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 peruse 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!
Ranking the Movies of Quentin Tarantino
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10. Death Proof (2007)
Let's address the elephant in the room: Death Proof may not be as fun as Planet Terror, but it's undoubtedly the smartest homage to B-movies ever crafted. The film feels like a project that one of the most talented and confident filmmakers put together with friends over a series of weekends, albeit with a major production budget and a rapid-fire script.
The story of Stuntman Mike taking down beautiful, talkative women with his death-proofed car is a thrilling ride. It revitalizes Kurt Russell's career and features nearly 40 minutes of dialogue before the action kicks in. While polarizing (unless you're a Cannes regular), Death Proof stands out as a rare film untouched by 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.
9. The Hateful Eight (2015)
With its vicious humor and intense narrative, The Hateful Eight delves deeply into race relations and human nature, all while showcasing the brutality of the Wild West. This film blends western and mystery genres with a touch of gallows humor, offering both a character study and a tribute to classic 70mm filmmaking.
Set in the post-Civil War era, The Hateful Eight explores contemporary issues through its historical lens, making it arguably Tarantino's most nuanced and mature work. While fans might notice familiar elements from Tarantino's previous films, such as echoes of Reservoir Dogs, these similarities don't detract from the overall impact of the story. The film's exploration of race and human nature remains its strongest asset.
8. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Tarantino's self-described homage to The Dirty Dozen, Inglourious Basterds is more akin to a series of theatrical plays than a single film. Since Reservoir Dogs, this is Tarantino's most theatrical work, featuring first-rate performances and dialogue that builds suspense. However, the film's structure, with long conversations leading to brief bursts of action, can feel disjointed.
Christoph Waltz's Oscar-winning performance as Colonel Hans Landa is one of Tarantino's most memorable villains—brutal, charming, and cunning. Brad Pitt's portrayal of Lt. Aldo Raine adds depth to what could have been a one-dimensional character. While the individual segments are strong, Inglourious Basterds struggles to coalesce into a unified whole.
7. Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)
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 his signature style of slick dialogue and pop culture references, 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 masterclass in violent storytelling. Uma Thurman's performance showcases a wide range of emotions, making Volume 2 a compelling continuation of the saga.
6. Jackie Brown (1997)
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, Robert Forster's sympathetic bail bondsman, and Michael Keaton's no-nonsense ATF agent. The film's dense yet accessible plot, combined with the joy of seeing actors like De Niro and Keaton thrive in Tarantino's world, makes Jackie Brown a standout.
5. Django Unchained (2012)
Django Unchained doesn't shy away from the horrors of slavery while delivering a wild, bloody, and crowd-pleasing homage to spaghetti westerns. The film balances absurd comedy with brutal depictions of life in the antebellum South, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
The casual and incessant racism portrayed is shocking yet historically accurate. Despite its dark themes, Django Unchained remains a fun and must-see film, showcasing Tarantino's ability to blend genres and tones seamlessly.
4. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (2019)
Tarantino's most recent film, Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, is not only one of his best but also his second major "What If...?" 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 stellar 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 of the era, complete with memorable music and intense moments.
3. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
As Tarantino's shortest film, Reservoir Dogs is also his tightest. Every digression into pop culture is matched with essential plot development or character building, resulting in a film that moves at a breakneck pace. Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen deliver star-making performances, while seasoned actors like Lawrence Tierney and Harvey Keitel elevate the material to new heights.
Tarantino's creative direction transforms a one-location story into a minor epic, revolutionizing crime cinema and influencing a generation of filmmakers. In just 100 minutes, Reservoir Dogs became an instant classic, cementing Tarantino's place in cinematic history.
2. Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Tarantino's two-part homage to The Bride Wore Black follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she seeks revenge after being left for dead by her ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) and her former cohorts. After waking from a four-year coma, The Bride embarks on a global quest for vengeance.
Volume 1 is a blood-soaked spectacle, with perfect casting across the board. Uma Thurman's portrayal of The Bride is particularly noteworthy, seamlessly delivering Tarantino's dialogue and transitioning into a formidable action hero when the film shifts to action.
1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
In 1995, Pulp Fiction was up against Forrest Gump for the Best Picture Oscar. While Forrest Gump took home the award, many felt Pulp Fiction was the more deserving choice. Few films have had the cultural impact that Tarantino's non-linear epic has, influencing everything from pop culture to filmmaking itself.
With its rock-and-roll energy, fanzine sensibility, and instantly quotable dialogue, Pulp Fiction features guns, a Bible-quoting hitman, a leather-clad gimp, and five-dollar milkshakes. Tarantino's direction and use of source music transformed the film into a cinematic landmark, inspiring countless imitators and setting new standards for what films can achieve. As his second film, Pulp Fiction not only changed how movies were made but also our expectations of what they can be.
The best Quentin Tarantino movies
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.
