We’ve ranked the five worst-rated movies that Christopher Nolan has ever directed, based on each film’s Tomatometer ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. This comes ahead of the highly anticipated July 17 release of Nolan’s upcoming action epic The Odyssey.
Nolan is one of the few directors who has a near-perfect filmography. Almost all of his directorial features have been a major hit among critics and audiences. That’s why this list doesn’t necessarily classify these movies as bad. These are just the ones that received the lowest RT scores from critics in Nolan’s entire filmography as a director.
5 worst-rated Christopher Nolan movies ranked by RT score
5) The Following (1998) – 87%
The fifth spot goes to Nolan’s 1998 independent crime thriller film The Following, which served as the acclaimed filmmaker’s feature directorial debut. The R-rated movie received an 87% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The story centers around a young writer who starts secretly following strangers in London. This leads him to meet someone who draws him into the criminal underworld. Critics who gave the film negative reviews mostly complained about its confusing narrative structure due to the story’s non-linear timeline. Some also pointed out that the movie’s poor audio and low visual quality, caused by its limited budget, were distracting.
4) Batman Begins (2005) – 85%
Nolan’s first superhero movie, Batman Begins, is claiming the fourth spot with an approval rating of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even though many critics loved Nolan’s gritty and more grounded adaptation of the beloved DC character, some also voiced their complaints about the film’s overly serious tone and lack of humor. Its stellar ensemble cast, including Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, and Cillian Murphy, drew praise from critics. However, Katie Holmes’ performance as Bruce’s love interest and childhood friend wasn’t well received by other critics and fans.
3) The Prestige (2006) – 76%
Ranking third is 2006’s mystery thriller drama The Prestige, which starred Bale and Hugh Jackman as stage magicians. It has a 76% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while its Popcornmeter is higher at 92%. The film received praise for Jackman and Bale’s dynamic chemistry and brilliant performances that elevated the story. Despite this, some critics expressed disappointment with the story’s lack of depth, describing it as style over substance. Others also disagreed with Nolan’s creative choice of adding sci-fi elements to the thriller film.
2) Interstellar (2014) – 73%
Taking second place is the 2014 sci-fi epic film Interstellar, which starred Academy Award winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. Considered one of Nolan’s most divisive movies, it has a 73% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while its Popcornmeter is higher at 87%. Despite receiving praise for its stunning visuals and the ensemble cast’s stellar performances, the movie was criticized for its sound design, pacing, and ending.
1) Tenet (2020) – 70%
Claiming the title of Nolan’s lowest-rated directorial feature to date is the 2020 sci-fi action movie, Tenet. The film garnered a 70% RT score, making it Nolan’s only title that didn’t receive a fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many critics commended its technical action sequences and the lead performances by John David Washington and Robert Pattinson. However, the film was mainly criticized for its overly complex plot and inaudible dialogue.
