The Directors Christopher Nolan Says Are His All-Time Favourites

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Christopher Nolan, known for his ambitious and intricate films, often acknowledges the directors who inspired him. His latest hit, Oppenheimer, demonstrates his talent for fast-paced storytelling – a style he credits to action classics like Jan de Bont’s Speed.

Nolan calls Speed a brilliantly suspenseful “ticking clock” thriller that perfectly built tension. He’s also a fan of Tony Scott’s work, especially the 2010 film Unstoppable, praising its constant and driving energy.

Christopher Nolan not only values exciting filmmaking but also admires the artistic style of Quentin Tarantino. Showing how much he respects Tarantino’s work, Nolan hosted a special screening of The Hateful Eight in 2015, praising its visual beauty and immersive atmosphere.

Nolan noted the film’s strong focus on visual form and its deliberate, thoughtful camera work. Watching the Western felt to him like a connection to the rich history of cinema, solidifying his view of movie theaters as special places for telling stories.

As a huge Nolan fan, it’s fascinating to see where he gets his inspiration! He was completely captivated by films like Alien and Blade Runner when he was a kid, and you can definitely see that influence in how he builds these incredible, immersive worlds. When he tackled war movies like Dunkirk, he really looked to films like The Battle of Algiers for that raw, documentary-style feel. He loved how that film created such a powerful, realistic story that really made you feel what was happening. And he’s talked about how Alfred Hitchcock’s Foreign Correspondent was a big influence too – specifically, the way it filmed a plane crash, which actually helped him structure the amazing aerial sequences in Dunkirk. It’s cool to see how he pulls from these different sources to create something uniquely his own.

Christopher Nolan is currently a major focus in Hollywood, and not just because of his films. He was recently elected president of the Directors Guild of America in September 2025, which he considers a huge honor.

While working to protect the interests of filmmakers and the creative process, Nolan is finishing up his 13th movie, The Odyssey. This $250 million epic is a new direction for him, marking his first time directing a fantasy film – a realistic reimagining of Greek mythology – and is set to be released on July 17th.

The upcoming film, The Odyssey, boasts an impressive cast led by Matt Damon as the clever Odysseus. Anne Hathaway will play his wife, Penelope, and Tom Holland stars as their son, Telemachus. Notably, this project marks the first time Holland and Zendaya – who will portray the goddess Athena – have worked together outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Robert Pattinson joins the cast as the suitor Antinous, alongside Charlize Theron as the powerful witch-goddess Circe, and Lupita Nyong’o. Filmed in Greece, Morocco, Iceland, and other global locations, the production used over two million feet of IMAX film to capture the epic scope of Odysseus’s decade-long voyage.

Early screenings have received rave reviews, with even the director’s brother, Jonathan Nolan, calling the film a stunning and remarkable accomplishment. As the release date nears, it’s evident that Nolan is once again aiming to push the limits of what a summer blockbuster can achieve.

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2026-02-13 23:16