David Lynch’s Favorite Movies: What the Legendary Director Wanted You to Watch

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - January 17th 2025, 18:00 GMT+1

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In this list, we dive into the many times the legendary director *David Lynch* has mentioned his favorite directors and films, whether in interviews or documentaries. And while Lynch insisted he’s no “film buff,” you’ll find classics from the likes of Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kubrick, and Fellini.

Just a heads-up: this isn’t a ranked list; it’s organized chronologically. So, which one’s your favorite? (Don’t worry, we won’t judge – Lynch probably wouldn’t have, either.)

Cropped Its a Gift — It’s a Gift (1934)

W.C. Fields shines in this screwball comedy as Harold Bissonette, a grocer who dreams of escaping to California to own an orange grove. It’s a Gift is hilariously chaotic and deeply human, showing how far someone will go to chase a dream. Lynch, with his love for quirky characters and the awkward hilarity of small-town life, must have felt a kinship with this classic. Imagine Fields stumbling into Twin Peaks – he’d fit right in with the Log Lady and the rest of the gang. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped The Wizard of Oz — The Wizard of Oz (1939)

This Technicolor marvel whisks us away to the fantastical land of Oz, where Dorothy and her eclectic companions follow the yellow brick road in search of heart, courage, brains, and a ticket back home. Lynch's fascination with this film is well-documented; its blend of innocence and underlying darkness mirrors the dualities he often explores. The juxtaposition of the mundane Kansas and the surreal Oz can be seen echoed in Lynch's own contrasting worlds, making it a fitting cornerstone of his creative psyche. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Cropped Laura — Laura (1944)

In this noir classic, detective Mark McPherson becomes enamored with the portrait of the supposedly murdered Laura Hunt, only for her to turn up alive, unraveling a web of deception. The film's exploration of identity, obsession, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion resonate with Lynch's thematic preoccupations. The haunting score and atmospheric tension create a dreamlike quality that Lynch aficionados would find intriguingly familiar. | © 20th Century Fox

Cropped Sunset Boulevard — Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Billy Wilder's biting take on Hollywood's dark underbelly follows struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis as he becomes entangled with faded silent film star Norma Desmond. Lynch has often cited this film as a favorite, and it's easy to see why: its themes of delusion, decay, and the sinister side of the entertainment industry are threads woven throughout his own work. The film's opening with a dead man narrating his demise is a narrative twist Lynch himself might have conjured. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Monsieur Hulots Holiday — Monsieur Hulot's Holiday (1953)

Jacques Tati's comedic masterpiece introduces us to the bumbling yet endearing Monsieur Hulot as he stumbles through a seaside vacation, leaving a trail of gentle chaos. The film's meticulous attention to sound and visual gags, coupled with its observational humor, aligns with Lynch's appreciation for the quirks of human behavior and the absurdity lurking within the everyday. It's a silent symphony of mishaps that would likely tickle Lynch's fancy. | © DisCina

Cropped Rear Window — Rear Window (1954)

Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful tale traps us with photographer L.B. Jefferies, confined to his apartment with a broken leg, as he becomes obsessed with observing his neighbors, suspecting one of murder. The film's voyeuristic themes and the idea of uncovering darkness beneath the surface of normalcy are quintessentially Lynchian. The meticulous construction of suspense and the claustrophobic setting might have influenced Lynch's own narrative structures and atmospheric tension. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Vertigo — Vertigo (1958)

Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Vertigo takes us on a dizzying journey through obsession, identity, and deception. Detective Scottie Ferguson, plagued by acrophobia, becomes entangled in a complex web when he's hired to follow the enigmatic Madeleine Elster. The film's dreamlike sequences and exploration of dual identities resonate with Lynch's fascination for the surreal and the subconscious. The haunting imagery and the unraveling of reality in Vertigo mirror the disorienting narratives Lynch masterfully crafts, making it a fitting favorite. | © Paramount Pictures

Cropped Mon Oncle — Mon Oncle (1958)

Jacques Tati's comedic gem Mon Oncle introduces us to Monsieur Hulot, whose quaint, old-world charm clashes humorously with the modern, mechanized society around him. The film's satirical take on the absurdities of modern life and its meticulous visual comedy align with Lynch's appreciation for the quirks of human behavior and the surreal aspects of everyday existence. Tati's ability to find humor in the mundane and his critique of societal norms echo themes prevalent in Lynch's own body of work. | © Gaumont

Cropped The Apartment — The Apartment (1960)

Billy Wilder's The Apartment is a bittersweet tale of ambition, loneliness, and unexpected romance. C.C. Baxter, a lowly insurance clerk, lends his apartment to company executives for their extramarital affairs, leading to complications when he falls for elevator operator Fran Kubelik. The film's blend of dark humor and poignant drama, along with its focus on the complexities of human relationships, mirrors the tonal balance Lynch often strikes in his storytelling. The depiction of corporate cynicism and personal despair beneath a veneer of comedy is a narrative approach Lynch fans would find familiar. | © United Artists

Cropped La Dolce Vita — La Dolce Vita (1960)

Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita offers a sprawling exploration of Rome's high society through the eyes of journalist Marcello Rubini. Over seven days and nights, Marcello navigates a world of excess, searching for meaning in a life filled with superficial pleasures. The film's episodic structure and its commentary on the emptiness of fame and hedonism resonate with Lynch's own critiques of societal facades and the search for deeper truths. The iconic scene of Anita Ekberg in the Trevi Fountain embodies the blend of fantasy and reality that both Fellini and Lynch so adeptly portray. | © Riama Film

Cropped Lolita — Lolita (1962)

Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel, Lolita, delves into the obsessive and illicit relationship between professor Humbert Humbert and his teenage stepdaughter, Dolores Haze. The film's dark humor and exploration of taboo subjects reflect themes that Lynch often navigates in his own work, delving into the complexities of human desire and morality. Kubrick's ability to balance provocative content with stylistic elegance is a trait Lynch admirably mirrors in his cinematic endeavors. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Cropped 8½ — 8½ (1963)

Federico Fellini's 8½ offers a whimsical dive into the mind of Guido Anselmi, a film director grappling with creative block and personal turmoil. As Guido retreats to a spa, he navigates a labyrinth of memories, fantasies, and present realities, blurring the lines between each. This introspective journey mirrors Lynch's own penchant for exploring the subconscious and the fluidity of time and space in storytelling. The film's surreal narrative structure and self-referential nature resonate with Lynch's cinematic approach, making it a delightful parallel to his oeuvre. | © Cineriz

Cropped Persona — Persona (1966)

Ingmar Bergman's Persona delves into the intricate relationship between actress Elisabet Vogler, who has ceased speaking, and her nurse, Alma. As they isolate themselves on a remote island, their identities begin to merge, leading to a psychological exploration of self and other. The film's minimalist setting and intense character study echo Lynch's fascination with identity, duality, and the human psyche. Bergman's use of stark imagery and fragmented narrative can be seen as a precursor to Lynch's own experimental storytelling techniques. | © AB Svensk Filmindustri

Cropped 2001 A Space Odyssey — 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is a monumental exploration of human evolution, artificial intelligence, and the unknown realms of space. The film's deliberate pacing, enigmatic monoliths, and the HAL 9000's chilling malfunction create an atmosphere of mystery and existential pondering. Lynch's admiration for this film is evident in his own work's atmospheric tension and exploration of profound themes beyond the surface narrative. Both directors share a commitment to visual storytelling that challenges and expands the viewer's perception. | © Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Cropped Hour of the Wolf — Hour of the Wolf (1968)

In Hour of the Wolf, Ingmar Bergman presents a haunting tale of artist Johan Borg, who, while residing on a secluded island with his wife Alma, descends into madness, plagued by disturbing visions and memories. The film's exploration of the thin line between reality and hallucination mirrors Lynch's own cinematic explorations into the surreal and the subconscious. Bergman's atmospheric use of isolation and psychological horror resonates with Lynch's style, making this film a compelling companion to his body of work. | © Svensk Filmindustri

Cropped A Clockwork Orange — A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange thrusts us into a dystopian Britain where young delinquent Alex DeLarge revels in "ultra-violence" and Beethoven symphonies. When Alex is apprehended, he becomes the subject of a controversial rehabilitation experiment aimed at curbing his violent tendencies. The film's exploration of free will, morality, and the psychological manipulation of individuals aligns with Lynch's fascination with the darker aspects of human nature and societal control. The stylized violence and surreal imagery present in the film resonate with Lynch's own cinematic approach, making it a compelling piece in understanding his influences. | © Warner Bros.

Cropped Stroszek — Stroszek (1977)

Werner Herzog's Stroszek follows the journey of Bruno Stroszek, a recently released German ex-convict, who, along with his elderly neighbor and a prostitute, seeks a fresh start in rural Wisconsin. Expecting the American Dream, they instead encounter disillusionment and hardship. The film's raw portrayal of marginalized individuals and its blend of bleak reality with absurdist moments echo Lynch's own narratives that delve into the underbelly of society, revealing the surreal within the mundane. Herzog's focus on character-driven storytelling and the use of non-professional actors contribute to a sense of authenticity that Lynch admirers would appreciate. | © Werner Herzog Filmproduktion

Cropped The Shining — The Shining (1980)

In The Shining, Stanley Kubrick adapts Stephen King's novel into a psychological horror masterpiece. Jack Torrance, an aspiring writer and recovering alcoholic, takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel, bringing along his wife Wendy and son Danny, who possesses psychic abilities. As the hotel's dark past and supernatural forces influence Jack, he descends into madness, threatening his family. The film's atmospheric tension, exploration of insanity, and the interplay between supernatural and psychological horror are elements that resonate with Lynch's own storytelling style. Kubrick's meticulous direction and the film's unsettling ambience offer a cinematic experience that parallels the haunting qualities found in Lynch's work. | © Warner Bros.

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Yesterday, the world lost a visionary filmmaker, artist, and storyteller. David Lynch, known for his surreal, haunting, and genre-defying works, passed away, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped the landscape of modern cinema. In honoring his memory, we turn to his own inspirations – the films he cherished most, the ones he believed were essential viewing for anyone who loves the art of storytelling.

Lynch often shared his passion for cinema, citing specific films as key influences on his creativity and worldview. These are the movies that resonated with him, providing glimpses into his artistic mind and the roots of his unique vision. Let’s explore David Lynch’s favorite films – the ones he wanted all of us to experience.