The Dark Knight (2008)
Nolan's follow-up to Batman Begins broadened its scope to encompass all of Gotham City, replacing the intimate character drama of the first film with a sprawling urban crime story. It meant Bale had less to play with performance-wise, but his balance of Bruce Wayne's multiple guises – the billionaire playboy, the growly caped crusader, the damaged young man – remained flawless.