Bale Surprisngly Picked Hayao Miyazaki's 2004 Oscar-Nominated Studio Ghibli Classic over the Dark Knight Trilogy

Christian Bale is right to call his under-appreciated animated epic a masterpiece

For Studio Ghibli fans, Howl’s Moving Castle stands as one of the studio’s most beloved works. Yet, outside that circle, it’s often overshadowed by Spirited Away or Princess Mononoke— especially in the U.S., where the latter helped introduce Ghibli to mainstream audiences. But actor Christian Bale knows quality when he sees it (or is a part of it), calling Howl’s Moving Castle nothing short of a masterpiece.

Bale surprisngly picked Hayao Miyazaki's 2004 Oscar-nominated Studio Ghibli classic over the Dark Knight trilogy

Christian Bale reveals which film of his he considers a ‘masterpiece’ worth showing his children

Forget The Dark Knight, Christian Bale’s Favorite “Masterpiece” Is Way Better Than Batman

During the mid-2000s and early 2010s, Christian Bale starred in what has arguably become the most popular superhero movie trilogy in history. The Dark Knight films, more than two decades on from the premiere of Batman Begins, are widely regarded as a monumental moment in pop culture history, and are revered for their gritty, dark aesthetic.

Christian Bale Calls This Hayao Miyazaki Movie “A Masterpiece” That He Wants to Show His Kids

While Christian Bale is often known for playing the DC hero, Batman, and many other serious roles like American Psycho and The Machinist, he shared that one movie that holds a special place in his heart. It’s the 2004 Hayao Miyazaki movie, Howl’s Moving Castle, where he voiced the role of the titular character, Howl.  When asked by an Instagram channel to pick one of his films that he would show his kids, Bale picked this 2004 Hayao Miyazaki cla…