Quentin Tarantino Movies, Ranked Best to Worst
- Photo: Miramax Films
Box office: $213.9 million
Pulp Fiction, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a landmark in American cinema, known for its nonlinear storytelling, sharp dialogue, and iconic performances. The film weaves together the lives of two hitmen, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits, exploring themes of violence and redemption in the underbelly of Los Angeles. The star-studded cast includes John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, and Ving Rhames, among others. Upon its release in 1994, Pulp Fiction revitalized the careers of several of its leads and cemented Tarantino's status as a premier filmmaker. It went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and received multiple Academy Award nominations, winning Best Original Screenplay for Tarantino and Roger Avary, showcasing its profound impact on filmmaking and culture.
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- Photo: The Weinstein Company
Box office: $321.5 million
Inglourious Basterds, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is an audacious, revisionist take on World War II. The film intertwines the tales of Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), a Jewish cinema owner seeking vengeance for her family's murder, and Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) who leads a group of Jewish-American guerrilla soldiers on a mission to assassinate Nazi leaders in Nazi-occupied France. Christoph Waltz delivers a chilling performance as SS Colonel Hans Landa, which catapulted him to international acclaim. Released in 2009, the film is celebrated for its distinct Tarantino flair—sharp dialogue, nonlinear storytelling, and intense moments of both humor and brutality. Inglourious Basterds was a critical and commercial success, receiving multiple Academy Award nominations. Waltz won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, marking a significant achievement for the film's remarkable ensemble cast.
More Inglourious Basterds- #118 of 262 onThe 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
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- Photo: The Weinstein Company
Director, Writer
Box office: $425.4 million
Django Unchained, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a provocative blend of spaghetti Western and historical drama set in the pre-Civil War South. The narrative follows Django (Jamie Foxx), a freed slave who teams up with Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a German bounty hunter, to rescue his wife from the clutches of a brutal Mississippi plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). With its unflinching portrayal of slavery, razor-sharp dialogue, and stylized violence, the film is both a tribute to and a critique of the Western genre. Django Unchained was acclaimed upon its 2012 release, with standout performances from its cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and Kerry Washington. It garnered several Academy Award nominations, winning two: Best Original Screenplay for Tarantino and Best Supporting Actor for Waltz, affirming Tarantino's prowess in crafting compelling, controversial narratives.
More Django Unchained- #99 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
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- Photo: Miramax
Box office (US): $2.8 million
Reservoir Dogs, Quentin Tarantino's debut feature film, burst onto the scene in 1992 as a gritty, intense heist film with a twist—in that the heist itself is never shown. Instead, the film focuses on the aftermath, as tensions escalate among a group of criminals who suspect that one of them is an undercover cop. The ensemble cast includes Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi, and Chris Penn, all delivering performances that are raw and riveting. Tarantino's signature style—nonlinear storytelling, sharp dialogue, and graphic violence—is evident throughout, setting the stage for his future films. While Reservoir Dogs did not win major awards upon its release, it garnered critical acclaim and has since been hailed as a landmark independent film, cementing Tarantino’s status as a formidable director in Hollywood.
- Photo: Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Box office: $180.9 million
Kill Bill: Volume 1, Quentin Tarantino's blood-soaked homage to martial arts films, samurai cinema, and spaghetti Westerns, hits the ground running with its tale of revenge and redemption. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, a former assassin who embarks on a ferocious quest to take down her former colleagues after they attempt to kill her and her unborn child. The ensemble cast includes Lucy Liu, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Madsen, and Daryl Hannah, each playing a crucial role in The Bride's journey. Released in 2003, the film is celebrated for its distinctive stylistic flair, intricate fight choreography, and Tarantino’s trademark narrative techniques. While it did not secure major awards, Kill Bill: Volume 1 garnered critical acclaim and achieved a cult status, praised for its direction, performances, and audacious visual style.
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Box office: $55.3 million
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a richly textured tribute to the final moments of Hollywood's Golden Age. Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film intertwines the lives of Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a fading TV actor struggling to navigate a changing industry, and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), as they cross paths with Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) and the Manson Family. Released in 2019, this nostalgic and sprawling tale balances humor with a haunting undertone. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood won multiple major awards, including two Academy Awards: Brad Pitt for Best Supporting Actor and Best Production Design, cementing its status as a critically acclaimed homage to cinema's bygone era, showcasing Tarantino's storytelling prowess and the stellar performances of its cast.
- Photo: Kill Bill: Vol. 2
Box office: $152.2 million
Kill Bill: Volume 2, directed by Quentin Tarantino, continues the vengeful saga of The Bride, played with fierce intensity by Uma Thurman. Following the events of Volume 1, this 2004 sequel delves deeper into her quest to exact revenge on her former lover and boss, Bill (David Carradine), and his deadly associates. The narrative unfolds with Tarantino's trademark mix of genres, blending Westerns, martial arts, and film noir, while exploring themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. The cast, including Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, and Gordon Liu, delivers compelling performances that complement the film’s intricate storytelling and stylistic flourishes. While Kill Bill: Volume 2 did not win major Academy Awards, it received critical acclaim for its direction, screenplay, and Thurman's performance, cementing its place as a cult classic and a pivotal part of Tarantino's filmography.
More Kill Bill Volume 2- #353 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
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- Photo: The Hateful Eight
Box office: $155.8 million
The Hateful Eight, Quentin Tarantino's eighth film, is a gripping Western set against the backdrop of a wintry post-Civil War landscape. The story unfolds in a remote cabin where eight travelers find themselves stranded during a blizzard, leading to a tense plot of deception, secrets, and eventual violence. The ensemble cast features Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, and Tim Roth, among others. Released in 2015, the film is noted for its sharp dialogue, atmospheric tension, and Tarantino's signature non-linear storytelling. Ennio Morricone’s haunting score won an Academy Award for Best Original Score, marking a significant achievement for the film. The Hateful Eight was praised for its direction, performances, particularly Leigh’s, and its contribution to the Western genre, solidifying its status as a noteworthy entry in Tarantino’s oeuvre.
More The Hateful Eight- #155 of 288 onThe 250+ Best Western Movies Of All Time
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- Photo: Jackie Brown
Box office: $74.7 million
Jackie Brown, Quentin Tarantino’s third film, serves as an homage to 1970s blaxploitation films, showcasing a more subdued and mature side of the director. The story centers around Jackie Brown (Pam Grier), a middle-aged flight attendant who becomes entangled in a scheme to smuggle money from Mexico to the United States for a gun runner, Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson). When caught, she devises a plan to play both the cops and Robbie to secure her freedom and a better future. The film's cast also includes Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda, Michael Keaton, and Robert De Niro. Released in 1997, Jackie Brown received critical acclaim for its sharp writing, strong performances, and its distinct departure from Tarantino's earlier, more violent works. While not winning major awards, Forster’s nuanced performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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- Photo: Miramax Films
Box office: $59.3 million
From Dusk Till Dawn, directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino, is a unique blend of crime thriller and horror that turns from a tense hostage situation into a vampire bloodbath. The film stars George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino as the Gecko brothers, outlaws on the run who take a preacher (Harvey Keitel) and his family hostage. Their escape route leads them to a Mexican bar that's, unbeknownst to them, a haven for vampires. Released in 1996, the film is notable for its sharp turn from a crime drama to supernatural horror, showcasing Tarantino’s knack for genre blending and Rodriguez's visceral direction. While it didn’t scoop major awards, From Dusk Till Dawn became a cult classic, praised for its bold storytelling, Clooney and Tarantino's performances, and its contribution to the vampire genre.
More From Dusk till Dawn- #262 of 769 onThe Most Rewatchable Movies
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- Photo: True Romance
Box office: $12.3 million
True Romance, directed by Tony Scott and penned by Quentin Tarantino, is a vivid, high-octane love story entangled with crime and violence. The film follows Clarence Worley (Christian Slater) and Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette), two lovers who find themselves on the run after stealing cocaine from Alabama's pimp. As they attempt to sell the drugs in Hollywood, they're pursued by mobsters and the police. Released in 1993, the film is celebrated for its electric dialogue, eclectic soundtrack, and engaging performances, including a memorable cameo by Brad Pitt. Despite its strong cult following and critical acclaim, especially for Tarantino's screenplay and the performances of its cast, True Romance did not win major awards at the time but has since been recognized as a classic in the crime genre.
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- Photo: Miramax12
Box office: $158.8 million
Sin City, co-directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, with "special guest director" Quentin Tarantino, is a visually striking adaptation of Miller's graphic novel series. The film presents a gritty, noir-infused vision of Basin City, a corrupt town seething with crime, violence, and moral ambiguity. Its narrative weaves together several interconnected stories, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, and Benicio Del Toro. Known for its unique visual style that mimics the look and feel of the original comics, Sin City received critical acclaim upon its 2005 release. The film garnered numerous awards and nominations, particularly for its visual effects and art direction, winning a Technical Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and earning several nominations from the Saturn Awards.
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- Photo: Warner Bros.
Box office: $50.3 million
Natural Born Killers, directed by Oliver Stone and based on a screenplay by Quentin Tarantino, is a controversial and polarizing film that delves into the dark side of the American psyche, media culture, and the glorification of violence. The story follows Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis), a young couple who embark on a savage cross-country killing spree, becoming media sensations in the process. Released in 1994, the film is notable for its frenetic editing style, satirical tone, and social commentary. Despite its divisive reception, Natural Born Killers has been praised for its performances, particularly those of Harrelson and Lewis, and its innovative visual style. While it didn't win major awards, the film has attained cult status and sparked extensive debate about violence in media and its impact on society.
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- Photo: dBnetco / flickr / CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Box office: $30.7 million
Death Proof, directed by Quentin Tarantino, forms one half of the exploitation double feature Grindhouse, created in collaboration with Robert Rodriguez. This high-octane thriller follows a psychopathic stuntman, Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), who uses his "death-proof" stunt car to execute murderous plans against unsuspecting women. The film takes a turn as a group of women, including Zoe Bell (playing herself), Tracie Thoms, and Rosario Dawson, decide to fight back. Released in 2007, Death Proof is a homage to the muscle car films and slasher genres of the 1970s, melding suspense, black comedy, and Tarantino’s signature dialogue-driven storytelling. While Death Proof did not garner major awards, it was praised for its stylistic flair, thrilling car chases, and strong performances, especially Russell’s charismatic portrayal of the villain.
More Death Proof- #61 of 139 onThe Best Movies Of 2007
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- Photo: Dimension Films
Box office: $25.4 million
Grindhouse is a cinematic homage to the exploitation double features of the 60s and 70s, co-directed by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. This ambitious project combines two full-length feature films, Rodriguez's zombie thriller Planet Terror and Tarantino's slasher film Death Proof, bridged by faux trailers that capture the essence of exploitation cinema. The ensemble cast includes Rose McGowan, Freddy Rodriguez, Josh Brolin, Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, and Vanessa Ferlito, among others. Released in 2007, Grindhouse celebrates the gritty, over-the-top aesthetics of its inspirations, complete with deliberately added film scratches and missing reels to enhance the retro experience. Despite its creative ambition and homage to a bygone era of cinema, Grindhouse did not win major awards but has since garnered a cult following for its unique concept and execution, solidifying its place among fans of the genre.
- Photo: Four Rooms
Box office: $4 million
Four Rooms is an anthology film that brings together the distinct storytelling styles of directors Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Allison Anders, and Alexandre Rockwell. Set on New Year's Eve, the film follows Ted the Bellhop (Tim Roth), who encounters various forms of absurdity and chaos in four different rooms at the fictional Hotel Mon Signor in Los Angeles. Each segment, directed by a different filmmaker, presents a unique, quirky narrative ranging from witchcraft to gangsters, testing Ted's patience and wit. Released in 1995, the ensemble cast includes notable performances by Madonna, Antonio Banderas, and Bruce Willis, among others. Despite its creative premise and star-studded cast, Four Rooms did not secure major awards and received mixed reviews, but it has since been appreciated for its humor and experimental approach to storytelling.
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