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- As fans continue to eagerly wait for his upcoming biographical film, Oppenheimer (set to premiere on July 21), it's the perfect time to check out movies like Christopher Nolan's best works. There's no shortage of incredible underrated movies that feature some of Nolan's most recognizable trademarks.
Christopher Nolan has established himself as one of Hollywood's most unique filmmakers with complex and intricate thrillers including Memento, Inception, and Interstellar. Even though the director is widely known for his science-fiction films, he also produced intense dramas such as The Prestige and Dunkirk as well as the iconic Dark Knight trilogy starring Christian Bale.
While Christopher Nolan's movies consist of key characteristics like time travel and criminal masterminds, dozens of great titles could qualify as the director's work. From Source Code to Being John Malkovich, there are some remarkably underrated movies that every Nolan fan should see.
Updated on July 14, 2023, by Hannah Saab:
As fans continue to eagerly wait for his upcoming biographical film, Oppenheimer (set to premiere on July 21), it's the perfect time to check out movies like Christopher Nolan's best works. There's no shortage of incredible underrated movies that feature some of Nolan's most recognizable trademarks.
16 'In the Shadow of the Moon' (2019)
In 1988, police officer Thomas Lockhart encounters an unusual serial killer who resurfaces every nine years. Through the years, Lockhart continues working on the case, but his investigation turns into an obsession that threatens to destroy his life and those around him.
Netflix's In the Shadow of the Moon takes time travel to a new level, but it also struggles to connect various elements to the major plot. Directed by Jim Mickle, the movie stars Boyd Holbrook, Bookem Woodbine, and Dexter's Michael C. Hall, who had previously worked with Mickle on the crime thriller, Cold in July.
15 'Midnight Special' (2016)
Roy Tomlin and his son, Alton, go on the run after the government and a religious cult discover that Alton has special powers. With the help of his friend Lucas, Roy and Alton embark on the unknown journey that eventually leads them to the answers behind the boy's supernatural abilities.
Midnight Special is a fast-paced science fiction film starring Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, and Adam Driver. The movie is directed by Jeff Nichols who also directed Mud and the Oscar-nominated drama, Loving starring Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga. Nichols is also known for his long-term collaborations with Shannon who has appeared in all the director's films.
14 'In Time' (2011)
In 2169, time is money and only the rich have the luxury to live forever while poor people like Will live in the poorest part of the country. Will happens to only have one day left on his clock. After he saves a man from time thieves, Will is rewarded with a century, but that kind of time attracts the unwanted attention of the Timekeeper authorities.
In Time is a science-fiction adventure written and directed by Andrew Niccol who also wrote The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey. Starring Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, and Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy, In Time is a slightly modernized version of the 1976 movie, Logan's Run, but with much better futuristic attire. No offense, Michael York.
13 'Enemy' (2013)
Adam is a mild-mannered, quiet college professor who discovers an actor who looks almost identical to him. Out of curiosity, Anthony looks into the actor and starts digging around in his personal life but ends up unraveling a mystery that grows into an unhealthy obsession.
Jake Gyllenhaal takes on a duel role in Enemy playing both Adam and his mysterious doppelgänger, Anthony. The movie is an intriguing mosaic of chaos and like Memento, doesn't easily reveal itself to audiences. Critics also compared Enemy to the work of David Lynch and iconically the movie co-stars Isabella Rossellini, who captivated audiences in Lynch's neo-noir, Blue Velvet.
12 'The Adjustment Bureau' (2011)
Congressman, David Norris is close to winning a seat in the Senate when he unexpectedly meets a ballerina named Elise. It's love at first sight but their new-found romance is jeopardized by a group of agents of a secret organization who are assigned to keep David on his predetermined future that doesn't include Elise.
The Adjustment Bureau stars Matt Damon and Emily Blunt and is based on the short story, Adjustment Team by science-fiction author, Philip K. Dick. This overlooked film is directed by George Nolifi and also stars Anthony Mackie, John Slattery and HBO's The Last of Us star, Pedro Pascal.
11 'The Age of Adaline' (2015)
After an unusual accident, Adaline has remained ageless for decades and to keep her secret hidden, she avoids getting close to others. Adaline seems content until she meets Ellis who awakens her desire to live her life, but after a weekend at his parents' house, she must make a decision that could destroy her chances of finally finding happiness.
The Age of Adaline is a fantastic sci-fi romance movie starring Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, and Harrison Ford. The movie is full of nostalgia and resembles the tones and colors of classic movies such as How to Marry a Millionaire and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Actress, Katherine Heigl was originally cast in the lead role in 2010 but according to Deadline, she backed out deciding she wasn't ready to go back to work after recently adopting a baby girl.
10 'What Dreams May Come' (1998)
When Chris is killed in a car accident, he crosses over into the afterlife where he meets his spiritual guide, Albert. Chris learns that he can make his heaven into whatever he imagines but when his wife dies by suicide, she's sent to hell. Despite Albert's warning, Chris travels to the underworld to rescue her.
Starring Robin Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr., What Dreams May Come is a visual masterpiece that gets better with age adapted from the 1978 novel of the same title written by science-fiction author Richard Matheson. While the movie received mixed reviews, the majority of critics including Roger Ebert praised Williams for his captivating and emotional performance.
9 'Valkyrie' (2008)
German Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is concerned about the country's status in World War II and believes that Adolf Hitler will end up destroying Germany. With no other choice, von Stauffenberg along with a group of high-ranking officials plot to assassinate Hitler to save their country and the rest of Europe from total destruction.
Valkyrie stars Tom Cruise in one of his more underrated roles as von Stauffenberg and is based on the true story of the colonel's almost successful mission of assassinating Hitler in 1944. Cruise had originally agreed to just finance the film but later, was offered the lead role. After seeing a photo of von Stauffenberg, Cruise said he was drawn to the part noticing that he shares a slight resemblance to the German colonel.
8 'A Scanner Darkly' (2006)
Robert Arctor is a narcotics police officer in Orange County who goes undercover and ends up becoming addicted to drugs. He attempts to get close to a female dealer, Donna to hopefully be able to identify her supplier, but things become complicated when Robert's asked to spy on his roommates as one is suspected of being Donna's biggest customer.
A Scanner Darkly is an adult animated feature starring Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Winona Ryder, and Woody Harrelson. This unique science-fiction movie is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's 1977 book by the same title and was animated using interpolated rotoscoping, which is when animators trace over motion picture footage, frame by frame, to create a realistic action.
7 'Identity' (2003)
When there's a severe thunderstorm in Nevada, ten strangers seek shelter in a run-down motel miles away from civilization. As the storm rages on, the hotel guests start being picked off by someone, but limo driver, Ed, refuses to become a victim and rallies as he attempts to reveal the killer's identity.
Identity is a neo-noir horror film and one of the most underrated gems of a movie starring John Cusack and Ray Liotta. The movie is directed by James Mangold who is best known for Girl, Interrupted, Walk the Line, and Logan. Within the first few minutes, Identity appears to be nothing more than another predictable Agatha Christie-type mystery that unexpectedly turns audiences on their heads with a twisted third act.
6 'Predestination' (2014)
An agent for the Temporal Bureau, a secret agency that uses time travel to prevent crimes, is sent on his final assignment to try and stop a bombing that kills thousands in 1975. As the agent embarks on his mission, he encounters a stranger named John who turns out to be a vital piece of the agent's puzzling task as well as existence.
Predestination is a brain-teasing thriller based on the 1959 short story, All You Zombies by Robert A. Heinlein starring Ethan Hawke. In an interview with Under the Radar, Hawke admitted he has always been a fan of science fiction but prefers the genre's human elements over their special effects which is why he accepted the role of the unnamed agent.
5 'The Book Thief' (2013)
Liesel is an avid book lover who lives in Germany with her adoptive parents, but the country soon becomes a war zone as Nazi soldiers invade the streets and the Third Reich takes over. While her family struggles to survive, they take a major but brave risk as Liesel's father hides the son of a Jewish man who once saved his life.
The Book Thief is directed by Brian Percival who also created the hit British drama series, Downton Abbey. The movie is based on the 2005 novel of the same title by Markus Zusak and earned an Oscar nomination for its musical score by Academy Award-winning composer, John Williams. The Book Thief stars Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, and Sophie Nélisse who won several awards for her performance including the Hollywood Film Festival Spotlight Award.
4 'Looper' (2012)
In the future, time travel exists, but it's used for nefarious reasons and only available to purchase on the black market. When the mafia wants to bum someone off, they sent the target to the past where someone known as a "looper" takes care of him. Joe's an excellent and loyal looper but one day, he's shocked when he finds his next target is himself from the future.
Directed and written by Rian Johnson, Looper is an intense time travel sci-fi drama starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis. Time travel's the central concept of the movie, but the heart of the story comes from the characters and how they choose to deal with the situation that time travel has created. TIME magazine's Richard Corliss commented that it was a combination of Quentin Tarantino and Philip K. Dick in a new breed of pulp science fiction.
3 'Source Code' (2011)
After a bomb explodes on a commuter train, Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) joins a secret military operation assigned to investigate the attack. With new advances in technology, Stevens can relive the final moments of one of the passengers to try and identify the bomber.
Source Code is a science-fiction thriller starring Gyllenhaal, Vera Farmiga and Westworld star Jeffrey Wright. Similar to Nolan's movie, Memento, Source Code uses the same type of fractured storytelling that requires audiences to give the film their full and undivided attention or else a second watch might be necessary.
2 'The Illusionist' (2006)
After traveling the world to learn magic, Eisenheim returns to Vienna where he successfully wows crowds with his tricks of the trade. One night, he reconnects with his old friend and secret love, Sophie who he learns is engaged to be married to the Crowned Prince Leopold. As Sophie and Eisenheim fall in love, Leopold takes any opportunity to have the magician arrested for necromancy.
Loosely based on the short story, Eisenheim The Illusionist by Steven Millhauser, The Illusionist stars Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti as the determined Chief Inspector Walter Uhl. Oddly enough, The Illusionist was a summer blockbuster released just two months before Nolan's magician drama, The Prestige hit theaters in October.
1 'Being John Malkovich' (1999)
Craig is an unemployed puppeteer who is hesitant about taking a temporary position as a filing clerk for an unusual physician. One day, Craig discovers a secret portal that leads to the mind of actor, John Malkovich and with the help of his co-worker, the two come up with a business scheme that soon takes on a life of its own.
Directed by Spike Jonze, Being John Malkovich is a surrealist comedy starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz and John Malkovich. Jonze makes a minor appearance as an assistant in the movie and also includes other minor cameos from big stars including director, David Fincher, Brad Pitt and Winona Ryder who can be seen sitting in the audience of a puppet show.