View source for Christian Bale

{{short description|English actor (born 1974)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{Featured article}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Christian Bale
| image              = Christian Bale in 2022.jpg
| caption            = Bale in 2022
| alt                = A headshot of Bale speaking to a microphone in 2022
| birth_name         = Christian Charles Philip Bale
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1974|1|30}}
| birth_place        = [[Haverfordwest]], Pembrokeshire, Wales
| citizenship        = {{ublist|[[British nationality law|United Kingdom]]|[[United States nationality law|United States]]}}
| occupation         = Actor
| years_active       = 1986–present
| works              = [[Christian Bale filmography|Full list]]
| spouse             = {{marriage|Sibi Blažić|29 January 2000}}
| children           = 2
| father             = [[David Bale]]
| relatives          = [[Gloria Steinem]] (stepmother)
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Christian Bale|Full list]]
| signature          = Christian Bale Signature.svg
}}
'''Christian Charles Philip Bale''' (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor.{{efn| Bale has said: "I was born in Wales but I'm not Welsh—I'm English".<ref name="bale-is-english" />}}<!--Please do not change to Welsh; see the talk page archives for more information.-->  Known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles, he has been a [[leading man]] in films of several genres. [[List of awards and nominations received by Christian Bale|His accolades]] include an [[Academy Award]] and two [[Golden Globe Awards]], in addition to four [[British Academy Film Awards]] nominations. He was one of the [[List of highest-paid film actors|highest-paid actors]] in 2014, and ''[[The Independent]]'' later named him one of the greatest actors of the 21st century.

Born in Wales to English parents, Bale had his [[breakthrough role]] at age 13 in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s 1987 war film ''[[Empire of the Sun (film)|Empire of the Sun]]''. After more than a decade of leading and supporting roles in films, he gained wider recognition for his portrayals of the serial killer [[Patrick Bateman]] in the black comedy ''[[American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]]'' (2000) and the title role in the thriller ''[[The Machinist]]'' (2004). He played the superhero [[Bruce Wayne (Dark Knight trilogy)|Batman]] in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s [[The Dark Knight Trilogy|''The Dark Knight'' trilogy]] (2005–2012), one of the highest-grossing film franchises.

Outside his work as Batman, Bale had starring roles in a range of films. For his portrayal of the boxer [[Dicky Eklund]] in [[David O. Russell]]'s biographical film ''[[The Fighter]]'' (2010), he won the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]. Further Academy Award nominations came for his work in Russell's black comedy ''[[American Hustle]]'' (2013) and [[Adam McKay]]'s biographical satires ''[[The Big Short (film)|The Big Short]]'' (2015) and ''[[Vice (2018 film)|Vice]]'' (2018). For portraying the American vice president [[Dick Cheney]] in the latter, he won a second Golden Globe. Bale has since played [[Ken Miles]] in the sports drama ''[[Ford v Ferrari]]'' (2019) and [[Gorr the God Butcher]] in the superhero film ''[[Thor: Love and Thunder]]'' (2022).

==Early life and education ==
Christian Charles Philip Bale<ref name="fullname">{{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=[[New York (magazine)|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}}</ref> was born on 30&nbsp;January 1974 in [[Haverfordwest]], [[Pembrokeshire]], Wales, to English parents—Jenny James, a circus performer, and [[David Bale]], an entrepreneur and activist.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="family">{{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}}</ref> Bale has remarked, "I was born in Wales but I'm not Welsh—I'm English".<ref name="bale-is-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| quote=Born in Haverfordwest, Wales, but raised in England, Bale has said in the past: "I was born in Wales but I'm not Welsh – I'm English".}}</ref> He has two elder sisters, Sharon and Louise, and a half-sister from his father's first marriage, Erin.<ref name="family"/> One of his grandfathers was a comedian while the other was a stand-in for [[John Wayne]].<ref name="intensity">{{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}}</ref> Bale and his family left Wales when he was two years old,<ref name="abcnews">{{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 (United States)|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}}</ref> and after living in Portugal and [[Oxfordshire]], England, they settled in [[Bournemouth]], England.<ref name="darkallegation">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="abcnews"/><ref name="private">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 

He attended [[Bournemouth School]] until the age of 16.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://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}}</ref><ref name="plays">{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> Bale's parents divorced in 1991, and at age 17, he moved with his sister Louise and their father to [[Los Angeles]], United States.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Bale trained in [[ballet]] as a child.<ref>{{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}}</ref> His first acting role came at eight years old in a commercial for the fabric softener [[Lenor]].<ref name="first">{{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}}</ref> He also appeared in a ''[[Pac-Man]]'' cereal commercial.<ref>{{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}}</ref> After his sister was cast in a [[West End theatre|West End]] musical, Bale considered taking up acting professionally.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="thr">{{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}}</ref> After participating in school plays, Bale performed opposite [[Rowan Atkinson]] in the play ''[[The Nerd (play)|The Nerd]]'' in the West End in 1984.<ref name="plays"/><ref name="first"/> He did not undergo any formal acting training.<ref name="plays"/>

==Career==
===Early roles and breakthrough (1986–1999)===
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 the director [[Steven Spielberg]], subsequently recommended Bale for Spielberg's 1987 film ''[[Empire of the Sun (film)|Empire of the Sun]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> At age 13, Bale was chosen from over 4,000 actors to portray a British boy in a [[Second World War]] Japanese internment camp.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> For the film, he spoke with an upper-class cadence without the help of a dialogue coach.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The role propelled Bale to fame,<ref name="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}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="bbc wales">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/christian-bale/|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}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The fame from ''Empire of the Sun'' led to Bale being bullied in school and finding the pressures of working as an actor unbearable.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="fame"/> Around this time, the actor and filmmaker [[Kenneth Branagh]] persuaded Bale to appear in his film ''[[Henry V (1989 film)|Henry V]]'' in 1989, which drew him back into acting.<ref name="bbc wales"/> The following year, Bale played [[Jim Hawkins (character)|Jim Hawkins]] opposite [[Charlton Heston]] as [[Long John Silver]] in ''[[Treasure Island (1990 film)|Treasure Island]]'', a television film adaptation of [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]'s [[Treasure Island|1883 novel]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Bale starred in the 1992 [[Disney]] musical film ''[[Newsies]]'', which was unsuccessful both at the box office and with critics.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Rebecca Milzoff of ''[[New York (magazine)|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.<ref>{{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=[[New York (magazine)|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}}</ref> In 1993 he appeared in ''[[Swing Kids (1993 film)|Swing Kids]]'', a film about teenagers who secretly listen to forbidden [[jazz]] during the rise of [[Nazi Germany]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> In [[Gillian Armstrong]]'s 1994 film ''[[Little Women (1994 film)|Little Women]]'', Bale played [[Theodore "Laurie" Laurence]] following a recommendation from [[Winona Ryder]], who starred as [[Jo March]].<ref name="bbc wales"/> The film achieved critical and commercial success.<ref name="laurie">{{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}}</ref> Of Bale's performance, Ryder said he captured the complex nature of the role.<ref name="laurie"/> He next voiced Thomas, a young compatriot of Captain [[John Smith (explorer)|John Smith]], in the 1995 Disney animated film ''[[Pocahontas (1995 film)|Pocahontas]]'', which attracted a mixed critical reception.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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.}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale played a small part in the 1996 film ''[[The Portrait of a Lady (film)|The Portrait of a Lady]]'', based on the [[Henry James]] [[The Portrait of a Lady|novel of the same name]],<ref name="every">{{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=[[New York (magazine)|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}}</ref> and appeared in the 1998 musical film ''[[Velvet Goldmine]]'', set in the 1970s during the [[glam rock]] era.<ref name="masked">{{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}}</ref> In 1999 he was part of an [[ensemble cast]], which included [[Kevin Kline]] and [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], portraying [[Demetrius (A Midsummer Night's Dream)|Demetrius]] in ''[[A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999 film)|A Midsummer Night's Dream]]'', a film adaptation of [[A Midsummer Night's Dream|the play]] by [[William Shakespeare]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Rise to prominence and commercial decline (2000–2004)===
Bale played [[Patrick Bateman]], an investment banker and serial killer, in ''[[American Psycho (film)|American Psycho]]'', a film adaptation of [[Bret Easton Ellis]]'s [[American Psycho|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 Films|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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="teeth">{{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}}</ref> ''American Psycho'' premiered at the 2000 [[Sundance Film Festival]]. Harron said the film critic [[Roger Ebert]] named it the most hated film at the event.<ref name="Kaufman">{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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}}</ref> The film was released in April 2000, becoming a commercial and critical success and later developing a [[cult following]];<ref name="psycho">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> the role established Bale as a [[leading man]].<ref name="first"/><ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref>

In the four years that followed ''American Psycho'', Bale's career experienced critical and commercial failure.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He next played a villainous real estate heir in [[John Singleton]]'s action film ''[[Shaft (2000 film)|Shaft]]'' and appeared in [[John Madden (director)|John Madden]]'s [[Captain Corelli's Mandolin (film)|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]].<ref name="every"/> Bale said he found it refreshing to play Mandras, who is emotionally humane, after working on ''American Psycho'' and ''Shaft''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fuller|first1=Graham|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-christian-bale|title=New Again: Christian Bale|work=[[Interview (magazine)|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}}</ref> In 2002, he appeared in three films: ''[[Laurel Canyon (film)|Laurel Canyon]]'', ''[[Reign of Fire (film)|Reign of Fire]]'' and ''[[Equilibrium (film)|Equilibrium]]''.<ref name="bbc wales"/> Reviewing ''Laurel Canyon'' for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', [[Lisa Schwarzbaum]] called Bale's performance "fussy".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 (filmmaker)|Rob Bowman]] as a reason for his involvement.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="Chavel">{{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}}</ref> In ''Equilibrium'', he plays a police officer in a futuristic society and performs [[gun kata]], a fictional martial art that incorporates gunfighting.<ref name="every"/><ref>{{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 (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}}</ref><ref>{{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=[[New York (magazine)|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}}</ref> ''[[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".<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="realistic">{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref name="machinist">{{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}}</ref> His weight loss prompted comparisons with [[Robert De Niro]]'s weight gain in preparation to play [[Jake LaMotta]] in the 1980 film ''[[Raging Bull]]''.<ref>{{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 (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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Movieweb">{{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}}</ref><ref name="stephenwales">{{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/christian-bale/pages/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 }}</ref> ''The Machinist'' was released in October 2004; it performed poorly at the box office.<ref name="machinist"/> Roger Moore of the ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' regarded it as one of the best films of the year, and [[Todd McCarthy]] of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote that Bale's "haunted, aggressive and finally wrenching performance" gave it a "strong anchor".<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref>

===Batman and dramatic roles (2005–2008)===
[[File:Christian Bale - 002.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A headshot of Bale from 2008|Bale at the Spanish premiere of ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' in 2008]]
Bale portrayed [[Bruce Wayne (Dark Knight trilogy)|Bruce Wayne]] and his superhero alias, [[Batman]], in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s ''[[Batman Begins]]'', a [[reboot (continuity)|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.<ref name="greenberg20050508">{{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 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://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}}</ref> For the part, Bale regained the weight he lost for ''The Machinist'' and built muscle, weighing {{convert|220|lb|kg}}.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> He trained in weapons, [[Wing Chun Kung Fu]] and the [[Keysi Fighting Method]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="realistic"/> Bale voiced Wayne and Batman differently. He employed gravelly tone qualities for Batman, which Nolan believed reinforced the character's visual appearance.<ref>{{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 (website)|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}}</ref> ''Batman Begins'' was released in the US in June 2005.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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)."<ref name="every"/> The performance earned Bale the [[MTV Movie Award for Best Hero]].<ref>{{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}}</ref>

In the same year, Bale voiced the titular [[Wizard Howl|Howl]], a wizard, in the English-language [[dubbing (filmmaking)|dub]] of [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s ''[[Howl's Moving Castle (film)|Howl's Moving Castle]]'', a Japanese animated film adaptation of [[Diana Wynne Jones]]'s [[Howl's Moving Castle (novel)|novel of the same name]].<ref>{{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}}</ref> He committed himself to voice the role after watching Miyazaki's animated film ''[[Spirited Away]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 (film)|Harsh Times]]'', which premiered at the [[Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref name="every"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> He portrayed the colonist [[John Rolfe]] in ''[[The New World (2005 film)|The New World]]'', a [[historical drama]] film inspired by the stories of [[Pocahontas]], directed by [[Terrence Malick]]. The film was released in December 2005.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The following year saw the premiere of ''[[Rescue Dawn]]'', by the German filmmaker [[Werner Herzog]], in which Bale portrayed the American fighter pilot [[Dieter Dengler]], who fights for his life after being shot down while on a mission during the [[Vietnam War]].<ref name="every"/> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''[[The Austin Chronicle]]''{{'}}s Marjorie Baumgarten viewed Bale's work as a continuance of his "masterful command of yet another American personality type."<ref>{{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}}</ref>

For the 2006 film ''[[The Prestige (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 Prestige|the 1995 novel]] by [[Christopher Priest (novelist)|Christopher Priest]] about a rivalry between two [[Victorian era]] magicians, whom Bale and [[Hugh Jackman]] play in the film.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> While it attracted acclaim from critics, the film performed more modestly during its run in theatres, earning $110&nbsp;million against a $40&nbsp;million budget.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> In his review for ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[A. O. Scott]] highlighted Bale's "fierce inwardness" and called his performance "something to savor".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 (2007 film)|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".<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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&nbsp;billion worldwide upon its July 2008 release.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> He did many of his own stunts, including one that involved standing on the roof of the [[Sears Tower]] in Chicago.<ref>{{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 (American TV program)|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}}</ref> ''The Dark Knight'' has been regarded by critics as the best [[superhero film]].<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (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}}</ref>

===The ''Dark Knight'' trilogy completion and acclaim (2009–2012)===
In February 2008, [[Warner Bros. Pictures|Warner Bros.]] announced that Bale would star as the rebellion leader [[John Connor]] in the post-apocalyptic action film ''[[Terminator Salvation]]'',<ref>{{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]]}}</ref> directed by [[McG]], who cited Bale as "the most credible actor of his generation".<ref name="temper">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="today">{{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 (American TV program)|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}}</ref><ref name="in_tirade">{{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}}</ref> Several colleagues in the film industry defended Bale, attributing the incident to his dedication to acting.<ref name="today"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="kroq">{{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}}</ref><ref name="bbcnews20090206">{{cite news|title=Actor Bale speaks out over rant|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=6 February 2009|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/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}}</ref> ''Terminator Salvation'' was released in May 2009 to tepid reviews.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="salvation">{{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}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale later admitted he knew during production that the film would not revitalise the [[Terminator (franchise)|''Terminator'' franchise]] as he had wished.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He asserted he would not work with McG again.<ref name="salvation"/>

[[File:Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo and Colin Firth 2011 crop.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|alt=Photograph of Bale alongside Natalie Portman, Melissa Leo and Colin Firth and their respective Academy Awards|Bale (far left) at the [[83rd Academy Awards]] in 2011, where he won the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]]]]
Bale portrayed the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] agent [[Melvin Purvis]] opposite [[Johnny Depp]] as the gangster [[John Dillinger]] in [[Michael Mann]]'s crime drama ''[[Public Enemies (2009 film)|Public Enemies]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Released in July 2009,<ref>{{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}}</ref> it earned critical praise and had a commercially successful theatrical run.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 humour 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale won the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture]] for his performance.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref name="screendaily">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="highest">{{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}}</ref> Critics described it as "nationalistic", "anti-Japanese" and "too long, too melodramatic, too lightweight".<ref name="highest"/><ref>{{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}}</ref>

Bale played Batman again under Nolan's direction in the sequel ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'', released in July 2012.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> 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''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Following [[2012 Aurora theater shooting|a mass shooting]] at a midnight showing of the film in [[Aurora, Colorado]], US, Bale and his wife visited survivors, doctors and first responders at [[the Medical Center of Aurora]] as well as a memorial to victims.<ref name="Denver Post">{{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}}</ref> ''The Dark Knight Rises'' was the 11th film to gross more than $1&nbsp;billion worldwide, surpassing ''The Dark Knight''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Nolan's Batman film series, dubbed the [[The Dark Knight Trilogy|''Dark Knight'' trilogy]], is one of the highest-grossing film franchises.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> It is also regarded as one of the best comic book film franchises.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale's performance in the three films garnered universal acclaim,<ref name="first"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>
*{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

===Continued critical success (2013–2019)===
In 2013 Bale played a steel mill worker in [[Scott Cooper (director)|Scott Cooper]]'s thriller ''[[Out of the Furnace]]''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="plays"/> Critics commended the film and deemed it an excellent beginning of the next phase in Bale's career after playing Batman,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> with Kristopher Tapley of ''Variety'' noting his work in the film was his best.<ref name="variety">{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> That same year, he starred in ''[[American Hustle]]'', which reunited him with David O. Russell after their work on ''The Fighter''.<ref name="David O. Russell Project">{{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}}</ref> To play the con artist Irving Rosenfeld, Bale studied footage of interviews with the real-world con artist [[Mel Weinberg]], who served as inspiration for the character.<ref name="plays"/> 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]].<ref name="vicetransformation">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> Russell indicated that Robert De Niro, who appeared in an uncredited role, did not recognise Bale when they were first introduced.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Writing for the ''[[New York Daily News]]'', Joe Neumaier found Bale's performance to be "sad, funny and riveting".<ref>{{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}}</ref> He was nominated for an [[Academy Award]] and a [[Golden Globe Award]] for his work.<ref name="screendaily"/><ref>{{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}}</ref>

Bale portrayed [[Moses]] in [[Ridley Scott]]'s epic film ''[[Exodus: Gods and Kings]]''. Released in December 2014, the film faced accusations of [[Whitewashing in film|whitewashing]] for the casting of Caucasian actors in [[Ethnic groups in the Middle East|Middle Eastern]] roles. Scott justified casting decisions citing financing needs, Bale stating that Scott had been forthright in getting the film made.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Its critical response varied between negative and mixed,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and the ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]''{{'}}s Joe Williams called Bale's performance in the film the most apathetic of his career.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale appeared in Terrence Malick's drama ''[[Knight of Cups (film)|Knight of Cups]]'', which ''[[The Atlantic]]'' critic David Sims dubbed a "noble failure".<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Later that year, he starred as [[Michael Burry]], an antisocial hedge fund manager, in [[Adam McKay]]'s ''[[The Big Short (film)|The Big Short]]'', a biographical comedy-drama film about the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref name="every"/> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''{{'}}s [[Joe Morgenstern]] found his portrayal "scarily hilarious—or in one-liners and quick takes, deftly edited".<ref>{{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}}</ref> The role earned Bale Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref>

In the 2016 historical drama ''[[The Promise (2016 American film)|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]].<ref name="every"/> Critics disapproved of the film, which accrued a $102&nbsp;million loss.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Reviewing the film for ''The New York Times'', Jeannette Catsoulis wrote that Bale appeared "muffled and indistinct".<ref>{{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}}</ref> About the film, Bale says, “It’s got to be a larger conversation because it has to be relevant today… often the violators get away with impunity. But it’s such an important part of modern history, so tragic, so barbaric.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Paula |date=2017-04-24 |title=Accessing the Armenian Genocide: Christian Bale on Tapping Into Historical Suffering For The Promise - MovieMaker Magazine |url=https://www.moviemaker.com/christian-bale-the-promise-armenian-genocide/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=www.moviemaker.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crow |first=David |date=2017-04-21 |title=Christian Bale on the Timeless Tragedy of The Promise |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/culture/christian-bale-on-the-timeless-tragedy-of-the-promise/ |access-date=2025-08-11 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> In Cooper's 2017 film ''[[Hostiles (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".<ref name="first"/><ref name="Cheyenne">{{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}}</ref> Bale learned the [[Cheyenne language]] while working on the film.<ref name="Cheyenne"/> ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' critic Dan Jolin considered his performance striking and one of the strongest of his career.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Jolin|first1=Dan|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/hostiles-review/|title=Hostiles Review|work=[[Empire (magazine)|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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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}}</ref>

[[File:TIFF 2019 christian bale (48711707823).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Photograph of Bale surrounded by fans in 2019|Bale at the [[2019 Toronto International Film Festival]]]]
For the 2018 biographical comedy drama ''[[Vice (2018 film)|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]].<ref name="vicetransformation"/> He described Cheney, who is reckoned the most influential and loathed vice president in US history, as "quiet and secretive".<ref name="citizenship">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> The film reunited Bale with [[Amy Adams]], with whom he had co-starred in ''The Fighter'' and ''American Hustle''.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> It received positive reviews, and ''The Guardian''{{'}}s [[Peter Bradshaw]] commended Bale's "terrifically and in fact rather scarily plausible" Cheney impersonation.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="WaPoVice">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (newspaper)|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}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{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 (newspaper)|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}}</ref>

Bale portrayed the 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.<ref name="done">{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> Directed by [[James Mangold]], the film follows Miles and the automotive designer [[Carroll Shelby]], played by [[Matt Damon]], in events surrounding the [[1966 24 Hours of Le Mans]] race.<ref>{{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}}</ref> The role earned Bale a fifth Golden Globe Award nomination.<ref name="fifth">{{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}}</ref> While promoting the film, he said he would no longer go through weight fluctuations for roles.<ref name="done"/>

===Limited work (2020–present)===
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 (song)|Come to Daddy]]" as an inspiration for his characterization of Gorr.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale's portrayal drew praise from critics, who deemed it "grounded and non-campy".<ref>{{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}}</ref> He produced and appeared in David O. Russell's period film ''[[Amsterdam (2022 film)|Amsterdam]]'' and Scott Cooper's thriller ''[[The Pale Blue Eye]]'',<ref name="producer">{{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}}</ref> reuniting with both directors for the third time.<ref name="third">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> ''Amsterdam'' was released in October 2022, receiving dire reviews and failing at the box office.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> ''The Pale Blue Eye'', adapted from [[The Pale Blue Eye (novel)|the 2006 novel]] by [[Louis Bayard]], was released in December 2022, receiving mixed reviews from critics.<ref name="producer"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Bale will next play [[Frankenstein's monster]] in [[Maggie Gyllenhaal]]'s fantasy period film ''[[The Bride!]]''. It is scheduled for release on 6 March 2026.<ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> He will also portray the football coach and the [[Las Vegas Raiders]] owner [[Al Davis]] in the [[John Madden]] biopic ''[[Madden (film)|Madden]]'', working with Russell for the fourth time.<ref>{{Cite news |title=John Mulaney, Kathryn Hahn, & Sienna Miller Join David O. Russell's ''Madden'': The Dish |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2025-04-16 |url=https://deadline.com/2025/04/john-mulaney-kathryn-hahn-sienna-miller-madden-1236370063 |access-date=2025-07-26 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |last2=Fleming Jr. |first2=Mike |quote=They join [[Nicolas Cage]], who will portray the iconic sports figure; and Christian Bale, who will play the late [[Las Vegas Raiders]] owner [[Al Davis]].}}</ref>
<!--Bale is expected to produce and play a preacher in the film ''The Church of Living Dangerously''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/christian-bale-the-church-of-living-dangerously-charles-randolph-new-regency-drug-dealing-preacher-john-lee-bishop-movie-deal-1234820186/|title=New Regency Acquires 'The Church Of Living Dangerously' For Christian Bale To Play Preacher On Hellish Drug Smuggling Road; Charles Randolph Scripting|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=23 August 2021|access-date=25 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225063311/https://deadline.com/2021/08/christian-bale-the-church-of-living-dangerously-charles-randolph-new-regency-drug-dealing-preacher-john-lee-bishop-movie-deal-1234820186/|archive-date=25 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>-->

==Artistry and public image==
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",<ref name="intensity"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> with ''The Washington Post''{{'}}s [[Ann Hornaday]] rating him among the most physically gifted actors of his generation.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref name="vicetransformation"/> Bale has said that he does not practise method acting and that he does not use a particular technique.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He named [[Rowan Atkinson]] as his template as an actor and added that he was mesmerised by him when they worked together.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He also studied the work of [[Gary Oldman]], crediting him as the reason for his pursuit of acting.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

Bale has been recognised for his versatility;<ref name="teeth"/><ref name="variety"/> Martha Ross of ''[[The Mercury News]]'' named him one of his generation's most versatile actors.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Known to be very private about his personal life,<ref name="private"/> Bale has said that his objective was to embody characters without showing any aspect of himself.<ref>{{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=[[New York (magazine)|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}}</ref> 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".<ref name="thr"/> During interviews to promote films in which he puts on an accent, Bale would continue speaking in the given accent.<ref name="spy">{{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}}</ref> 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";<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> in real life, Bale speaks in an "emphatic, non-posh" English accent.<ref name="first"/>

Bale is often described as a [[sex symbol]].<ref name="masked"/><ref>{{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}}</ref> He was ranked at number eight on ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine's list of the [[List of highest-paid film actors|highest-paid actors]] of 2014, earning $35&nbsp;million.<ref>{{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}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' named Bale one of the greatest film actors of the 21st century in 2025.<ref name="e305">{{cite web | title=The 60 greatest film actors of the 21st century (so far) | website=[[The Independent]] | date=1 January 2025 | url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/features/best-actors-list-21st-century-b2672366.html | access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Christian Bale and Sibi Blažić Berlinale 2019.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|alt=Photograph of Bale and his wife, Sibi Blažić|Bale and his wife, Sibi Blažić, at the [[69th Berlin International Film Festival]] in 2019]]
Bale has lived in Los Angeles since the 1990s.<ref name="first"/> He holds US citizenship.<ref name="citizenship"/><ref>{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref> Bale married Sandra "Sibi" Blažić, an American former model of [[Serbs|Serbian]] descent, in Las Vegas on 29&nbsp;January 2000.<ref name="spy"/><ref name="personal">{{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 (magazine)|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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> They have a daughter and a son.<ref name="personal"/> In 2000 Bale became the feminist [[Gloria Steinem]]'s stepson following her marriage to his father, who died in 2003 of [[Primary central nervous system lymphoma|brain lymphoma]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

On 22&nbsp;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.<ref name="darkallegation"/> He was released on [[bail]].<ref name="darkallegation"/> Bale denied the allegations and later called the incident "a deeply personal matter".<ref name="masked"/> On 14&nbsp;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".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/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}}</ref>

Bale became a vegetarian at seven years old but in 2009 said he was "in and out of the vegetarianism now".<ref>{{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}}</ref> He had stopped eating [[red meat]] after reading the children's book ''[[Charlotte's Web]]''.<ref name="spy"/> 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]].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="CNN1512">{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> Bale voiced Chen's story in [[Amnesty International]]'s podcast, ''In Their Own Words''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 

Bale is the co-founder of Together California, an organization working to build a foster care village in [[Palmdale, California]], US.<ref name="THR-Foster">{{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}}</ref> The project, which Bale has pursued for 16 years, aims to keep siblings in [[foster care]] together. He co-founded the organisation with Eric Esrailian, a physician, and Tim McCormick, a foster care expert.<ref name="THR-Foster"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Tracy|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-bales-on-a-mission-to-keep-foster-siblings-together-for-him-its-the-role-of-a-lifetime/|title=Christian Bale's on a mission to keep foster siblings together: "For him, it's the role of a lifetime"|work=[[CBS News]]|date=18 May 2025|access-date=20 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250928005835/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christian-bales-on-a-mission-to-keep-foster-siblings-together-for-him-its-the-role-of-a-lifetime/|archive-date=28 September 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> After a groundbreaking ceremony on 7 February 2024, construction began on the $22 million village, which will include 12 homes, a 7,000-square-foot community centre, and two studio flats for youth transitioning out of the foster system. The first homes are expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026.<ref name="THR-Foster"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Farberov|first1=Snejana|url=https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/christian-bale-together-california-village-foster-siblings-los-angeles/|title=Christian Bale Is Set To Open a Village in L.A. To House Foster Siblings Together|work=Realtor.com|date=5 August 2025|access-date=20 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920044558/https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/christian-bale-together-california-village-foster-siblings-los-angeles/|archive-date=20 September 2025|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McLean|first1=Tessa|url=https://www.sfgate.com/california/article/christian-bale-building-housing-complex-california-20789971.php|title=After 17 years, Christian Bale's California housing village is close to opening|work=[[SFGate]]|date=29 July 2025|access-date=20 October 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251016024103/https://www.sfgate.com/california/article/christian-bale-building-housing-complex-california-20789971.php|archive-date=16 October 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Acting credits and accolades==
{{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 (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).<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 (website)|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}}</ref>

Bale has garnered four Academy Award nominations, including two in the [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] category for his work in ''American Hustle'' and ''Vice'' (2018) as well as two in the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] category for his work in ''The Fighter'' and ''The Big Short''; he won one for ''The Fighter''.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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 [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama|Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama]] for his performance in ''Ford v Ferrari''.<ref name="screendaily"/><ref name="fifth"/> Bale has also been nominated for eight [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]],<ref>{{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}}</ref> winning in the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role]] category for ''The Fighter'' and the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture]] category as part of the ''American Hustle'' cast.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://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}}</ref>

==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Holmstrom, John (1996). ''The Moving Picture Boy: An International Encyclopaedia from 1895 to 1995''. [[Norwich]]: Michael Russell. p.&nbsp;394. {{ISBN|978-0859551786}}.

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0000288|name=Christian Bale}}
* {{NYTtopic|people/b/christian_bale}}

{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Christian Bale|Awards for Christian Bale]]
|list =
{{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]]