Tom Holland in the new Christopher Nolan film

It could actually be a horror movie

By Jonas Reichel on

News from Christopher Nolan: While it was only announced a few weeks ago that the director is working on a new film with Matt Damon, there seems to be a lot happening in terms of the cast. "Spider-Man" actor Tom Holland will be taking on a role. And there are already some initial clues about the story.

The website Gizmondo claims to have learned that Nolan actually wants to devote himself to the horror genre. To be more precise, it could be a vampire film set in the 1920s. However, this information should be taken with a grain of salt – nothing has been confirmed yet. It could just as well be that we end up being presented with a spy thriller or a science fiction action film after all.

What is certain, however, is that Nolan is once again teaming up with Universal Pictures to realize the film. The Oscar winner left his old home studio Warner Bros. after disagreements over the release strategy for "Tenet" in 2021. The studio then tried to win Nolan back with a seven-figure sum – but to no avail. The new film will be released in cinemas on July 17, 2026, so filming is likely to start in the course of next year.

All of Christopher Nolan's films in order of box office takings

Christopher Nolan is one of the most successful and innovative directors of our time. His films often combine complex narrative structures, impressive visual effects and profound themes, which has brought him both commercial and critical success.

1. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) – 1,114 billion US dollars

The third and final installment of "The Dark Knight" trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises" is Nolan's most commercially successful film. The conclusion to the story of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman found a huge audience worldwide. In this film, Batman not only has to stand up to the brutal mercenary Bane, played by Tom Hardy, but also battle with his own past and inner demons. The film was praised for its epic storyline and emotional depth, even if it was occasionally overshadowed by its predecessor. Nevertheless, "The Dark Knight Rises" is an impressive conclusion to the trilogy and a masterpiece in Nolan's filmography.

Image of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES Trailer (2012)

2. The Dark Knight (2008) – 1.009 billion US dollars

"The Dark Knight" is considered one of the best superhero films of all time and earned Heath Ledger a posthumous Oscar for his iconic role as the Joker. The film pushed the boundaries of the genre and was a complex, gritty thriller that explored themes of chaos, order and justice. With worldwide box office takings of over a billion dollars, "The Dark Knight" revolutionized the way superhero films are made and had a lasting impact on the entire film industry. The visual design, complex character development and captivating story make the film an absolute classic.

Image of THE DARK KNIGHT Trailer German Deutsch (2008)

3. Oppenheimer (2023) – 975 million US dollars

With "Oppenheimer", Nolan proved that he can also reach a global audience with a historical drama. The film tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the "father of the atomic bomb", and examines the moral and ethical dilemmas associated with the development of this world-changing weapon. Cillian Murphy plays the title role and leads an impressive cast, including Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt. "Oppenheimer" not only won 7 Oscars, but also grossed almost a billion dollars.

Image of OPPENHEIMER Trailer (2023)

4. Inception (2010) – 839 million US dollars

With "Inception", Christopher Nolan brought one of the most ambitious and innovative works to the big screen. The science fiction heist film, which deals with the levels of consciousness and dreams, was both a technical masterpiece and a fascinating intellectual challenge for audiences. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Dom Cobb, a thief who infiltrates other people's dreams to steal secrets. "Inception" was celebrated for its visual creativity and interwoven storytelling and remains a prime example of Nolan's ability to present complex themes in a blockbuster format.

Image of INCEPTION Trailer (2010)

5. Interstellar (2014) – 730.8 million US dollars

"Interstellar" is Nolan's ambitious science fiction film about a group of astronauts searching for a habitable planet to save humanity. The film is characterized by impressive visual effects, an emotional father-daughter story and scientific concepts. Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway play the lead roles in this epic work, which wowed viewers and critics alike.

6. Dunkirk (2017) – 526.9 million US dollars

"Dunkirk" tells the story of the dramatic evacuation of Allied troops during the Second World War. The film dispenses with a conventional narrative style and instead offers a visually impressive depiction of the battles on land, at sea and in the air. Nolan's minimalist approach and focus on tension and intensity made "Dunkirk" particularly worth seeing.

Image of DUNKIRK Trailer 2 (2017)

7. Batman Begins (2005) – 375.3 million US dollars

With "Batman Begins", Nolan launched his "The Dark Knight" trilogy and breathed new life into the Batman franchise. Christian Bale shines as Bruce Wayne, and the film lays the foundation for Nolan's dark and realistic approach to the superhero genre. Praised for its serious tone and deeper character development, "Batman Begins" marked a turning point for superhero cinema.

8. Tenet (2020) – 365.3 million US dollars

"Tenet" is another highly complex sci-fi thriller from Nolan that deals with the concept of time reversal. John David Washington plays the lead role, supported by Robert Pattinson. Despite the pandemic-related difficulties with its release, the film was a commercial success.

Image of TENET Trailer (2020)

9. The Prestige (2007) – 109.6 million US dollars

"The Prestige" tells the story of two rival magicians in the 19th century, played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. The film is a dark drama about obsession, ambition and sacrifice. Despite a comparatively low box office result, "The Prestige" is one of Nolan's most popular films.

10. insomnia (2002) – 113.7 million US dollars

"Insomnia" is a remake of a Norwegian thriller and is about an investigator, played by Al Pacino, who has to solve a murder in Alaska and struggles with insomnia. The film offers an exciting cat-and-mouse game between Pacino and the murderer played by Robin Williams. "Insomnia" was Nolan's first Hollywood film and already showed his penchant for psychologically complex characters.

11. Memento (2001) – 40 million US dollars

"Memento" is the film that made Nolan famous in the film world. The non-linear narrative style and the theme of memory loss made the film a cult classic. Guy Pearce plays a man who tries to find his wife's murderer while suffering from amnesia himself. "Memento" was an artistic success and brought Nolan a lot of attention in the film industry.

12. Following (2005) – 126 thousand US dollars

"Following" is Nolan's first feature film, which was shot on a budget of just 6,000 US dollars. The black-and-white thriller tells the story of a writer who follows strangers and is drawn into a dangerous underworld. Despite the low budget, "Following" already shows many of the features that characterize Nolan's later works, such as the non-linear narrative style and morally complex characters.