Quentin Tarantino, known for his iconic contributions to cinema, has directed nine films that have garnered widespread acclaim and built a devoted global following. Among these, Tarantino considers Inglourious Basterds to be his masterpiece, highlighting it as his finest script, with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and The Hateful Eight closely following behind. This declaration came during a recent interview on The Church of Tarantino.
Despite winning two Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay for Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained, Tarantino has never received an Oscar for Best Director, though he has been nominated three times. Inglourious Basterds marked his first Best Director nomination since 1995’s Pulp Fiction and also earned a Best Picture nomination for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
While The Hateful Eight was described by Tarantino as the best directed from his own writing, he believes the overall execution places Inglourious Basterds at the pinnacle of his work. The film, which remains a critical and fan favorite, ranks behind only a few titles such as Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Django Unchained, and Kill Bill: Vol. 2 in review scores and audience preference.
“Inglourious Basterds is my best,” Tarantino affirmed in the interview, underscoring the film’s enduring legacy and artistic achievement.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Holds a Special Place in Tarantino’s Heart
Although Tarantino regards Inglourious Basterds as his masterpiece, his favorite film is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. His affection for this project is evident in the work he has done beyond the screen, including writing a novelization of the film that delves deeper into the characters and their stories. Released in 2020, this book was his first novel under a deal with HarperCollins and expanded the narrative significantly.
This film, like Inglourious Basterds, reimagines historical events with positive twists—while the former replaces a tragic World War II outcome, the latter alters the story of the Manson Family murders. The novelization allowed Tarantino to extend the story behind characters and explore what happened after the film’s events.
Moreover, Tarantino authored a second novel centered on the fictional career of Rick Dalton, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie. Demonstrating his lasting passion for the story, he also penned a sequel titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth, focusing on Brad Pitt’s character nine years later. Tarantino chose not to direct this continuation himself, instead passing the project to David Fincher for a Netflix adaptation.
The Unique Place of Kill Bill in Tarantino’s Career
Quentin Tarantino openly claims that Kill Bill was the film he was destined to create, reflecting his lifelong passion for kung-fu, exploitation, horror, and action movies. Drawing inspiration from his extensive movie education in video stores, Tarantino combined these influences into a bold, stylistic masterpiece. The film’s revenge narrative features a wronged woman returning from the dead to confront those who destroyed her life, incorporating ninjas, intense sword fights, striking musical cues, and a vivid display of bloodshed across its two parts.
“I think Kill Bill is the ultimate Quentin movie, like nobody else could’ve made it. Every aspect about it is so particularly ripped, like with tentacles and bloody tissue, from my imagination and my id and my loves and my passion and my obsession. So I think ‘Kill Bill’ is the movie I was born to make”
—Quentin Tarantino, Director
While Tarantino considers The Hateful Eight his best screenplay, he views Kill Bill differently: as a film where he transformed a strong concept into fully realized scenes and visuals. The resulting movie stands as a testament to his imaginative vision and filmmaking ability.
Notably, his earliest films, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, are not among those he highlights as his best, likely because he views them as formative works. Instead, his later projects represent Tarantino at the height of his craft, demonstrating his growth and command over storytelling.
The Last Chapter: Tarantino’s Future Plans
Having directed nine critically applauded films, Quentin Tarantino has consistently pushed cinematic boundaries through unique storytelling and distinctive style. His next project, intended to be his tenth and final film before retirement, is anticipated with great interest. This impending conclusion to his directing career will likely reflect the same passion and craftsmanship that have defined his work.
Tarantino’s reflections on his best films and personal favorites reveal a filmmaker deeply connected to his creations and committed to storytelling that reshapes history, character, and genre in compelling ways. As fans await his final movie, his commentary offers insight into his artistic journey and the legacy he intends to leave.
