The best Christopher Nolan movies, ranked (including Oppenheimer)

5. Dunkirk

Based on the true events of the Battle of Dunkirk during World War II, Dunkirk features an ensemble cast. It follows three different perspectives as Ally soldiers await rescue while being attacked by the German army. As you can expect with most Christopher Nolan movies, the cinematography is fantastic and creates an immersive experience worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find. Dunkirk hit theaters in 2017.

As the film intertwines the three storylines, there’s a gradual sense of urgency as the situation becomes more and more dire, leading to a climactic end. The pacing is perfect. The gripping tension, acting, and performances make this movie a standout. You definitely don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy it. Critics gave Dunkirk glowing reviews and it’s not surprising that the movie is one of Nolan’s highest-rated on Rotten Tomatoes.

The story of Dunkirk comes to life through an awesome cast including Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Jack Lowden, Barry Keoghan, Harry Styles, and others. Unlike other Nolan movies, Dunkirk doesn’t necessarily rely on star power. Though they give great performances, it serves as both Whitehead and Glynn-Carney’s debut feature film.

Because Dunkirk is so focused on one particular battle, however, there’s a lack of character development or emotional depth that we get from some of Nolan’s other films. It’s still a great movie, but there are stronger in his filmography.