Every Quentin Tarantino Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

Quentin Tarantino, a renowned movie director, has amassed a dedicated fanbase, critical acclaim, and stable box office performance. However, not all of his films are equally impressive – there’s a noticeable gap between his best works and those that could be improved. So far, he has directed 10 movies, including his part of Grindhouse (Death Proof). Despite the marketing of Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood as his ninth film, it seems he doesn’t view the Kurt Russell thread horror-actioner as one of his ten films. For now, we’re including it here, and when he completes his supposed final film, this list will grow to 11 titles.

Actually, it could be argued that he has directed only eight movies if we exclude his segment in the movie “Four Rooms” from the count. Those films are “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction,” “Jackie Brown,” the two-part “Kill Bill,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Django Unchained,” “The Hateful Eight,” and “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood.” Out of these, which one is our favorite? You can find out below.

10) Death Proof

It’s debatable whether “Death Proof” fully qualifies as one of Quentin Tarantino’s films, but for our purposes, we’re considering it so. Unlike his contribution to “Four Rooms,” it appears distinct from the other parts of “Grindhouse,” particularly Robert Rodriguez’s more captivating “Planet Terror.

The movie “Death Proof” struggles with pacing, running for two hours but carrying a story that could have been told in 90 minutes. Despite Quentin Tarantino’s renowned dialogue, it doesn’t hold the usual charm in this film. However, the aspects that work well are Kurt Russell’s intense portrayal of Stuntman Mike and the extended chase sequence that forms the climax. Unfortunately, Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s talent is underutilized in this movie, which is always disappointing. Compared to Tarantino’s other works, “Death Proof” is his least impactful film.

Stream Death Proof with a Starz Apple TV channel subscription.

9) Kill Bill: Vol. 2

Essentially, the two “Kill Bill” movies can be seen as interconnected, with several compelling reasons. One of the main factors is that they aren’t truly distinct films but rather two parts of a longer movie that was divided due to its length for distribution purposes.

Instead of the two Kill Bill volumes, it’s important to note that they each offer distinct experiences. Volume 1 is more action-packed and thrilling, while Volume 2 leans more towards plot development and showcases Tarantino’s signature style, reminiscent of his earlier works like Reservoir Dogs, particularly the scenes involving Michael Madsen. Ultimately, which one you prefer depends on your personal taste. If you enjoy an extended sword battle for a climax, then Volume 1 might be more appealing. On the other hand, if you appreciate dialogues such as David Carradine discussing superhero secret identities, then Volume 2 could be more to your liking.

Stream Kill Bill: Vol. 2 with an AMC+ Apple TV channel subscription.

8) Kill Bill: Vol. 1

In simpler terms, both Volume 2 and Volume 1 have scary or unsettling scenes (like Beatrix pulling out Elle Driver’s eye and the black mamba jumping at Budd in Volume 2), but when it comes to overall entertainment value, Volume 1 edges slightly ahead for us. Each has its own share of frightening moments, so they’re both winners in their unique ways.

As a viewer, I found the film incredibly engaging from start to finish, with only a minor dip in action between Beatrix’s encounter with Vernita Green (an exceptional opening scene featuring Vivica A. Fox) and her fight against Lucy Liu’s O-Ren Ishii. Among all five villains that Beatrix, also known as the Bride, had to defeat, I found O-Ren Ishii to be the most intriguing. The Bride’s battle against her and the Crazy 88 was captivating, skillfully executed, and enhanced by some strategic music selections.

Stream Kill Bill: Vol. 1 with an AMC+ Apple TV channel subscription.

7) The Hateful Eight

Boasting stunning visuals, a captivating soundtrack by Ennio Morricone, renowned for his work in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and “The Thing,” with three unused tracks skillfully incorporated into the movie, and as usual, spot-on casting, “The Hateful Eight” is a daring attempt at a contemporary Western. Despite moments that might be overpowering, it’s clear that the exceptional aspects far outshine its flaws.

The solitary scene works effectively, and the surprise of the criminal gang hiding under the floorboards adds to this. However, it doesn’t reach the pinnacle of excellence; rather, it excels in certain aspects. The movie truly shines through its exceptional casting, particularly Jennifer Jason Leigh and Walton Goggins’ performances. Leigh’s acting in this film surpasses any other Tarantino performance, even her role in Inglourious Basterds. Her portrayal is a masterclass. Nevertheless, The Hateful Eight isn’t as captivating for repeat viewings compared to some of his later films, and it doesn’t seem as significant in revealing his creative identity as Inglourious Basterds, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, or Pulp Fiction does.

Stream The Hateful Eight on Netflix.

6) Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

In a surprising twist, we’re looking forward to a follow-up of “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” with the focus shifting from Leonardo DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton to Brad Pitt’s character, Cliff Booth. However, Quentin Tarantino himself won’t be directing this project. Instead, it will be David Fincher who takes the helm, while Tarantino contributes by writing the script. This collaboration is undeniably thrilling!

The movie “Hollywood” serves as a perfect complement to the film “Inglourious Basterds.” Although most of the movie is engaging, its duration of two hours and forty minutes can feel excessive at times. However, when linked with “Inglourious,” specifically in its exploration of particularly disturbing historical events, it becomes an exhilarating experience.

Stream Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood on fuboTV.

5) Jackie Brown

Elmore Leonard, the late author, was exceptionally versatile, having developed the character Raylan Givens from the series Justified. Adapting him was a challenge that seemed almost impossible to fulfill, especially given Leonard’s masterful crime narratives and crisp dialogue. However, when it comes to bringing such stories to life on the big screen, only a few have managed it as effectively as Tarantino did with Out of Sight. Another notable example is Steven Soderbergh for his adaptation of Leonard’s work.

Jackie Brown is the sole instance where Tarantino has directly based a story on existing material, but it doesn’t stand out significantly compared to the rest of his works. Instead, it carries an undeniable Tarantino vibe. Much like many of his films, there are some truly remarkable performances – notably from Pam Grier and Robert Forster in this particular case.

Stream Jackie Brown with a MovieSphere+ Prime Video channel subscription.

4) Django Unchained

In a daring balancing act, Django Unchained posed a challenge for director Quentin Tarantino. Given the sensitive subject of slavery, any approach must be exceptionally tactful if it’s to be addressed at all. However, subtlety has never been Tarantino’s strong suit. Yet, he managed to pull it off remarkably well. The secret lay in imitating Italian Westerns rather than accurately portraying the pre-Civil War South. This approach lends the movie a detached feel, distancing it from the distressing historical reality of the United States. Nevertheless, it doesn’t entirely escape the grim truth, as it unflinchingly depicts the atrocities committed by men and the instantaneous reactions when they are shot with a six-shooter.

The movie “Django Unchained” has its fair share of humor, much of which is successful, particularly when it comes to Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Monsieur Calvin J. Candie, and his comical struggle with speaking French. This aspect might just be the funniest creation Tarantino has ever penned. However, “Django” also contains some of the most heartwarming, heartbreaking, and awkward scenes he’s ever written. For instance, the tender moment when Django is spellbound by the German folktale shared by Dr. King Schultz is particularly touching. The saddest scene undeniably is the demise of D’Artagnan. As for the parts that feel out of sync, Tarantino’s Australian bounty hunter sequence seems somewhat misplaced. To summarize, “Django Unchained” can sometimes seem disjointed, but it’s still a powerful, captivating, and enjoyable cinematic adventure overall.

Rent Django Unchained on Amazon Video.

3) Reservoir Dogs

From the beginning, Tarantino set himself apart with his distinctive style, mastery over crime narratives, exceptional musical choices, and uncanny knack for drawing out the performances he desired from actors. Notably, Reservoir Dogs stands out among his works, as it’s one of the few that doesn’t follow an epic narrative (with exceptions being Death Proof and half of Kill Bill).

This movie, much like his other works, is meticulously crafted, yet it stands out as his most intense film so far due to its lighter overall feel. It’s a compelling argument, indeed. While Quentin Tarantino undeniably played a significant role in the success of Reservoir Dogs, let’s not forget the outstanding performances from actors like Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, and the late Michael Madsen – each delivering top-notch performances.

Stream Reservoir Dogs on Paramount+.

2) Inglourious Basterds

In essence, Tarantino’s career can be divided into three distinct periods. The initial stage showcases films like “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Jackie Brown.” This was followed by an experimental phase that included the two “Kill Bill” movies and “Death Proof.” The more polished, recent part of his career began with “Inglourious Basterds” and continues today. It’s important to note that surpassing “Inglourious Basterds” in this later phase will be extremely challenging.

In essence, it’s widely believed that “Inglourious Basterds” is Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece. If not for the extraordinary quality and pivotal role in his career that this top position embodies, another film might have taken the crown. Tarantino has a knack for interweaving diverse narratives seamlessly, and he outdid himself here. Moreover, this movie marked a novel exploration: Tarantino’s delight in subverting our collective understanding of history. He paints a convincing picture where Hitler meets a violent end, which is both captivating and feels somewhat authentic. Although we know it’s fictional, for a moment, we immerse ourselves in this alternate reality, and even after the movie ends, we can’t help but wish it were true. Lastly, Christoph Waltz’s portrayal of Hans Landa is arguably the finest acting performance in any Tarantino film, which is quite the statement to make.

Stream Inglourious Basterds on fuboTV.

1) Pulp Fiction

Showcasing some of Quentin Tarantino’s finest written dialogue, electrifying performances by Samuel L. Jackson (a long-time collaborator of the director), and an engaging non-linear narrative structure, Pulp Fiction built upon the reputation Tarantino earned from Reservoir Dogs, significantly enhancing it and securing a significant box office hit for him.

Pulp Fiction arrived perfectly timed, significantly shaping the ’90s as a pivotal era for independent films. Beyond its historical significance in cinema, it’s also exceptionally enjoyable. Its unique non-linear narrative encourages repeated viewings, an experience that is consistently enhanced by Tarantino’s dynamic dialogue and the charismatic cast, many of whom deliver career-best performances with this film.

Stream Pulp Fiction on Paramount+.

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2025-07-16 14:41