/christian-bale-american-hustle-acting|archive-date=9 October 2015|url-status=live}} and his work earned him acclaim and the inaugural Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor Award from the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/themes/film/christian_bale.shtml|title=Christian Bale|publisher=BBC Cymru Wales|access-date=13 April 2009|archive-date=13 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213150833/https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/themes/film/christian_bale.shtml|url-status=live}} Earlier in the same year, he starred in the fantasy film Mio in the Land of Faraway, based on the novel Mio, My Son by Astrid Lindgren.{{cite book|last1=Clute|first1=John|last2=Grant|first2=John|author-link1=John Clute|author-link2=John Grant (author)|title=The Encyclopedia of Fantasy|date=1997|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=London|isbn=978-0312158972|page=558}}{{Cite news|last=Hedberg|first=Mats|date=16 October 1987|title=Fler premiärer|language=sv|page=50 (4:2)|work=Svenska Dagbladet|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.svd.se/arkiv/1987-10-16/50|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816081934/https://www.svd.se/arkiv/1987-10-16/50|archive-date=16 August 2021|url-status=live}} The fame from Empire of the Sun led to Bale being bullied in school and finding the pressures of working as an actor unbearable.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2446065/Christian-Bale-profile.html|title=Christian Bale – profile|date=22 July 2008|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph|url-access=registration|last=Singh|first=Anita|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216081841/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2446065/Christian-Bale-profile.html|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=live}} He grew distrustful of the acting profession because of media attention but said that he felt obligated at a young age to continue to act for financial reasons. Around this time, actor and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh persuaded Bale to appear in his film Henry V in 1989, which drew him back into acting. The following year, Bale played Jim Hawkins opposite Charlton Heston as Long John Silver in Treasure Island, a television film adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's book of the same name.{{cite web|last1=Willman|first1=Chris|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-22-ca-417-story.html|title=TV Review : Hestons Sail for 'Treasure Island'|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=22 January 1990|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430110805/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-22-ca-417-story.html|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live}}

Bale starred in the 1992 Disney musical film Newsies, which was unsuccessful both at the box office and with critics.{{cite magazine|last1=Jensen|first1=Jeff|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/07/17/the-dark-knight-rises-but-not-for-broadway-musicals-why-christian-bale-wont-be-seeing-newsies/|title=The Dark Knight Rises...but not for Broadway musicals: Why Christian Bale won't be seeing 'Newsies'|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=17 July 2012|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126133057/https://ew.com/article/2012/07/17/the-dark-knight-rises-but-not-for-broadway-musicals-why-christian-bale-wont-be-seeing-newsies/|archive-date=26 January 2021|url-status=live}} Rebecca Milzoff of Vulture revisited the film in 2012 and found the cracks in Bale's voice during his performance of the song "Santa Fe" charming and apt even though he was not a great singer.{{cite web|last1=Milzoff|first1=Rebecca|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/02/how-does-newsies-hold-up.html|title=How Does Newsies Hold Up?|website=Vulture|url-access=limited|date=29 February 2012|access-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224183254/https://www.vulture.com/2012/02/how-does-newsies-hold-up.html|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}} In 1993, he appeared in Swing Kids, a film about teenagers who secretly listen to forbidden jazz during the rise of Nazi Germany.{{cite web|last1=Maslin|first1=Janet|author-link1=Janet Maslin|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/05/movies/review-film-jazz-in-nazi-germany-youthful-resistance.html|title=Review/Film; Jazz in Nazi Germany: Youthful Resistance|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=5 March 1993|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308223440/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/05/movies/review-film-jazz-in-nazi-germany-youthful-resistance.html|archive-date=8 March 2021|url-status=live}} In Gillian Armstrong's 1994 film Little Women, Bale played Theodore "Laurie" Laurence following a recommendation from Winona Ryder, who starred as Jo March. The film achieved critical and commercial success.{{cite web|last1=Spencer|first1=Ashley|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/movies/little-women.html|title='Little Women': An Oral History of the 1994 Adaptation|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=12 September 2019|access-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208070613/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/12/movies/little-women.html|archive-date=8 February 2021|url-status=live}} Of Bale's performance, Ryder said he captured the complex nature of the role. He next voiced Thomas, a young compatriot of Captain John Smith, in the 1995 Disney animated film Pocahontas, which attracted a mixed critical reception.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/g20634678/actors-disney-character-voices/|title=40 Actors You Completely Forgot Voiced Disney Characters|date=20 August 2020|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Cosmopolitan|last1=Allen|first1=Kelly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903022727/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/movies/g20634678/actors-disney-character-voices/|archive-date=3 September 2020|url-status=live|last2=Miller|first2=Gregory E.}}{{cite web|title='Batman Forever' Bloodies 'Pocahontas'|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-06-30-9506300021-story.html|first1=John|last1=Horn|work=Chicago Tribune|date=30 June 1995|access-date=24 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524095539/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-06-30/entertainment/9506300021_1_million-in-ticket-sales-studio-estimates-north-american-box-office|archive-date=24 May 2015|url-status=live}} Bale played a small part in the 1996 film The Portrait of a Lady, based on the Henry James novel of the same name,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-christian-bale-movies-ranked.html|title=The Best Christian Bale Movies, Ranked|date=20 April 2020|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Vulture|url-access=limited|last1=Grierson|first1=Tim|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130192218/https://www.vulture.com/article/best-christian-bale-movies-ranked.html|archive-date=30 January 2021|url-status=live|last2=Leitch|first2=Will|author-link2=Will Leitch}} and appeared in the 1998 musical film Velvet Goldmine, set in the 1970s during the glam rock era.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/28/christian.bale/index.html|title='Knight's' Bale: Who is that masked man?|publisher=CNN|date=28 July 2008|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325035112/https://edition.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/28/christian.bale/index.html|archive-date=25 March 2021|url-status=live}} In 1999, he was part of an ensemble cast, which included Kevin Kline and Michelle Pfeiffer, portraying Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream, a film adaptation of William Shakespeare's play of the same name.{{cite web|last1=Stack|first1=Peter|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Dream-Interpretation-Stellar-cast-adds-comic-2931131.php|title='Dream' Interpretation / Stellar cast adds comic madness to lush, over-the-top 'Midsummer'|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=14 May 1999|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024184040/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Dream-Interpretation-Stellar-cast-adds-comic-2931131.php|archive-date=24 October 2020|url-status=live}}

Bale played Patrick Bateman, an investment banker and serial killer, in American Psycho, a film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name, directed by Mary Harron. While Harron had chosen Bale for the part, the film's production and distribution company, Lionsgate, originally disagreed and hired Leonardo DiCaprio to play Bateman with Oliver Stone to direct. Bale and Harron were brought back after DiCaprio and Stone had left the project.{{cite web|last1=Gopalan|first1=Nisha|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/mar/24/fiction.breteastonellis|title=American Psycho: the story behind the film|work=The Guardian|date=23 March 2000|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225081010/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/mar/24/fiction.breteastonellis|archive-date=25 February 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Mazziotta|first1=Julie|url=https://people.com/health/christian-bale-never-gone-to-gym-before-american-psycho/|title=Christian Bale 'Had Never Gone to a Gym' Before American Psycho|work=People|date=22 January 2020|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123062634/https://people.com/health/christian-bale-never-gone-to-gym-before-american-psycho/|archive-date=23 January 2020|url-status=live}} Bale exercised and tanned himself for months to achieve Bateman's chiseled physique and had his teeth capped to assimilate to the character's narcissistic nature.{{cite web|last1=Fischer|first1=Paul|url=https://www.darkhorizons.com/christian-bale-for-american-psycho/|title=Unmasking an American Psycho|publisher=Dark Horizons|date=14 April 2000|access-date=2 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202213854/http://www.darkhorizons.com/christian-bale-for-american-psycho/|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/apr/06/artsfeatures|title=The method in my madness|work=The Guardian|date=6 April 2000|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126185859/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/apr/06/artsfeatures|archive-date=26 January 2021|url-status=live}} American Psycho premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. Harron said critic Roger Ebert named it the most hated film at the event.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/people/int_Harron_Mary_000414.html|title=Interview: 9-Months Pregnant and Delivering "American Psycho," Director Mary Harron|date=14 April 2000|access-date=30 April 2021|publisher=IndieWire|last=Kaufman|first=Anthony|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012093815/https://www.indiewire.com/people/int_Harron_Mary_000414.html|archive-date=12 October 2008|url-status=dead}} Of Bale's work, Ebert wrote he "is heroic in the way he allows the character to leap joyfully into despicability; there is no instinct for self-preservation here, and that is one mark of a good actor."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/american-psycho-2000|title=American Psycho|date=14 April 2000|access-date=30 April 2021|work=RogerEbert.com|last1=Ebert|first1=Roger|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120091611/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/american-psycho-2000|archive-date=20 January 2021|url-status=live|author-link=Roger Ebert}} The film was released in April 2000, becoming a commercial and critical success and later developing a cult following;{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/american-psycho-leo-dicaprio-patrick-bateman-1202224972/|title=Mary Harron Reflects on Nearly Losing 'American Psycho' Director Gig for Rejecting DiCaprio|date=14 April 2020|access-date=30 April 2021|publisher=IndieWire|last=Sharf|first=Zack|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311055807/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/american-psycho-leo-dicaprio-patrick-bateman-1202224972/|archive-date=11 March 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Garner|first1=Dwight|author-link1=Dwight Garner|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/theater/in-hindsight-an-american-psycho-looks-a-lot-like-us.html|title=In Hindsight, an 'American Psycho' Looks a Lot Like Us|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=24 March 2016|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108175003/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/27/theater/in-hindsight-an-american-psycho-looks-a-lot-like-us.html|archive-date=8 November 2020|url-status=live}} the role established Bale as a leading man.{{cite web|last1=Desta|first1=Yohana|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2018/10/christian-bale-movie-transformations|title=Eight Times Christian Bale Totally Transformed for a Movie Role|work=Vanity Fair|url-access=limited|date=5 October 2018|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034929/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2018/10/christian-bale-movie-transformations|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=live}}

In the four years that followed American Psycho, Bale's career experienced critical and commercial failure.{{cite web|last1=Dilard|first1=Clayton|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/box-office-rap-out-of-the-furnace-and-christian-bales-body-of-work/|title=Box Office Rap: Out of the Furnace and Christian Bale's Body (of Work)|work=Slant Magazine|date=3 December 2013|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028175837/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/box-office-rap-out-of-the-furnace-and-christian-bales-body-of-work/|archive-date=28 October 2020|url-status=live}} He next played a villainous real estate heir in John Singleton's action film Shaft and appeared in John Madden's film adaptation of the Louis de Bernières novel Captain Corelli's Mandolin as Mandras, a Greek fisherman who vies with Nicolas Cage's title character for the affections of Pelagia, played by Penélope Cruz. Bale said he found it refreshing to play Mandras, who is emotionally humane, after working on American Psycho and Shaft.{{cite web|last1=Fuller|first1=Graham|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-christian-bale|title=New Again: Christian Bale|work=Interview|date=17 July 2012|access-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122132305/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-christian-bale|archive-date=22 January 2021|url-status=live}} In 2002, he appeared in three films: Laurel Canyon, Reign of Fire and Equilibrium. Reviewing Laurel Canyon for Entertainment Weekly, Lisa Schwarzbaum called Bale's performance "fussy".{{cite magazine|last1=Schwarzbaum|first1=Lisa|author-link1=Lisa Schwarzbaum|url=https://ew.com/article/2003/03/14/laurel-canyon-2/|title=Laurel Canyon|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=14 March 2003|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029111628/https://ew.com/article/2003/03/14/laurel-canyon-2/|archive-date=29 October 2020|url-status=live}} After having reservations about joining the post-apocalyptic Reign of Fire, which involved computer-generated imagery, Bale professed his enjoyment of making films that could go awry and cited director Rob Bowman as a reason for his involvement.{{cite web|last1=Cawthorne|first1=Alec|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/christian-bale/pages/reign-of-fire.shtml|title=Christian Bale interview: Reign Of Fire (2002)|publisher=BBC Cymru Wales|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227035724/https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/christian-bale/pages/reign-of-fire.shtml|archive-date=27 December 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Chavel|first1=Sean|url=http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/reignoffire/christianbale.asp|title=Interview with Christian Bale of Reign of Fire|publisher=UGO Networks|access-date=8 June 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050410033316/https://www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/reignoffire/christianbale.asp|archive-date=10 April 2005|url-status=dead}} In Equilibrium, he plays a police officer in a futuristic society and performs gun kata, a fictional martial art that incorporates gunfighting.{{cite web|last1=Francisco|first1=Eric|url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/movies-leaving-netflix-equilibrium|title=The one sci-fi movie you need to watch before it leaves Netflix this week|website=Inverse|date=1 June 2020|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122225053/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/movies-leaving-netflix-equilibrium|archive-date=22 January 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Lincoln|first1=Kevin|url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/10/john-wick-gun-fu.html|title=The Gun-Fu of John Wick and John Woo: A Primer|website=Vulture|url-access=limited|date=12 October 2016|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013130248/https://www.vulture.com/2016/10/john-wick-gun-fu.html|archive-date=13 October 2016|url-status=live}} IGN{{'}}s Jeff Otto characterised Reign of Fire as "poorly received" and Equilibrium as "highly underrated", while The Independent{{'}}s Stephen Applebaum described the two films along with Shaft and Captain Corelli's Mandolin as "mediocre fare".{{cite web|last1=Otto|first1=Jeff|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/14/interview-christian-bale-2|title=Interview: Christian Bale|work=IGN|date=15 June 2005|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630223052/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/06/14/interview-christian-bale-2|archive-date=30 June 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Applebaum|first1=Stephen|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/christian-bale-cinema-s-extremist-484641.html|title=Christian Bale: Cinema's extremist|work=The Independent|date=25 February 2005|access-date=23 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130180008/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/christian-bale-cinema-s-extremist-484641.html|archive-date=30 January 2021|url-status=live}}

Bale starred as the insomnia-ridden, emotionally dysfunctional title character in the psychological thriller The Machinist. To prepare for the role, he initially only smoked cigarettes and drank whiskey. His diet later expanded to include black coffee, an apple and a can of tuna per day.{{cite news|last1=Nash|first1=Brad|url=https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film-tv/the-story-of-christian-bales-the-machinist-transformation-is-insane/news-story/1892292672564838caf2106b38d9115d|title=The Story Of Christian Bale's The Machinist Transformation Is Insane|work=GQ Australia|date=14 May 2020|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118064043/https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film-tv/the-story-of-christian-bales-the-machinist-transformation-is-insane/news-story/1892292672564838caf2106b38d9115d|archive-date=18 January 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Schwarzbaum|first1=Lisa|author-link1=Lisa Schwarzbaum|url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140119-oscars-pounds-of-flesh|title=The Thin Men: Actors who starve themselves for an Oscar|publisher=BBC|date=21 January 2014|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612072921/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20140119-oscars-pounds-of-flesh|archive-date=12 June 2021|url-status=live}} Bale lost {{convert|63|lb|kg}}, weighing {{convert|121|lb|kg}} to play the character, who was written in the script as "a walking skeleton".{{cite web|last1=Rosen|first1=Lisa|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-oct-21-wk-movies21-story.html|title=Losing himself in the role|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=21 October 2004|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501055633/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-oct-21-wk-movies21-story.html|archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}} His weight loss prompted comparisons with Robert De Niro's weight gain in preparation to play Jake LaMotta in the 1980 film Raging Bull.{{cite magazine|last1=McClelland|first1=Nicholas Hegel|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2012/07/11/the-evolution-of-christian-bale/slide/the-machinist/|title=The Evolution of Christian Bale|magazine=Time|url-access=limited|date=2 July 2012|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227122351/https://entertainment.time.com/2012/07/11/the-evolution-of-christian-bale/slide/the-machinist/|archive-date=27 December 2019|url-status=live}} Describing his transformation as mentally calming, Bale claimed he had stopped working for a while because he did not come upon scripts that piqued his interest and that the film's script drew him to lose weight for the part.{{cite web|last=Topel|first=Fred|url=https://www.movieweb.com/news/NEHtLOKJ9zqXLO|title=Christian Bale talks The Machinist|work=MovieWeb |date=15 October 2004|access-date=5 May 2008|publisher=MovieWeb|archive-date=22 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722015755/https://www.movieweb.com/news/NEHtLOKJ9zqXLO|url-status=live}}{{cite web | title = Christian Bale interview: The Machinist (2004) | last = Applebaum | first = Stephen | publisher = BBC Cymru Wales | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/themes/film/christian_bale_machinist.shtml | access-date = 20 April 2009 | archive-date = 27 December 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201227035450/https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/christian-bale/pages/machinist.shtml | url-status = live }} The Machinist was released in October 2004; it performed poorly at the box office. Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel regarded it as one of the best films of the year, and Todd McCarthy of Variety wrote that Bale's "haunted, aggressive and finally wrenching performance" gave it a "strong anchor".{{cite web|last1=Moore|first1=Roger|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2004-12-10-0412090432-story.html|title=Bale Chills to the Bone|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=10 December 2004|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201155616/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2004-12-10-0412090432-story.html|archive-date=1 December 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Todd|author-link1=Todd McCarthy|url=https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/the-machinist-1200536740/|title=The Machinist|work=Variety|date=29 January 2004|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516003739/https://variety.com/2004/film/awards/the-machinist-1200536740/|archive-date=16 May 2021|url-status=live}}

File:Christian Bale - 002.jpg in 2008]]

Bale portrayed American billionaire Bruce Wayne and his superhero alias Batman in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, a reboot of the Batman film series. Nolan cast Bale, who was still fairly unknown at the time, because Bale had "exactly the balance of darkness and light" Nolan sought.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-may-08-ca-batman8-story.html |title=Rescuing Batman |last=Greenberg |first=James |date=8 May 2005 |work=Los Angeles Times |url-access=limited |access-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202014002/https://articles.latimes.com/2005/may/08/entertainment/ca-batman8 |archive-date=2 December 2008 |page=E-10 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3102536.stm|title=Actor Bale lands Batman role|publisher=BBC News|date=12 September 2003|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081130111111/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3102536.stm|archive-date=30 November 2008|url-status=live}} For the part, Bale regained the weight he lost for The Machinist and built muscle, weighing {{convert|220|lb|kg}}.{{cite web|last1=Dibin|first1=Emma|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/news/a9814/why-christian-bale-style-yo-yo-dieting-is-terrible-for-youy/|title=Why Christian Bale-Style Yo-Yo Dieting Is Terrible For You|work=Esquire|url-access=limited|date=14 April 2016|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112035108/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/news/a9814/why-christian-bale-style-yo-yo-dieting-is-terrible-for-youy/|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=live}} He trained in weapons, Wing Chun Kung Fu and the Keysi Fighting Method.{{cite news|last1=Evans|first1=Matthew|url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a758307/5-of-christian-bales-craziest-body-transformations/|title=Christian Bale's 5 Craziest Body Transformations|work=Men's Health|date=11 February 2017|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124050157/https://www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a758307/5-of-christian-bales-craziest-body-transformations/|archive-date=24 January 2021|url-status=live}} Acknowledging the story's peculiar circumstances involving a character "who thinks he can run around in a batsuit in the middle of the night", Bale said he and Nolan had deliberately approached it with "as realistic a motivation as possible", referencing Wayne's parents' murder. Bale voiced Wayne and Batman differently. He employed gravelly tone qualities for Batman, which Nolan believed reinforced the character's visual appearance.{{cite web|last1=Maher|first1=John|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/16/17574850/batman-dark-knight-christian-bale-voice|title=Christian Bale's infamous Dark Knight voice was the only option|work=Polygon|date=16 July 2018|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102173914/https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/16/17574850/batman-dark-knight-christian-bale-voice|archive-date=2 January 2021|url-status=live}} Batman Begins was released in the US in June 2005.{{cite web|last1=Dargis|first1=Manohla|author-link1=Manohla Dargis|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/movies/dark-was-the-young-knight-battling-his-inner-demons.html|title=Dark Was the Young Knight Battling His Inner Demons|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=15 June 2005|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529182857/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/movies/dark-was-the-young-knight-battling-his-inner-demons.html|archive-date=29 May 2015|url-status=live}} Tim Grierson and Will Leitch of Vulture complimented Bale's "sensitive, intelligent portrayal of a spoiled, wayward Bruce who finally grows up (and fights crime)." The performance earned Bale the MTV Movie Award for Best Hero.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/fashion/gay-cowboys-the-best-kissers/2006/06/04/1149359608529.html|title=Gay cowboys the best kissers|date=4 June 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|url-access=limited|access-date=13 April 2009|archive-date=6 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606135909/https://www.smh.com.au/news/fashion/gay-cowboys-the-best-kissers/2006/06/04/1149359608529.html|url-status=live}}

In the same year, Bale voiced the titular Howl, a wizard, in the English-language dub of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle, a Japanese animated film adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones's novel of the same name.{{cite web|last1=Forbes|first1=Jake|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-05-ca-howl5-story.html|title='Howl's' a natural draw for an anime master|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=5 June 2005|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430151213/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-05-ca-howl5-story.html|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live}} He committed himself to voice the role after watching Miyazaki's animated film Spirited Away.{{cite web|last1=Winning|first1=Joshua|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/worst-to-best-christian-bale/4/|title=Worst To Best: Christian Bale|website=Total Film|date=7 August 2012|access-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813104512/https://www.gamesradar.com/worst-to-best-christian-bale/4/|archive-date=13 August 2021|url-status=live}} Later that year, he starred as a US war veteran who deals with post-traumatic stress disorder in the David Ayer-helmed crime drama Harsh Times, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-07-26-blanchett-toronto_x.htm|title=Blanchett joins Toronto festival lineup|date=26 July 2005|work=USA Today|access-date=13 April 2009|archive-date=30 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630224752/https://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2005-07-26-blanchett-toronto_x.htm|url-status=live}} He portrayed colonist John Rolfe in The New World, a historical drama film inspired by the stories of Pocahontas, directed by Terrence Malick. The film was released in December 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/20/movies/a-briefer-account-of-jamestowns-founding.html|title=A Briefer Account of Jamestown's Founding|date=20 January 2006|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The New York Times|url-access=limited|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126214650/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/20/movies/a-briefer-account-of-jamestowns-founding.html|archive-date=26 January 2021|url-status=live|author-link=Manohla Dargis}} The following year saw the premiere of Rescue Dawn, by German filmmaker Werner Herzog, in which Bale portrayed US fighter pilot Dieter Dengler, who fights for his life after being shot down while on a mission during the Vietnam War. After the two worked together, Herzog stated that he had considered Bale to be among his generation's greatest talents long before he played Batman.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30250904.html|title=Herzog hails Bale|work=Irish Examiner|date=24 March 2006|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501074739/https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/arid-30250904.html|archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}} The Austin Chronicle{{'}}s Marjorie Baumgarten viewed Bale's work as a continuance of his "masterful command of yet another American personality type."{{cite web|last1=Baumgarten|first1=Marjorie|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2007-07-27/506339/|title=Rescue Dawn – Movie Review|work=The Austin Chronicle|date=27 July 2007|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303122623/https://www.austinchronicle.com/events/film/2007-07-27/506339/|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=live}}

For the 2006 film The Prestige, Bale reunited with Batman Begins director Nolan, who said that Bale was cast after offering himself for the part. It is based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Priest about a rivalry between two Victorian era magicians, whom Bale and Hugh Jackman play in the film.{{cite web|last1=Jolin|first1=Dan|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/the-prestige-inside-christopher-nolan-movie-magic-trick/|title=The Prestige: Inside Christopher Nolan's Movie Magic Trick|work=Empire|date=17 August 2020|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202120229/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/the-prestige-inside-christopher-nolan-movie-magic-trick/|archive-date=2 February 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Carle|first1=Chris|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/12/casting-the-prestige|title=Casting The Prestige|work=IGN|date=12 October 2006|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202045019/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/10/12/casting-the-prestige|archive-date=2 December 2020|url-status=live}} While it attracted acclaim from critics, the film performed more modestly during its run in theatres, earning $110 million against a $40 million budget.{{cite web|last1=Child|first1=Ben|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/28/prestige-novelist-christopher-nolans-batman-movies-boring-and-pretentious|title=Prestige novelist: Christopher Nolan's Batman movies 'boring and pretentious'|work=The Guardian|date=28 November 2014|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000232/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/nov/28/prestige-novelist-christopher-nolans-batman-movies-boring-and-pretentious|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Sims|first1=David|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/08/inception-10-christopher-nolan-tenet/614920/|title='Inception' at 10: Christopher Nolan Is Still Saving Cinema|work=The Atlantic|url-access=limited|date=4 August 2020|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227075244/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/08/inception-10-christopher-nolan-tenet/614920/|archive-date=27 February 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Mendelson|first1=Scott|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/11/01/box-office-tenet-passes-chris-nolan-best-movie-but-after-we-collided-plunges-76/|title=Box Office: 'Tenet' Tops Chris Nolan's Best Movie, 'After We Collided' Plunges 76%|work=Forbes|date=1 November 2020|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612062032/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2020/11/01/box-office-tenet-passes-chris-nolan-best-movie-but-after-we-collided-plunges-76/|archive-date=12 June 2021|url-status=live}} In his review for The New York Times, A. O. Scott highlighted Bale's "fierce inwardness" and called his performance "something to savor".{{cite web|last1=Scott|first1=A. O.|author-link1=A. O. Scott|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/movies/20pres.html|title=Two Rival Magicians, and Each Wants the Other to Go Poof|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=20 October 2006|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126175548/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/20/movies/20pres.html|archive-date=26 January 2021|url-status=live}} Bale next starred in the 2007 drama films I'm Not There, portraying two incarnations of singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, and in 3:10 to Yuma, playing a justice-seeking cattleman. He characterised his Dylan incarnations as "two men on a real quest for truth" and attributed his interest in 3:10 to Yuma to his affinity for films where he gets to "just be dirty and crawling in the mud".{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/guides/fallpreview/2007/movies/36619/|title=The Great Obsessive|date=24 August 2007|access-date=30 April 2021|website=New York|last=Hill|first=Logan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410204925/https://nymag.com/guides/fallpreview/2007/movies/36619/|archive-date=10 April 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=36600|title=3:10 to Yuma: Christian Bale vs. Russell Crowe|publisher=ComingSoon.net|date=3 September 2007|access-date=26 February 2010|archive-date=5 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305051459/https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=36600|url-status=live}} Bale reprised the role of Batman in Nolan's Batman Begins sequel The Dark Knight, which received acclaim and became the fourth film to gross more than $1 billion worldwide upon its July 2008 release.{{cite web|last1=Stolworthy|first1=Jacob|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-dark-knight-joker-heath-ledger-netflix-b1816309.html|title=The Dark Knight almost featured a scene that would have changed the entire movie|website=The Independent|date=12 March 2021|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312103148/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/the-dark-knight-joker-heath-ledger-netflix-b1816309.html|archive-date=12 March 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Sharf|first1=Zack|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/christopher-nolan-the-dark-knight-imax-re-release-anniversary-1201985124/|title='The Dark Knight' Returning to IMAX Theaters|publisher=IndieWire|date=18 July 2018|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719111627/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/07/christopher-nolan-the-dark-knight-imax-re-release-anniversary-1201985124/|archive-date=19 July 2018|url-status=live}} He did many of his own stunts, including one that involved standing on the roof of the Sears Tower in Chicago.{{cite news|last1=Celizic|first1=Mike|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/christian-bale-ledger-had-wonderful-time-joker-wbna25673502|title=Christian Bale: Ledger had 'wonderful time' as Joker|work=Today|date=14 July 2008|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123224608/https://www.today.com/popculture/christian-bale-ledger-had-wonderful-time-joker-wbna25673502|archive-date=23 November 2020|url-status=live}} The Dark Knight has been regarded by critics as the best superhero film.{{cite web|last1=Tapley|first1=Kristopher|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/in-contention/dark-knight-changed-movies-christopher-nolan-1202874041/|title='Dark Knight' Changed Movies, and the Oscars, Forever|work=Variety|date=17 July 2018|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424223538/https://variety.com/2018/film/in-contention/dark-knight-changed-movies-christopher-nolan-1202874041/|archive-date=24 April 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Dockterman|first1=Eliana|url=https://time.com/5353143/sequels-better-than-original/|title=35 Sequels That Are Better Than the Original Movie|magazine=Time|url-access=limited|date=30 August 2018|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129193531/https://time.com/5353143/sequels-better-than-original/|archive-date=29 January 2021|url-status=live}}

In February 2008, Warner Bros. announced that Bale would star as rebellion leader John Connor in the post-apocalyptic action film Terminator Salvation,{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/film-terminator-dc-idUKN2628286120080227|title=New "Terminator" film set for May 2009 release|date=6 February 2008|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430090423/https://www.reuters.com/article/film-terminator-dc-idUKN2628286120080227|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live|publisher=Reuters}} directed by McG, who cited Bale as "the most credible actor of his generation".{{cite web|last1=Anthony|first1=Andrew|author-link1=Andrew Anthony|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/17/profile-christian-bale-terminator-film|title=Christian Bale: The Terminator with a temper|work=The Guardian|date=16 May 2009|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125213443/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/17/profile-christian-bale-terminator-film|archive-date=25 January 2021|url-status=live}} In February 2009, an audio recording of a tirade on the film's set in July 2008 involving Bale was released. It captured him directing profanities towards and threatening to attack the film's cinematographer Shane Hurlbut, who walked onto the set during the filming of a scene acted by Bale and Bryce Dallas Howard, and culminated in Bale threatening to quit the film if Hurlbut was not fired.{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/whoopi-goldberg-defends-christian-bale-wbna29001920|title=Whoopi Goldberg defends Christian Bale|access-date=6 February 2009|date=3 February 2009|work=Today|archive-date=7 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107041442/https://www.today.com/popculture/whoopi-goldberg-defends-christian-bale-wbna29001920|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/bale-turns-american-psycho-with-expletiveladen-tantrum-on-set-1544988.html|title=Bale turns American psycho with expletive-laden tantrum on set|access-date=4 February 2009|date=4 February 2009|last1=Adams|first1=Guy|work=The Independent|archive-date=5 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205081725/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/bale-turns-american-psycho-with-expletiveladen-tantrum-on-set-1544988.html|url-status=dead}} Several colleagues in the film industry defended Bale, attributing the incident to his dedication to acting.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7871743.stm|title=Wrestler director supports Bale|access-date=6 February 2009|date=5 February 2009|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=16 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090216233828/https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7871743.stm|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Romano|first1=Nick|url=https://ew.com/tv/sharon-stone-defends-christian-bale-over-famous-outburst-on-terminator-set/|title=Sharon Stone defends Christian Bale's famous Terminator outburst|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=25 March 2021|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326135642/https://ew.com/tv/sharon-stone-defends-christian-bale-over-famous-outburst-on-terminator-set/|archive-date=26 March 2021|url-status=live}} Bale publicly apologised in February 2009, calling the outburst "inexcusable" and his behaviour "way out of order" and affirming to have made amends with Hurlbut.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/06/bale.apology/index.html|title=Bale apologizes for 'Terminator' tantrum|last=Duke|first=Alan|date=6 February 2009|publisher=CNN|access-date=13 April 2009|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128232914/https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/02/06/bale.apology/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Actor Bale speaks out over rant|publisher=BBC News|date=6 February 2009|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7875756.stm|access-date=6 February 2009|archive-date=21 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021040758/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7875756.stm|url-status=live}} Terminator Salvation was released in May 2009 to tepid reviews.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/movies/21term.html|title=A Crude, Imperfect Enemy, Bolts and All, in McG's Film|date=20 May 2009|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The New York Times|url-access=limited|last=Scott|first=A. O.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308232601/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/movies/21term.html|archive-date=8 March 2021|url-status=live|author-link=A. O. Scott}}{{cite web|last1=Child|first1=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/03/christian-bale-i-wont-be-back-to-work-with-mcg|title=Christian Bale: I won't be back to work with McG|work=The Guardian|date=3 December 2014|access-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130115200/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/03/christian-bale-i-wont-be-back-to-work-with-mcg|archive-date=30 January 2021|url-status=live}} Claudia Puig of USA Today considered Bale's work to be "surprisingly one-dimensional", while The Age{{'}}s Jake Wilson wrote he gave one of his least compelling performances.{{cite web|last1=Puig|first1=Claudia|author-link1=Claudia Puig|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-05-19-terminator-salvation_N.htm|title=There's little to salvage from this 'Terminator'|work=USA Today|date=20 May 2009|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015173849/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-05-19-terminator-salvation_N.htm|archive-date=15 October 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Jake|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/headed-for-termination-not-salvation-20090604-ge7wqj.html|title=Headed for termination not salvation|work=The Age|date=4 June 2009|access-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104033203/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/headed-for-termination-not-salvation-20090604-ge7wqj.html|archive-date=4 November 2019|url-status=live}} Bale later admitted he knew during production that the film would not revitalise the Terminator franchise as he had wished.{{cite web|last1=Sharf|first1=Zack|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/christian-bale-terminator-salvation-turned-down-role-statement-1201915441/|title=Christian Bale Never Wanted to Star in 'Terminator Salvation' and Said No Three Times: 'It's a Great Thorn in My Side'|publisher=IndieWire|date=9 January 2018|access-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228033933/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/01/christian-bale-terminator-salvation-turned-down-role-statement-1201915441/|archive-date=28 February 2021|url-status=live}} He asserted he would not work with McG again.

File:Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo and Colin Firth 2011 crop.jpg in 2011, where he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]

Bale portrayed FBI agent Melvin Purvis opposite Johnny Depp as gangster John Dillinger in Michael Mann's crime drama Public Enemies.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204621904574248243614110928|title=Christian Bale and Michael Mann on John Dillinger, Gangsters, and 'Public Enemies'|date=16 July 2009|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Wall Street Journal|last=Jurgensen|first=John|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430080505/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204621904574248243614110928|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live}} Released in July 2009,{{cite web|last1=Donahue|first1=Ann|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-goldenthal-idUSTRE56H08V20090718|title=Q&A: "Enemies" composer gives voice to "inner snarling"|publisher=Reuters|date=18 July 2009|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518052858/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-goldenthal-idUSTRE56H08V20090718|archive-date=18 May 2021|url-status=live}} it earned critical praise and had a commercially successful theatrical run.{{cite web|last1=Stolworthy|first1=Jacob|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/michael-mann-public-enemies-johnny-depp-john-dillinger-christian-bale-a7205411.html|title=Michael Mann toned down Public Enemies scene because the real-life events were so unbelievable|work=The Independent|date=23 August 2016|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605154209/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/michael-mann-public-enemies-johnny-depp-john-dillinger-christian-bale-a7205411.html|archive-date=5 June 2021|url-status=live}} Dan Zak of The Washington Post was unsatisfied with the casting of Bale and Depp, believing their characters' rivalry lacked electricity, while The New Republic{{'}}s Christopher Orr found Bale's "characteristically closed off" performance "nonetheless effective".{{cite news|last1=Zak|first1=Dan|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063004267.html|title=Movie Review: 'Public Enemies' With Johnny Depp|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-access=limited|date=1 July 2009|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924170536/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/30/AR2009063004267.html|archive-date=24 September 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Orr|first1=Christopher|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/62989/the-movie-review-public-enemies|title=The Movie Review: 'Public Enemies'|magazine=The New Republic|url-access=limited|date=2 July 2009|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227125952/https://newrepublic.com/article/62989/the-movie-review-public-enemies|archive-date=27 February 2021|url-status=live}} The following year, Bale starred in the role of Dicky Eklund, a professional boxer whose career has ended due to his drug addiction, in David O. Russell's drama film The Fighter. It chronicles the relationship between Eklund and his brother and boxing trainee, Micky Ward, played by Mark Wahlberg. To balance Eklund's tragic condition, Bale incorporated humor in his characterisation. The portrayal, for which he lost {{convert|30|lb|kg}}, was acclaimed, the San Francisco Chronicle{{'}}s Mick LaSalle describing it as "shrewdly observed, physically precise and psychologically acute".{{cite web|last1=Riley|first1=Jenelle|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-contender-idUSTRE6AO0SQ20101125|title=The great 'Contender' – Christian Bale cracks wise|publisher=Reuters|date=25 November 2010|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501082254/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-contender-idUSTRE6AO0SQ20101125|archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=LaSalle|first1=Mick|author-link1=Mick LaSalle|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/The-Fighter-review-Actors-pack-a-punch-2453035.php|title='The Fighter' review: Actors pack a punch|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=17 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926040813/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/The-Fighter-review-Actors-pack-a-punch-2453035.php|archive-date=26 September 2020|url-status=live}} Bale won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for his performance.{{cite news|title=Christian Bale wins Oscar for "The Fighter"|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oscars-supportactor-idUSTRE71R0OX20110228|access-date=13 July 2021|publisher=Reuters|date=28 February 2011|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807020324/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oscars-supportactor-idUSTRE71R0OX20110228|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Kay|first1=Jeremy|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/christian-bale-thanks-satan-in-golden-globes-speech/5135578.article|title=Christian Bale thanks 'Satan' in Golden Globes speech|work=Screen Daily|url-access=limited|date=7 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108230537/https://www.screendaily.com/news/christian-bale-thanks-satan-in-golden-globes-speech/5135578.article|archive-date=8 November 2020|url-status=live}} In 2011, he starred in Zhang Yimou's historical drama film The Flowers of War, which was the highest-grossing Chinese film of the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-16638897|title=The story behind Chinese war epic The Flowers of War|publisher=BBC News|date=24 January 2012|access-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212230328/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-16638897|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}} Critics described it as "nationalistic", "anti-Japanese" and "too long, too melodramatic, too lightweight".{{cite web|last1=von Tunzelmann|first1=Alex|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/02/flowers-of-war-chinese-film|title=The Flowers of War fails to bloom for Chinese film industry|work=The Guardian|date=2 August 2012|access-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123122301/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/aug/02/flowers-of-war-chinese-film|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=live}}

Bale played Batman again under Christopher Nolan's direction in the sequel The Dark Knight Rises, released in July 2012.{{cite web|last1=Mitchell|first1=Robert|url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/biz-nation-reel-from-colorado-shooting-1118056834/|title=Biz, nation reel from Colorado shooting|work=Variety|date=20 July 2012|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923161837/https://variety.com/2012/film/news/biz-nation-reel-from-colorado-shooting-1118056834/|archive-date=23 September 2016|url-status=live}} He described Batman in the film as a remorseful recluse in poor mental and physical health, who has surrendered following the events of The Dark Knight.{{cite web|last1=Hiscock|first1=John|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9396277/Christian-Bale-interview-The-Dark-Knight-Rises.html|title=Christian Bale interview: The Dark Knight Rises|work=The Daily Telegraph|url-access=registration|date=18 July 2012|access-date=25 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427043750/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9396277/Christian-Bale-interview-The-Dark-Knight-Rises.html|archive-date=27 April 2020|url-status=live}} Following the shooting at a midnight showing of the film in Aurora, Colorado, Bale and his wife visited survivors, doctors and first responders at The Medical Center of Aurora as well as a memorial to victims.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Kurtis|last2=Parker|first2=Ryan|url=https://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21147699/christian-bale-town-visiting-victims-shooting/|title=Batman actor Christian Bale visits victims, hospital personnel|work=The Denver Post|access-date=26 July 2012|date=24 July 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091932/https://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21147699/christian-bale-town-visiting-victims-shooting/|url-status=live}} The Dark Knight Rises was the 11th film to gross more than $1 billion worldwide, surpassing The Dark Knight.{{cite web|last1=Finke|first1=Nikki|url=https://deadline.com/2012/09/the-dark-knight-rises-becomes-11th-film-in-history-to-pass-1b-milestone-328349/|title='The Dark Knight Rises' Becomes 11th Film in History To Pass $1 Billion Milestone|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=3 September 2012|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125213907/https://deadline.com/2012/09/the-dark-knight-rises-becomes-11th-film-in-history-to-pass-1b-milestone-328349/|archive-date=25 January 2021|url-status=live}} Nolan's Batman film series, dubbed the Dark Knight trilogy, is one of the highest-grossing film franchises.{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Joal|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/biggest-movie-franchises-marvel-star-wars-harry-potter-and-more-ranked-by-box-office/|title=Biggest movie franchises: Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter and more ranked by box office|publisher=CBS News|date=24 January 2020|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612050647/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/biggest-movie-franchises-marvel-star-wars-harry-potter-and-more-ranked-by-box-office/|archive-date=12 June 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Eames|first1=Tom|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/g24620/highest-grossing-franchises/?slide=31|title=The highest-grossing film franchises – the 50 biggest film series ever|publisher=Digital Spy|date=23 August 2017|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612052617/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/g24620/highest-grossing-franchises/?slide=31|archive-date=12 June 2021|url-status=live}} It is also regarded as one of the best comic book film franchises.{{cite web|last1=Sharf|first1=Zack|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/christian-bale-turned-down-fourth-batman-movie-christopher-nolan-1202190295/|title=Christian Bale Turned Down Request for Fourth Batman Movie Because of Nolan's Wish|publisher=IndieWire|date=18 November 2019|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127180928/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/christian-bale-turned-down-fourth-batman-movie-christopher-nolan-1202190295/|archive-date=27 November 2020|url-status=live}} Bale's performance in the three films garnered universal acclaim,{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/6aae504d5b024655bf6cd6bd859a6ead|title=Christian Bale keen for Star Wars role|date=5 January 2018|access-date=30 April 2021|publisher=Associated Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430025955/https://apnews.com/article/6aae504d5b024655bf6cd6bd859a6ead|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live}} with The Guardian, The Indian Express, MovieWeb, NME and a poll conducted by the Radio Times ranking it as the best portrayal of Batman on film.

• {{cite web|last1=Child|first1=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/04/why-christian-bale-will-always-be-the-best-batman|title=Why Christian Bale will always be the best Batman|work=The Guardian|date=4 March 2016|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205185638/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/04/why-christian-bale-will-always-be-the-best-batman|archive-date=5 February 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last1=Rawat|first1=Kshitij|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/the-batman-ranking-every-live-action-bruce-wayne-christian-bale-ben-affleck-michael-keaton-7796334/|title=After The Batman, a ranking of every live-action Bruce Wayne: Who's the best among Ben Affleck, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson?|work=The Indian Express|date=7 March 2022|access-date=23 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807003617/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/hollywood/the-batman-ranking-every-live-action-bruce-wayne-christian-bale-ben-affleck-michael-keaton-7796334/|archive-date=7 August 2022|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last1=Naidoo|first1=Neville|url=https://movieweb.com/christian-bale-reasons-greatest-batman-ever/|title=10 Reasons Why Christian Bale Will Always be The Greatest Batman Ever|publisher=MovieWeb|date=7 August 2023|access-date=23 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807015021/https://movieweb.com/christian-bale-reasons-greatest-batman-ever/|archive-date=7 August 2023|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last1=Bradshaw|first1=Paul|url=https://www.nme.com/features/batman-ranked-2901857|title=Every actor who's played Batman – ranked from worst to best|work=NME|date=17 March 2021|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317091220/https://www.nme.com/features/batman-ranked-2901857|archive-date=17 March 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/christian-bale-best-batman/|title=Christian Bale voted the best Batman ever by fans|work=Radio Times|date=|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501100814/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/christian-bale-best-batman/|archive-date=1 May 2021|url-status=live}} Bale later revealed his dissatisfaction with his work throughout the trilogy, saying he "didn't quite nail" his part and that he "didn't quite manage" what he had hoped he would as Batman.{{cite web|last1=Stolworthy|first1=Jacob|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/christian-bale-doesn-t-rate-his-batman-performance-in-the-dark-knight-trilogy-a6911051.html|title=Christian Bale doesn't rate his Batman performance in the Dark Knight trilogy|work=The Independent|date=4 March 2016|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420192637/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/christian-bale-doesn-t-rate-his-batman-performance-in-the-dark-knight-trilogy-a6911051.html|archive-date=20 April 2021|url-status=live}}

In 2013, Bale played a steel mill worker in Scott Cooper's thriller Out of the Furnace.{{cite web|last1=Dargis|first1=Manohla|author-link1=Manohla Dargis|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/movies/out-of-the-furnace-with-christian-bale.html|title='Out of the Furnace,' With Christian Bale|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=3 December 2013|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211201007/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/movies/out-of-the-furnace-with-christian-bale.html|archive-date=11 December 2020|url-status=live}} Cooper rewrote the film's script with Bale in mind before the two even met and would not proceed with the project without the actor's involvement. Critics commended the film and deemed it an excellent beginning of the next phase in Bale's career after playing Batman,{{cite news|last1=Lang|first1=Brent|url=https://www.thewrap.com/furnace-reviews-critics-think-another-deer-hunter/|title='Out of the Furnace' Reviews: Do Critics Think It's Another 'Deer Hunter'?|work=TheWrap|date=11 November 2013|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823043203/https://www.thewrap.com/furnace-reviews-critics-think-another-deer-hunter/|archive-date=23 August 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last1=Labrecque|first1=Jeff|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/12/06/christian-bale-out-of-the-furnace-reviews/|title='Out of the Furnace': The reviews are in...|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=6 December 2013|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122065954/https://ew.com/article/2013/12/06/christian-bale-out-of-the-furnace-reviews/|archive-date=22 January 2021|url-status=live}} with Kristopher Tapley of Variety noting his work in the film was his best.{{cite web|last1=Tapley|first1=Kristopher|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/in-contention/top-10-christian-bale-performances-1202540158/|title=Top 10 Christian Bale Performances|work=Variety|date=31 August 2017|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222061439/https://variety.com/2017/film/in-contention/top-10-christian-bale-performances-1202540158/|archive-date=22 February 2021|url-status=live}} That same year, he starred in American Hustle, which reunited him with David O. Russell after their work on The Fighter.{{cite web|last1=Reid|first1=Joe|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2013/12/american-hustle-fact-sheet/356041/|title='American Hustle' Can't Close the Deal|work=The Atlantic|url-access=limited|date=13 December 2013|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118020815/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2013/12/american-hustle-fact-sheet/356041/|archive-date=18 January 2021|url-status=live}} To play con artist Irving Rosenfeld, Bale studied footage of interviews with real-life con artist Mel Weinberg, who served as inspiration for the character. He gained {{convert|43|lb|kg}}, shaved part of his head and adopted a slouched posture, which reduced his height by {{convert|3|in|cm}} and caused him to suffer a herniated disc.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-mn-christian-bale-vice-20190129-story.html|title=Christian Bale: Man of a thousand physiques|date=29 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|last=Hart|first=Hugh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121125733/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-en-mn-christian-bale-vice-20190129-story.html|archive-date=21 January 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Christian Bale's 'American Hustle' Transformation Even Fooled Co-Star|author=Rosen, Christopher|date=20 December 2013|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christian-bale-american-hustle_n_4412611|work=HuffPost|access-date=6 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120141926/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/christian-bale-american-hustle_n_4412611|archive-date=20 January 2021|url-status=live}} Russell indicated that Robert De Niro, who appeared in an uncredited role, did not recognise Bale when they were first introduced.{{cite web|last1=Bernstein|first1=Paula|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/12/10-new-things-we-learned-about-american-hustle-de-niro-didnt-recognize-christian-bale-why-bradley-cooper-curled-his-hair-more-241428/|title=10 New Things We Learned About 'American Hustle:' De Niro Didn't Recognize Christian Bale, Why Bradley Cooper Curled His Hair & More|publisher=IndieWire|date=11 December 2013|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118045637/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/12/10-new-things-we-learned-about-american-hustle-de-niro-didnt-recognize-christian-bale-why-bradley-cooper-curled-his-hair-more-241428/|archive-date=18 January 2021|url-status=live}} Writing for the New York Daily News, Joe Neumaier found Bale's performance to be "sad, funny and riveting".{{cite web|last1=Neumaier|first1=Joe|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/american-hustle-movie-review-article-1.1545755|title='American Hustle': Movie review|work=New York Daily News|date=12 December 2013|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217163111/https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/american-hustle-movie-review-article-1.1545755|archive-date=17 December 2020|url-status=live}} He was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his work.{{cite news|last1=Merry|first1=Stephanie|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/02/27/why-american-hustle-should-win-the-best-picture-oscar/|title=Why 'American Hustle' should win the Best Picture Oscar|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-access=limited|date=27 February 2014|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118014956/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2014/02/27/why-american-hustle-should-win-the-best-picture-oscar/|archive-date=18 January 2021|url-status=live}}

Bale portrayed Moses in Ridley Scott's epic film Exodus: Gods and Kings. Released in December 2014, the film faced accusations of whitewashing for the casting of Caucasian actors in Middle Eastern roles. Scott justified casting decisions citing financing needs, Bale stating that Scott had been forthright in getting the film made.{{cite web|last1=Child|first1=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/09/christian-bale-defends-ridley-scott-exodus-whitewashing|title=Christian Bale defends Ridley Scott over Exodus 'whitewashing'|work=The Guardian|date=9 December 2014|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227045851/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/dec/09/christian-bale-defends-ridley-scott-exodus-whitewashing|archive-date=27 February 2021|url-status=live}} Its critical response varied between negative and mixed,{{cite news|last1=Faughdner|first1=Ryan|title='Exodus: Gods and Kings' rides in with $1.2 million Thursday night|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-exodus-gods-kings-thursday-night-20141212-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=12 December 2014|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731025001/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-exodus-gods-kings-thursday-night-20141212-story.html|archive-date=31 July 2020|url-status=live}} and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch{{'}}s Joe Williams called Bale's performance in the film the most apathetic of his career.{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Joe|url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/thou-shalt-not-waste-time-on-this-movie/article_fea4311d-cfa4-56f1-b31e-4b5390c5ed8c.html|title=Thou shalt not waste time on 'Exodus: Gods and Kings'|work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch|date=11 December 2014|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201143426/http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/movies/reviews/thou-shalt-not-waste-time-on-this-movie/article_fea4311d-cfa4-56f1-b31e-4b5390c5ed8c.html|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}} Bale appeared in Terrence Malick's drama Knight of Cups, which The Atlantic critic David Sims dubbed a "noble failure".{{cite web|last1=Sims|first1=David|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/03/knight-of-cups-malick-review/472050/|title=Movie Review: 'Knight of Cups,' with Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, and Natalie Portman, Is Terrence Malick's Version of Hollywood Satire|work=The Atlantic|url-access=limited|date=3 March 2016|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026013241/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/03/knight-of-cups-malick-review/472050/|archive-date=26 October 2020|url-status=live}} During its premiere at the 65th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2015, he said he filmed the project without having learned any dialogue and that Malick had only given him a character description.{{cite web|last1=Child|first1=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/09/christian-bale-terrence-malick-knight-of-cups|title=Christian Bale baffled by Terrence Malick on Knight of Cups shoot|work=The Guardian|date=9 February 2021|access-date=2 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202202831/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb/09/christian-bale-terrence-malick-knight-of-cups|archive-date=2 December 2020|url-status=live}} Later that year, he starred as Michael Burry, an antisocial hedge fund manager, in Adam McKay's The Big Short, a biographical comedy-drama film about the 2008 financial crisis. He used an ocular prosthesis in the film.{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/the-big-short-review-1201639770/ | title=Film Review: 'The Big Short' | work=Variety | date=13 November 2015 | access-date=27 January 2016 | last1=Barker |first1=Andrew | archive-date=29 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129223612/https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/the-big-short-review-1201639770/ | url-status=live }} The Wall Street Journal{{'}}s Joe Morgenstern found his portrayal "scarily hilarious—or in one-liners and quick takes, deftly edited".{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-big-short-review-the-comic-beauties-of-a-bubble-1449771708|title='The Big Short' Review: The Comic Beauties of a Bubble|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=10 December 2015|access-date=27 January 2016|last1=Morgenstern|first1=Joe|author-link1=Joe Morgenstern|url-access=subscription|archive-date=27 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127020051/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-big-short-review-the-comic-beauties-of-a-bubble-1449771708|url-status=live}} The role earned Bale Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Susan|author-link1=Susan King (journalist)|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-big-short-wins-oscar-adapted-screenplay-20160225-story.html|title='The Big Short' wins the Oscar for adapted screenplay|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=28 February 2016|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701150452/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-big-short-wins-oscar-adapted-screenplay-20160225-story.html|archive-date=1 July 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Lang|first1=Brent|title='Carol,' Netflix Lead Golden Globes Nomination|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/awards/golden-globe-nominations-2016-1201658153/|access-date=27 January 2016|work=Variety|date=10 December 2015|archive-date=11 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211033745/https://variety.com/2015/film/awards/golden-globe-nominations-2016-1201658153/|url-status=live}}

In the 2016 historical drama The Promise, set during the Armenian genocide, he played an American journalist who becomes involved in a love triangle with a woman, played by Charlotte Le Bon, and an Armenian medical student, played by Oscar Isaac. Critics disapproved of the film, which accrued a $102 million loss.{{cite web|last1=D'Alessandro|first1=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/king-arthur-geostorm-monster-trucks-the-promise-the-great-wall-box-office-losses-1202354934/|title='King Arthur', 'Great Wall', 'Geostorm' & More: Box Office Bombs Of 2017|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=29 March 2018|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212021631/https://deadline.com/2018/03/king-arthur-geostorm-monster-trucks-the-promise-the-great-wall-box-office-losses-1202354934/|archive-date=12 February 2021|url-status=live}} Reviewing the film for The New York Times, Jeannette Catsoulis wrote that Bale appeared "muffled and indistinct".{{cite web|last1=Catsoulis|first1=Jeannette|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/movies/the-promise-review-oscar-isaac.html|title=Review: 'The Promise' Finds a Love Triangle in Constantinople|work=The New York Times|url-access=limited|date=20 April 2017|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024847/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/20/movies/the-promise-review-oscar-isaac.html|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=live}} In Cooper's 2017 film Hostiles, Bale starred as a US Army officer escorting a gravely ill Cheyenne war chief and his family back to their home in Montana. He calls the film "a western with brutal, modern-day resonance" and his character "a bigoted and hate-filled man".{{cite web|last1=Morgan|first1=David|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-bale-on-western-hostiles-and-gaining-weight-to-play-dick-cheney/|title=Christian Bale on western "Hostiles," and gaining weight to play Dick Cheney|publisher=CBS News|date=18 December 2017|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109013256/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-bale-on-western-hostiles-and-gaining-weight-to-play-dick-cheney/|archive-date=9 November 2020|url-status=live}} Bale learned the Cheyenne language while working on the film. Empire critic Dan Jolin considered his performance striking and one of the strongest of his career.{{cite web|last1=Jolin|first1=Dan|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hostiles-review/|title=Hostiles Review|work=Empire|date=4 September 2017|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217182154/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hostiles-review/|archive-date=17 December 2019|url-status=live}} In 2018, Bale voiced Bagheera in the adventure film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Rolling Stone{{'}}s David Fear wrote that his voice work and that of Andy Serkis, who directed the film, "bring the soul as well as sound and fury".{{cite magazine|last1=Fear|first1=David|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mowgli-movie-review-761718/|title='Mowgli' Review: Welcome to the Jungle (Book)|magazine=Rolling Stone|url-access=subscription|date=2 December 2018|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204131600/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/mowgli-movie-review-761718/|archive-date=4 December 2018|url-status=live}}

File:TIFF 2019 christian bale (48711707823).jpg]]

For the 2018 biographical comedy drama Vice, written and directed by Adam McKay, Bale underwent a major body transformation once again, as he gained over {{convert|40|lb|kg}} and shaved his head to portray US Vice President Dick Cheney. He described Cheney, who is reckoned the most influential and loathed vice president in US history, as "quiet and secretive".{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/christian-bale-donald-trump-clown-who-doesnt-understand-government-1422271|title=Christian Bale: Donald Trump is a 'clown' who doesn't understand government|date=24 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Scotsman|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201103022717/https://www.scotsman.com/news/world/christian-bale-donald-trump-clown-who-doesnt-understand-government-1422271|archive-date=3 November 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=David|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/20/dick-cheney-vice-president-darth-vader|title=Dick Cheney is back but rehabilitation is not on Darth Vader's agenda|work=The Guardian|date=20 December 2018|access-date=16 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108103953/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/20/dick-cheney-vice-president-darth-vader|archive-date=8 November 2020|url-status=live}} The film reunited Bale with Amy Adams, with whom he had co-starred in The Fighter and American Hustle.{{cite web|last1=Miller|first1=Julie|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/christian-bale-dick-cheney-movie|title=See Christian Bale's Incredible Dick Cheney Transformation in First Vice Photo|work=Vanity Fair|url-access=limited|date=2 October 2018|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229225655/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/10/christian-bale-dick-cheney-movie|archive-date=29 December 2020|url-status=live}} It received positive reviews, and The Guardian{{'}}s Peter Bradshaw commended Bale's "terrifically and in fact rather scarily plausible" Cheney impersonation.{{cite web|last1=Schaffstall|first1=Katherine|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/vice-reviews-critics-dick-cheney-film-starring-christian-bale-1170063/|title='Vice' Reviews: Critics on Dick Cheney Film Starring Christian Bale|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=17 December 2018|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518040928/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/vice-reviews-critics-dick-cheney-film-starring-christian-bale-1170063/|archive-date=18 May 2021|url-status=live}} Lauded by critics, the performance won Bale the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and garnered him an Academy Award nomination.{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Kristine|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/01/07/christian-bale-thanked-satan-his-portrayal-dick-cheney-church-satan-approves/|title=Christian Bale thanked Satan for his portrayal of Dick Cheney. The Church of Satan approves.|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-access=limited|date=8 January 2019|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110081055/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/01/07/christian-bale-thanked-satan-his-portrayal-dick-cheney-church-satan-approves/|archive-date=10 November 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/426369-christian-bale-gets-oscar-nomination-for-cheney-portrayal|title=Christian Bale gets Oscar nomination for Cheney portrayal|date=22 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Hill|last=Kurtz|first=Judy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630153943/https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/426369-christian-bale-gets-oscar-nomination-for-cheney-portrayal|archive-date=30 June 2019|url-status=live}} During his acceptance speech at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, Bale thanked Satan for inspiring his Cheney portrayal, which elicited a response from Cheney's daughter and US Representative Liz Cheney, who stated that Bale ruined his opportunity to play "a real superhero".{{cite web|last1=Samuels|first1=Brett|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/424492-liz-cheney-responds-to-christian-bale-calling-father-satan-he-had-the-chance|title=Liz Cheney on Christian Bale: He had chance to play 'a real superhero' and 'screwed it up'|work=The Hill|date=9 January 2019|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108011650/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/424492-liz-cheney-responds-to-christian-bale-calling-father-satan-he-had-the-chance|archive-date=8 November 2020|url-status=live}}

Bale portrayed sports car racing driver Ken Miles in the 2019 sports drama Ford v Ferrari, for which he lost {{convert|70|lb|kg}} after playing Cheney.{{cite web|last1=Desta|first1=Yohana|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/11/christian-bale-weight-loss|title=Christian Bale Swears He's Done Gaining and Losing Weight for Roles|work=Vanity Fair|url-access=limited|date=11 November 2019|access-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029050629/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/11/christian-bale-weight-loss|archive-date=29 October 2020|url-status=live}} Directed by James Mangold, the film follows Miles and automotive designer Carroll Shelby, played by Matt Damon, in events surrounding the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/11/14/779465165/matt-damon-on-playing-a-race-car-driver-in-famous-ford-ferrari-rivalry-of-the-60|title=Matt Damon On Playing A Race Car Driver in Famous Ford-Ferrari Rivalry Of The '60s|date=14 November 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|publisher=NPR|last=Kelly|first=Mary Louise|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220130224/https://www.npr.org/2019/11/14/779465165/matt-damon-on-playing-a-race-car-driver-in-famous-ford-ferrari-rivalry-of-the-60|archive-date=20 December 2019|url-status=live}} The role earned Bale a fifth Golden Globe Award nomination.{{cite web|last1=D'Alessandro|first1=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/thor-love-thunder-christian-bale-cast-1202822628/|title='Dark Knight' Star Christian Bale in Talks For Marvel's 'Thor: Love And Thunder'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=6 January 2020|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225231612/https://deadline.com/2020/01/thor-love-thunder-christian-bale-cast-1202822628/|archive-date=25 February 2021|url-status=live}} While promoting the film, he said he would no longer go through weight fluctuations for roles.

Bale played Gorr the God Butcher, a villain, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Thor: Love and Thunder, which was released in July 2022. He cited a character in the music video for the Aphex Twin song "Come to Daddy" as an inspiration for his characterization of Gorr.{{cite web|last1=Ettenhofer|first1=Valerie|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/908525/christian-bale-reveals-a-terrifying-cut-scene-from-thor-love-and-thunder/|title=Christian Bale Reveals A Terrifying Cut Scene From Thor: Love And Thunder|website=/Film|date=27 June 2022|access-date=28 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627163751/https://www.slashfilm.com/908525/christian-bale-reveals-a-terrifying-cut-scene-from-thor-love-and-thunder/|archive-date=27 June 2022|url-status=live}} Bale's portrayal drew praise from critics, who deemed it "grounded and non-campy".{{cite web|last1=Ortiz|first1=Andi|url=https://www.thewrap.com/thor-love-and-thunder-reviews-reactions/|title='Thor: Love and Thunder' Reviews: Critics Enjoy Taika Waititi's 'Surface Pleasures,' But Question Its Place in the MCU|work=TheWrap|date=5 July 2022|access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709002629/https://www.thewrap.com/thor-love-and-thunder-reviews-reactions/|archive-date=9 July 2022|url-status=live}} He produced and appeared in David O. Russell's period film Amsterdam and Scott Cooper's thriller The Pale Blue Eye,{{cite web|last1=Chuba|first1=Kirsten|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/christian-bale-producer-credits-amsterdam-pale-blue-eye-1235290991/|title=Christian Bale on Taking Producer Credits on Amsterdam, Pale Blue Eye|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=7 January 2023|access-date=11 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230107183046/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/christian-bale-producer-credits-amsterdam-pale-blue-eye-1235290991/|archive-date=7 January 2023|url-status=live}} reuniting with both directors for the third time.{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Patrick|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/04/27/taylor-swift-amsterdam-trailer-cinemacon/9560027002/|title=Taylor Swift brings the waterworks with Chris Rock in 'Amsterdam' film|work=USA Today|date=27 April 2022|access-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428045436/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2022/04/27/taylor-swift-amsterdam-trailer-cinemacon/9560027002/|archive-date=28 April 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Wiseman|first1=Andreas|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/netflix-christian-bale-pale-blue-eye-record-efm-deal-1234707264/|title=Netflix Strikes EFM Record $55M Worldwide Deal For Christian Bale Cross Creek Thriller 'The Pale Blue Eye'|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=6 March 2021|access-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307051156/https://deadline.com/2021/03/netflix-christian-bale-pale-blue-eye-record-efm-deal-1234707264/|archive-date=7 March 2021|url-status=live}} Amsterdam was released in October 2022, receiving dire reviews and failing at the box office.{{cite web|last1=McClintock|first1=Pamela|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/amsterdam-box-office-debacle-1235238568/|title='Amsterdam' Box Office: Movie to Lose $80M-$100M|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=11 October 2022|access-date=21 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011152316/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/amsterdam-box-office-debacle-1235238568/|archive-date=11 October 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Rubin|first1=Rebecca|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ticket-to-paradise-black-adam-star-power-box-office-1235411915/|title=Black Adam, Ticket to Paradise Benefit From Star Power at Box Office|work=Variety|date=24 October 2022|access-date=21 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024133553/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/ticket-to-paradise-black-adam-star-power-box-office-1235411915/|archive-date=24 October 2022|url-status=live}} The Pale Blue Eye, adapted from the novel of the same name by Louis Bayard, was released in December 2022, receiving mixed reviews from critics.{{cite web |last=Hayes|first=Patrick|url=https://movieweb.com/pale-blue-eye-good-bad-critics/ |title=Why The Pale Blue Eye Has Been Greeted with Such Critical Negativity |publisher=MovieWeb |date=11 January 2023|access-date=28 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230121230212/https://movieweb.com/pale-blue-eye-good-bad-critics/ |archive-date=21 January 2023 |url-status=live}} With his involvement in the 2023 Japanese animated film The Boy and the Heron, Bale voiced a character in an English-language dub of a film by Hayao Miyazaki for the second time.{{cite web|last1=Taylor|first1=Drew|url=https://www.thewrap.com/hayao-miyazaki-boy-and-the-heron-english-dub-christian-bale/|title=Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron' English Voice Cast Includes Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson|work=TheWrap|date=17 October 2023|access-date=17 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017162608/https://www.thewrap.com/hayao-miyazaki-boy-and-the-heron-english-dub-christian-bale/|archive-date=17 October 2023|url-status=live}}

Bale will next play Frankenstein's monster in Maggie Gyllenhaal's fantasy period film The Bride!. It is scheduled for release on March 6, 2026.{{cite news|last1=Sharf|first1=Zack|url= https://variety.com/2024/film/news/christian-bale-frankenstein-monster-the-bride-first-look-maggie-gyllenhaal-1235960315/|title= Christian Bale Transforms Into Frankenstein's Monster in First Look at Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'The Bride'|work=Variety|date=4 April 2024|access-date=4 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615021754/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/christian-bale-frankenstein-monster-the-bride-first-look-maggie-gyllenhaal-1235960315|archive-date=15 June 2024|url-status=live}}

Bale is known for his exhaustive dedication to the weight fluctuations that his parts demand as well as "the intensity with which he completely inhabits his roles",{{cite web|last1=Lattanzio|first1=Ryan|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/christian-bale-weight-gain-not-getting-fat-again-1202188459/|title=Christian Bale Says He's Done Getting Fat for Roles|publisher=IndieWire|date=9 November 2019|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225185648/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/christian-bale-weight-gain-not-getting-fat-again-1202188459/|archive-date=25 February 2021|url-status=live}} with The Washington Post{{'}}s Ann Hornaday rating him among the most physically gifted actors of his generation.{{cite news|last1=Hornaday|first1=Ann|author-link1=Ann Hornaday|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/12/AR2007071202323.html|title='Rescue Dawn': A Light in War's Densest Jungle|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-access=limited|date=13 July 2007|access-date=12 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927052313/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/12/AR2007071202323.html|archive-date=27 September 2020|url-status=live}} Max O'Connell of RogerEbert.com deemed Bale's commitment to altering his physical appearance "an anchoring facet to a depiction of obsession" in his performances,{{cite web|last1=O'Connell|first1=Max|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/features/obsession-and-the-void-the-performances-of-christian-bale|title=Obsession and The Void: The Performances of Christian Bale|work=RogerEbert.com|date=14 January 2019|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204151131/https://www.rogerebert.com/features/obsession-and-the-void-the-performances-of-christian-bale|archive-date=4 December 2020|url-status=live}} while the Los Angeles Times{{'}}s Hugh Hart likened the urgency that drives Bale's acting style to method acting, adding that it "convincingly animates even his most extreme physical transformations." Bale has said that he does not practise method acting and that he does not use a particular technique.{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/8d0112708eef4c9e940aa40084ed2809|title=Christian Bale 'wings it' on set|publisher=Associated Press|date=28 December 2018|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429193926/https://apnews.com/article/8d0112708eef4c9e940aa40084ed2809|archive-date=29 April 2021|url-status=live}} He named Rowan Atkinson as his template as an actor and added that he was mesmerised by him when they worked together.{{cite web|last1=McGurk|first1=Stuart|url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/matt-damon-christian-bale-ford-v-ferrari-interview|title=Matt Damon and Christian Bale interview: When Bourne met Batman|work=British GQ|date=1 October 2019|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128050626/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/matt-damon-christian-bale-ford-v-ferrari-interview|archive-date=28 January 2021|url-status=live}} He also studied the work of Gary Oldman, crediting him as the reason for his pursuit of acting.{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/cinema/christian-bale-interview-mowgli-bagheera-netflix-performance-capture-technology-physical-transformation|title=Christian Bale Says He's Almost Done With Physical Transformations|last=Mathew|first=Suresh|date=26 November 2018|website=The Quint|access-date=30 November 2018|archive-date=30 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130202006/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/cinema/christian-bale-interview-mowgli-bagheera-netflix-performance-capture-technology-physical-transformation|url-status=live}}

Bale has been recognised for his versatility; Martha Ross of The Mercury News named him one of his generation's most versatile actors.{{cite web|last1=Ross|first1=Martha|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/13/christian-bale-goes-from-american-psycho-to-dick-cheney-with-new-role/|title=Christian Bale goes from 'American Psycho' to Dick Cheney with new role|work=The Mercury News|date=13 April 2017|access-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203064814/https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/13/christian-bale-goes-from-american-psycho-to-dick-cheney-with-new-role/|archive-date=3 December 2018|url-status=live}} Known to be very private about his personal life, Bale has said that his objective was to embody characters without showing any aspect of himself.{{cite web|last1=Marchese|first1=David|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/christian-bale-is-our-least-relatable-movie-star.html|title=Christian Bale Is Our Least Relatable Movie Star|website=Vulture|url-access=limited|date=12 December 2014|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204235443/https://www.vulture.com/2014/12/christian-bale-is-our-least-relatable-movie-star.html|archive-date=4 December 2020|url-status=live}} He explained that "letting people know who you are" does not help create different characters, viewing anonymity as "what's giving you the ability to play those characters". During interviews to promote films in which he puts on an accent, Bale would continue speaking in the given accent.{{cite web|last1=Hilton|first1=Beth|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/10-things-about/a105893/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-christian-bale/|title=Ten Things You Never Knew About Christian Bale|publisher=Digital Spy|date=2 July 2008|access-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603063028/https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/10-things-about/a105893/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-christian-bale/|archive-date=3 June 2020|url-status=live}} Bale has also been noted for portraying roles with an American accent, with The Atlantic{{'}}s Joe Reid listing him among those who "work least in their native accents";{{cite web|last1=Stolworthy|first1=Jacob|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/christian-bale-accent-cockney-where-voice-matt-damon-le-mans-66-ford-ferrari-a9202486.html|title=Christian Bale's accent confuses British television viewers: 'It's weird hearing him speak in his real voice'|website=The Independent|date=14 November 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114133859/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/christian-bale-accent-cockney-where-voice-matt-damon-le-mans-66-ford-ferrari-a9202486.html|archive-date=14 November 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Reid|first1=Joe|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2013/12/christian-bale-and-actors-who-work-least-their-native-accents/355879/|title=Christian Bale and the Actors Who Work Least in Their Native Accents|work=The Atlantic|url-access=limited|date=6 December 2013|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815204611/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2013/12/christian-bale-and-actors-who-work-least-their-native-accents/355879/|archive-date=15 August 2020|url-status=live}} in real life, Bale speaks in an "emphatic, non-posh" English accent.

Bale was ranked at number eight on Forbes magazine's list of the highest-paid actors of 2014, earning $35 million.{{cite web|last1=Child|first1=Ben|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/22/robert-downey-jr-forbes-highest-earning|title=Robert Downey Jr tops list of highest paid actors for second year running|work=The Guardian|date=22 July 2014|access-date=1 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526103051/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jul/22/robert-downey-jr-forbes-highest-earning|archive-date=26 May 2021|url-status=live}} He has been described as a sex symbol.{{cite web|last1=Robinson|first1=Tasha|url=https://www.avclub.com/a-filmgoers-guide-to-bad-sex-with-christian-bale-1798212606|title= A filmgoer's guide to bad sex with Christian Bale|website=The A.V. Club|date=16 October 2007|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703140445/https://www.avclub.com/a-filmgoers-guide-to-bad-sex-with-christian-bale-1798212606|archive-date=3 July 2020|url-status=live}}

File:Christian Bale and Sibi Blažić Berlinale 2019.jpg in 2019]]

Bale has lived in Los Angeles since the 1990s. He holds US citizenship.{{Cite news|url=https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/news/a7424/christian-bale-interview/|title=Christian Bale: The Full Shoot And Interview|date=10 December 2014|work=Esquire|url-access=limited|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=8 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108041909/https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/news/a7424/christian-bale-interview/|url-status=live}} Bale married Sandra "Sibi" Blažić, an American former model of Serbian descent, in Las Vegas on 29 January 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/movies/christian-bale-wife-sibi-blazic-celebrate-19th-wedding-anniversary-bike-ride/|title=Christian Bale and Wife Enjoy Bike Ride on 19th Wedding Anniversary – Day Before His Birthday!|date=30 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|website=People|last=Russian|first=Ale|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814075022/https://people.com/movies/christian-bale-wife-sibi-blazic-celebrate-19th-wedding-anniversary-bike-ride/|archive-date=14 August 2020|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/a25935496/christian-bale-wife-sibi-blazic/|title=Who Is Christian Bale's Wife Sibi Blazic? The Model Changed Everything for the Actor|date=17 January 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Marie Claire|last=Mitchell|first=Amanda|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206062407/https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/a25935496/christian-bale-wife-sibi-blazic/|archive-date=6 February 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Stets |first=Regina |date=2021-07-17 |title=Sibi Blažić's biography: what is known about Christian Bale's wife? |url=https://www.legit.ng/1424371-sibi-blazics-biography-christian-bales-wife.html |access-date=2024-10-19 |website=Legit.ng - Nigeria news. |language=en}} They have a daughter and a son. In 2000, Bale became feminist Gloria Steinem's stepson following her marriage to his father, who died in 2003 of brain lymphoma.{{cite news|last = von Zeilbauer|first = Paul|title = David Bale, 62, Activist and businessman|work = The New York Times|url-access=limited|date = 1 January 2004|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/01/us/david-bale-62-activist-and-businessman.html|access-date = 16 November 2014|url-status=live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141111173509/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/01/us/david-bale-62-activist-and-businessman.html|archive-date = 11 November 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Denes|first1=Melissa|title='Feminism? It's hardly begun'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jan/17/gender.melissadenes|access-date=23 December 2014|work=The Guardian|date=16 January 2005|archive-date=31 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731225927/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/jan/17/gender.melissadenes|url-status=live}}

Bale became a vegetarian at seven years old but in 2009 said he was "in and out of the vegetarianism now".{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/christian-bale-batman-john-connor-terminator|title=A Nice Quiet Chat with Christian Bale|date=1 May 2009|access-date=30 April 2021|website=GQ|last=Corsello|first=Andrew|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112030343/https://www.gq.com/story/christian-bale-batman-john-connor-terminator|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=live}} He had stopped eating red meat after reading the children's book Charlotte's Web. An animal rights activist, he supports the organisations Greenpeace, the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Doris Day Animal League, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and Redwings Horse Sanctuary.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-13-ca-18918-story.html|title=Bale's 'Psycho' Analysis|date=13 April 2000|access-date=30 April 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|last=Jan|first=Stuart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430040906/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-apr-13-ca-18918-story.html|archive-date=30 April 2021|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/jun/20/comment.nickpatonwalsh|title=Christian Bale|date=20 June 1999|access-date=30 April 2021|website=The Guardian|last=Walsh|first=Nick Paton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001085950/https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/jun/20/comment.nickpatonwalsh|archive-date=1 October 2019|url-status=live|author-link=Nick Paton Walsh}} While promoting The Flowers of War in December 2011, Bale, with a crew from the television network CNN, attempted to visit Chen Guangcheng, a confined blind barefoot lawyer, in a village in eastern China. He was forced to retreat after scuffling with guards at a checkpoint.{{cite web|last1=Jiang|first1=Steven|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/15/world/asia/china-bale-activist/index.html|title='Batman' star Bale punched, stopped from visiting blind Chinese activist|date=17 December 2011|publisher=CNN|access-date=27 April 2012|archive-date=16 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216005838/https://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/15/world/asia/china-bale-activist/index.html|url-status=live}} Bale finally met Chen at a dinner held by the nonprofit Human Rights First the following year, during which he presented Chen with an award.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-CJB-16704|title=Chen Guangcheng Honored by Human Rights First, Meets Bale|work=The Wall Street Journal|url-access=subscription|date=25 October 2012|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708174459/https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-CJB-16704|archive-date=8 July 2021|url-status=live}} Bale voiced Chen's story in Amnesty International's podcast, In Their Own Words.{{cite web|last1=Sturges|first1=Fiona|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/their-own-words-podcast-review-christian-bale-outshone-human-rights-champion-a6852166.html|title=In Their Own Words, podcast review: Christian Bale is outshone by a human rights champion|work=The Independent|date=3 February 2016|access-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225195618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/their-own-words-podcast-review-christian-bale-outshone-human-rights-champion-a6852166.html|archive-date=25 February 2021|url-status=live}} He co-founded California Together, an organisation aiming to construct a village in Palmdale, California to help siblings in foster care remain together.{{cite web|last1=Gardner|first1=Chris|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/christian-bale-foster-children-village-together-california-1235819256/|title=Christian Bale Breaks Ground on 16-Year Passion Project: Homes for Foster Siblings|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=8 February 2024|access-date=10 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209021023/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/christian-bale-foster-children-village-together-california-1235819256/|archive-date=9 February 2024|url-status=live}}

On 22 July 2008, Bale was arrested in London after his mother and his sister Sharon reported him to the police for an alleged assault at a hotel. He was released on bail. Bale denied the allegations and later called the incident "a deeply personal matter". On 14 August, the Crown Prosecution Service declared they would take no further action against him because of "insufficient evidence to afford a realistic prospect of conviction".{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7561844.stm|title=No assault charge for Batman Bale|access-date=6 February 2009|date=14 August 2008|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=27 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227035537/https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7561844.stm|url-status=live}}

{{main|Christian Bale filmography|List of awards and nominations received by Christian Bale}}

According to the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, which assigns films scores based on the number of positive critical reviews they receive, some of Bale's highest-scoring films are The Dark Knight (2008), Ford v Ferrari (2019), American Hustle (2013), Little Women (1994), The Fighter (2010), Rescue Dawn (2007), 3:10 to Yuma (2007), The Big Short (2015), Howl's Moving Castle (2005) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012); the first, third and last of which are also listed by the data website The Numbers as his highest-grossing films, alongside Terminator Salvation (2009), Batman Begins (2005), Pocahontas (1995), Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014).{{cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/all-christian-bale-movies-ranked/|title=All Christian Bale Movies Ranked|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206175615/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/all-christian-bale-movies-ranked/|archive-date=6 February 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/person/9490401-Christian-Bale#tab=acting&all_acting_credits=od5|title=Christian Bale – Box Office|publisher=The Numbers|access-date=10 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710163209/https://www.the-numbers.com/person/9490401-Christian-Bale#tab=acting&all_acting_credits=od5|archive-date=10 July 2022|url-status=live}}

Bale has garnered four Academy Award nominations, including two in the Best Actor category for his work in American Hustle and Vice (2018) as well as two in the Best Supporting Actor category for his work in The Fighter and The Big Short; he won one for The Fighter.{{cite web|last1=Roeper|first1=Richard|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/11/11/20956417/christian-bale-ford-v-ferrari-ken-miles-interview-accent|title=Christian Bale says his 'Ford v Ferrari' ride beats the Batmobile|work=Chicago Sun-Times|url-access=limited|date=11 November 2019|access-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191111161322/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/11/11/20956417/christian-bale-ford-v-ferrari-ken-miles-interview-accent|archive-date=11 November 2019|url-status=live}} He has earned two Golden Globe Awards, including Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture for his role in The Fighter and Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his role in Vice, and received two nominations for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performances in American Hustle and The Big Short and a nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for his performance in Ford v Ferrari. Bale has also been nominated for eight Screen Actors Guild Awards,{{cite web|last1=Turan|first1=Kenneth|author-link1=Kenneth Turan|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-01-16/performances-christian-bale-ford-v-ferrari|title=Performances we love: Christian Bale fools us again|work=Los Angeles Times|url-access=limited|date=16 January 2020|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120020743/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-01-16/performances-christian-bale-ford-v-ferrari|archive-date=20 January 2021|url-status=live}} winning in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role category for The Fighter and the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture category as part of the American Hustle cast.{{cite web|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|last2=Powers|first2=Lindsay|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sag-awards-2011-christian-bale-94503/|title=SAG Awards 2011: Christian Bale Surprised On Stage by Dicky Eklund|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=30 January 2011|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910045922/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/sag-awards-2011-christian-bale-94503/|archive-date=10 September 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25800005|title=American Hustle cast tops SAG awards|publisher=BBC News|date=19 January 2014|access-date=10 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910052354/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-25800005|archive-date=10 September 2021|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

• Holmstrom, John (1996). The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995. Norwich: Michael Russell. p. 394. {{ISBN|978-0859551786}}.

{{Commons}}

• {{IMDb name|id=0000288|name=Christian Bale}}
• {{NYTtopic|people/b/christian_bale}}

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|title = Awards for Christian Bale

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{{Academy Award Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actor}}

{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor in a Comedy}}

{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor}}

{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Empire Award for Best Actor}}

{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Golden Globe Award Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy}}

{{GoldenGlobeBestSuppActorMotionPicture 2001-2020}}

{{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor}}

{{Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actor of the Year}}

{{MTV Movie Award for Best Hero}}

{{National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Satellite Award Best Actor Motion Picture}}

{{Satellite Award Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture}}

{{Saturn Award for Best Actor}}

{{ScreenActorsGuildAward MaleSupportMotionPicture 2001-2020}}

{{St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor}}

{{Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film}}

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Category:1974 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century English male actors

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:21st-century English male actors

Category:Actors from Haverfordwest

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male video game actors

Category:American male voice actors

Category:Best Musical or Comedy Actor Golden Globe (film) winners

Category:Best Supporting Actor Academy Award winners

Category:Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (film) winners

Category:English emigrants to the United States

Category:English expatriates in Portugal

Category:English film producers

Category:English male child actors

Category:English male film actors

Category:English male video game actors

Category:English male voice actors

Category:Film producers from Los Angeles

Category:Male actors from Bournemouth

Category:Male actors from Los Angeles

Category:Male actors from Pembrokeshire

Category:Male actors from Surrey

Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States

Category:Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Category:Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Screen Actors Guild Award winners

Category:People educated at Bournemouth School