All 4 Christopher Nolan Sci-Fi Movies, Ranked

Originally known as a master of the modern thriller, Christopher Nolan has expanded across genres in more recent years, with particular love for historical dramas, epics, and science fiction. It's been more than half a decade since the last Nolan film in the latter category, so it's easy to forget amidst all the "Oppenheimer" and "Odyssey" zeitgeist that for about a decade, that was arguably the acclaimed director's primary space. And today, we're ranking all four Nolan sci-fi movies from worst to best.

It should be apparent from that number that we aren't including Nolan's Batman trilogy under the science fiction umbrella. While the Caped Crusader has plenty of sci-fi trappings in the comics, animated series, and certain other live-action adaptations, Nolan's version doesn't veer into that territory, either in terms of its villains or the tech available to Bruce Wayne.

That leaves just a handful of films, several of which are regularly counted among the best movies Christopher Nolan has ever made. And while every fan may have their favorite, a couple certainly stand out above the rest.

"Tenet" is arguably Christopher Nolan's most sci-fi movie (yes, even more so than about colonizing space), but it's also his worst. His final thriller to date before moving entirely into the epic realm, "Tenet" is a hodgepodge of all the narrative tricks and cinematic stylings Nolan is famous for. The asymmetric timelines of "Memento" and "Oppenheimer" are made literal here via the primary sci-fi device — machines that can reverse the entropy of anything that passes through them, thereby making the objects (or people) move backward through time.

It's a cool concept on paper, and results in some truly impressive action set pieces that play out like cinematic palindromes. Unfortunately, the film is so deep into its own paradoxical logic that the plot comes out largely incomprehensible without outside aid or repeat viewings.

That's not to say that the "Tenet" timeline doesn't make sense. There is an internal logic, though certain paradoxes linger to allow for big swings of spectacle. The problem is that by crafting a story so brutal in technicality and pacing, Nolan strips away nearly all sentiment and emotional grounding. John David Washington's nameless protagonist is a hollow vehicle, and Elizabeth Debicki does her best to push through some of Nolan's laziest writing for a female character (which is really saying something). Robert Pattinson brings the only real charm, but the breakneck scenes, convoluted plot, unintelligible dialogue, and (admittedly stellar) throbbing music from Ludwig Göransson, makes it hard to enjoy "Tenet" as a movie. 

If "Tenet" is Christopher Nolan's most sci-fi movie, then "The Prestige" may be the least so of the four ranked here. It's firmly in the genre, but the film's primary sci-fi concept — a machine that teleports people or things (or at least seems to at first) — isn't terribly central to the story. "The Prestige" is much more about rivalry and obsession, about the lengths those who dedicate their lives to a singular pursuit will go to be declared the greatest. And it's fantastic.

Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman are as compelling a pair of actors as Nolan has ever worked with, and they excel opposite each other as respective competing illusionists Alfred Borden and Robert Angier. Their feud reaches violent, grotesque levels over the course of the film, and Nolan balances the various mysteries and revelations with the skill of a magician — a metaphor that can easily be extended into the director's larger catalog.

While not always be centered on sci-fi, that aspect is also incredibly strong, anchored by a fantastic performance from David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, the creator of the aforementioned "teleportation" device. As the years go by and Nolan continues making bigger and bigger blockbusters, "The Prestige" continues to slip further from the mainstream consciousness, but it remains one of his greatest and most underrated films.

Everyone will have a different opinion on which of these last two movies deserves the top spot. "Interstellar" has a strong case, blending stunning sci-fi visuals, a dose of real-ish physics, and strong performances to produce the first true epic of Nolan's career. The saga of a dying Earth and a final desperate attempt to find a future on the other side of a wormhole is a natural venue for some high-level science fiction, and by the end of "Interstellar," you'll have gone on a space odyssey.

The problem are all the little things around the central pillars of that story. Christopher Nolan often gets guff for his dialogue, and "Interstellar" is a particularly egregious offender. The writing here is often stiff, full of broad platitudes about hope, love, and time that fall short as frequently as they stick the landing. Some bits of awkward pacing also hold the film back from true greatness.

All that said, this is still one of the defining science fiction movies of the 21st century, and the moments you remember — the time dilation, the video messages, the docking sequence, the wormhole — are all still breathtaking. But when it comes to Nolan sci-fi, there's one that's just a little better.

The years have been kind to "Inception." After hitting the big-time with "The Dark Knight," this was Nolan's fervent declaration that he was here to stay, regardless of if he was working within a massive franchise or not. Initially discussed about for its confusing elements more than its objective quality, in time, "Inception" fell into the "overrated" bin for many. But revisiting the movie today, it still has a strong case as Nolan's masterpiece — even in an era of "Oppenheimer" and "The Odyssey."

The thriller model is one in which Nolan has always excelled, and he pitches it up to a crescendo here. Yes, there are confusing moments in "Inception," but nothing on the level of "Tenet." It's a puzzle box that you solve by the end, with each piece unfolding at the proper time. While you're figuring it out, Nolan's hits you with some of the best pacing and most memorable set pieces in his entire filmography.

The heist movie genre is a favorite for a reason. Combining it with a psychological thriller and an action blockbuster maximizes all of Nolan's strengths and hide his biggest flaws. Leonardo DiCaprio is the ideal Nolan star — someone who can convey severe intensity and emotional depth without nuanced development. Nolna's obsession with boomerang stories, repetition, and complexly layered stories all map cleanly onto the structure of "Inception," and the ending's prestige is arguably makes it his most satisfying.