To mention Christopher Nolan and not immediately think of "movie classics" is almost impossible. The director is known for his excellent work on a wide variety of titles, ranging from comic book adaptations, such as the Batman trilogy he directed, to more serious films depicting the Second World War, such as Dunkirk and his most recent work, Oppenheimer, which was an absolute success.
In view of all the filmmaker's talent, we've decided to list Christopher Nolan's eleven best films so that you can write down in your diary the ones you haven't seen yet and marathon them when you get the chance. The order will be defined by the percentage achieved by each title on the Rotten Tomatoes website and will go from the one with the lowest average to the one with the best rating. Will your favorite film directed by Nolan be on the list?
Interstellar (2014)
Released in November 2014, Interstellar is one of Christopher Nolan's best films and also one of the first to be remembered by fans of the director when it comes to science fiction. The film received 5 nominations for the 2015 Oscars, including Best Visual Effects, in which it won.
The story itself follows former Nasa pilot Joseph Cooper, played by renowned actor Matthew McConaughey, in a post-apocalyptic scenario where there is a need to find a new planet for humans to live their lives on. While he is in space, he observes the development of his family on Earth through records. The film was very well received by audiences and scored an average of 73% from critics on Tomatoes.
The Big Trick (2006)
With a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Big Trick can also be considered one of Christopher Nolan's best films. In this plot, Nolan transports us to the past, more specifically to 19th century London, where two illusionist friends end up becoming rivals and take this competition very seriously, to the point where the tragic outcome is inevitable.
The protagonists are played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman and the film was nominated for two Oscar categories: Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction, but unfortunately it didn't win either of them. The public, however, seemed very happy with the work delivered by Nolan and, even though it was released in October 2006, it remains one of the director's most beloved works.
Following (1998)
Even though it's a little-known movie, anyone who's really a fan of the director's work knows that this can be considered one of Christopher Nolan's best films. Not only was it directed by Nolan, it also had its script written by him, making it the filmmaker's debut. Although it doesn't have any Oscar nominations, it achieved an average approval rating of 84% on Tomatoes, which is a significant achievement!
Released in September 1998, Following tells the saga of a writer called Bill (Jeremy Theobald) who is looking for inspiration for his latest book. To do this, he starts following people to see what they have to offer until he comes across a thief who ends up teaching him everything he knows about the trade. The captivating plot makes it one of Christopher Nolan's best films, without a doubt.
Batman Begins (2005)
Of all Christopher Nolan's films, Batman Begins is certainly his best-known work. The film, which brought to the big screen one of the best adaptations in the history of DC's Batman comics, won the hearts of audiences and critics alike with its 85% approval rating on Tomatoes and, although it didn't take home the statuette, it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture.
Released in June 2005, this version stars Christian Bale as millionaire Bruce Wayne and the whole plot revolves around the origin story of the hero who protects Gotham in a bat costume at night. Fans point out that Nolan's Batman succeeded in bringing a dark version of the hero to cinemas that had not previously been adapted, making it one of Christopher Nolan's best films.
Batman: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
But if you think that Nolan stopped getting it right after producing the first film in his Dark Knight trilogy, you're sorely mistaken! The film that closes this sequence was also very well directed by the filmmaker and achieved an approval rating of 87% on Tomatoes, 2% more than the first, making it one of Christopher Nolan's best films.
There were no Oscar nominations for this film, but a strong cast was called in to play new characters, including Anne Hathaway as Catwoman and Tom Hardy, currently known for his role as Eddie Brock in Venom, as the villain Bane. Released in July 2012, the film was well received by audiences and closed the Dark Knight trilogy on a high note, even if it wasn't the best of the three.
The Origin (2010)
Released in August 2010, Inception was one of Christopher Nolan's films that took home the most Oscar statuettes in 2011. It won Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Soundtrack and Best Art Direction, but failed to win.
With an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a very high average from the public, The Origin is one of those films that makes you think. Released in August 2010, it follows the story of a thief who steals the secret of people's unconscious while they sleep, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He has the chance to make amends for his sins if he can implant an idea in the mind of the heir to an empire, but this mission may not be so easy after all.
Insomnia (2002)
This film, released in August 2002, didn't get any Oscar nominations either, just like Following, but it also deserves its place with the 92% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating it has. Audiences have also received the film very well, which makes it one of Christopher Nolan's best films.
Here, the protagonist, played by the famous actor Al Pacino, is a police detective who has to solve a crime involving the death of a girl in an Alaskan town in the United States. The point is that things start to get too far out of hand and his actions create a huge burden that he has to deal with.
Dunkirk (2017)
As well as being an excellent choice for war movie fans, Dunkirk, released in July 2017, was the first film to earn Nolan a Best Director nomination at the Oscar ceremony. With its 92% approval rating on Tomatoes and good reception from the public, Dunkirk is very well positioned among Christopher Nolan's best films.
The movie was based on a true story from World War II, in which American soldiers had to be rescued from a French island after being surrounded by the German army. As well as Best Director, Dunkirk also competed in the categories of Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack, Best Production Design and won Best Editing, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing. The cast includes big names such as Tom Hardy, Jack Lowden and Fionn Whitehead.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Oppenheimer is much more than just the movie that was released on the same day as the Barbie movie, as many have come to know it because of the meme. Oppenheimer is another movie about war which, like Dunkirk, is based on a true story, in this case the scientist responsible for inventing the atomic bomb that marked history and changed the world as we know it.
Although recent, this is one of Christopher Nolan's best films, achieving a 93% rating on Tomatoes and earning 13 Oscar nominations, including Best Director. The film has a very competent cast, including Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.
Amnesia (2001)
Although it was first shown in September 2000 at the Venice Film Festival, Amnesia was only officially released in March 2001. It's one of Christopher Nolan's first and best films, with an average rating of 94% on Tomatoes, and it's also on the list of those that have been well received by the public, having been nominated in the Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing categories, but unfortunately it didn't win either of them.
The plot of this movie focuses on the character Leonard (Guy Pearce), a man who is determined to avenge the death of his wife. The problem is that he suffers from amnesia and the loss of his memory makes it very difficult for him to investigate and find the murderer of his late beloved.
Batman: The Dark Knight (2008)
How can we talk about Christopher Nolan without putting Batman: The Dark Knight on the list? It's simply impossible. The director's work on this, the second film in the hero trilogy he directed, is considered by many to be not only one of Christopher Nolan's best films, but also one of the best hero films ever produced.
Here in this movie we follow Batman again and, although he has managed to keep the peace in Gotham for some time, a new challenge awaits him. A criminal who believes in anarchy is out to test him and find out if the hero can stop him. That criminal is none other than the fearsome Joker.
It tied with Amnesia for first place in terms of ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, collecting 94% of approval. It was nominated for eight Oscar categories, winning Best Sound Editing and Best Supporting Actor in a posthumous tribute to actor Heath Ledger, the most iconic Joker on the big screen. Dark and unforgettable, Batman: The Dark Knight is the best of the best films from Christopher Nolan.
Conclusion
With this, we can see all the director's versatility in producing works in different genres without losing his grip and delivering true gems for movie lovers. But do you agree with this list? We want to know what you think too!
Let us know in the comments if you'd change anything or keep it that way! Also check out our article on Tim Burton's best films! Here's a video that might also interest you:
