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Christian Bale as Batman Through the Years: Photos of the Actor as the Caped Crusader

By:
January 30, 2024 10:27AM EST
Christian Bale
Shutterstock

For many millennials, Christian Bale IS their Batman. See photos from his run as the Caped Crusader here.

There have been many Batmans through the years, and while we love George Clooney and Michael Keaton, Christian Bale is most millennials’ favorite Bruce Wayne. The UK-born actor started his run as the caped crusader in Christopher Nolan’s 2005 movie Batman Begins. Mr. Bale would go on to reprise the role in 2008’s The Dark Knight and once more with The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.

Christian told The Washington Post that people were initially skeptical of him taking on the comic book hero. ‘I would [tell people] we’re going to sort of do Batman but take him seriously. I had tons of people laugh at me and just say, ‘Well that’s just not going to work at all. So, it’s wonderful to be a part of a trilogy that proved those people wrong. I’m not certain if it kick-started [the MCU] but it certainly helped along the way.’

Ready for more of Christian Bale’s best Batman moments? Scroll through the gallery for them all!

1 of 17

Bruce Wayne Battles

Bruce Wayne Battles
Everett Collection

Christian Bale gets into the fighting pit in a scene from 2005’s Batman Begins. He was shirtless and his hands were wrapped in bandages.

July 6, 2022, 12:40PM
2 of 17

Batman Begins

Batman Begins
Everett Collection

Christian Bale was the perfect person to play Bruce Wayne. Other Batman actors in the past have included Michael Keaton, George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Robert Pattinson, and Ben Affleck.

July 6, 2022, 12:40PM
3 of 17

Bruce Wayne & a Luxury Car

Bruce Wayne & a Luxury Car
Everett Collection

Christian Bale stands in front of a fancy car in a scene from Batman Begins. In the first installment of The Dark Knight trilogy served as an origin story for the wealthy orphan-turned-crimefighter.

July 6, 2022, 12:41PM
4 of 17

Batman Watches

Batman Watches
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Christian Bale watches over Gotham while in Batman garb. His cape was long and flowing.

July 6, 2022, 1:09PM
5 of 17

Katie Holmes & Christian Bale

Katie Holmes & Christian Bale
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Love interest! Katie Holmes played Bruce Wayne’s girlfriend Rachel Dawes in the 2005 movie. Maggie Gyllenhaal would pick up the role in the sequel, 2008’s The Dark Knight.

July 6, 2022, 1:10PM
6 of 17

Batman & The Police

Batman & The Police
Everett Collection

Batman looks strong as he stands on top of a cop car in a scene from The Dark Knight. The cops and the vigilante crime-fighter have a complicated relationship throughout the films.

July 6, 2022, 12:57PM
7 of 17

Heath Ledger as The Joker

Heath Ledger as The Joker
Everett Collection

Smile! Heath Ledger played The Joker in The Dark Knight. Sadly, he was unable to reprise the role after his untimely death in Jan. 2008.

July 6, 2022, 12:59PM
8 of 17

Batman Rides

Batman Rides
Everett Collection

Batman zips around in a futuristic motorbike in a scene from The Dark Knight. The chase sequence is one of the movie’s most exhilarating scenes.

July 6, 2022, 1:01PM
9 of 17

Bruce Vs. Batman

Bruce Vs. Batman
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Christian Bale thinks while looking at his bat-suit in 2008’s The Dark Knight. In much of the films, he has to contend with what it means to lead a double life.

July 6, 2022, 1:20PM
10 of 17

Bruce Wayne Watches

Bruce Wayne Watches
Everett Collection

Christian Bale stands to the side during a Gotham PD press conference in The Dark Knight. He looked dapper in a pinstriped suit while cameras flashed around him.

July 6, 2022, 12:58PM
11 of 17

Batman Chases Villians

Batman Chases Villians
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Christian Bale’s Batman doesn’t hold back in this scene from The Dark Knight. He broke straight through a glass door to get to the bad guys.

July 6, 2022, 1:20PM
12 of 17

Bruce Wayne Checks Out His Suit

Bruce Wayne Checks Out His Suit
Everett Collection

Christian Bale looks at his high-tech Batman in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. His outfit got more and more advanced over time.

July 6, 2022, 12:43PM
13 of 17

‘The Dark Knight Rises’

‘The Dark Knight Rises’
Everett Collection

Christian Bale had grown into a very serious Batman by the time of 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises. The blockbuster made $1.08 billion. Sounds like the $200 million production budget was a well-spent investment.

July 6, 2022, 12:43PM
14 of 17

Batman & Bane

Batman & Bane
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Tom Hardy played the villainous Bane in 2012 The Dark Knight Rises. The super-strong character got a boost from a tube connecting his body to a chemical tank full of a performance-enhancing substance.

July 6, 2022, 1:13PM
15 of 17

Michael Caine as Alfred

Michael Caine as Alfred
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett C

Michael Caine played beloved butler Alfred Pennyworth in the Dark Knight trilogy, seen here in 2012. He took close care of Bruce after the death of his parents and is a father figure of sorts.

July 6, 2022, 1:13PM
16 of 17

Anne Hathaway as Catwoman

Anne Hathaway as Catwoman
Everett Collection

Purr-fection! Anne Hathaway dances with Christian Bale in a scene from The Dark Knight Rises. She played cat burglar Selina Kyle AKA Catwoman.

July 6, 2022, 12:45PM
17 of 17

Batman Looks On

Batman Looks On
Everett Collection

Christian Bale is covered in light in a rooftop scene from The Dark Knight Rises. He was disguised for a meeting with Gotham PD Lieutenant James Gordon.

July 6, 2022, 12:54PM