is one of the most influential filmmakers of the 21st century, known for crafting intelligent, ambitious blockbusters that push the boundaries of storytelling and filmmaking techniques. Nolan has built a reputation for making films that resonate with both critics and audiences. He has seamlessly moved between blockbusters and awards fares, where his movies have grossed over 6 billion dollars and collected 18 Academy Award wins from 49 nominations. Nolan himself has two Oscars from eight nods to his name. Apart from his debut, , only two movies in his filmography were not nominated for any Oscars.

Nolan is now synonymous with his movies that challenge the concept of time, use nonlinear narratives and use practical effects whenever possible, making his films a moviegoing event. Whether it's about a billionaire dressing up as a bat, a globe-trotting dream heist, or a biopic on the father of the atomic bomb, each movie he makes leaves a lasting impact, often sparking discussions and endless rewatches. Here, the article takes a closer look at his Oscar-nominated films, exploring what makes them stand out and how they have shaped modern cinema.

In , a nameless CIA operative () is recruited into a secretive organization tasked with preventing a catastrophic future war. His mission leads him into a world of espionage where time itself can be manipulated. Partnering with Neil (), his mission is to prevent a ruthless Russian oligarch, Andrei Sator ( from building a bomb that ends all civilization. With the help of time inversion technology, the protagonist has to leap forwards and backwards in time to finish his mission.

Tenet is Nolan at his most ambitious. The film might be confusing for audiences, especially for any first-time viewer, but Tenet is a technical marvel that delivers massive practical stunts which were executed at the highest level. The film’s central concept of time inversion is the epitome of Nolan's lifelong obsession with the concept of time, and he creates some of the most mind-bending, complicated action sequences ever to put on screen. The film's most stunning sequence is the climactic battle, where two forces battle each other while moving forwards and backwards in time. . Tenet still needs to be experienced more often in order for audiences to fully embrace the film.

Set in the late 19th century, follows the rivalry between two magicians, Robert Angier () and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale). Initially starting out as comrades, they become obsessed with perfecting The Transported Man, a trick where the magician appears in another place in the course of seconds. They sabotage each other and seek dangerous experiments until their competition turns deadly. The film also stars , and as Nikola Tesla.

The Prestige is a masterclass in storytelling, with an unforgettable twist and one of the hallmarks of a Nolan film: non-linear structure. , Best Cinematography for frequent collaborator , and Best Art Direction. The film looks gorgeous and was carefully designed to fit the 19th century setting. The cinematography is exceptionally beautiful during low light, like Tesla's bulb farm and the characters' stage acts. Released in between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight before the Batman sequel launched his name into the stratosphere, The Prestige remains one of Nolan’s most underrated works, a film that rewards multiple viewings with its hidden layers of meaning and detail.

reimagines the origin of the Caped Crusader with a grounded, realistic approach never before seen in a superhero film. Traumatized by the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne () embarks on a journey to understand and exact justice. Under the mentorship of Ducard () and the League of Shadows, he learns the skills necessary to fight crime but ultimately rejects their extremist ideology. As he returns to Gotham, Bruce adopts the persona of Batman to fight injustice in his crime-ridden city.

Nolan’s approach to the Batman reboot was revolutionary, not only for superhero films but for other blockbusters. By stripping away the campiness of previous adaptations, the film introduced a new standard for superhero storytelling, prioritizing character development and thematic weight over spectacle. It influenced films like and . , continuing 's legacy as a superhero film nominated in the same category. Even though it did not win, Batman Begins is an important foundation for what would become one of the most celebrated trilogies in cinema.

is set in a future where Earth is dying due to environmental collapse. Former pilot-turned-farmer Cooper () is recruited for a secret NASA mission to find a new habitable planet, forcing him to leave his children behind. He joins a team of astronauts as they venture through a wormhole to another galaxy, searching for a world where humanity can survive. As they explore planets with extreme conditions, the mission becomes a race against time, with relativity causing years to pass much more quickly on Earth.

Nolan’s Interstellar is an outstanding feat in emotional storytelling and near-accurate science fiction. It draws from real theories with the guidance of physicist Kip Thorne, depicting black holes, time dilation and space travel with stunning accuracy. The film was nominated for five Oscars, winning one for Best Visual Effects. 's majestic organ-based score was also nominated for the trophy but lost to 's work on . The film has proven to be influential until today, as it recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with IMAX screenings all over the world. Audiences are still excited to revisit this spectacle, proving that this movie's achievements transcend beyond awards.

recounts the real-life evacuation of British and Allied troops from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II through three stories, each with different time spans. "The Mole", which runs for a week, follows young soldiers who desperately try to escape the beach under relentless enemy fire. "The Sea" focuses on civilian boat captain Mr. Dawson (), who sails toward Dunkirk with his son and a young deckhand to aid the rescue effort in the course of one day. Finally, “The Air” follows RAF pilot Farrier () as he provides air support against German bombers in the span of an hour.

Dunkirk sets itself apart from other war films with its innovative narrative structure and intensity. Nolan focuses purely on the visceral experience of survival during war, aided by immersive visuals and roaring sound. The practical effects, real aircraft, and location elevate the film’s realism, while Hans Zimmer’s score, which is centered around the ticking-clock sound, heightens the sense of urgency. for Best Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Sound Editing. Zimmer once again lost to Alexandre Desplat who won for while 's cinematography lost to ' incredible work on . Nolan's success in this film definitely boosted his confidence to tackle another historical event: the creation of the atomic bomb.

Leonard Shelby () is a man suffering from short-term memory loss in . He is unable to form new memories following a traumatic event in which his wife was murdered. Determined to find her killer, Leonard uses his own system of Polaroid photographs, tattoos, and notes to track down leads, despite his inability to remember crucial information for more than a few minutes at a time. The film unfolds in two separate timelines, one moving forward in chronological order and the other backward, showing the workings of Leonard's mind and the truth.

Nolan made a big splash in his breakthrough film. By using an unconventional timeline, Memento is an extraordinary narrative experiment. The film’s innovative approach to time and memory had a profound influence on both independent and mainstream cinema, and most importantly, on Nolan himself. This film is the foundation for his time-related, mind-bending future films like Inception, Dunkirk, and Tenet. For this original approach, , which both are important aspects that made the movie work. While the film lost to the British whodunnit and 's Memento remains a groundbreaking film, memorable for its authenticity.

sees Bruce Wayne () continuing his mission to rid Gotham City of crime. With the help of Harvey Dent () and Commissioner Gordon (), criminals and mob bosses are put behind bars. However, the emergence of the Joker () complicates things as he is not after wealth or power. When the Joker starts to wreak havoc in the city, Batman is pushed to his limits to save the city or save the people he cares about.

The Dark Knight is Nolan at his most populist but still maintaining his sensibilities. He turns a comic book film into a crime action thriller akin to 's . Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker remains iconic, with his performance earning him a posthumous Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. , with another win for Best Sound Editing. The film also changed the Oscars for good, as its infamous exclusion from the Best Picture nominations that year made the Academy expand the number of nominees to more than five films in the following years. The Dark Knight set a new standard for tentpole films and remains a standout achievement in Nolan’s career.

follows Dom Cobb (), a skilled thief who specializes in stealing from a person's subconscious while they dream. Cobb is offered a chance at redemption by a Japanese businessman eager to eliminate his competition when he’s tasked with "inception", which is to plant an idea deep within a target’s mind. Cobb assembles a team of experts to convince Robert Fischer () to dissolve his father's company.

Inception is a tremendous achievement in world-building and visual storytelling. Nolan’s ability to bring high-concept science fiction to the mainstream audience is unparalleled, creating a film that is bombastic and more intellectually stimulating than the average blockbuster. Its innovative use of practical effects, like rotating hallways, mirror tunnels, and zero-gravity fights, combined with Hans Zimmer’s iconic score elevates the film’s experience. , including Best Visual Effects and a Best Cinematography win for Wally Pfister after three losses. The film also left an undeniable cultural impact, making Inception Nolan’s most influential work in both pop culture and cinema.

Oppenheimer chronicles the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the physicist who led the Manhattan Project and developed the atomic bomb during World War II. The film follows Oppenheimer from early in his academic career, his pivotal role in the development of the bomb, and the moral and ethical dilemmas that arose from creating it. He was also entangled in a game of politics in his later years as Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.) led the campaign against his name.

Nolan's execution in this film is simply mind-blowing. He refuses to simplify the story and his style to make a riveting three-hour biopic, that he bravely chose to release during a crowded summer season. Nolan's decision to shoot in IMAX and use practical effects for the bomb’s creation sequence further heightens the film's immersiveness. The nuanced performances, particularly from Cillian Murphy, make the film a perfect watch. Oppenheimer garnered widespread critical acclaim and a staggering 13 Academy Award nominations. The film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Nolan. Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr., cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema and composer Ludwig Goransson are also among the people who took home the Oscars for this film. It is a stunning achievement that blends history and cinema into a brilliant, towering narrative.

KEEP READING: The 10 Best Action Scenes in Christopher Nolan Movies, Ranked