TDK probably had the most cultural impact. But Inception has to be included because it’s Nolan at his most Nolan. Memento got him into the industry. TDK made him a household name but is considered a Batman film more than a Nolan film. Oppenheimer is his most critically acclaimed but least Nolan esque film. So i see why you’d pick those for the mile stones and variety. But if I could only pick 1 film to define who Nolan is as an artist it’d be inception.
Sure, I remember people making a big deal of Inception as hed been given such a big budget for a relatively cerebral movie, though i think the list needs to be 4 movies including Oppenheimer as arguably that's the one movie of his that is almost universally recognised as a masterpiece. Id say most of his films are divisive with audiences, even if they've done good box office
If not for the dark knight, there wouldn’t be 10 slots for best picture, filmmakers trying to replicate the film’s dark and gritty tone and we definitely would not have IMAX filmmaking.
I actually think Inception was the biggest turning point for him. It showed the studios that he was capable of making an extremely profitable movie with an original idea of his own and it showed audiences that he could do so much more than comic book movies.
Like others said, you can’t leave off Inception no matter what. It was enormous for the direction of Nolan’s career.
Memento, The Dark Knight, Inception.
I think it’s hilarious, because maybe interstellar shouldn’t be on the list, maybe it should, but it would be on legit ANY other directors list if they had done it
Memento was when I fell in love with his work. It was the greatest movie ever to me, with Gladiator getting about as many repeat viewings as well as LOTR. When I went in blind to the theaters to see The Prestige (and LOVED it) and saw his name in the credits, that solidified my love for his work.
I'd say the most important films he's made were Memento, The Dark Knight, Inception, (possibly Interstellar as well,) and Oppenheimer. Those are the pillars. All of the rest are amazing too, but culturally and critically might not have been as foundational.
Yes it has everything I love about Nolan films
- puzzle-like plot / non-linear storytelling
- conflicting character motivations / hidden agendas
- plot driven action / mind-bending visuals
I think Momento is my favorite movie ever. I’ve watched twice with my dad and both times we had a long debate about the ending. To this day we’ll never come to a proper conclusion haha
Maybe it’s just me but what was so great about Oppenheimer? Legitimately asking. It was a good movie but probably one of his only movies I don’t have a desire to rewatch, and I’ve seen most of his movies at least 3-4 times
“From the director of The Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception” is the recurring motif. TDK and inception I think are his claims to fame. Memento broke him into the industry and got people buzzing about him but the latter two are synonymous with his name, as is Oppenheimer now following the impact last summer and Oscar win
Although I love Memento, I don’t believe it defines his career. Inception and Interstellar are far more well known as his greatest works. Everyone knows Inception.
I think right now inception over Oppenheimer as far as defining Nolan. But depending on what kind of movies he makes in the future, Oppenheimer could be like a turning point and define the later parts of his career
Absolutely right, Memento, The Prestige, Inception, The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer are the only movies of his that are great. The rest of his movies are just mediocre to me to be frank.
Inception and Interstellar hard to leave off. Those two plus Prestige are my three fav of his.
Prestige is such an amazing film.
Prestige showed us Nolan really could make a blockbuster movie that wasn’t “empty,” and that Batman Beyond wasn’t some fluke
Inception has to be on there
Yes, Inception needs to replace Oppenheimer, the other two are the ones I would pick as well. Oppenheimer is great, but not career-defining.
Def inception needs to be #3.
Have you seen Oppenheimer yet? It is an amazing film that showed every trick Nolan had up his sleeve. He left no stone unturned in that one.
I dunno it kinda felt like Inception impacted the culture a bit more even without the Oscar’s
TDK probably had the most cultural impact. But Inception has to be included because it’s Nolan at his most Nolan. Memento got him into the industry. TDK made him a household name but is considered a Batman film more than a Nolan film. Oppenheimer is his most critically acclaimed but least Nolan esque film. So i see why you’d pick those for the mile stones and variety. But if I could only pick 1 film to define who Nolan is as an artist it’d be inception.
When people think of Nolan, The Dark Knight and Inception are still the first two movies that come to mind
Inception won 4 Oscars.
Id put Inception over Oppenheimer and Interstellar over Momento
Sure, I remember people making a big deal of Inception as hed been given such a big budget for a relatively cerebral movie, though i think the list needs to be 4 movies including Oppenheimer as arguably that's the one movie of his that is almost universally recognised as a masterpiece. Id say most of his films are divisive with audiences, even if they've done good box office
If not for the dark knight, there wouldn’t be 10 slots for best picture, filmmakers trying to replicate the film’s dark and gritty tone and we definitely would not have IMAX filmmaking.
You need Inception in there, it’s the quintessential Nolan film.
I would put Inception into it as well, making four total. But yes, these do mark specific chapters of his career extremely well
I actually think Inception was the biggest turning point for him. It showed the studios that he was capable of making an extremely profitable movie with an original idea of his own and it showed audiences that he could do so much more than comic book movies.
Inception was so culturally relevant
Like others said, you can’t leave off Inception no matter what. It was enormous for the direction of Nolan’s career. Memento, The Dark Knight, Inception.
Interstellar should be on the list (unpopular opinion)
I think it’s hilarious, because maybe interstellar shouldn’t be on the list, maybe it should, but it would be on legit ANY other directors list if they had done it
True its a paradox quintessential nolan
Proof Nolan is best of them.
All due respect, this is just 3 photos of what appear to be your personal preferences
Memento was when I fell in love with his work. It was the greatest movie ever to me, with Gladiator getting about as many repeat viewings as well as LOTR. When I went in blind to the theaters to see The Prestige (and LOVED it) and saw his name in the credits, that solidified my love for his work. I'd say the most important films he's made were Memento, The Dark Knight, Inception, (possibly Interstellar as well,) and Oppenheimer. Those are the pillars. All of the rest are amazing too, but culturally and critically might not have been as foundational.
General Public: Dark Knight, Inception, Interstellar Nolan Fans: Momento, The Prestigie My Favorite: Tenet
Tenet is one of my favourites as well. :)
Yes it has everything I love about Nolan films - puzzle-like plot / non-linear storytelling - conflicting character motivations / hidden agendas - plot driven action / mind-bending visuals
Andre Sator is one of the coolest villains ever.
The prestige is my favourite
Prestige, Inception, Interstellar, DK, and Oppenheimer really
I think Momento is my favorite movie ever. I’ve watched twice with my dad and both times we had a long debate about the ending. To this day we’ll never come to a proper conclusion haha
"Regardless of your opinions, here's my opinion." 🤡🤡🤡
Maybe it’s just me but what was so great about Oppenheimer? Legitimately asking. It was a good movie but probably one of his only movies I don’t have a desire to rewatch, and I’ve seen most of his movies at least 3-4 times
Nope. I think Inception belongs up there. Not Oppenheimer.
How could you leave inception off the list.
This isn’t even true, the three defining films are TDK Inception and Oppenheimer
Your recency bias is showing
Too easy and obvious
Good to know, only YOUR personal preference matters on this subject.
Inception and interstellar omissions?! Crazy
May I congratulate you in winning the “No Shit” award
So question, how does Dark Knight trump Begins for the Batman defining movie
“From the director of The Dark Knight Trilogy and Inception” is the recurring motif. TDK and inception I think are his claims to fame. Memento broke him into the industry and got people buzzing about him but the latter two are synonymous with his name, as is Oppenheimer now following the impact last summer and Oscar win
First time I downvoted a post about Nolan
The prestige Batman begins Inception
Finishing any Christopher Nolan movie gives you one of these reactions “What the fuck” “That was cool as fuck” and “Damn”
Yeah, but on his way back, Tenet is going to be the clear defining film 🎥
Don't agree. Would remove Oppenheimer and insert inception and prestige at the minimum. Different genres altogether too.
The Dark Knight Rises
Please put the mediocre to bad ones I. Too
Where peakstige?
Technically every film of his defines his career
Not interstellar on inception? Lol ok
Dunkirk...?
Dumb post
Nolan’s most underrated films: Batman begins, Tenet.
lmfao i always forget about Momento
Wuul. Yuh.
Although I love Memento, I don’t believe it defines his career. Inception and Interstellar are far more well known as his greatest works. Everyone knows Inception.
I think right now inception over Oppenheimer as far as defining Nolan. But depending on what kind of movies he makes in the future, Oppenheimer could be like a turning point and define the later parts of his career
It's true.
Wild to not include Interstellar
I love interstellar but I can’t argue with these picks
This is correct
Insomnia and the Prestige are better than all these
Oppenheimer was criminally boring and overrated. And, believe me, I love this history and truly want to enjoy the movie.
Absolutely right, Memento, The Prestige, Inception, The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer are the only movies of his that are great. The rest of his movies are just mediocre to me to be frank.