Every Christopher Nolan Movie Ranked by the KinoCheck Community

Finally, a new movie from Christopher Nolan! Following his Academy Award winning "Oppenheimer," "The Odyssey" brings us the film adaptation of one of the greatest and oldest stories of all time. For us, that's reason enough to look back on the director's career.

We reached out to the KinoCheck community and asked: What's your favorite Christopher Nolan movie? Not such an easy question when you look at the British director's filmography. In total, Nolan has directed twelve feature films, many of which are widely celebrated as modern masterpieces. But which film tops your list? You voted enthusiastically, and we received over 12,000 votes. Here's the KinoCheck community's Nolan ranking.

No. 12: Following (1998)

Coming in at number 12 is "Following." Nolan's first feature film is known mainly to die-hard fans of the director. "Following" was made on a low budget and tells the story of a young writer who follows strangers and, in doing so, gets caught up in a dangerous game of manipulation and identity theft. Many fans agree that while Following already showcases several of Nolan's signature themes, it ultimately ranks among his weaker films.

No. 11: Insomnia (2002)

Al Pacino and Robin Williams in a film by Christopher Nolan? Not all movie fans may be familiar with "Insomnia." The crime thriller follows a veteran police officer who, while investigating a case in Alaska, becomes increasingly tormented by guilt and insomnia.

For Nolan, "Insomnia" is a rather unusual film. For one thing, it's a remake of the Norwegian film of the same name starring Stellan Skarsgård. For another, "Insomnia" is probably the least reminiscent of a classic Nolan film; thematically, it feels more like the kind of material David Fincher would tackle. "Insomnia" is undoubtedly overshadowed by Nolan's later works and is more of an insider's pick.

No. 10: Memento (2000)

"Memento" is generally regarded as Nolan's international breakthrough. The film tells the story of Leonard (Guy Pearce), a man suffering from anterograde amnesia who is unable to form new memories as he searches for his wife's killer. Memento became famous for its reverse chronological narrative, allowing audiences to experience events from Leonard's fragmented perspective.

To this day, the film is considered a milestone in the modern thriller genre and one of the cleverest films of its kind. The community ranks "Memento" at number 10. Meanwhile, in our Nolan ranking within the KinoCheck editorial team, "Memento" came in at a strong fourth place. So opinions differ somewhat here – but both are valid. After all, we all know what other films Nolan went on to make after "Memento"…

No. 9: Dunkirk (2017)

One of them is "Dunkirk." The film tells the story of the evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from three different perspectives – on land, at sea, and in the air. Nolan employs an extraordinary narrative structure here that interweaves the various storylines.

Particularly impressive are the intense atmosphere and the almost constant build-up of tension, to which Hans Zimmer's music makes a significant contribution. In the community ranking, "Dunkirk" comes in at No. 9, while the KinoCheck editorial team voted it No. 6.

No. 8: The Prestige (2006)

For many fans, "The Prestige" is one of Nolan's most ingenious films. The story centers on two rival magicians whose competition takes on increasingly dangerous proportions. With Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, the film boasts a star-studded cast.

Thanks to its clever structure, "The Prestige" reveals new details and connections every time you watch it. The community voted it into eighth place here; in the editorial ranking, "The Prestige" comes in seventh (tied with "Oppenheimer").

No. 7: Tenet (2020)

Somewhat surprisingly, "Tenet" landed ahead of films like "Memento," "Dunkirk," and "The Prestige." This complex action thriller follows a secret agent (John David Washington) who must defy the laws of time in his fight against a global threat. "Tenet" is widely regarded as Nolan's most complex film, and some fans even consider it unnecessarily convoluted.

At the time of its 2020 release, "Tenet" received a more divided response. However, its reputation has grown considerably over the years. Many fans revisited the movie, discovering new layers and developing a greater appreciation for its ambitious ideas. Today, Tenet has become something of a cult favorite.

No. 6: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

With "The Dark Knight Rises," Nolan concluded his Batman trilogy in 2012. Several years after the events of the previous film, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) must return once more as Batman to face the dangerous Bane (Tom Hardy).

Even though most viewers don't consider the film to be on the same level as its direct predecessor, "The Dark Knight Rises" has its fans. This is also evident here in the community ranking, where the superhero blockbuster secures a strong sixth place.

No. 5: Inception (2010)

The top 5 of the community ranking kicks off with "Inception." The science-fiction thriller follows a team led by Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) that infiltrates other people's dreams to steal information – or even plant ideas directly into their subconscious. The blend of spectacular action, an emotional story, and complex world-building makes the film a modern classic. The ending, which is still discussed today, is without a doubt one of the most famous final shots of the 21st century. The iconic score has also earned a permanent place in pop culture.

Surely there are many Nolan fans for whom "Inception" would take first place – but in the KinoCheck community's overall ranking, it only manages to reach fifth place. Our editorial team ranks the film third.

No. 4: Batman Begins (2005)

With "Batman Begins," Nolan laid the foundation for one of the most influential superhero franchises of all time. The film chronicles Bruce Wayne's journey and shows how he becomes Batman. The influence of "Batman Begins" should not be underestimated: Not only did Nolan kick off his Batman trilogy with it, but the film's success certainly played a part in the subsequent superhero boom.

This reimagining of Batman's origin story was very well-received by many fans including our community. In the community ranking, "Batman Begins" took a strong fourth place. We rate this blockbuster similarly in the Nolan ranking: it lands in fifth place on our list.

No. 3: Oppenheimer (2023)

Taking third place is "Oppenheimer". The biopic tells the story of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) and the development of the atomic bomb. The film became a global cinematic phenomenon (keyword: "Barbenheimer") and won numerous awards. These include a total of seven Academy Awards, among them in the categories of "Best Picture" and "Best Director."

"Oppenheimer" captivates audiences with its masterful direction and exceptional ensemble cast, led by Oscar winner Cillian Murphy alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt. Nolan skillfully combines historical events with profound themes and an character study, telling the story in the distinctive style that has made him one of the defining filmmakers of his generation.

For the KinoCheck community, Oppenheimer earns an outstanding third place. In the KinoCheck editorial team's poll, "Oppenheimer" ranks 7th (tied with "The Prestige").

No. 2: Interstellar (2014)

In second place is Nolan's grand sci-fi epic! In "Interstellar," the director blends science fiction with an emotional family story. As Earth becomes increasingly uninhabitable, a group of astronauts sets out to find a new home for humanity. For many fans, "Interstellar" ranks among Christopher Nolan's most emotional films. It's also arguably his most visually stunning film. It explores profound themes such as time, mortality, love, and the survival of humanity, while wrapping them all into an unforgettable cinematic experience.

A cinematic masterpiece that many film fans even consider one of the best movies of all time! "Interstellar" ranks second in both the community poll and our editorial team's vote.

No. 1: The Dark Knight (2008)

You may have already guessed it – the top spot comes as no real surprise. The votes were decisive: "The Dark Knight" is the best Christopher Nolan film according to the KinoCheck community.

The second installment of his Batman trilogy is still considered a milestone in superhero cinema and is regularly ranked among the best films of all time. The story centers on Batman's conflict with the Joker, whose portrayal by Heath Ledger made film history and earned him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

For many fans, Ledger's portrayal of the Joker is arguably the film's highlight. But "The Dark Knight" also stands out for its dark atmosphere, iconic score, and extraordinary direction. For many, the film is and remains Christopher Nolan's undisputed masterpiece. "The Dark Knight" also takes first place in our editorial team's ranking.

The KinoCheck Editorial Team's Ranking

For comparison, here's a quick look at the Top 5 as voted by the KinoCheck editorial team. At the very top, the editors and the community are in complete agreement.

No. 1: The Dark Knight

No. 2: Interstellar

No. 3: Inception

No. 4: Memento

No. 5: Batman Begins

Nolan's New Film: The Odyssey

Nolan's entire filmography proves once again that it's not without reason that he is considered the most influential director of the 21st century. Will the British filmmaker take his body of work to the next level with "The Odyssey"?

You can read the press's initial reactions here – "The Odyssey" has already been screened for a select audience. But the film will soon be available to all viewers: This monumental work hits theaters on July 17. You can watch the latest trailer here. We hope you enjoy it at the movies!