Friday, July 17, 2026

Ranking Christopher Nolan’s films from least to most successful

July 17, 2026
1 min read
Ranking Christopher Nolan's films from least to most successful

Christopher Nolan is set to bring Ancient Greece to multiplexes with an audacious adaptation of Homer’s literary epic The Odyssey, reports BritPanorama.

12. Tenet (2020)

Tenet Film Still Warner Brothers Image via https://mediapass.warnerbros.com/
Nolan attempted to put a time-inverting spin on James Bond in ‘Tenet’ (Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Warner Bros)

Positioned as the saviour of Hollywood in the summer of 2020, Tenet was the first major film to hit cinemas after the early lockdown restrictions were lifted. However, many viewers left the socially distant screenings feeling underwhelmed. The film’s metaphysical concepts and thin characterisation crafted a viewing experience that was deemed a slog, as Nolan’s flair for style seemed to overshadow substance.

Stream on HBO Max, Prime Video, or Netflix. Rent on Google Play, Apple TV, or Sky Store.

11. Following (1998)

Almost a stark contrast to his later blockbusters, Nolan’s directorial debut, Following, is a no-budget, 70-minute effort shot over weekends. The film tells the story of a voyeuristic author who becomes entangled with London’s criminal underbelly while searching for inspiration. Despite its flaws, Following showcases Nolan’s future potential with its non-linear narrative and thematic complexity.

Stream on Prime Video. Rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Google Play, or Sky Store.

10. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Film: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) starring Christian Bale as Batman. This image released by Warner Bros. shows Christian Bale as Batman in
The third of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012), is a solid closer to the trilogy (Photo: Ron Phillips/Warner Bros/AP)

Following the success of The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises marked a significant challenge for Nolan. Centered on the return of Christian Bale’s Batman after an eight-year hiatus, the film features a formidable villain in Tom Hardy’s Bane. While it succeeded commercially, its narrative complexity and perceived ideological undercurrents received mixed reviews, igniting debates about the film’s messaging.

Stream on Prime Video, Netflix, or Now. Rent on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV, or Sky Store.

9. Insomnia (2002)

Film :
‘Insomnia’, starring Hilary Swank and Al Pacino, is a remake of the 1997 Norwegian thriller of the same name (Photo: Alcon Entertainment)

In Insomnia, Nolan departs from writing duties but delivers a masterful depiction of a tense psychological drama set in Alaska. Featuring strong performances from Al Pacino as a guilt-ridden detective and Robin Williams as a cunning murderer, the film effectively captures the stark beauty of its setting. Critics have pointed to its straightforward yet engaging narrative, highlighting it as one of Nolan’s more underrated films.

Stream on iPlayer, Prime Video.

8. Interstellar (2014)

Anne Hathaway as Amelia Brand Interstellar Film still Image from pxl.sky.com

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