11 Best Movies of Christopher Nolan Ranked

Christopher Nolan is one of those great directors and screenwriters who are known for their intellectual style of storytelling.

He presented his successful films with his challenge as well as intelligent narratives. All the films are based on sociological as well as philosophical concepts which help in exploring humanity as well as the ductile nature of personal identity as well as memory.

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List of Best Movies Directed by Christopher Nolan

11. Doodlebug (Short Film) (1997)

Doodlebug Nolan Short Film

This is a short film directed by Christopher Nolan and is basically a short psychological thriller starring Jeremy Theobald. The story revolves around a shabby man living in a shabbier flat that get possibly driven towards a mental disorder wherein he can see his own miniature version and soon later enters a large face who finally proceeds in squashing the person.

10. Insomnia (2002)

Isomnia Christopher Nolan Poster

This movie is basically a psychological thriller film based on a story of a murder and its investigators, i.e. 2 homicide detectives who belong to Los Angeles. It is a remake of Insomnia, 1997 which was critically acclaimed as well as was a huge grossing success. The whole story revolves around investigating a murder in Alaskan Town.

9. The Prestige (2006)

the Prestige Nolan Movie poster

The Prestige is a drama film starring Scarlett Johansson, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine. The screenplay of this movie is being adapted from Christopher Priest’s novel, The Prestige (1995), winner of the World Fantasy Award. The whole story revolves around two rival magicians who are obsessed with creating the best illusionary stage and eventually, they both engage themselves in one-upmanship with other each followed by tragic results.

8. Following (1998)

following film by Christopher nolan poster

This movie revolves around a young man who keeps on following strangers on London Street and when he fails to maintain distance from them, he is eventually drawn into a world of criminals. The movie starring Lucy Russell, Jeremy Theobald, John Nolan, and Alex Haw is a drama thriller and was designed inexpensively. The young man follows people in order to find a good inspiration for his first novel.

7. Dunkirk (2017)

Dunkirk Best films of Christopher Nolan as director

Christopher Nolan’s military Theme film Dunkirk was released in 2017. It shows the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II. Instead of adhering to a conventional storyline, the movie shows the evacuation from the views of the land, sea, and air. Dunkirk is one of the Best films of World War 2. The experiences of the beached troops, the civilians who sailed from England to aid in the rescue, and the pilots taking part in aerial battle all contribute to the story’s development.

In order to fully immerse the spectator in the intense and terrifying mood of the evacuation, the film has very little dialogue. It emphasizes the turmoil, anxiety, and urgency of the event by concentrating more on the visual and aural aspects.

The authenticity of the film was questioned, as Nolan forgot to show important aspects of that war, like missing Indian soldiers in WW2, who were fighting for the British.

6. Oppenheimer (2023)

Oppenheimer best films of nolan

Oppenheimer is a biographical drama film directed by Christopher Nolan, it is based on the American Physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is also referred to as the Father of the Atomic Bomb.

A movie based on the biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist dubbed the “father of the atomic bomb,” was being developed as of January 2023, when I last updated my understanding. The project was to be directed by Christopher Nolan and would be called “Oppenheimer.”

The movie was to ‘s focuses on Oppenheimer’s life and his crucial contribution to the Manhattan Project’s creation of the atomic bomb during World War II.

Cillian Murphy, who has worked with Christopher Nolan on many films including “Inception,” “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” and “Dunkirk,” was cast as the main role of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

6. Memento (2000)

Memento NOLAN movie

This is one of those Hollywood movies directed by Christopher Nolan which is based on a neo-noir mystery-psychological thriller inspired by Nolan’s younger brother’s short story “Memento Mori”. This movie stars Joe Pantoliano, Guy Pearce, and Carrie-Anne Moss. This movie is presented in two distinct sequences, one black-and-white (chronological story) and the other in color (story in reverse order) and these two meet together in the end finally producing one common interesting story for its viewers.

5. Tenet (2020)

Tenet best science fiction film

Christopher Nolan’s science fiction action-thriller Tenet was released in 2020. The idea of time inversion in which some things and individuals may travel back in time while the rest of the world marches forward is explored in the movie.

Tenet was a complex film, and many of the people from the audience were not able to get it, but it is one of the best films of Christopher Nolan.

4. Inception (2010)

Inception Nolan Movie poster

This movie is based on science-fiction starring a renowned cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Ellen Page, Tom Berenger, Dileep Rao, Marion Cotillard, and Cillian Murphy. The story revolves around a professional thief who first commits corporate espionage and then offers a chance of salvation, regarding it as a payment that was considered to be purely impossible i.e. inception.

3. Interstellar (2014)

Interstellar Movie Poster Christopher nolan

Interstellar is a science-fiction movie team of space travelers who travel through wormholes to find a new home for people. starring Matthew McConaughey, Ellen Burstyn, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine and Anne Hathaway. When a wormhole is discovered, space travelers travel in to embark on a voyage in order to save humanity. Interstellar is one of the best films of Nolan as a Director and top-rated Science fiction film of all Time.

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2. Batman Begins

Dark Knight Trilogy Christopher nolan movie Batman series posters

The Batman Series of 3 Films is a science-fiction series that received positive reviews and even broke the box office records. Batman is a fictional character who even appeared in numerous animated films. The series aims to depict the darker side of humanity and realism with a realistic tone. The series was a commercial success and was critically acclaimed as well.

1. The Dark Knight

dark knight best films of nolan batman film

In 2008, Christopher Nolan’s superhero movie “The Dark Knight” was released. It is the second part of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, which starts with “The Dark Knight Rises” (2012) and ends with “Batman Begins” (2005).

The Dark Knight is the sequel to Batman Begins, The film is considered one of the best Batman films of all time, and Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne/Batman again. Alongside Heath Ledger as the Joker

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32 COMMENTS

  1. I am not much of a movie goer and I have never seen any of these films. There are a couple I think I might really enjoy. I am going to see if I can find them somewhere.

  2. Following sounds like an interesting movie to watch. It has a nice plot but then the characters are unknown to me. What about visual effects?

  3. I actually have never seen any of those movies. I will have to see if any of them are on Netflix and check them out.

  4. Rebel Sweetheart Rebel Sweetheart

    Insomnia would have to be my favorite among Christopher Nolan’s movies. Memento is a close second for me. 🙂

  5. I haven’t seen any of these but I am not a big movie fan. My husband has probably seen quite a few of them.

  6. Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen his movies! Now I have a great list to start with!

  7. I love the Batman Trilogy among his works. I hope they still continue the franchise under Nolan or they could do Robin. I also like Inception.

  8. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of his films. Good info for those who like him.

  9. Inception was an awesome movie.. i can see it over and over..

  10. I’ve seen a few of Christophr Nolan’s films–I enjoy them A LOT!

  11. Following sounds like an interesting movie that I would want to watch. I will have to see this one because I love thrillers. Thanks for sharing.

  12. Uplifting Families Uplifting Families

    I haven’t heard of Christopher Nolan or at least I don’t recognize the name.

  13. Interstellar is bound to be a great movie. Christopher Nolan is an incredible director. I’m absolutely in love with his Batman trilogy.

  14. Kayla @ TheEclecticElement Kayla @ TheEclecticElement

    My favorite movies are ones that have a deeper meaning to the storyline and make you think throughout the movie. I’m definitely going to have to check out some of these films!

  15. Interesting choices. My favorite is The Dark Knight. Truth be told, I’m not very familiar with Nolan as a director.

  16. I loved inception! I thought it was very thought provoking.

  17. I will have to check out this movie for sure along with some of Christopher Nolan’s other movies. Thanks for sharing.

  18. Oh wow! These are all great movies! I think I loved Inception and The Prestige the most.

  19. woow. Christopher Nolan is sure brilliant and very artistic. These movies are awesome. I have yet to watch the rest but the overall theme of witty storytelling got me on the hook.

    thank you for sharing!

  20. I’m not sure if I ever heard of him, but I do have a love for movies, especially old films!

  21. I wasn’t aware that he had directed so many great movies. I will have to watch a few of them.

  22. Unfortunately I have never seen any of his movies I don’t think, but what an exciting Post, and so informative. Thanks for sharing and the pics too! Have a great day.

  23. I haven’t seen these movies yet but it’s sounds like I’ve been missing all the good stuff. Gotta make time to see them!

  24. Fathima Syedali Fathima Syedali

    I am not a big movie fan. But after going through this, I will try to watch Intersteller movie. I have heard about Christopher Nolan, one of the best movie director.

  25. Bonnie @ wemake7 Bonnie @ wemake7

    I haven’t seen any of these movies. =( I think I would like to see DoodleBug.

  26. It sounds interesting, and slightly disturbing. I imagine the visuals must be good on this one.

  27. I have not heard of these movies before. They do look interesting. I will have to see if they are on Netflix.

  28. Oh I love Christopher Nolan films!! Inception was my favorite. There are a few more on this list I haven’t seen but will have to now. Thanks!

  29. These look really good, I’ll have to check them out.

  30. I had to watch Memento a few times to really piece it together, and I know many people didn’t like it, ha ha ha, probably because you really need to watch it more than once!

  31. I love Christopher Nolan! Great list!

  32. Lucky Seven Ten Lucky Seven Ten

    I love his movie but I can tell you are a real fan! I didn’t know he directed batman begins.

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