Christopher Nolan Movies Ranked
This is how I rank all of Christopher Nolan's movies from best (#1) to worst - although they are all very good. NOTE: I am only including feature-length films directed by Nolan.
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- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen the menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman must accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.This is one of my three favourite films of all time, certainly my favourite superhero flick, providing entertainment and tension in equal measure whilst mixing in the action and ethics we've come to expect; it gives us one of the best on-screen villains and an incredible dynamic between them and the titular hero, too.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsMatthew McConaugheyAnne HathawayJessica ChastainWhen Earth becomes uninhabitable in the future, a farmer and ex-NASA pilot, Joseph Cooper, is tasked to pilot a spacecraft, along with a team of researchers, to find a new planet for humans.An incredibly moving look at humanity's place within the stars that treads new ground visually but keeps it's story tight and focuses on family; this is a sublime experience on multiple levels.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleMichael CaineKen WatanabeAfter witnessing his parents' death, Bruce learns the art of fighting to confront injustice. When he returns to Gotham as Batman, he must stop a secret society that intends to destroy the city.The first truly great Batman film, this origin story builds a full picture of the caped crusader and brings him into our world; the feature is compelling despite the first hour or so being devoid of the costumed hero.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJoseph Gordon-LevittElliot PageA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.A layered, tense, emotional experience that provides a unique look at the nature of dreams and treats the audience as smart individuals; some of the action is breathtaking, too, and the score is incredible.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleTom HardyAnne HathawayEight years after the Joker's reign of chaos, Batman is coerced out of exile with the assistance of the mysterious Selina Kyle in order to defend Gotham City from the vicious guerrilla terrorist Bane.It is flawed, yes, but the final instalment in Nolan's Batman trilogy provides some great moments and expertly crafted characters.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHugh JackmanScarlett JohanssonAfter a tragic accident, two stage magicians in 1890s London engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.Underrated in my opinion, this is a complex and deep thriller that mixes themes of revenge into a dynamic plot that's never predictable.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsFionn WhiteheadBarry KeoghanMark RylanceAllied soldiers from Belgium, the British Commonwealth and Empire, and France are surrounded by the German Army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.It's truly a technical marvel, a cinematic experience unlike almost any other, with fantastic direction and cinematography that creates a pulse-pounding tension and feel of genuine suspense throughout; yet, it feels somewhat hollow due to the lack of any real story or character elements and as such doesn't have the lasting impact it should.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsGuy PearceCarrie-Anne MossJoe PantolianoA man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.The central conceit may sound like a gimmick on the page, but it actually really helps connect you with the protagonist; Nolan masterfully plays with our perceptions of character and successfully pulls off a final twist that changes the nature of the entire film.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsCillian MurphyEmily BluntMatt DamonThe story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.This technical triumph represents filmmaking at the absolute highest level. It isn’t Nolan’s most compelling work, but there’s an argument to be made that it’s his most accomplished.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsAl PacinoRobin WilliamsHilary SwankTwo Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.A tense, morally ambiguous and taught thriller with great performances all round; this feature entertains throughout and takes a few clever unexpected turns along the way.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsJeremy TheobaldAlex HawLucy RussellA young writer who follows strangers for material meets a thief who takes him under his wing.Nolan's micro-budget feature debut is a taught noir thriller that wisely relies on an excellent screenplay rather than expensive spectacle; it proves that you don't need a budget to tell a good story.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsJohn David WashingtonRobert PattinsonElizabeth DebickiArmed with only the word "Tenet," and fighting for the survival of the entire world, CIA operative, The Protagonist, journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a global mission that unfolds beyond real time.