Christopher Nolan’s one of my favourite directors and I have been trying to write this post ever since I started my blog almost three years ago but my ranking changes every single time, so you need to take this post with a pinch of salt because it is pretty much a certainty that I would have already changed my mind by the time you start reading – and would probably have changed it again by the time you finish.

So here we go… *she says, without an ounce of confidence lol*

11. Insomnia (2002)

Nolan’s third feature film tells the story of two Los Angeles detectives who are called in to Alaska to help support an investigation into the robbery-homicide of a seventeen year old girl. In the land of the Midnight Sun and near endless daylight, insomnia sets in causing one of the detectives to become delusional and the lines of reality start to blur.

Full disclosure, I haven’t actually seen this film, instead I’ve based its place in my list purely on the IMDB synopsis.

10. Following (1998)

Nolan’s feature film directorial debut Following tells the story of an aspiring yet unsuccessful writer who likes to gather inspiration for his work by following and observing people around London. He soon gets caught up with a charismatic and intelligent burglar who takes him under his wing.

Once again, I haven’t yet seen this film but ranked it based on its IMDB synopsis.

9. Tenet (2020)

In a twilight world of international espionage, one man is recruited into a mysterious organisation and armed with a single word – Tenet – is tasked with a global assignment that transcends the laws of time.

I actually really liked this film but, having watched it three times so far, I still don’t really understand what the hell is going on but I can appreciate the skill and talent that goes into making a film that is so mind-bending that about 95% of the cinema going public don’t understand it.

8.Memento (2000)

The screenplay for Nolan’s second feature film, Memento, was written by his brother Jonathan and tells the story of Leonard Shelby, a man with short term memory loss who is trying to piece together the events leading up to the murder of his wife by taking copious notes and tattooing key information on his body.

I particularly love Nolan’s use of two timelines that converge onto each other to slowly reveal details to both Leonard and the audience. Each timeline would would excellently on their own but together they make this film particularly memorable.

7. Dunkirk (2017)

As the title suggests, Nolan’s Oscar winning epic tells the story of the pivotal ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ whereby Allied soldiers, surrounded by German forces, are evacuated from the beaches by civilian boats. Visually, this film is stunning but it is the tense depiction of the battle across three concurrent storylines, each depicted within their own timescale – an hour in the air, a day on the sea and a week on the beach – that makes the film stand out from the many other World War II movies..

6. The Dark Knight (2008)

The second installment in the Christopher Nolan ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy, The Dark Knight sees Gotham’s great protector go up against his most iconic adversary, The Joker, in a battle that pushes him to his physical and mental limits, forcing him closer to the line between hero and vigilante.

I know that this was may rub a few people up the wrong way but I have to be honest and Nolan’s The Dark Knight is my least favourite of the incredible Batman trilogy. Yes, Heath Ledger made a great Joker but did it deserve the Oscar win? I’m not so sure. How good would the film have been without him? Well that’s a discussion for another day.

5. Interstellar (2014)

With the planet ravaged by drought and famine, a group of astronauts travel to the other side of the galaxy through a newly discovered wormhole in search of a new planet capable of sustaining human life.

Not one for everyone, Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar takes a staple of science-fiction storytelling – find a new habitable planet to ensure mankind’s survival – and turns it into an emotional epic about human relationships, connection and the preciousness of time. Ironically, I will admit that the film may be a tad too long, at a little under 3 hours, but the stunning visuals and beautiful Hans Zimmer score more than make up for it.

4. Batman Begins (2005)

Whether you are a fan of comic books or not, we all know the story of how young orphaned Bruce Wayne became Gotham’s great knight, Batman. Historically in cinema, Batman has been slightly cartoonish and campy so it takes a brave man to deliver a dark and gritty interpretation of such a well known and much loved character.

Whilst the story was delivered with style and care, it was the casting that really set this film alight for me. Bale is arguably the best Batman (although Robert Pattinson seems set to potentially take that crown), Michael Caine is perfect as the dependable and slightly sarcastic Alfred and Cillian Murphey’s, impactful but often forgotten, Scarecrow is quiet genius on the screen.

3. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

After the events of Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne retires in isolation, shut off from the world, but when a new villain comes to town he must, once again, pick up the cowl and save Gotham. Friendships are tested, made and broken as Bane wreaks havoc on the city and Batman must learn to put his trust in other people.

For most, the final instalment of Nolan’s ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy is the weakest of the three but for me, it was the most enjoyable and ultimately, that is what I look for most in a film. Once again, the cast is what makes the film for me; Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow is back dealing justice as he sees fit, Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman is fun to watch and Tom Hardy’s Bane is a broad, imposing presence on the screen.

2. Inception (2010)

Before Tenet and Interstellar, Nolan’s biggest mind-fuck movie was Inception, the reality bending story that explores the idea of entering people’s dreams and subconscious as methods of extracting and inserting important information. The plot is daringly unique and brilliantly executed, and that ambiguous ending – which is a something of a sore topic to some cinema fans – is the absolute cherry on the top.

1. The Prestige (2006)

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, The Prestige tells the story of two magicians, friends-come-enemies, who spends their careers battling it out between them to prove who has the superior version of the ultimate disappearing trick ‘The Transported Man’. As obsession and jealousy builds, their bitter rivalry has damaging effects on the lives of those around them.

Sandwiched between the first two instalments of his ‘Dark Knight’ trilogy, The Prestige is something of a hidden gem compared to most of Christopher Nolan’s film catalogue but no matter how many times I’ve written and rewritten this post, The Prestige has always been in the top spot. I have watched this film countless times and it still amazes me how Nolan manages to pull off the film’s twist. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman complement each other perfectly as the feuding magicians and the decision to cast David Bowie as Nikola Tesla is pure perfection. Scarlett Johansson, Andy Serkis, Rebecca Hall and Nolan staple, Michael Caine, round out the stellar cast list.

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So there you have it, my not-so-definitive ranking of Christopher Nolan’s films. I know that there will be some that will be shaking their heads incredulously as they read this but that is the beauty of cinema, everyone sees it differently and it means different things to us all.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, so drop me a comment with where you think I’ve done wrong.

Until next time…

If you liked this, don’t forget to check out some of my other Top Ten or Ranking posts.