Ranking All 12 Christopher Nolan Films, From Batman Begins to Oppenheimer

      As we anticipate the next Christopher Nolan film, the adaptation of The Odyssey set for release in 2026, let's reflect on his previous works.

      Disagree with our rankings? That's completely fine. Share your thoughts in the comments.

      Here are all 12 Christopher Nolan films ranked.

      By the Way

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

      In our careful assessment, we believe there are no bad Christopher Nolan films. Some are simply good, while others are exceptional.

      So if you're searching for someone to criticize Nolan, you won’t find that here. Our apologies.

      Now, let’s dive into our list, starting with No. 12...

      Following (1999)

      Credit: C/O

      Following is a relatively small film featuring an aspiring writer (Jeremy Theobald) who follows strangers for amusement, ultimately getting involved with a daylight burglar named Cobb (Alex Haw) — the one character with a name.

      Currently available on the Criterion Channel, it proves intriguing due to the numerous elements that appear in Nolan’s later works. The Blonde (Lucy Russell) seems to echo an early influence seen in Tenet’s Kat (Elizabeth Debicki), both of which are reminiscent of Hitchcock's icy blondes. The black and white presentation of Following is revisited in Oppenheimer, and its time-manipulating aspects can be found in nearly every Nolan film outside the Batman series.

      Interestingly, the protagonist has a Batman sticker on his door — six years before Nolan’s Batman Begins.

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

      Insomnia

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      The primary drawback of Insomnia is that it’s the only Christopher Nolan film not penned by him. It’s a remake of the 1997 Norwegian thriller Insomnia, set against the midnight sun of Alaska (which contrasts with the premise of 2024's True Detective: Night Country). The film explores guilt disguised as a daylight noir, and while Nolan’s films can be intricate, we wish this one had embraced a bit more complexity.

      It possesses a cool atmosphere, yet it’s not Nolan’s finest work. Nevertheless, it showcased his talent for collaborating with A-list actors: the impressive cast features Robin Williams, Al Pacino, and Hilary Swank.

      Nolan has labeled it as the most underrated of his films.

      Interstellar

      Warner Bros.

      We admire Nolan for the depth of his narratives, and how he consistently escalates tension and stakes while exploring moral and metaphysical dilemmas.

      However, despite Interstellar's stunning visuals, the straightforward tale of a father (Matthew McConaughey) and daughter (Jessica Chastain) feels overshadowed by the scientific complexity.

      Still, we appreciate the ambition. It's intriguing how the physics presented in the film resurfaces in Oppenheimer.

      The Prestige

      Warner Bros. – Credit: C/O

      The Prestige is undeniably captivating, especially as the rivalry intensifies between Victorian magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale). Alongside Wolverine and Batman, we also see Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in the uniformly outstanding cast.

      While it’s an impressive film, the reveals may become a bit excessive, particularly when we discover the function of Tesla’s machine.

      However, can we truly complain about a film featuring David Bowie as Tesla? Honestly, no. Just clarifying why this one isn't higher on our ranked list of Christopher Nolan films.

      Tenet

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

      Undoubtedly, this is the most convoluted and chaotic of all Nolan films, and its booming soundtrack—which makes much of the dialogue difficult to understand—doesn’t help. And that’s before Nolan starts twisting the narrative with time manipulation.

      But you know what? Tenet’s unapologetic ambition and spectacular visuals allow us to overlook the disjointed aspects and just enjoy the ride. When it succeeds, it truly soars, and it feels trivial to dwell on the confusing elements when the emotional core resonates so powerfully.

      Additionally, it was incredibly cathartic to return to theaters with Tenet after extensive pandemic lockdowns, adding to our fondness for the film.

      Memento

      Newmarket – Credit: C/O

      A murder mystery noir thriller that tells the story of a man without short-term memory (Guy Pearce), unfolding in reverse.

      Could anyone other than Christopher Nolan create a film like Memento? It serves as a perfect introduction to the brilliance that would follow.

      The Dark Knight Rises

      Warner Bros.

      Like all of Nolan's films, this one gains depth with repeated viewings. Yes, it can be a bit convoluted at times. But everything becomes clearer with close attention. It also features far cooler Nolan-esque twists than 99 percent of superhero films.

      In reality, Nolan doesn’t regard his Dark Knight trilogy as a superhero story—making