25 Essential Films from Tarantino
25 titles
- 1
Four RoomsMovie · 1995 · 98m · ComedyTed, a new hotel bellhop, has an unforgettable first night. While working at a uniquely odd hotel, he gets caught up in a series of strange and funny situations involving the hotel's unusual guests. The guests are all different – some quirky, some completely eccentric – and each presents new challenges for Ted.
He has to learn on the go, balancing the unexpected demands of his job with humor and quick thinking. From lost luggage filled with surprises to sudden room changes at the worst possible times, Ted's first night is anything but typical. This amusing story looks at hotel life in a new way, offering laughs and a fresh perspective on the classic bellhop role.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.9 - 2
Past MidnightMovie · 1992 · 100m · Drama, Mystery, RomanceThis drama centers on a man recently released from prison after 15 years for a crime he may not have committed. His social worker, deeply believing in his case and personally invested in his well-being, works tirelessly to re-examine the evidence by interviewing people from the past. As she becomes increasingly involved in his life, she faces warnings from those who worry about her safety, given his reputation. The film explores themes of love, justice, and the possibility of redemption.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.0 - 3
Death ProofMovie · 2007 · 113m · Action, ThrillerAustin's popular DJ, Jungle Julia, goes out for a night with her friends Shanna and Arlene. Unbeknownst to them, Stuntman Mike, a rough character in a muscle car, secretly follows them, driving very close.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 4
Planet TerrorMovie · 2007 · 105m · Horror, Action, ThrillerTwo doctors working a graveyard shift are overwhelmed when the town floods with people suffering from terrible sores. Among the injured is Cherry Darling, a dancer who lost her leg. As the patients rapidly turn violent, Cherry and her ex-boyfriend El Wray gather a group of unlikely allies and head out into the night.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.7 - 5
Kill Bill: Vol. 2Movie · 2004 · 136m · Action, Crime, ThrillerA woman relentlessly pursues the assassins who attacked her and threatened her unborn child. Systematically, she eliminates those connected to the killers, working her way through a list of targets. Her final objective is to confront and kill Bill.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.9 - 6
CurdledMovie · 1996 · 88m · Comedy, Crime, ThrillerGabriela, fascinated by violent crime, becomes absorbed in the case of Miami's "Blue Blood Killer," a serial killer targeting wealthy socialites. Determined to understand these crimes, she gets a job with a post-mortem cleanup service.
While working a crime scene, Gabriela discovers overlooked evidence that changes her view of crime and justice. She faces a difficult choice: reveal this shocking truth, risking everything, or stay silent and maintain her place in Miami.
As Gabriela investigates the Blue Blood Killer, she uncovers secrets and lies, forcing her to confront her own issues and the unsettling nature of the world.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.8 - 7
Kill Bill: Vol. 1Movie · 2003 · 111m · Action, CrimeAn assassin is shot by her employer, Bill, and other members of their group. However, she survives the attack and begins planning her revenge.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.0 - 8
HostelMovie · 2006 · 94m · HorrorThree backpackers travel to a Slovakian city expecting a wild time, unaware of the danger that lies ahead.IMDb 5.9TMDB 5.9 - 9
Hostel: Part IIMovie · 2007 · 93m · HorrorThree American college students studying in Europe are drawn to a hostel in Slovakia, where they uncover a disturbing truth.IMDb 5.5TMDB 5.8 - 10
Freedom's FuryMovie · 2006 · 90mThis documentary chronicles the 1956 Olympic semifinal water polo game between Hungary and the Soviet Union, played in Australia. The match took place during the Soviet military crackdown on the Hungarian uprising in Budapest.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.5 - 11
The Hateful EightMovie · 2015 · 188m · Drama, Mystery, WesternA group of bounty hunters seeking refuge from a severe blizzard find themselves embroiled in a scheme of betrayal and deceit.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.8 - 12
Once Upon a Time... in HollywoodMovie · 2019 · 162m · Comedy, Drama, ThrillerLos Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton, an actor trying to keep up with the changing times, and his loyal stuntman friend Cliff Booth navigate a shifting Hollywood landscape. Dalton lives next door to the rising actress and model Sharon Tate, who has recently married the acclaimed Polish director Roman Polanski.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.4 - 13
Inglourious BasterdsMovie · 2009 · 153m · Drama, Thriller, WarDuring World War II in Nazi-occupied France, a unit of Jewish-American soldiers called "The Basterds" is tasked with spreading terror within the Third Reich through brutal acts of violence against Nazis. Led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine, The Basterds encounter a French-Jewish teenager who operates a movie theater in Paris – a theater that becomes a target for the soldiers.IMDb 8.4TMDB 8.2 - 14
Pulp FictionMovie · 1994 · 154m · Thriller, Crime, ComedyThis darkly funny crime story explores the lives of four unlikely people: a hitman who loves burgers, his thoughtful partner, a drug-using criminal's girlfriend, and a washed-up boxer. The film tells their stories in a non-linear way, shifting between past and present to connect them in a complex story of crime, connection, and finding meaning. As their lives cross and separate, the film blends humor, violence, and personal journeys within the world of organized crime.IMDb 8.8TMDB 8.5 - 15
Iron MonkeyMovie · 1993 · 90m · Action, Crime, DramaThis action-drama set in Hong Kong follows the legendary Iron Monkey, who operates as a modern Robin Hood in a village suffering from corruption. The masked vigilante steals from wealthy officials to help the poor, inspired by a respected local deity. When the Governor becomes determined to stop him, he recruits a reluctant traveling doctor to track down Iron Monkey. The film examines themes of justice, power, and the conflict between rebellion and authority.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 16
Django UnchainedMovie · 2012 · 165m · Drama, WesternA freed slave teams up with a German bounty hunter to rescue his wife from a cruel plantation owner in Mississippi.IMDb 8.5TMDB 8.2 - 17
God Said, 'Ha!'Movie · 1998 · 85mJulia Sweeney shares a monologue reflecting on a difficult period in her life, marked by her brother's battle with cancer and her own diagnosis of a rare form of the disease.IMDb 7.2TMDB 5.6 - 18
From Dusk Till DawnMovie · 1996 · 108m · Horror, Action, CrimeThe Gecko brothers, estranged from each other, unexpectedly find themselves on a desperate flight for safety. They kidnap a father and his two children, but their plan goes awry when they seek refuge in a rundown Mexican bar. Unbeknownst to them, the bar is secretly filled with vampires, and its hidden dangers threaten everyone involved. Amidst tense moments and dark humor, the brothers must navigate this strange new world while fighting for their survival. The film examines family, redemption, and staying alive in the face of the supernatural.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.1 - 19
Reservoir DogsMovie · 1992 · 99m · Crime, ThrillerPaul and Jamie Buchman are a contemporary couple building a life together in 1990s city life. The film explores their journey as they navigate the joys and difficulties of marriage, blending their lives and personalities. Their relatable struggles include dealing with in-laws and balancing careers with family life, all presented with humor and sharp timing. This story offers a lighthearted look at love and partnership.IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.1 - 20
Hell RideMovie · 2008 · 84m · Action, ThrillerA long-standing feud ignites between two biker gangs: the Victors and the Six-Six-Six's, reigniting their decades of rivalry.IMDb 5.0TMDB 5.1 - 21
Killing ZoeMovie · 1993 · 96m · Action, Crime, DramaDuring Bastille Day in Paris, American vault-cracker Zed reconnects with his friend Eric, who has planned a daring heist of the city's only open bank. Zed readily agrees to help. But as their plan unfolds, Zed becomes caught in a complicated situation involving drug use, disorganized planning, and a mysterious call girl named Zoe. These unexpected problems turn the heist into a desperate struggle with serious consequences.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.2 - 22
Jackie BrownMovie · 1997 · 154mJackie Brown, a flight attendant, becomes involved in smuggling money for her gunrunner boss. When the police try to use her to find him, she devises a plan – with the assistance of a bail bondsman – to steal the money for herself.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 23
Sin CityMovie · 2005 · 124m · Crime, ThrillerSin City is a place for those on the edge: the tough, the corrupt, the lost. Some say it's dark, others say it's hard-boiled. For some, it's home – a world of crooked cops, alluring women, and desperate people fighting back. Driven by revenge, seeking redemption, or both, these unlikely heroes struggle to do what's right in a city that doesn't care.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.5 - 24
Daltry CalhounMovie · 2005 · 100mIn a small Tennessee town, a man struggling to keep his golf club afloat is unexpectedly reunited with his daughter, a 14-year-old with extraordinary musical talent.IMDb 5.1TMDB 4.9 - 25
True RomanceMovie · 1993 · 119m · Action, Crime, RomanceIn a harsh city, Clarence unexpectedly marries Alabama, a woman working in sex work. Together, they discover a supply of cocaine and decide to sell it in Hollywood, hoping for a better life.
But the original owners of the cocaine are determined to get it back, forcing Clarence and Alabama into a dangerous chase. As they try to stay ahead of their pursuers while protecting their new wealth, they face the consequences of their actions and form an unlikely partnership amidst the chaos.
The film explores love, survival, and morality in a world with unclear boundaries and high risks, presenting a story that questions traditional ideas of right and wrong.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5
