Following a surprising change of heart, Quentin Tarantino has decided to cancel his eleventh film, The Movie Critic, leaving fans curious about what the acclaimed director's next—and possibly final—project will be. As we eagerly await news of his next venture, it's the perfect opportunity to embark on a Tarantino-athon. Below, we've ranked all ten of his feature-length films, focusing solely on those he directed from start to finish. Note that we're not including his segments from Sin City and Four Rooms in this list.
It's worth mentioning that Tarantino has yet to make a truly bad film; some are just not as stellar as his best works. Keep this in mind as you peruse our rankings. Even Tarantino's least acclaimed films often outshine the best efforts of many other filmmakers.
Here's our definitive ranking of Quentin Tarantino's films. We encourage you to share your thoughts and create your own rankings in the comments section below!
Ranking the Movies of Quentin Tarantino
11 Images
10. Death Proof (2007)
Image credit: Dimension FilmsStars: Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito | Release Date: April 6, 2007 | Review: IGN's Death Proof review
Let's address the elephant in the room: Death Proof may not be as entertaining as Planet Terror, but it stands as the smartest homage to B-movies ever crafted. The film feels like a project that one of the most talented and audacious filmmakers might whip up with friends over a few weekends, albeit with the backing of a major studio and a script that's as rapid-fire as it gets.
The narrative follows Stuntman Mike as he targets beautiful, chatty women with his supposedly death-proof car. This movie is a bullet, revitalizing Kurt Russell's career and daring viewers to sit through nearly 40 minutes of dialogue before the action kicks in. While polarizing (unless you're a Cannes regular), Death Proof remains a rare gem in today's studio-dominated landscape, free from corporate interference. Even if the fast-talking, stylish women aren't your cup of tea, the climactic chase scene, fueled by revenge and sheer exhilaration, should win over even the most skeptical viewers.
9. The Hateful Eight (2015)
Image credit: The Weinstein CompanyStars: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh | Release Date: December 7, 2015 | Review: IGN's The Hateful Eight review
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. Tarantino masterfully blends western and mystery genres, infusing the film with dark humor and making it a compelling character study as well as a tribute to classic 70mm filmmaking.
Set in the post-Civil War era, the film tackles contemporary issues with nuance and maturity, arguably making it Tarantino's most sophisticated work to date. While fans might notice familiar elements from Tarantino's previous films, particularly Reservoir Dogs, these similarities do not detract from the overall impact of the story. The Hateful Eight remains a powerful and engaging film, despite minor quibbles.
8. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Image credit: The Weinstein CompanyStars: Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Christoph Waltz | Release Date: May 20, 2009 | Review: IGN's Inglorious Basterds review
Tarantino's self-described homage to The Dirty Dozen, Inglourious Basterds is more akin to a series of theatrical vignettes than a single cohesive film. Each segment is packed with top-notch performances and the suspenseful dialogue that Tarantino fans adore. However, the film's structure, with its long, sprawling conversations leading to brief bursts of action, can feel somewhat disjointed.
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 Lt. Aldo Raine, initially a one-dimensional character, gains depth through Pitt's terrifying yet hilarious performance. While Inglourious Basterds excels in its individual parts, it struggles to form a unified whole.
7. Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)
Image credit: Miramax FilmsStars: Uma Thurman, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine | Release Date: April 8, 2004 | Review: IGN's Kill Bill: Volume 2 review
Kill Bill: Volume 2 follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she seeks to eliminate the remaining members of her revenge 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.
This installment delves deeper into The Bride's backstory, providing motivations and explanations that enrich the narrative. The violent yet beautiful confrontation between The Bride and Elle Driver in Budd's trailer is a highlight, offering a satisfying resolution to Elle's story. Uma Thurman's performance continues to anchor the film, showcasing a wide range of emotions.
6. Jackie Brown (1997)
Image credit: Miramax FilmsStars: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster | Release Date: December 8, 1997 | Review: IGN's Jackie Brown review
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 his strongest and most restrained character-driven films.
The plot revolves around Pam Grier's titular character, who becomes entangled with Samuel L. Jackson's gun runner, Ordell, Robert Forster's sympathetic bail bondsman, and Michael Keaton's no-nonsense ATF agent. The dense yet engaging plot allows Tarantino to showcase his actors, including Robert De Niro and Keaton, in his unique cinematic world.
5. Django Unchained (2012)
Image credit: The Weinstein CompanyStars: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz | Release Date: December 11, 2012 | Review: IGN's Django Unchained review
In Django Unchained, Tarantino confronts the horrors of slavery head-on 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.
What stands out is Tarantino's ability to balance the tone, shifting 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.
4. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (2019)
Image credit: Sony PicturesStars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie | Release Date: May 21, 2019 | Review: IGN's Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood review
Tarantino's latest film, Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, is not only one of his best but also his second major "What If...?" alternate history project following Inglourious Basterds. The film offers a crowd-pleasing "course correction" ending while exploring deeper emotional themes, all without shying away from 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, inadvertently crossing 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 nostalgic time capsule filled with memorable moments and intense scenes.
3. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Image credit: Miramax FilmsStars: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi | Release Date: January 21, 1992 | Review: IGN's Resevoir Dogs review
As Tarantino's shortest film, Reservoir Dogs is also his most tightly constructed. Every digression into pop culture serves a purpose, advancing the plot or deepening character development. The film moves at a breakneck pace, leaving viewers little time to process the action until the final shot.
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 single-location story into a cinematic epic, revolutionizing crime cinema and influencing a generation of filmmakers.
2. Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)
Image credit: Miramax FilmsStars: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah | Release Date: October 10, 2003 | Review: IGN's Kill Bill: Vol. 1 review
Tarantino's two-part homage to The Bride Wore Black centers on The Bride (Uma Thurman), who seeks vengeance after being left for dead by her ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) and her former colleagues. After awakening from a four-year coma, she embarks on a global quest for bloody revenge.
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 iconic dialogue and transitioning into a formidable action hero when the film shifts to its action-heavy second half.
1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Image credit: Miramax FilmsStars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman | Release Date: May 21, 1994 | Review: IGN's Pulp Fiction review
In the 1995 Best Picture race, Pulp Fiction faced off against Forrest Gump, with the latter taking home the Oscar. However, many believed that Tarantino's non-linear masterpiece deserved the win, given its profound impact on pop culture.
Few films from the 1990s—or any era—have had such a lasting influence as Pulp Fiction. It's a cinematic rock and roll experience, filled with instantly quotable dialogue and a fanzine-like sense of taste. The film features guns, a Bible-quoting hitman, his morally ambiguous partner, leather-clad gimps, hidden watches, and five-dollar milkshakes. Tarantino's direction and use of source music transformed the storytelling landscape, inspiring countless imitators and influencing a new generation of filmmakers. Pulp Fiction didn't just change how movies were made; it redefined what they could achieve.
### The best Quentin Tarantino moviesThe best Quentin Tarantino movies
And that concludes 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 use our interactive tier tool to create your own Tarantino rankings.
