The best films directed by Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan is a titan of his industry, one of the most famous and decorated directors in recent history. It is the fruit of some of the most iconic films in modern culture, and its ability to evoke deep emotions in its audience is a highlight of its legacy.

With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years under his belt, Nolan has tried his hand at directing action blockbusters, sci-fi dramas, biopics and psychological thrillers. From the mind-bending thriller Inception to the stratospheric epic Interstellar, here are some of Christopher Nolan's best works.

10

Insomnia

(2002)

2002's Insomnia appears to begin as a murder mystery, with veteran detectives Dormer and Eckhart flying to a remote Alaskan town to solve a grisly murder. But after the assassin witnesses Dormer kill Eckhart by mistake, Dormer is forced to work with the assassin to cover up both of their respective crimes.

Al Pacino steals the show as Dormer, brilliantly displaying the character's guilt, jaded outlook on life and corrupt morals. The story chronicles the emotional ups and downs and gradual descent into madness and desperation of its main character, who ultimately reaches a satisfying conclusion.

9

Batman begins

(2005)

Nolan delves into the Batman franchise with 2005's Batman Begins, which is the first Batman film since 1997's critically panned Batman & Robin. The film features memorable performances from Cillian Murphy as the Scarecrow and solidified Christian Bale's portrayal of Batman as one of the best and most authentic.

The film's story traces the rise of Batman and delves into Bruce Wayne's fears and motivations and what led him to don Batman's guise. He battles against Scarecrow's noxious fear gas and Ra's al Ghul's plan to destroy Gotham City while finding his footing as Gotham's future hero.

8

The Dark Knight Rises

(2012)

The final installment of the Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, is set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight. The film's story follows Batman as he battles the forces of Bane and Talia al Ghul, determined to pick up where Ra's al Ghul left off and destroy Gotham.

Once again, the franchise's villains steal the spotlight, and Tom Hardy's gripping performance as Bane is one of the unforgettable ones. The story was written by Nolan and David Goyer, who was responsible for writing 2013's Man of Steel and helped co-write three of the Call of Duty: Black Ops games. The film broke records as the highest-earning Batman film and provided a strong and rewarding conclusion to the Batman arc.

7

I remember

(2000)

Memento is Nolan's second directorial effort and this film was a true masterpiece. As soon as the film begins, you get the idea that its protagonist, Leonard Shelby, is an unreliable narrator. Because Shelby suffers from short-term memory loss and writes notes everywhere for clues about himself in the future, he is prone to misinterpreting people and events.

The film is told in a non-linear format and you find yourself doing detective work to piece together the chain of events. The performances from the actors were top notch and the story never failed to engage the audience. The characters are well written and complex, and those who seem trustworthy at first quickly show that they are not the person you think they are.

6

The Dark Knight

(2008)

The Dark Knight is one of the best superhero films ever made and focuses on Batman's iconic and historic nemesis, the Joker. The Joker is determined to discover Batman's identity, sending Batman and his allies on a wild goose chase with its many deadly and outlandish traps.

Heath Ledger dominates the film with his performance as the Joker, capturing the unpredictability and madcap madness of his character well. With one unforgettable scene after another, The Dark Knight sticks to the essence of Batman and Joker's characters and depicts how easily one's morals can be corrupted under the right circumstances.

5

Oppenheimer

(2023)

The film that dominated the Internet for months alongside Gerwig's Barbie, Oppenheimer is Nolan's latest film and one of his best yet. Its events are based on the book American Prometheus, a biography of the legendary physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer.

The story follows Oppenheimer's journey to building the first atomic bomb and his subsequent struggle with guilt over the resulting loss of life in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. With engaging dialogue and excellent in-depth character exploration, you'll also enjoy brilliant performances from its stellar cast. The film garnered Oscar nominations and accolades left and right, cementing him as one of cinema's greats.

4

The prestige

(2006)

The Prestige is one of the best psychological thrillers around, a film full of twists. Set in Victorian England, the story focuses on two wizards, Borden and Angier, whose rivalry begins after the death of Angier's wife. What follows is an obsession on both sides to outdo each other by whatever means necessary, to the detriment of both men's personal lives.

The film itself was a great magic show, full of subtle hints and clues to the jaw-dropping twist at the end. Overall, The Prestige did an incredible job of maintaining its unpredictability and keeping the audience on their toes, not knowing what would happen next, nor what the big reveal would be.

3

Dunkirk

(2017)

Nolan proves he's not afraid to tackle epic historical wars, and Dunkirk highlights his masterful take on the genre. Set during the height of World War II, the film focuses on the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation, where civilian boats were used to help evacuate thousands of stranded Allied troops.

The evacuation is told from the points of view of several characters, all struggling to survive the German attack and return home to England. The story is profoundly profound and moving and tells its tale of survival and heroism without losing that feeling of authenticity. Dunkirk certainly ranks up there with Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan as one of the best war films ever made.

2

Start

(2010)

Nolan pushed his creativity to the limit in 2010's mind-bending Inception, diving into the sci-fi genre with great success. The film tells the story of Cobb, who developed technology that allowed him to infiltrate other people's dreams. He was eventually hired to use his technology to “convince” billionaire heir Robert Fischer to shut down his father's company.

The film deals with themes of greed, ambition, grief and guilt, with an ending that is entirely up to interpretation. Its story remains relevant and compelling and its themes still resonate with audiences nearly two decades after its release. Plus, you'll be treated to standout performances from a talented cast featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, among many others, making Inception one of the best and most rewatchable films of all time.

1

Interstellar

(2014)

Nolan's best and most iconic work, the 2014 sci-fi drama Interstellar, is a masterclass in cinematic storytelling. The story follows a version of Earth ravaged by crop failures and climate upheavals, driving a group of determined scientists and pilots to find another livable planet. The main character, Cooper, is forced to leave his two children and joins the expedition.

Matthew McConaughey and Jessica Chastain steal the spotlight with their performances as Cooper and Murphy respectively, and the CGI and cinematics are out of this world (no pun intended). Coupled with a gorgeous soundtrack courtesy of Hans Zimmer, the film really shines during its emotional and impactful scenes, leaving you stunned by the end.