Ranking every Quentin Tarantino film

9. Death Proof (2007)

Here we are, my least favorite Tarantino film, and a lot of people share that sentiment. Many forget this movie even exists and I can’t blame them. While the movie is not completely terrible, it can’t live up to other Tarantino films. I could not take this film seriously at any moment, it felt like it was trying to go for the same borderline goofy feeling and Kill Bill but it missed its mark completely. The pacing within this movie also feels completely out of place, and while that might be attributed to Death Proof technically being half a movie, the larger work being titled Grindhouse, that still doesn’t excuse the pacing within this title as a standalone. Overall this is not a movie I would recommend to many unless they were already fans of the director.

8. Jackie Brown (1997)

This is another film that I personally am not too much a fan of, though I understand why people would enjoy it. The main reason why I dislike this film is it’s atmosphere. After watching films like Goodfellas and The Godfather I have come to the conclusion that I hate the type of atmosphere that comes with these movies. The violence, the shady alleyways, the language, the outfits, the drugs, it all bothers me immensely. That doesn’t stop me from acknowledging that these movies are great, sometimes amazing, but because of that I can’t put this film at a higher spot. Jackie Brown ends up at the back end of my list purely due to my personal preferences.

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

I promise I like this one now. In fact, every film from here onwards are all films that I love and I could recommend each and every one of them confidently. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood takes us back to the late 60’s and it does so in style. The movie is shot beautifully and the score is fantastic. I lost count of how many amazing actors there were, and the script was, as always, incredibly captivating. I also particularly love the ending to this film, Tarantino is known for his bombastic, violent endings, and this was no exception. While the film is long and a bit slow at points, it is definitely worth watching.

6. Pulp Fiction (1994)

I know putting this film on the back end of the ranking is gonna put me on some list somewhere, but this is once again a matter of my personal preferences. This goes back to some of the stuff I discussed in the Jackie Brown section, I also dislike this movie’s atmosphere. Once again it's the realistic violence, use of drugs and dingy apartments are not to my liking. What is to my liking though is the a chronological three act structure of the narrative, it fits the film perfectly and keeps you thinking after it’s already over. The dialogue is also a standout here, arguably the best the director has ever written. The soundtrack and visuals are unforgettable, the same goes for the performances, especially Samuel L. Jackson’s. There is a reason people consider this Tarantino’s best film.

5. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

Tarantino’s first film, and it shows. While he didn’t have the massive budget he has today, it doesn’t stop the movie from being just as captivating as his other films. It starts off as a mystery, but you soon begin to realise that there is much more to it than what meets the eye, and the story changes directions entirely, almost making the original mystery seem unimportant. I believe any fans of the heist genre would enjoy this, despite not witnessing the actual heist, only it’s aftermath. It is a movie that, despite its small budget, still holds up very well today.

4. Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair (2011)

Easily Tarantino’s most unique film, it is really something you won’t be able to find anywhere else. The movie somehow balances its goofy comedy with serious action perfectly. The movie is able to pull off fight scenes that would be impossible to recreate, but at the same time it is also able to succeed within it’s quieter moments. This film's style is one of a kind, ensuring you will never forget it, one of the most satisfying revenge stories ever told.

3. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

The most fun WWII movie I have ever watched. This film will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. The ensemble cast works geniusly to create tension and excitement. Hans Landa is an especially threatening character to see on screen. Witnessing these different stories connect to each other is very reminiscent of the triple narrative in Pulp Fiction, but since it is told in a chronological order this time, the audience is able to focus on the events at hand. The dialogue is snappy as always, I especially love the “bar scene” with Michael Fassbender. It is easily one of my favorite movies of all time. Everyone should watch it, even if you’re not a fan of war films.

2. Django Unchained (2012)

Remember when I said Kill Bill was one of the most satisfying revenge stories, well now we have THE most satisfying revenge story. Comedy and action are intricately blended together making Django’s rise to the top all the more entertaining, and it does this all while never breaking the tension. The movie is fun through and through, especially the ending. And once again, Tarantino is able to deliver those quiet, serious moments without breaking any characters. Jamie Foxx does an amazing job playing the protagonist, same goes for Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio, and Samuel L. Jackson is terrifyingly amazing once again. This is a film I can watch over and over again and never get tired of.

1. The Hateful Eight (2015)

My favorite Tarntino film, and probably one most people have not watched. This movie felt like Tarantino just did everything he wanted to and it worked. Tarantino’s writing is at its best here, probably because the film is almost all dialogue, the violence is so over the top and each and every performance is outstanding, especially, once again, Samuel L. Jackson’s. I also particularly love the costume and set design within this film, they really help to establish the film’s atmosphere. Speaking of atmosphere, this is also my favorite setting in any of the directors films, the cabin is essential and I absolutely love the snowy mountains. Cinematography is also a standout, there is never a bad shot in the film. Despite it being a very long(3h 7m) and dialogue driven film, I cannot recommend it enough.