IMDb, with its flaws and merits, presents an interesting case. While its ratings system may be prone to certain biases, such as against horror and romance genres, it still holds significance. Take, for example, its Top 250 list of films. From the timeless "The Shawshank Redemption" at #1 to the unique "Paris, Texas" making the cut, most people would agree that these movies are of a certain quality. However, there is one issue - superhero movies seem a bit overvalued. "The Dark Knight" at #3 is understandable, but "The Dark Knight Rises" at #71 is a stretch. It's hard to believe that it deserves to be over a hundred spots above "Catch Me If You Can." There must be some number fudging going on.

Why Dunkirk and Tenet Didn't Make IMDb's Top 250

One of the most surprising omissions from IMDb's Top 250 is Nolan's 2017 film "Dunkirk." This gripping WWII thriller, which gives us a stressful and exhaustive look at the 1940 Allied defeat at Dunkirk, was only ranked 7.8 out of 10. While the movie is effective at what it does, perhaps its lack of compelling character arcs is what held it back from getting an 8+ rating. In contrast, "Interstellar" was grounded by a heart-wrenching father/daughter relationship, and "Inception" centered on a character's guilt and heartbreak. "Dunkirk," as an ensemble film, doesn't allow us to intimately know most of the characters. As a result, it's thrilling while watching but doesn't linger in the heart or mind for long.The omission of Nolan's 2020 film "Tenet" is more understandable. "Tenet" is easily Nolan's most divisive movie so far. He's often accused of being a cold filmmaker, more focused on creating clever puzzle-box plots than on developing compelling characters or strong emotional stakes. With its extremely confusing paradoxical time travel premise, "Tenet" did little to counter this critique. It still has its merits, but with a 7.3 rating on IMDb, it will need a lot of new 10-star reviews to climb into the top 250.

Which Christopher Nolan Movie Deserved Its Top 250 Ranking the Most?

Among Nolan's films, his 2000 mystery noir "Memento" (rated 8.4 and ranked #57) deserves its spot the most. At first glance, the movie may seem overly complicated, with a detective having short-term memory loss and the story told in reverse order with a flashback storyline in chronological order. However, it has a strong emotional core that ties all the potential confusion together. It's also a masterclass in giving the audience short-term mysteries to introduce and quickly solve. So, even if you're struggling to keep track of the larger timeline on the first watch, you can still appreciate each scene on its own.Another notable film is "The Prestige," a historical drama with a touch of sci-fi. Like "Memento," it's a tightly-knit plot that can give you a headache on the first watch but fits together beautifully on repeat viewings. The intense rivalry between magicians Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) and Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) is clear and compelling enough to make the movie work. With an 8.5 IMDb rating and a #43 ranking, "The Prestige" shows Nolan at his most emotionally rich. While "Interstellar" may be the bigger tearjerker overall, the psychological messiness of "The Prestige" leaves viewers with more to discuss after the credits roll.