Quentin Tarantino is one of the best directors in the world of cinema. Quentin Jerome Tarantino was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. His father, Tony Tarantino, was an Italian-American actor born and raised in New York City. His mother, Connie, was a nurse and musician. Growing up in an artistic family, Quentin worked hard to educate himself. After years of self-education, his first movie, Reservoir Dogs, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1992. The movie received critical acclaim for its unique script, music, and cast, cementing Tarantino’s place as a legend from the very beginning.
Two years later, he followed up the success of Reservoir Dogs with Pulp Fiction (1994), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the prestigious Palme d’Or. Pulp Fiction was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay at the 1995 Academy Awards. Tarantino and his writing partner, Roger Avary, won the Best Original Screenplay award. Tarantino continued to refine his craft, becoming one of the most masterful names in the world of cinema. Below, we’ve compiled a list of Quentin Tarantino’s best movies for fans and newcomers alike.
1.My Best Friend’s Birthday
Tarantino’s first attempt at directing, My Best Friend’s Birthday, is a piece of cinematic history despite its limited availability. The original 70-minute movie was largely lost in a fire, leaving only 35 minutes intact. This incomplete project is often referred to as a precursor to Reservoir Dogs in some sources.
The movie’s plot is said to have inspired True Romance, written by Tarantino and directed by Tony Scott. Created on a modest $5,000 budget and taking four years to complete, the story follows Mickey, who has recently been dumped by his girlfriend. His best friend Clarence (played by Tarantino) plans an unforgettable birthday celebration for him.
My Best Friend’s Birthday (1987)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Quentin Tarantino (Clarence Pool), Craig Hamann (Mickey Burnett), Crystal Shaw (Karla), Allen Garfield (Clifford)
- Release Year: 1987
- Duration: 36 minutes (incomplete film)
- Country: United States
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: Not Rated
- Available Platforms: Not officially available due to incomplete status
- IMDb Rating: 5.6
- Similar Movies: True Romance, Clerks, Slacker
- Trailer: Watch Trailer
- IMDb Link: My Best Friend’s Birthday (1987) – IMDb
2.Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir Dogs is the movie that introduced Quentin Tarantino to the world and defined his distinctive style.
Joe Cabot (played by Lawrence Tierney) assembles a team, including his son, to rob a diamond store. Each team member is assigned a color-coded alias, forming the group known as the Reservoir Dogs. However, the meticulously planned heist goes disastrously wrong, and the survivors suspect a police informant among them. Tension escalates as they seek refuge in a warehouse, leading to a violent and suspenseful standoff. Reservoir Dogs is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed Quentin Tarantino movies.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Harvey Keitel (Mr. White), Tim Roth (Mr. Orange), Michael Madsen (Mr. Blonde), Steve Buscemi (Mr. Pink)
- Release Year: 1992
- Duration: 99 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Similar Movies: Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight, The Usual Suspects
- Trailer: Reservoir Dogs Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Reservoir Dogs (1992) – IMDb
3.Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction is a genre-defining masterpiece that intertwines multiple narratives with Tarantino’s signature flair.
The story follows hitmen Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), who share a penchant for philosophical debates. The movie’s nonlinear narrative connects various characters, including gangster Marsellus Wallace (Ving Rhames) and his wife Mia (Uma Thurman), boxer Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), and a pair of quirky criminals, Pumpkin (Tim Roth) and Honey Bunny (Amanda Plummer). Winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, Pulp Fiction solidified Tarantino’s status as a visionary director and remains one of his cult classics.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: John Travolta (Vincent Vega), Uma Thurman (Mia Wallace), Samuel L. Jackson (Jules Winnfield), Bruce Willis (Butch Coolidge)
- Release Year: 1994
- Duration: 154 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Crime, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.9
- Similar Movies: Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, The Big Lebowski
- Trailer: Pulp Fiction Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Pulp Fiction (1994) – IMDb
4.Jackie Brown
Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch, Jackie Brown is a crime thriller with a unique Tarantino touch.
Flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) is caught smuggling money for arms dealer Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson). Facing the choice between cooperating with authorities or risking death, Jackie devises a plan to double-cross both sides and escape with the money. She partners with bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster), who becomes infatuated with her. Jackie Brown is often praised for its nuanced storytelling and exceptional performances.
Jackie Brown (1997)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Pam Grier (Jackie Brown), Samuel L. Jackson (Ordell Robbie), Robert Forster (Max Cherry), Robert De Niro (Louis Gara)
- Release Year: 1997
- Duration: 154 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
- Similar Movies: Pulp Fiction, Out of Sight, The Hateful Eight
- Trailer: Jackie Brown Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Jackie Brown (1997) – IMDb
5.Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is an action-packed revenge saga featuring one of the most iconic characters in Tarantino’s movies, The Bride.
The Bride (Uma Thurman), a former assassin, awakens from a four-year coma after a deadly attack orchestrated by her ex-lover Bill (David Carradine). Driven by a thirst for vengeance, she sets out to eliminate everyone responsible for her suffering. Armed with a hit list, The Bride embarks on a relentless quest, facing off against formidable enemies and enduring unimaginable pain. Kill Bill is celebrated for its stylized violence, stunning choreography, and emotional depth.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Uma Thurman (The Bride), Lucy Liu (O-Ren Ishii), Vivica A. Fox (Vernita Green), Michael Madsen (Budd)
- Release Year: 2003
- Duration: 111 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Similar Movies: Kill Bill: Vol. 2, Django Unchained, The Matrix
- Trailer: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) – IMDb
6.Kill Bill: Vol. 2
The Bride (Uma Thurman) continues her quest for vengeance in Kill Bill: Vol. 2, the follow-up to the thrilling first installment. On her journey to complete her hit list, she tracks down her ex-boyfriend Bill (David Carradine) in Mexico. Armed with the skills she honed as an assassin, The Bride faces her final adversary in an emotionally charged confrontation. This sequel complements the first movie by diving deeper into character development and delivering a satisfying conclusion.
Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Uma Thurman (The Bride), David Carradine (Bill), Michael Madsen (Budd), Daryl Hannah (Elle Driver)
- Release Year: 2004
- Duration: 137 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
- Similar Movies: Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Inglourious Basterds, Sin City
- Trailer: Kill Bill: Vol. 2 Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) – IMDb
7.Death Proof
Death Proof introduces us to Stuntman Mike, a chilling antagonist who uses his “death-proof” car to execute deadly attacks on young women. His next targets are four women he encounters one night, but this time, Mike underestimates his prey. Unaware of their backgrounds, he finds himself facing unexpected resistance.
Part of the Grindhouse project, which Tarantino co-directed with Robert Rodriguez, Death Proof is a homage to 1970s exploitation cinema. With its intense violence and unconventional storytelling, it showcases Tarantino’s admiration for the genre while challenging traditional cinematic norms.
Death Proof (2007)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Kurt Russell (Stuntman Mike), Zoë Bell (Zoë), Rosario Dawson (Abernathy), Vanessa Ferlito (Arlene)
- Release Year: 2007
- Duration: 113 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Action, Thriller
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.0
- Similar Movies: Planet Terror, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, From Dusk Till Dawn
- Trailer: Death Proof Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Death Proof (2007) – IMDb
8.Inglourious Basterds
Inglourious Basterds takes us to Nazi-occupied France during World War II. Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) leads a team of Jewish-American soldiers on a mission to exact brutal vengeance on the Nazis. Their path converges with German actress and double agent Bridget von Hammersmark and Shosanna Dreyfus, a theater owner seeking revenge for her family’s murder.
This movie combines Tarantino’s signature storytelling with historical revisionism, delivering a gripping narrative filled with suspense and dark humor. Inglourious Basterds remains one of Tarantino’s most celebrated works.
Inglourious Basterds (2009)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Brad Pitt (Lt. Aldo Raine), Christoph Waltz (Col. Hans Landa), Mélanie Laurent (Shosanna), Michael Fassbender (Lt. Archie Hicox)
- Release Year: 2009
- Duration: 153 minutes
- Country: United States, Germany
- Genre: Adventure, Drama, War
- Language: English, German, French
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.3
- Similar Movies: Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight, Saving Private Ryan
- Trailer: Inglourious Basterds Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Inglourious Basterds (2009) – IMDb
9.Django Unchained
Set in the pre-Civil War South, Django Unchained follows Django (Jamie Foxx), a freed slave, and Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a German bounty hunter. Together, they embark on a mission to capture the Brittle brothers and rescue Django’s wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), from the ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).
The movie’s combination of action, drama, and social commentary makes it one of the most iconic Quentin Tarantino movies. It won several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz.
Django Unchained (2012)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Jamie Foxx (Django), Christoph Waltz (Dr. King Schultz), Leonardo DiCaprio (Calvin Candie), Samuel L. Jackson (Stephen)
- Release Year: 2012
- Duration: 165 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Drama, Western
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 8.4
- Similar Movies: Inglourious Basterds, The Hateful Eight, 12 Years a Slave
- Trailer: Django Unchained Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Django Unchained (2012) – IMDb
10.The Hateful Eight
The Hateful Eight is a gripping western set in post-Civil War Wyoming. Bounty hunter John “The Hangman” Ruth (Kurt Russell) is transporting a fugitive (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to justice when a snowstorm forces them to seek refuge at a remote cabin. They are joined by a group of strangers, each with secrets of their own. Tensions rise, leading to a violent and unpredictable climax.
With its confined setting and masterful dialogue, The Hateful Eight showcases Tarantino’s ability to create tension and intrigue.
The Hateful Eight (2015)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Samuel L. Jackson (Major Marquis Warren), Kurt Russell (John Ruth), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Daisy Domergue), Walton Goggins (Sheriff Chris Mannix)
- Release Year: 2015
- Duration: 187 minutes (Roadshow Version)
- Country: United States
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes
- IMDb Rating: 7.8
- Similar Movies: Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds, True Grit
- Trailer: The Hateful Eight Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: The Hateful Eight (2015) – IMDb
11.Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Set in 1969 Los Angeles, Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood follows fading actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) as they navigate a changing industry. Rick’s neighbors are director Roman Polanski and actress Sharon Tate, whose lives become intertwined with the infamous crimes of Charles Manson and his followers.
The movie is a love letter to Hollywood’s golden age and features Tarantino’s trademark blend of humor, drama, and unexpected twists.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio (Rick Dalton), Brad Pitt (Cliff Booth), Margot Robbie (Sharon Tate), Emile Hirsch (Jay Sebring)
- Release Year: 2019
- Duration: 161 minutes
- Country: United States
- Genre: Comedy, Drama
- Language: English
- Age Rating: R (Restricted)
- Available Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play Movies
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
- Similar Movies: Pulp Fiction, Boogie Nights, The Wolf of Wall Street
- Trailer: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood Official Trailer
- IMDb Link: Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019) – IMDb
