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Top Quentin Tarantino Films Ranked

May 01,25(4 days ago)
Top Quentin Tarantino Films Ranked

Following a change of heart, Quentin Tarantino has canceled his eleventh film, The Movie Critic, leaving us wondering what the director's next (and likely final) movie will be. While we wait, it's the perfect time to delve into a Tarantino-athon, so we've ranked each of the 10 feature-length films the filmmaker has directed below. Notice we said "feature-length," meaning we're overlooking the segments he helmed for Sin City and Four Rooms.

We don't think Tarantino's made a truly bad film yet, just a couple that aren't as good as his best efforts. So bear that in mind as you read the following list. Even the worst of Tarantino is usually better than any other filmmaker's best.

Here are the best Quentin Tarantino films, ranked. As always, remember to comment at the bottom of the page and let us know how you would rank Tarantino's films!

Ranking the Movies of Quentin Tarantino

11 Images10. 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 be upfront: Death Proof isn't as fun as Planet Terror, but it's the smartest homage to B-movies ever made. The film feels like the work of a highly talented and confident filmmaker who gathered friends for a weekend shoot, albeit with major production backing and a rapid-fire script. The story of Stuntman Mike targeting beautiful, chatty women with his death-proofed car is a thrilling ride that revitalizes Kurt Russell's career. It starts with nearly 40 minutes of dialogue before the action kicks in, making it polarizing (unless you're at Cannes). While it doesn't reach the heights of Pulp Fiction, it's a rare film with no studio interference, which is a must-see in today's studio-dominated landscape. The smart, fast-talking women and the climactic revenge-fueled chase should satisfy 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

Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight is armed with vicious humor and an intense story, offering a brutal take on race relations and human nature in the Wild West. It combines the western and mystery genres with a healthy dose of gallows humor, delivering an intense character study and a nod to glorious 70mm filmmaking. Set post-Civil War, it explores contemporary issues around race, making it arguably Tarantino's most nuanced and adult tale yet. While it has elements familiar to Tarantino fans, with shades of Reservoir Dogs, the film's overall narrative stands strong, despite minor quibbles about predictability.

8. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Image credit: The Weinstein CompanyStars: Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Christoph Waltz | Release Date: May 20, 2009 | Review: IGN's Inglourious Basterds review

Tarantino's self-described homage to The Dirty Dozen, Inglourious Basterds feels more like four brief plays and a short film than a single experience. It's his most theatrical work since Reservoir Dogs, with each section filled with first-rate performances and suspenseful dialogue. However, the film's lengthy conversations can overshadow its bursts of action. Christoph Waltz's Oscar-winning performance as Colonel Hans Landa is among Tarantino's best villains – brutal, charming, and cowardly. Brad Pitt's portrayal of Lt. Aldo Raine adds layers to what could have been a one-dimensional character. While the film's pieces are strongly made, they don't fully coalesce into a coherent 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, Vol. 2 follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) as she seeks revenge on the remaining three members of her list: Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), and Bill (David Carradine). Tarantino promised a more dialogue-heavy, classic Tarantino-style film, and Vol. 2 delivers with its talky nature. Thurman shines with a wide emotional range, while the film delves into The Bride's backstory, making her quest for vengeance deeply satisfying. The violent beauty of her brawl with Elle Driver in Budd's trailer is unforgettable, and Elle's comeuppance is as satisfying as any in Tarantino's oeuvre.

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

When Jackie Brown was released in 1997, it was well-received but seen as a stumble after the groundbreaking Pulp Fiction. As Tarantino's only adaptation of 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 more restrained character-driven films. Pam Grier's titular character navigates a plot involving $500,000, intersecting with Samuel L. Jackson's gun runner, Robert Forster's sympathetic bail bondsman, and Michael Keaton's no-nonsense ATF agent. The dense yet engaging plot showcases Tarantino's skill in letting actors like De Niro and Keaton shine in his 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

Tarantino doesn't shy away from the horrors of slavery in Django Unchained, delivering a wild, bloody, and crowd-pleasing spaghetti western. The film balances absurd comedy with brutal scenes of antebellum South life, making for a striking narrative. While the casual racism depicted is shocking, it's sadly accurate for the era. Despite its horrors, Django Unchained is a fun and must-see film.

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 works but also his second major "What If...?"-style alternate history project after Inglourious Basterds. The film's crowd-pleasing "course correction" finish is matched by a meaningful emotional depth, all while maintaining Tarantino's signature ultra-violence. The story of an aging actor and his loyal stunt double navigating the business in 1969, while crossing paths with the Manson Family, is captivating. With Academy Award-winning performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, the movie is a time capsule of magnificent performances, awesome music, and intense moments.

3. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Image credit: Miramax FilmsStars: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi | Release Date: January 21, 1992 | Review: IGN's Reservoir Dogs review

As Tarantino's shortest film, Reservoir Dogs is also his tightest. For every digression into pop culture, there's essential plot development or character building, moving at a lightning-fast pace. Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen deliver star-making performances, while Harvey Keitel elevates the material to poetic heights. Tarantino's economic yet creative directing transforms a one-location story into a minor epic, revolutionizing crime cinema and moviemaking. His postmodern style inspired countless filmmakers, yet none have replicated it as well. In just one hundred minutes, Tarantino created an instant classic and defined 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 follows The Bride (Uma Thurman) on her quest for bloody revenge after being left for dead by her ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) and her former cohorts. Volume 1 is a blood-soaked bonanza with perfect casting, especially Uma Thurman, who delivers Tarantino's dialogue with cool precision. In the action-heavy second half, she shines as a kick-butt hero, making Kill Bill: Volume 1 a standout in Tarantino's filmography.

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 1995, Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump vied for the Best Picture Oscar, with Gump winning. However, Pulp Fiction had a far-reaching impact on pop culture. This non-linear epic is rock and roll at 24 frames per second, fueled by a fanzine sense of taste and instantly quotable dialogue. With guns, Bible-quoting hitmen, leather-clad gimps, hidden watches, and five-dollar milkshakes, Tarantino established himself as a filmmaking force. His direction and use of source music transformed storytelling, setting the stage for numerous copies and inspiring a generation of filmmakers. Pulp Fiction changed not just how movies were made but what we expect from them. Not bad for a second film.

### The best Quentin Tarantino movies

And that's it for our list of the best Tarantino movies. Do you agree with our ranking, or is your ranking different? Let us know in the comments or create your own Tarantino tier list using our handy tier tool above.

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