Director Movie Rankings: Christopher Nolan
- bprizel
- Jun 8, 2025
- 5 min read
Update: With the Recent release of Oppenheimer last year, I figured it is a great time to revisit these rankings and figure out exactly where Nolan's recent film fits into the big picture of his filmography. So without further ado... let's look at when each of his films were released.
Following - 1998
Memento - 2000
Insomnia - 2002
Batman Begins - 2005
The Prestige - 2006
The Dark Knight - 2008
Inception - 2010
Dark Knight Rises -2012
Interstellar - 2014
Dunkirk - 2017
Tenet - 2020
Oppenheimer - 2023
Like I said, this man doesn't release a bad movie, even if you're one of those weirdos who absolutely hate Dark Knight Rises for no good reason. While I didn't revisit every single one of these movies prior to seeing Oppenheimer, I did rewatch the essentials... and I tried to give Tenet another chance but I just couldn't do it. Keep in mind going through this that for me, even his worst movies are solid 80s.
12. Following
Although I can't say that I hated this movie at all, I also can't say there was anything too special about his directorial debut. Still showcases a bit of his signature style in this black-and-white thriller, and is certainly an original story like the rest.
11. Insomnia
I really like the idea of this movie, which is basically a cop-going-crazy looking for a killer amidst being stuck in a town where the sun never sets. I also enjoy Robin Williams as per usual. But there is something about Al Pacino in this movie that just makes me laugh, and reminds me of the Dunk-achino scene in Jack and Jill.
10. Tenet
I don't know man. His most recent movie was absolutely sick in terms of the practical effects throughout the movie, and the premise I thought was gonna be awesome as well. However, if you watched this and you can confidently tell me you understood the plot and story of the movie YOU'RE A LIAR. That is all, enjoy this hilarious skit basically making fun of this movies plot.
9. Dark Knight Rises
Okay, I know what I said about this movie before. And I stand by that this movie still rocks, despite Joseph Gordon Levitt's corny accent, and a plot point where a bunch of cops all walk slowly into the same underground tunnel just to get trapped. Yes that part is dumb, I will admit it. But Tom Hardy is a great Bane, the football field scene is amazing and it's a great ending.
8. Batman Begins
Batman Begins is a badass origin story. It is the only time I can now stand watching Bruce's parents get killed and Bruce getting trapped in a well with a bunch of bats. Liam Neeson is absolutely awesome in this movie, even with his weird facial hair, and this was the starter to one of the greatest trilogies of all time.
7. Dunkirk
I don't know why some people disliked Dunkirk. This was one of the most intense/suspenseful film-going experiences I've ever had. I had very little backstory knowledge going into this movie, and from the start of the film right until the credits roll the suspense just ramps up, and ramps up, and ramps up, and ramps up. Particularly after the young frenchman dies, you truly don't know who is going to come out of this movie alive, even your protagonist. I think it's Nolans best use of his time-warping style other than #1 on this list. This movie is a walking heart attack and I love it.
6. Prestige
I think Prestige was the first Nolan movie I can remember watching other than perhaps Batman Begins. Having Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale go toe-to-toe on screen is always a recipe for success, and this movie has equal parts mind-fuckery and awesome performances from the leads. This one is a great rewatch as well, and all that to go along with a David Bowie cameo?! The red ball will forever be ingrained in my mind for as long as I live thanks to this movie.
5. Memento
I actually don't think I could finish Memento when I first watched it ten years ago, that or I fell asleep I don't know. I originally put it at a 50 because of this, and then I finally watched it all the way through. And all I can say is that I'm a human piece of garbage, because this movie absolutely rocks. As soon as you think you have this movie figured out, it pulls the rug out from under you at the very end, but then leaves you wondering if it actually did or not. This movie is amazing.
4. Oppenheimer
I think after thinking about all of his films again, this is probably where this will land for me. While I think it's very likely this ends up his greatest made film of all time, I think the ones below still beat it for me in terms of entertainment. Don't get me wrong, I will be getting this on 4k in the near future, but each of the below movies I felt like I walked out a new person. That being said, Cillian Murphy's performance in this, along with the special effects, the non-stop riveting story from beginning to 2/3 of the way through and the score are all incredible.
1C. Dark Knight
ALRIGHT I'M SORRY. I COULDN'T TRULY PICK BETWEEN THESE THREE. These movies are so good, and they're why I will still be attending every new Nolan film for all of time. Anyways.... Dark Knight is probably the best superhero movie of all time, and is one of the best action movies of all time to go along with it. Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker will be forever remembered as one of the greatest supporting performances of all time, and there is simply not a scene in this movie that isn't gripping you to the edge of your seat. As soon as the judge gets blown to bits in her car, the threat of the Joker truly ramps up, and that tension does not stop until the end.
1B. Interstellar
It was very hard to put Dark Knight behind Interstellar, but after rewatching Interstellar this last month, I think I give it just a slight edge. From the way Nolan got experts to help depict lighting, spatial awareness and all-things-space to make this as realistic as possible (in a presently, totally unrealistic plot), to the emotional gut punches that you experience throughout this movie (if you ain't crying when the protagonist watches all his kids' videos throughout the movie, you've changed man), this movie has a overall levity to it that I think edges it over Dark Knight.
1A. Inception
My rankings may be a bit different if I had just watched all these movies for the first time. However, this movie remains as one of my favorite movies of all time simply due to the experience I had watching this in the theatre. This was the movie that got me addicted to movies. I walked out of this ambiguously-ending, mesmerizing film with my jaw on the floor and my brain melted, and probably watched 30 videos all titled "Inception- ending explained, was it all a dream or not????????!!" after this movie. From the spinning hotel fight scene, to the blend of all the layers of dream throughout with both the editing and the score, to the backstory of Leo's character and his wife, this movie has got everything. I wish I could see it again for the first time 100 more times.
So, if anything is to be learned by this, it's that Nolan may be the greatest director I've ever seen, and also that he is almost single-handedly saving the theatre system with his films. If there is almost anything on this list that you have not seen, I would go watch it today. But with surround sound, and all the lights off, and on a big ole TV. And after that, we wait for Oppenheimer. God Bless you Christopher Nolan.
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