Ranking · 13 feature films · 1998–2026
Chris Nolan Filmography
This Chris Nolan filmography covers all 13 feature films he has directed, from Following in 1998 to The Odyssey in 2026, with my top 10 first. The ranking combines critics, audiences, my own scores, awards and box office into one number out of 100.
Top 10, ranked by Lars Ziegler
Score / 100- 01
Oppenheimer 2023
Seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, and my highest craft score. Nothing else in his career comes close on awards.
- Critics
- 91.5
- Audience
- 84.3
- Editor
- 97.1
- Awards
- 100.0
- Box office
- 80.8
- 02
The Dark Knight 2008
The audience favourite: no Nolan film scores higher with viewers. It also passed $1 billion and won two Oscars.
- Critics
- 89.5
- Audience
- 90.0
- Editor
- 92.9
- Awards
- 60.7
- Box office
- 69.1
- 03
Inception 2010
Full marks from me for direction, cinematography and sound. The most purely original idea he has put on screen.
- Critics
- 80.0
- Audience
- 87.7
- Editor
- 92.9
- Awards
- 71.4
- Box office
- 67.4
- 04
Dunkirk 2017
The best-reviewed Nolan film with critics, and three Oscars for its craft. Short, relentless and almost wordless.
- Critics
- 93.0
- Audience
- 76.9
- Editor
- 88.6
- Awards
- 62.9
- Box office
- 66.1
- 05
The Odyssey 2026
Strong reviews and about $1.8 billion worldwide. Its awards season is still ahead, so this place is provisional.
Awards provisional · season ahead
- Critics
- 91.0
- Audience
- 87.0
- Editor
- 88.6
- Awards
- 28.4
- Box office
- 77.9
- 06
Interstellar 2014
Viewers love it more than critics do. An Oscar for visual effects and a score that outlived the film.
- Critics
- 73.5
- Audience
- 87.6
- Editor
- 87.1
- Awards
- 45.6
- Box office
- 65.0
- 07
Memento 2000
Perfect marks for screenplay and editing. It made his name on a $9 million budget and earned two Oscar nominations.
- Critics
- 88.0
- Audience
- 85.2
- Editor
- 80.0
- Awards
- 21.7
- Box office
- 50.1
- 08
The Dark Knight Rises 2012
Over $1 billion worldwide and big on scale, but no Oscar nominations and the loosest script of the trilogy.
- Critics
- 82.5
- Audience
- 83.2
- Editor
- 80.0
- Awards
- 9.7
- Box office
- 64.9
- 09
The Prestige 2006
One of my favourite screenplays, held back by cooler reviews, modest box office and just two Oscar nominations.
- Critics
- 71.5
- Audience
- 87.1
- Editor
- 87.1
- Awards
- 19.4
- Box office
- 43.5
- 10
Batman Begins 2005
It reset the superhero film for a decade. Solid on every count, outstanding on none.
- Critics
- 77.5
- Audience
- 83.0
- Editor
- 78.6
- Awards
- 21.7
- Box office
- 48.1
All 13 films, in release order
13 films| Year | Film | Runtime | Our rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Following | 70 min | #13 |
| 2000 | Memento | 113 min | #7 |
| 2002 | Insomnia | 118 min | #12 |
| 2005 | Batman Begins | 140 min | #10 |
| 2006 | The Prestige | 130 min | #9 |
| 2008 | The Dark Knight | 152 min | #2 |
| 2010 | Inception | 148 min | #3 |
| 2012 | The Dark Knight Rises | 164 min | #8 |
| 2014 | Interstellar | 169 min | #6 |
| 2017 | Dunkirk | 106 min | #4 |
| 2020 | Tenet | 150 min | #11 |
| 2023 | Oppenheimer | 180 min | #1 |
| 2026 | The Odyssey | 173 min | #5 |
Other credits
11 creditsIn addition to his 13 feature films, Nolan has produced films by other directors and made four shorts of his own.
| Year | Film | Nolan’s role |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | TarantellaShortDirected by Christopher Nolan and Roko Belic | Director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor |
| 1996 | LarcenyShortDirected by Christopher Nolan | Director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor |
| 1997 | DoodlebugShortDirected by Christopher Nolan | Director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor |
| 2013 | Man of SteelDirected by Zack Snyder | Producer, story |
| 2014 | TranscendenceDirected by Wally Pfister | Executive producer |
| 2015 | QuayShort documentaryDirected by Christopher Nolan | Director, producer, cinematographer, editor, composer |
| 2016 | Batman v Superman: Dawn of JusticeDirected by Zack Snyder | Executive producer |
| 2017 | Justice LeagueDirected by Zack Snyder | Executive producer |
| 2019 | The Doll’s BreathShortDirected by Stephen Quay and Timothy Quay | Executive producer |
| 2021 | Zack Snyder’s Justice LeagueDirected by Zack Snyder | Executive producer |
| 2024 | Sanatorium Under the Sign of the HourglassDirected by Stephen Quay and Timothy Quay | Executive producer |