My Favourite Christopher Nolan Films of All-Time

Not many directors have achieved appreciation of Christopher Nolan. Since the 1990’s, Nolan has become an icon. Whether its caped crusaders, scientific dreamers or men with memory loss, Nolan has created several memorable characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies made by a director that deserves to be celebrated.

1. The Dark Knight

The Joker is a legendary villain that my brother has always loved dearly. As far as I remember, my brother has always been a fan of the Joker. I remember forming bonds with a brother that was a huge fan of the comic-book character. He grew up to embrace a villain holding a special place in his heart that left lasting smiles on his face. Through his love for the Joker, my brother gave me greater appreciation for an iconic comic-book character. As someone treasuring bright memories of a brother that loved the Joker, I adored “The Dark Knight”. Ever since its release in 2008, Christopher Nolan’s movie has stood the test of time as a captivating comic-book classic. With the greatest film of his career, Nolan captured the enduring appeal of a legendary comic-book villain evoking fear. Nolan is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using handheld camerawork to build tension in his movies, and “The Dark Knight” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the iconic interrogation scene in which Batman has a one-on-one confrontation with the Joker is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Heath Ledger, who embodied the larger-than-life personality of an iconic villain before his tragic death. Ultimately, what makes “The Dark Knight” Nolan’s greatest movie is its perfect balance. Unlike most comic-book movies, the film finds a perfect balance between storytelling and spectacle. It’s one of those rare comic-book movies with strong themes that everyone would relate to. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about clownish villains that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder about a legendary filmmaker whose movies are worth celebrating.

2. Inception

Dreams have always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a mother that was fascinated with dreams causing damage. She would often love sharing dreams with my family which she remembered clearly. My mother always rare abilities to accurately recall dreams she experienced that were ingrained in her memory. Few films I have ever seen have captured the emotion associated with dreams as powerfully as “Inception”. Ever since its release in 2010, Christopher Nolan’s movie has stood the test of time as a science-fiction classic. With the most complex film of his career, Nolan captured thieves infiltrating dreams causing despair. In “Inception”, Nolan effectively used cross-cutting to capture action occurring between several dreams at once. For instance, the final kick scene in which Cobb and his teammates infiltrate a dream is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a thief whose dreams cause sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Inception” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about importance of dreams which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Cobb’s desire to make dreams come true, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences value.

3. Batman Begins

Batman is a beloved superhero that has always earned appreciation of my cousin. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a cousin that adored the iconic superhero. I vividly remember a cousin that loved the caped crusader. A huge comic-book fan, he would always speak fondly about Batman. Through his lifelong love of Batman, my cousin gave me an appreciation for a hero I have grown to value. In 2005, Christopher Nolan did an extraordinary job of reimagining the beloved superhero in his film “Batman Begins”. With the most heroic film of his career, Nolan did an exceptional job of reimagining a superhero that’s iconic. Nolan is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using non-linear storytelling in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “Batman Begins”. Throughout the film, Nolan effectively used flashbacks to build a backstory for Batman. For instance, the scene in which Bruce Wayne recalls heartbreaking memories of the night his parents died is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Christian Bale, who embodied the caped crusader. Ultimately, what makes “Batman Begins” a classic is its humanity. The film turned Batman into a relatable hero that anyone could easily identify with. A breathtaking beginning of a franchise about a brave hero, it’s a riveting reminder of a filmmaker whose timeless movies give audiences dreams to follow.

4. Oppenheimer

Bombings are intense incidents that shaped my personality. At an early age, my family faced trauma when we experienced bomb blasts causing emotional damage. In 2003, my family endured bomb blasts that caused insomnia in Saudi Arabia. Through a miracle, my family managed to survive the worst disaster imaginable. As someone haunted by disasters that changed my life forever, I adored “Oppenheimer”. Released in 2023, Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning masterpiece honoured an innovator that designed bombs causing disaster. With the most ambitious film of his career, Nolan used innovative techniques to capture an innovator that assisted WWII warfare. Nolan is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using diegetic sounds in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “Oppenheimer”. For instance, the scene in which Oppenheimer delivers a speech as he is haunted by bombings is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Cillian Murphy, who embodies the historical figure. Ultimately, what makes “Oppenheimer” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 80 years after an iconic inventor designed an atomic bomb causing consequences that were catastrophic, it’s a powerful reminder of a filmmaker that hasn’t lost abilities to make commemorated movies that are fantastic.

5. Memento

Memory loss is a painful process that causes people to face stress. Recently, I witnessed my aging grandmother losing her memory that affected her ability to function effectively. She got into the habit of forgetting about certain things, people and places which were important in her life. It was heartbreaking to see a grandmother I appreciated losing her memory leaving my family devastated. As someone that witnessed relatives face memory loss several years ago, I adored “Memento”. Released in 2000, Christopher Nolan’s directorial debut depicted hardships that individuals suffering from memory loss go through. With the most thought-provoking film of his career, Nolan used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a man with memory loss facing despair. For instance, the final scene in which Leonard questions his memory of a murder is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is a memorable performance from Guy Pearce, who captured hardships men with memory loss experience. Ultimately, what makes “Memento” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about memory that would resonate with everyone. A memorable portrait of memory loss causing men to deteriorate, it’s a marvellous reminder of a filmmaker whose movies audiences appreciate.

6. The Dark Knight Rises

It isn’t easy to bring a beloved franchise to a satisfying conclusion. Most film franchises start off on a high note. However, franchises rarely come to a satisfying closure. The final film in a franchise rarely creates a satisfying ending. However, in 2012 Christopher Nolan pulled it off successfully showcasing surprises when he made “The Dark Knight Rises”. With the final film in the Batman franchise, Nolan brought a beloved comic-book series to a conclusion. Nolan showcased his strength for creating endings with one of the greatest conclusions to a comic-book movie in history. The director bid farewell to a superhero whose stories he was born to tell. A breathtaking conclusion to a beloved franchise about heroes that rise, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a filmmaker that hasn’t lost abilities to surprise making movies that audiences prize.

7. Dunkirk

Over the past decade, the war movie genre has declined in quality. With loud battle sequences, cartoonish characters and lacklustre storytelling, most war movies have become a chore sit through. However, “Dunkirk” stands out as an exception. Released in 2017, Christopher Nolan’s movie did an exceptional job of recreating the Battle of Dunkirk. With the most technically accomplished film of his career, Nolan captured despair endured by soldiers in warfare. Nolan effectively used cross-cutting editing to capture a forgotten war in history. Nolan found the perfect balance between storytelling and spectacle missing from most war movies. Nearly 90 years after the Battle of Dunkirk, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker that deserves to be rewarded for making memorable movies through hard work.

8. Interstellar

A common criticism often levelled against Nolan’s movies is they lack emotion. Despite achieving stardom, lack of emotion in Nolan’s movies has attracted criticism. The filmmaker has often been criticized for making soulless spectacle without any emotion. However, in 2014 Nolan took audiences by surprise when he showcased his strength for creating movies with emotional power in “Interstellar”. With the most emotional film of his career, Nolan captures a father embarking on space expeditions leaving behind children facing despair. Through a father-daughter relationship, Nolan showcased an emotional side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. An incredible depiction of hardships experienced by fathers embarking on missions in space, its a breathtaking reminder of a filmmaker whose movies audiences embrace.

9. The Prestige

One of the common techniques that Christopher Nolan commonly uses in his movies are plot twists. Nolan has often excelled at staging surprising plot twists in movies that enhance storytelling. Nolan’s strength for staging plot twists with prestige is clearly evident in his movie “The Prestige”. Released in 2006, Nolan’s spellbinding movie focused on lives of magicians facing adversities. Nolan expertly uses clever plot twists to keep viewers engaged in a story about rival magicians that are competing. At the centre of it all are a pair of amazing performances from Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale, who embody magicians engaging in an intense competitive rivalry. A powerful portrait of prestigious magicians performing tricks that are dangerous, it’s a rousing reminder of a filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences consider precious.

10. Tenet

Time travel is a tricky concept that’s challenging to execute in movies. In order for movies about time travel to be successful, it needs to strike the perfect balance between being entertaining and logical. It’s a balance movies rarely achieve. Unfortunately, “Tenet” is one of those films that fails to execute time travel effectively. Released in 2019, Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster failed to execute concepts of time travel. Nolan showcased his strength for spectacle but lost sight of telling a story. Nevertheless, “Tenet” remains a reminder about Nolan’s legacy as a filmmaker. As strong as the organization of Tenet, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated director that hasn’t lost his abilities to get audiences excited whose timeless films I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love for writing movie reviews on the internet.