Christopher Nolan is one of the greatest filmmakers working today. This week, he releases his thirteenth feature film, The Odyssey, making it the perfect time to revisit his remarkable filmography and rank every movie he’s directed.
This list is based on a recent rewatch of all of Nolan’s films. To be clear, I don’t dislike any of them. Even the movies near the bottom of this ranking are good films; they’re just the ones I return to the least. My rankings are based on three things: how much I enjoy the film, its rewatchability, and what I call its overall “Nolan-ness”—those ambitious ideas, intricate storytelling and unforgettable moments that make his movies unlike anyone else’s.
12. Insomnia (2002)
Synopsis: A Los Angeles detective investigates the murder of a teenage girl in a remote Alaskan town while wrestling with secrets of his own.
Something has to come in last place, and for me, that’s Insomnia. That isn’t a criticism as much as a testament to the strength of Nolan’s filmography. Al Pacino delivers a compelling performance as a detective whose own moral compromises begin to consume him. It’s a solid psychological thriller, but compared to the rest of Nolan’s work, it simply doesn’t leave the same lasting impression.
11. Tenet (2020)
Synopsis: Armed with only the word “Tenet,” a CIA operative embarks on a globe-spanning mission where time itself becomes the ultimate weapon.
Few movies frustrate me as much as Tenet. I saw it in theatres and spent far too much of the runtime trying to decipher what the characters were saying. The sound mix became the story instead of supporting it.
When it was released digitally, I did two things. First, I rewatched the spectacular opening opera siege with my surround sound cranked up because it’s one of the greatest opening sequences Nolan has ever directed. Then I turned on subtitles so I could finally understand the dialogue.
There are flashes of brilliance throughout, but they’re buried beneath a film that never fully comes together.
10. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Synopsis: Eight years after Batman’s disappearance, Bane forces Bruce Wayne out of retirement to save Gotham city.
I used to enjoy The Dark Knight Rises far more than I do today. Each rewatch makes its plot holes more noticeable, and for a Batman movie, Bruce Wayne spends surprisingly little time wearing the cape and cowl.
There are still memorable moments, an intimidating villain and some satisfying twists, but it’s easily the weakest entry in Nolan’s otherwise exceptional Batman trilogy.
9. Following (1998)
Synopsis: A struggling writer who follows strangers for inspiration becomes entangled with a charismatic thief.
The Following is the only Nolan film I hadn’t seen until recently, and I absolutely love it. Made for an astonishing budget of just $6,000, it showcases the storytelling instincts that would later define his career.
The nonlinear narrative immediately recalls neo-noir classics like The Last Seduction. Without IMAX cameras, massive budgets or elaborate visual effects, Nolan proves that great filmmaking begins with a great story.
8. Batman Begins (2005)
Synopsis: Bruce Wayne returns to Gotham city after years of training to become Batman and battle the forces threatening his home.
This remains one of the greatest superhero origin stories ever made.
Rather than simply telling us how Batman came to be, in Batman Begins, Nolan explores why Bruce Wayne chooses to become Batman. He gives the character emotional depth and psychological complexity, creating a version that feels unlike any we’ve seen on screen before.
7. Oppenheimer (2023)
Synopsis: The story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb.
Oppenheimer is the film that finally earned Christopher Nolan his long-overdue Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture. Personally, I don’t think it’s his masterpiece. In fact, I preferred both Anatomy of a Fall and The Zone of Interest that year.
Still, it is an outstanding achievement. Jennifer Lame’s Oscar-winning editing is extraordinary, weaving together timelines and perspectives into a gripping three-hour experience. Even if I don’t consider it Nolan’s finest work, it’s impossible to deny its craftsmanship.
6. Interstellar (2014)
Synopsis: A group of astronauts leave a dying Earth in search of humanity’s next home.
Quick question: can you remember the score from The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)?
Neither can I.
Yet somehow it beat Hans Zimmer’s breathtaking work for Interstellar at the Academy Awards.
Zimmer’s score is one of the greatest film scores ever composed, elevating what is already an astonishing science fiction epic. Combined with outstanding performances from Matthew McConaughey, Jessica Chastain and Anne Hathaway, Nolan created an emotional story that’s every bit as moving as it is intellectually ambitious.
And to have a film that is often compared to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey is one of the finest compliments this movie can receive.
5. Memento (2000)
Synopsis: A man suffering from short-term memory loss searches for the person responsible for his wife’s murder.
This is the movie that truly put Christopher Nolan on the map.
Before directing blockbuster spectacles, Nolan crafted this ingenious independent thriller, which won multiple Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Memento’s reverse chronology was revolutionary, and it’s almost impossible to watch it just once. As soon as it ends, you immediately want to start over and see everything from a completely different perspective.
4. The Prestige (2006)
Synopsis: Two rival magicians destroy themselves trying to create the greatest illusion ever performed.
Fun fact: Christopher Nolan wasn’t originally attached to direct this adaptation. Author Christopher Priest was so impressed by Nolan’s work that he specifically wanted him to helm the project.
That turned out to be the perfect decision.
Like the greatest magic tricks, The Prestige becomes even more satisfying once you know how it ends. Every viewing reveals new clues hidden in plain sight, making it one of Nolan’s most endlessly rewarding films to revisit and discuss.
3. Dunkirk (2017)
Synopsis: Allied soldiers trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk fight for survival during one of World War II’s most remarkable rescue missions.
Dunkirk is unlike almost every other war film ever made.
Rather than focusing on traditional character arcs or lengthy dialogue, Nolan builds relentless tension through three interconnected timelines unfolding across land, sea and air. The result is less a conventional war movie and more a cinematic experience that places viewers directly inside the evacuation.
From Hoyte van Hoytema’s breathtaking IMAX photography to Hans Zimmer’s anxiety-inducing score, every technical element works together perfectly. It’s one of the finest examples of visual storytelling Nolan has ever created.
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
Synopsis: Batman, James Gordon and Harvey Dent battle the Joker as Gotham descends into chaos.
This isn’t just one of the greatest superhero movies ever made.
It’s one of the greatest movies ever made.
Heath Ledger’s Joker remains one of cinema’s most iconic performances. While his tragic passing before the film’s release undoubtedly became part of the conversation surrounding the movie, I believe his work would have been celebrated regardless. It’s simply that extraordinary.
This film also changed Hollywood. Following its controversial omission from the Best Picture race, the Academy expanded the category from five nominees to as many as ten. That’s the kind of impact The Dark Knight had on the film industry.
1. Inception (2010)
Synopsis: A thief who infiltrates dreams to steal secrets is offered a chance at redemption by planting an idea inside someone else’s mind.
I’ve always been fascinated by dreams, so perhaps it’s no surprise that Inception sits comfortably at the top of my list.
Everything about this film works for me. The concept is endlessly imaginative, the visuals remain stunning more than a decade later, Hans Zimmer delivers another unforgettable score, and the ensemble cast is exceptional from top to bottom.
Most importantly, it’s the perfect Christopher Nolan movie. It combines big ideas, emotional storytelling, jaw-dropping spectacle and a narrative that rewards repeat viewings.
I’ve watched Inception more times than any other Nolan film, and every time I revisit it, I discover something new.
That’s the hallmark of a masterpiece, and it’s why Inception remains my favourite Christopher Nolan film.
