Following a change of heart, Quentin Tarantino has canceled his eleventh film, The Movie Critic, leaving fans curious about what the director's next (and likely final) movie will be. As we await his next move, it's the perfect time to indulge in a Tarantino-athon. Below, we've ranked each of the 10 feature-length films the filmmaker has directed. Note that we're focusing on "feature-length" films, so we're not including the segments he directed for Sin City and Four Rooms.
While Tarantino hasn't made a truly bad film yet, some of his works don't quite reach the heights of his best efforts. Keep this in mind as you explore our list. Even Tarantino's least acclaimed films often outshine the best efforts of many other filmmakers.
Here are the best Quentin Tarantino films, ranked. We encourage you to share your thoughts and your own rankings in the comments section below!
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Death Proof may not be as fun as Planet Terror, but it stands out as the smartest homage to B-movies ever crafted. The film feels like a project that one of the most talented and confident filmmakers might whip up with friends over a few weekends, albeit with the backing of a major production company and a rapid-fire script.
The story follows Stuntman Mike, who uses his death-proofed car to target beautiful, chatty women. This film not only revitalizes Kurt Russell's career but also challenges viewers with nearly 40 minutes of dialogue before the action kicks in. While polarizing, Death Proof is a unique work, free from studio interference, making it a must-see in today's cinematic landscape. The climactic death chase, fueled by revenge and sheer excitement, should satisfy even the most skeptical viewers.
The Hateful Eight is a film that combines vicious humor with an intense narrative, offering a brutal look at race relations and human nature set against the backdrop of the Wild West. By blending western and mystery genres with a touch of gallows humor, Tarantino delivers both a deep character study and a tribute to classic 70mm filmmaking.
Set in the post-Civil War era, the film delves into contemporary issues of race, making it one of Tarantino's most nuanced and mature works. While fans might notice familiar elements from Tarantino's previous films, such as echoes of Reservoir Dogs, these similarities do not detract from the overall impact of the story.
Inglourious Basterds is Tarantino's homage to The Dirty Dozen, featuring a character-driven, mission-focused narrative. The film is structured more like a series of theatrical plays than a single cohesive story, reminiscent of Reservoir Dogs. Each segment is packed with top-notch performances and dialogue that builds suspense, a hallmark of Tarantino's style. However, the film's lengthy conversations can sometimes overshadow the brief bursts of action.
Christoph Waltz's Oscar-winning portrayal of Colonel Hans Landa is one of Tarantino's most memorable villains—charming, brutal, and cunning. Brad Pitt's performance as Lt. Aldo Raine adds depth to what could have been a one-dimensional character. While the film excels in its individual parts, it struggles to form a unified whole.
Kill Bill: Volume 2 follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she seeks revenge on the remaining members of her hit list: Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), and Bill (David Carradine). Tarantino promised a shift towards more dialogue and character development, and Volume 2 delivers on that promise, becoming one of his most dialogue-heavy films.
The film delves deeper into The Bride's backstory, providing context and motivation that enrich the narrative. The confrontation between The Bride and Elle Driver in Budd's trailer is a highlight, showcasing Tarantino's flair for violent beauty and dramatic tension.
Upon its release, Jackie Brown received positive reviews but was seen as a step down from the groundbreaking Pulp Fiction. As Tarantino's only adaptation, based on Elmore Leonard's Rum Punch, it took him out of his comfort zone. However, over time, Jackie Brown has been recognized as one of Tarantino's strongest and most restrained character-driven films.
The plot revolves around Pam Grier's character, Jackie Brown, who navigates a complex web involving Samuel L. Jackson's gun runner, Ordell, Robert Forster's sympathetic bail bondsman, and Michael Keaton's no-nonsense ATF agent. The film's dense yet accessible plot and the joy of seeing actors like De Niro and Keaton in Tarantino's world make it a compelling watch.
Django Unchained does not shy away from the horrors of slavery while delivering a wild, bloody, and entertaining homage to spaghetti westerns. The film is designed to be a crowd-pleaser, and it succeeds with its over-the-top violence and humor.
Tarantino masterfully balances the tone, moving between absurd comedy and the brutal realities of life for slaves in the antebellum South. The film's depiction of casual racism is both shocking and historically accurate. Despite its dark themes, Django Unchained remains a fun and essential watch.
Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, Tarantino's most recent film, is not only one of his best but also his second major alternate history project after Inglourious Basterds. The film offers a crowd-pleasing "course correction" ending while exploring deeper emotional themes, all while maintaining Tarantino's signature ultra-violence.
Set in 1969, the story follows an aging actor and his loyal stunt double as they navigate the changing film industry and cross paths with the Manson Family. With standout performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt (who won an Oscar for his role), and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, the film serves as a time capsule filled with memorable moments and intense scenes.
Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino's shortest film, is also his most tightly constructed. The film seamlessly blends pop-cultural references with essential plot and character development, moving at a breakneck pace. Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen deliver standout performances, while seasoned actors like Lawrence Tierney and Harvey Keitel elevate the material to new heights.
Tarantino's creative direction transforms a single-location story into a minor epic, revolutionizing crime cinema and influencing a generation of filmmakers. Reservoir Dogs is an instant classic that defined Tarantino's career and style.
Kill Bill: Volume 1 is the first part of Tarantino's homage to The Bride Wore Black. The story follows The Bride (Uma Thurman), who, after being left for dead by her ex-lover Bill and her former colleagues, embarks on a global quest for revenge.
The film is a blood-soaked spectacle, with perfect casting across the board. Uma Thurman's portrayal of The Bride is particularly noteworthy, as she effortlessly delivers Tarantino's iconic dialogue and transforms into a formidable action hero in the film's action-heavy second half.
In 1995, Pulp Fiction was up against Forrest Gump for the Best Picture Oscar, with Gump ultimately taking home the award. However, Pulp Fiction has had a lasting impact on pop culture, with its non-linear storytelling, rock-and-roll energy, and instantly quotable dialogue.
The film features a Bible-quoting hitman, his less-than-righteous partner, leather-clad gimps, hidden watches, and five-dollar milkshakes. Tarantino's direction and use of source music as a storytelling tool set a new standard for filmmaking, inspiring countless imitators. Pulp Fiction not only changed how movies were made but also raised the bar for what audiences expect from cinema.
And that's our ranking of the best Quentin Tarantino movies. Do you agree with our list, or do you have a different order in mind? Share your thoughts in the comments below or create your own Tarantino tier list using our handy tool above.
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