You’ve probably heard about Oscar-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey? Released in July 2026, this modern retelling of Homer’s epic classic features a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron. But as expected, this announcement is sparking all kinds of conversations online. Some worry that the whole ‘uber-modern’ casting choice won’t fit in with Nolan’s usually complex and cerebral storytelling. But if there’s one thing Nolan has earned over the years, it’s trust. Even if The Odyssey (backed by Universal) isn’t quite the right choice, you have a whole wealth of films to dive into, each showcasing a different facet of Nolan’s genius.
Christopher Nolan and his films
(left to right) Christopher Nolan; Tom Holland and Zendaya
Now if you really want to understand what makes a Nolan film tick – and trust us:The Odyssey It will be much more satisfying if you do; you must take the time to experience his work in a certain order. It’s not just about watching movies; it’s about following the journey of a director who redefined modern cinema with his manipulation of time, memory and perception.
The correct order to watch Nolan’s films
The undisputed order to watch Nolan’s films is this: Memento (2000), Next (1998), Insomnia (2002), Batman begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The dark knight stands up (2012), The prestige (2006), Commencement (2010), Interstellar (2014), Dunkirk (2017), Basic principle (2020), Oppenheimer (2023). But you can always ask why. Well, it’s all about understanding Christopher Nolan’s evolution as a filmmaker; each film builds on the previous one and adds new layers to its signature storytelling style.
Starting with Memento is a no brainer. It’s the film that launched Nolan into the spotlight, and its non-linear structure is the perfect introduction to his love of playing with time. The story is fragmented and tricky, asking viewers to work with the main character to solve the puzzle, and this will set the tone for many of his later works. After Mementoyou go back to Nexthis lesser-known first feature, which gives you a deeper insight into the themes that would define his later films: obsession, memory and identity.
Once you’ve seen these early films, Insomnia (a remake of a Norwegian thriller of the same name from 1997) is a logical next step. While a bit more conventional, it still introduces Nolan’s ability to work in a high-stakes psychological drama. It’s a solid transition from his indie beginnings to Hollywood, and it’s interesting to see how his style adapts to bigger budgets and more established actors.
Then comes the Batman trilogy. Watching these movies together — Batman begins, The Dark KnightAnd The dark knight rises – gives you a good overview of Nolan’s talent. You could say the man redefined superhero movies, making them darker and more psychologically complex. You’ll see his characters struggle with morality, fear and identity, themes that would be central to his later films.
After this superhero trilogy, The prestige is the perfect sequel. The film is a brilliant exploration of obsession, rivalry and the costs of ambition, all wrapped up in a thrilling story that is quintessential Nolan. It shows a shift towards more complicated, non-linear stories, paving the way for Commencementwhich takes Nolan’s signature time manipulation to new, surreal heights.
Once you’ve seen it Commencementyou are ready Interstellar — a film that combines great scientific ideas with emotional stories. It’s a natural progression, moving from dream worlds to the actual universe itself. From there, Dunkirk serves as a contrast, a more grounded, visceral experience that focuses on real-time survival. Basic principle is the next logical step, pushing Nolan’s time-bending obsession to the limit with its mind-bending premise, and finally capping it off with an Academy Award-winning Oppenheimerwhich is a return to deep ethical questions through the lens of history and science.
Watching Nolan’s films in this order will not only deepen your understanding of his cinematic evolution, but also prepare you for the complex layers in his latest works. It is a journey through time, mind and morality; each film contributes to the masterpiece that is the Nolan-verse.