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)

Stars: Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito | Release Date: April 6, 2007 | Review: IGN's Death Proof review

Let's address this upfront: Death Proof may not be as fun as Planet Terror, but it's undoubtedly the smartest homage to B-movies ever made. The film feels like a project put together by one of the most talented and confident filmmakers over a series of weekends, 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, revitalizing Kurt Russell's career and challenging viewers with nearly 40 minutes of dialogue before the action-packed climax. Sure, the movie is polarizing (unless you're at Cannes), and it doesn't reach the heights of Pulp Fiction, but its lack of studio interference makes it a rare and essential watch in today's film industry. The smart dialogue and fast-talking female leads, coupled with the climactic death chase fueled by revenge, should satisfy even the most skeptical viewers.

9. The Hateful Eight (2015)

Stars: 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 a powerhouse of vicious humor and an intense narrative, delving deeply into race relations and human nature. It blends Western and mystery genres with a generous dose of gallows humor, making it both an intense character study and a tribute to classic 70mm filmmaking.

Set in the post-Civil War era, The Hateful Eight tackles contemporary issues, marking it as possibly Tarantino's most nuanced and mature work to date. While still having fun with the material, the film may feel familiar to Tarantino aficionados, echoing elements of Reservoir Dogs. This familiarity might lessen some of the surprises, but the overall narrative remains compelling and impactful.

8. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Stars: Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, Christoph Waltz | Release Date: May 20, 2009 | Review: IGN's Inglourious Basterds review

Inglourious Basterds is Tarantino's homage to The Dirty Dozen, featuring a character-driven, mission-focused script. The film feels more theatrical than Tarantino's work since Reservoir Dogs, comprising four brief plays and a short film, each packed with stellar performances and dialogue that builds suspense. However, the extensive dialogue can sometimes overshadow the action.

Christoph Waltz's Oscar-winning performance as Colonel Hans Landa stands out as one of Tarantino's best 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, the film struggles to coalesce into a unified whole.

7. Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004)

Stars: 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 to eliminate the remaining members of her revenge list: Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), and Bill (David Carradine). Tarantino promised that Vol. 2 would feature more of his signature style of slick dialogue, pop culture references, and badass characters, with less action—and he delivered. This volume is perhaps Tarantino's most dialogue-heavy film, showcasing Thurman's wide range of emotions.

Vol. 2 delves deeper into The Bride's backstory, providing motivations and explanations that enhance the overall narrative. The violent yet beautiful brawl between The Bride and Elle Driver in Budd's trailer is a highlight. The revelation of The Bride's real name, Beatrix Kiddo, is delivered with Tarantino's signature dark humor.

6. Jackie Brown (1997)

Stars: Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster | Release Date: December 8, 1997 | Review: IGN's Jackie Brown review

Upon its release in 1997, Jackie Brown received positive reactions but was seen as a stumble following the groundbreaking Pulp Fiction. As Tarantino's only adaptation, Elmore Leonard's Rum Punch took the director out of his comfort zone, though Leonard's influence is evident throughout Tarantino's work.

Over time, Jackie Brown has been recognized as one of Tarantino's strongest and most restrained character-driven films. Pam Grier's title character navigates a complex plot involving Samuel L. Jackson's gun runner, Robert Forster's sympathetic bail bondsman, and Michael Keaton's no-nonsense ATF agent, all vying for $500,000. The dense yet engaging plot allows actors like De Niro and Keaton to shine within Tarantino's unique world.

5. Django Unchained (2012)

Stars: 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, yet he delivers a wildly entertaining, bloody crowd-pleaser in this homage to the spaghetti western. The film balances absurd comedy with brutal depictions of life for slaves in the antebellum South, offering plenty of over-the-top gunslinger action.

The casual and incessant racism depicted is shocking yet accurate for the era. Despite its dark themes, Django Unchained remains a fun and essential watch.

4. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (2019)

Stars: 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, stands as one of his finest works and his second major alternate history project after Inglourious Basterds. While delivering a crowd-pleasing "what if" ending, the film offers a deeply emotional undercurrent, maintaining Tarantino's trademark ultra-violence.

The story follows an aging actor and his loyal stunt double navigating the entertainment industry while intersecting with the Manson Family in 1969. With standout performances from Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt (who won an Oscar for his role), and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate, the movie serves as a time capsule, featuring brilliant performances, iconic music, and intense moments.

3. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Stars: 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 most tightly crafted. Every digression into pop culture is balanced with essential plot and character development, resulting in a lightning-fast 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 poetic heights.

Tarantino's innovative direction transforms a single-location story into a minor epic, revolutionizing crime cinema and filmmaking as a whole. His postmodern style has inspired countless others, yet none have replicated it as effectively. In just one hundred minutes, Tarantino created an instant classic, established his name, and defined a generation of filmmakers.

2. Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003)

Stars: 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), who is left for dead after her ex-lover Bill (David Carradine) and her former colleagues massacre her wedding party. After awakening from a four-year coma, she embarks on a global quest for vengeance.

Volume 1 is a blood-soaked spectacle. The casting is impeccable, with Uma Thurman shining as The Bride. Her delivery of Tarantino's dialogue is cool and quotable, and she transitions seamlessly into a formidable action hero when the dialogue fades.

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)

Stars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman | Release Date: May 21, 1994 | Review: IGN's Pulp Fiction review

In 1995, Pulp Fiction competed against Forrest Gump for the Best Picture Oscar, with Gump ultimately winning. Many felt that the Academy should have chosen Pulp Fiction, with its iconic wallet and unforgettable dialogue.

Few films of the 1990s, or any era, have had the cultural impact of Tarantino's non-linear masterpiece. It's a cinematic rock and roll experience, driven by a fanzine sensibility and instantly quotable lines. The film features guns, a Bible-quoting hitman, his less-than-righteous partner, leather-clad gimps, hidden watches, and five-dollar milkshakes. Tarantino's direction and use of source music as a storytelling tool set new standards, influencing a wave of imitators and inspiring countless film students. Pulp Fiction didn't just change how movies were made; it redefined our expectations of cinema.

### The best Quentin Tarantino movies

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.