Ranking All 12 Christopher Nolan Films, from Interstellar to Oppenheimer

      As we anticipate the next Christopher Nolan film, his adaptation of The Odyssey set to be released in 2026, let's reflect on his previous works. Here’s a ranking of all 12 Christopher Nolan movies.

      Do you disagree with our rankings? That's perfectly fine. Share your thoughts in the comments.

      By the Way

      Nolan on the set of The Dark Knight. Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      In our considered opinion, there are no poor Christopher Nolan films. Some are simply good, while others are even better.

      So if you're here to criticize Nolan, this isn't the venue for that. We apologize.

      Now, let's proceed with our ranking, starting with No. 12…

      Following (1999)

      Credit: C/O

      Following is a relatively small film about an aspiring writer (Jeremy Theobald, above) who shadows strangers for amusement and eventually teams up with a daytime burglar named Cobb (Alex Haw) — the sole named character.

      Currently on the Criterion Channel, it offers a captivating viewing experience, especially recognizing how many themes it showcases are echoed in Nolan’s later films. The Blonde (Lucy Russell) appears to be an early inspiration for Tenet’s Kat (Elizabeth Debicki), although both share traits with Hitchcock’s icy blondes. The black-and-white style of Following resurfaces in Oppenheimer, and time-bending concepts feature in nearly every Nolan film outside of Batman.

      Interestingly, the protagonist has a Batman sticker on his door — six years prior to Nolan's Batman Begins.

      Also Read: All 10 Batman Movies Ranked, Worst to Best

      Insomnia

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      Insomnia's main drawback is that it’s the only Christopher Nolan film not penned by him. This remake of the 1997 Norwegian thriller unfolds amid Alaska’s midnight sun (the opposite of 2024’s True Detective: Night Country). It contemplates guilt disguised as a daylight noir; while Nolan's films can often be intricate, we found ourselves wishing this one was a bit more layered.

      It’s captivating and atmospheric, yet not Nolan’s finest work. Nonetheless, it showcases his talent for collaborating with top-tier actors: the impressive cast includes Robin Williams, Al Pacino, and Hilary Swank (above).

      Nolan has referred to it as the most underrated of his films.

      Warner Bros.

      We appreciate Nolan for the complexity of his narratives and his ability to heighten stakes and tension while posing moral and metaphysical inquiries.

      However, despite the visual beauty of Interstellar, we felt the straightforward story of a father (Matthew McConaughey) and daughter (Jessica Chastain) became overshadowed by the intensive scientific theories.

      Regardless, we admire its ambition. Notably, the physics presented in this film echo again in Oppenheimer.

      The Prestige

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      The Prestige is undeniably captivating, particularly as the competition intensifies between Victorian magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale). Plus, in addition to Wolverine and Batman, we have Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in the uniformly excellent cast.

      It’s a mesmerizing film, although the twists may feel somewhat excessive, especially when we discover the capabilities of Nikola Tesla’s machine.

      Still, can we really criticize a movie where David Bowie plays Tesla? Absolutely not. We’re merely clarifying why this one isn’t ranked higher on our list of Christopher Nolan films.

      Tenet

      Elizabeth Debicki in Tenet. Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      This is undoubtedly the most complex and chaotic of Nolan's works, and its booming soundtrack — which often obscures dialogue — doesn’t aid matters. And that’s before Nolan begins his mind-bending time tricks.

      Yet, you know what? Tenet is so unapologetically ambitious and filled with spectacle that we’re willing to overlook its incoherence and simply go along for the ride. When it does work, it truly excels, and it feels trivial to get bogged down by the confusing aspects when the emotional elements resonate so strongly.

      Additionally, it was incredibly satisfying to have Tenet welcome us back to theaters after the lengthy pandemic shutdowns, which adds to our fondness for the movie.

      Memento

      Newmarket – Credit: C/O

      A noir murder mystery centered on a man with short-term memory loss (Guy Pearce) that plays out in reverse.

      Could anyone aside from Christopher Nolan create a film like Memento? It served as an ideal introduction, foreshadowing the brilliance yet to come.

      The Dark Knight Rises

      Warner Bros.

      Like all of Nolan's films, this one improves with each viewing. Yes, it can be somewhat confusing at times, but everything falls into place with close attention. It also features more impressive Nolanesque reveals than nearly all superhero films.

      In reality, Nolan doesn’t regard his Dark Knight trilogy as a conventional superhero narrative — which lends