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Every Christopher Nolan Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - June 13th 2025, 19:06 GMT+2

Cropped the dark knight rises 2012 — 12. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

As the final chapter in Nolan’s acclaimed Batman trilogy, *The Dark Knight Rises* takes a darker, more operatic turn. Christian Bale returns to portray a broken Bruce Wayne forced out of retirement to save Gotham one last time. The film introduces Tom Hardy as the masked brute Bane, whose presence brings physical menace and psychological weight. Anne Hathaway adds flair and unpredictability as Selina Kyle, while Michael Caine delivers some of the most heartfelt moments of the series. Though occasionally criticized for its pacing and dense plot, this conclusion wraps up key storylines with ambition and emotional gravity. Nolan’s flair for grand spectacle and thematic depth makes this a memorable, if polarizing, finale. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped insomnia 2002 — 11. Insomnia (2002)

Tension simmers in *Insomnia*, a haunting psychological thriller that trades Nolan’s usual puzzles for a slow-burning moral dilemma. Al Pacino leads as a weary detective sent to a sunlit Alaskan town where night never falls, worsening his insomnia and blurring the lines between guilt and justice. Robin Williams stuns in a rare villainous turn, delivering a soft-spoken yet chilling performance that lingers. Hilary Swank balances the cast with a grounded, empathetic role as a local officer torn between duty and admiration. This remake of a Norwegian film may be one of Nolan’s more traditional works, but it’s rich in atmosphere and internal conflict. It’s a gripping example of how he handles suspense without relying on nonlinear tricks. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped batman begins 2005 — 10. Batman Begins (2005)

With *Batman Begins*, Nolan gave audiences a hero grounded in fear, trauma, and determination rather than comic-book camp. Christian Bale’s intense portrayal of Bruce Wayne set a new standard for superhero performances. Liam Neeson brings gravitas as mentor-turned-antagonist Ra’s al Ghul, while Cillian Murphy creeps under the skin as Scarecrow. Nolan's Gotham is a grim, crime-infested city that feels uncomfortably real, far removed from its stylized predecessors. The story explores not just the origins of Batman but the psychology of why a man would become a symbol of justice. By mixing blockbuster action with cerebral storytelling, Nolan reinvented Batman and changed the landscape of superhero cinema. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped memento 2000 — 9. Memento (2000)

Told in a fragmented, reverse timeline that mimics its protagonist’s damaged memory, *Memento* remains one of Nolan’s most ingenious cinematic feats. Guy Pearce stars as Leonard Shelby, a man hunting his wife’s killer while battling anterograde amnesia. The viewer experiences the mystery through Leonard’s eyes – confused, disoriented, desperate – making every scene a mental puzzle. Supporting roles by Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano add layers of suspicion and deceit, elevating the noir tone. As the story unfolds (or rather, folds in on itself), Nolan challenges the audience’s perception of truth and reliability. It’s a fascinating exploration of how memory shapes identity and how easily that can be manipulated. | © Newmarket Films

Cropped tenet 2020 — 8. Tenet (2020)

In true Nolan fashion, *Tenet* twists time and narrative structure into a cerebral action thriller unlike anything else in modern cinema. The story follows a nameless operative, played by John David Washington, as he navigates a world where time can move both forward and backward. Robert Pattinson adds charm and intrigue as Neil, a character whose true role becomes clearer with each rewatch. Elizabeth Debicki brings emotional weight, while Kenneth Branagh's chilling antagonist adds urgency to the mind-bending plot. Though critics were split on its complex narrative and dense exposition, few could deny its technical mastery. From inverted car chases to backward fight scenes, the film pushes the boundaries of what blockbuster filmmaking can achieve. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped following 1998 — 7. Following (1998)

Stripped-down but sharply constructed, *Following* introduced the world to Nolan’s obsession with fractured time and morally ambiguous characters. Shot on weekends with non-professional actors, the film follows a struggling writer who becomes entangled with a charismatic thief named Cobb. As their relationship deepens, so do the lies, manipulation, and danger. Jeremy Theobald carries the film with a quietly unraveling performance, while Alex Haw’s Cobb oozes understated menace. Despite its modest budget, the film's nonlinear editing and noir sensibilities signal a filmmaker already in command of his voice. It’s not just a calling card – *Following* is a fully realized gem that laid the groundwork for everything Nolan would later master. | © Next Wave Films

Cropped oppenheimer 2023 — 6. Oppenheimer (2023)

The story of the atomic bomb’s creation is told with haunting precision in *Oppenheimer*, as Nolan plunges viewers into the conflicted mind of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy delivers a mesmerizing performance, portraying the famed physicist as both brilliant and tormented. The ensemble cast, including Robert Downey Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Florence Pugh, weaves seamlessly into the film’s shifting narrative. With a structure that jumps between timelines and moral dilemmas, Nolan presents science not as triumph, but as burden. Visually sparse yet emotionally charged, the film builds a sense of dread that’s underscored by Ludwig Göransson’s ominous score. It’s a character study wrapped in historical urgency – arguably Nolan’s most mature and chilling work yet. | © Universal Pictures

Cropped dunkirk 2017 — 5. Dunkirk (2017)

Rather than telling a traditional war story, Nolan immerses the audience in the raw chaos of *Dunkirk* through three interwoven perspectives. The film captures the desperation of soldiers trapped on the beach, civilians crossing the sea in small boats, and pilots in the air, all converging toward the same event from different timelines. Fionn Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, and Harry Styles bring emotional clarity to a largely dialogue-free script. Every moment is driven by tension – amplified by Hans Zimmer’s relentless ticking score and Nolan’s decision to use practical effects over CGI. It’s not just a war film; it’s a sensory experience of survival, fear, and fleeting hope. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped the prestige 2006 — 4. The Prestige (2006)

Rivalry becomes obsession in *The Prestige*, Nolan’s darkly elegant tale of two magicians whose ambition pushes them to dangerous extremes. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale play adversaries locked in a bitter feud that spans years, lives, and moral boundaries. Scarlett Johansson adds emotional tension as a woman caught between them, while Michael Caine provides a grounded presence as the voice of reason. The narrative unfolds like a trick itself, full of misdirection and revelation, structured around the mechanics of a magic act. David Bowie’s appearance as the enigmatic inventor Nikola Tesla adds a surreal touch that elevates the film’s sci-fi leanings. With layered themes of sacrifice, identity, and illusion, it’s one of Nolan’s most emotionally resonant achievements. | © Touchstone Pictures

Cropped inception 2010 — 3. Inception (2010)

Inside the dream world of *Inception*, Nolan constructs a layered heist film that’s equal parts action thriller and philosophical maze. Leonardo DiCaprio leads as Dom Cobb, a man wrestling with grief while attempting one final mission: to plant an idea deep within someone’s subconscious. He’s backed by a stellar cast including Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Elliot Page, and Ken Watanabe. The visuals are groundbreaking – think folding cities and zero-gravity combat – achieved largely through practical effects that enhance the dreamlike surrealism. Hans Zimmer’s now-iconic score underpins the emotional urgency with its slow, crashing momentum. It’s a blockbuster with brains and heart, and it continues to spark debate and analysis over a decade later. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped the dark knight 2008 — 2. The Dark Knight (2008)

Chaos reigns in *The Dark Knight*, where Nolan fuses superhero spectacle with crime drama in a way that redefined both genres. Heath Ledger’s legendary performance as the Joker, full of unpredictable menace, stands as one of cinema’s greatest portrayals of villainy. Christian Bale, returning as Batman, is pushed to his ethical and emotional limits, while Aaron Eckhart’s tragic arc as Harvey Dent brings added depth to the film’s moral landscape. The supporting cast – Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, and Morgan Freeman – grounds the story with humanity and gravitas. From the breathtaking IMAX cinematography to the unforgettable interrogation scene, every moment is meticulously crafted. It’s more than just a superhero film – it’s modern mythmaking at its finest. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

Cropped interstellar 2014 — 1. Interstellar (2014)

Few films aim for the stars and reach the heart quite like *Interstellar*, a sweeping odyssey that blends hard science with emotional depth. Matthew McConaughey delivers a deeply moving performance as Cooper, a former pilot forced to leave his daughter behind on Earth in search of a future for humankind. Jessica Chastain, Anne Hathaway, and Michael Caine offer powerful turns in a story that spans black holes, wormholes, and alternate dimensions. Nolan’s collaboration with physicist Kip Thorne ensures the science feels plausible, while Hans Zimmer’s haunting organ score elevates the film to near-spiritual levels. Beneath the cosmic scale lies a simple, profound truth: love is the one force that transcends time and space. | © Paramount Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures

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Christopher Nolan has built a reputation as one of the most visionary and influential directors in modern cinema. From mind-bending thrillers to epic blockbusters, his filmography is packed with ambitious storytelling, stunning visuals, and complex characters. But with such a diverse body of work, the question remains: which of his movies truly stand out, and which fall short of his high standards? In this article, we rank every Christopher Nolan movie from worst to best, diving into what makes each film unique – and where it stands in the legacy of one of Hollywood's most iconic filmmakers.

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Christopher Nolan has built a reputation as one of the most visionary and influential directors in modern cinema. From mind-bending thrillers to epic blockbusters, his filmography is packed with ambitious storytelling, stunning visuals, and complex characters. But with such a diverse body of work, the question remains: which of his movies truly stand out, and which fall short of his high standards? In this article, we rank every Christopher Nolan movie from worst to best, diving into what makes each film unique – and where it stands in the legacy of one of Hollywood's most iconic filmmakers.