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

      Happy Birthday, Christopher Nolan, who celebrates his 55th today!

      As we eagerly anticipate his upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, set for release in 2026, let's reflect on his past films.

      Do you disagree with our rankings? That's completely understandable. Share your thoughts in the comments. Below 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 thoughtful assessment, there are no poor films by Christopher Nolan. While some are good, others are even better.

      So if you're here to criticize Nolan, this isn't the right place. We apologize.

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

      Following (1999)

      Credit: C/O

      Following is a relatively small film about an aspiring writer (Jeremy Theobald) who enjoys shadowing people for fun and ultimately becomes involved with a daytime burglar named Cobb (Alex Haw) — the only character with a name.

      Now available on the Criterion Channel, it’s an intriguing watch due to the presence of many themes that echo in later Nolan productions. The Blonde (Lucy Russell) feels like a precursor to Kat (Elizabeth Debicki) from Tenet, although both also remind us of Hitchcock’s classic icy blondes. The black-and-white cinematography of Following reappears in Oppenheimer, and the time-bending themes are prevalent in nearly all of Nolan's films that are not centered around 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

      The main drawback of Insomnia is that it’s the sole Christopher Nolan film not penned by him. It is a remake of the 1997 Norwegian thriller of the same name, set under the midnight sun of Alaska (the opposite scenario of 2024’s True Detective: Night Country). It explores themes of guilt dressed as a daylight noir, and while Nolan's films can be overly intricate, we wished this one were a tad more complex.

      While it has a distinct atmosphere, it isn't among Nolan's finest. Nevertheless, it showcased his talent for collaborating with A-list actors: The impressive cast features Robin Williams, Al Pacino, and Hilary Swank.

      Nolan has described it as the most underappreciated of his films.

      Interstellar

      Warner Bros.

      We admire Nolan for the complexity of his narratives and how he elevates stakes and tension while engaging with moral and metaphysical dilemmas.

      However, despite its stunning visuals, we felt that the straightforward story of a father (Matthew McConaughey) and daughter (Jessica Chastain) became overshadowed by the rigorous scientific themes.

      Regardless, we appreciate the ambition, and it’s noteworthy how the film's physics resurface 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). Furthermore, in addition to Wolverine and Batman, we have Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in the exceptional ensemble cast.

      It’s a breathtaking film, though the reveals might feel a bit excessive, particularly when we discover the function of Nikola Tesla’s machine.

      Still, are we truly criticizing a film featuring David Bowie as Tesla? Honestly, no. We’re merely explaining why it ranks lower in our list of Christopher Nolan films.

      Tenet

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

      This is, without a doubt, the most intricate and chaotic of all Nolan films, and its thunderous soundtrack — which obscures a lot of the dialogue — doesn't help matters. That’s before Nolan starts toying with time in mind-bending ways.

      But you know what? Tenet is so ambitiously audacious and filled with spectacle that we’re willing to overlook its incoherent aspects and enjoy the experience. When it hits, it soars, and it seems trivial to dwell on the confusing elements when the emotional core resonates so strongly.

      It was also a profoundly cathartic experience to return to theaters for Tenet after the extended pandemic lockdowns, which contributes to our fondness for the film.

      Memento

      Newmarket – Credit: C/O

      A noir thriller about a man with short-term memory loss (Guy Pearce) that unfolds in reverse.

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

      The Dark Knight Rises

      Warner Bros.

      Like all of Nolan’s films, this one improves with repeat viewings. Yes, it can be somewhat challenging to follow at times, but it all becomes clear with close attention. Plus, it features much cooler Nolan-style reveals than 99