David Lynch Ranked

David Lynch has been in the filmmaking business for nearly 60 years. Lynch's work has helped shape the film industry and has given us some of the greatest films ever made. Known for his dreamy, psychological, and surrealist works, Lynch is one of the most important filmmakers of our current era. He even got a term (Lynchian) dubbed after him, meaning films that have a dream-like quality, surrealist elements, and meticulous sound designs. However, his filmography has been a large blind spot for me. So, this month I decided to sit down and go through his entire filmography. Here, I have personally ranked all 10 of his films. Enjoy! — Arnold At The Movies

The Countdown:

#10 Dune (1984)

Dune (1984) is David Lynch's weakest film. It’s not a bad film, but it doesn’t achieve some of the great heights that Lynch has shown us. However, those costume and set designs were pretty stunning. In the end, studio meddling is a very sad thing. 3 stars out of 5.

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#09 Wild at Heart (1990)

Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern get hot and heavy in David Lynch's '90s erotic thriller. Wild at Heart is a violent, dark, and sexy road trip. A Lynchian love story for the books. 4 star out of 5.

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#08 Lost Highway (1997)

David Lynch’s Lost Highway is another provocative and head-spinning tale from the master. This neo-noir thriller is chock-full of Lynch’s haunting imagery and allegories. It’s a wild ride from start to finish. 4 stars out of 5.

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#07 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)

Polarizing at first but re-evaluated over time, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is the prequel to the hit mystery television series Twin Peaks (1990–1991). Just like the show, Fire Walk with Me has all of the uncanny blends of detective fiction, supernatural horror, and soap opera tropes but at a much darker tone. Fire Walk with Me unleashes a terrifying evil, along with a superb performance from Sheryl Lee. 4 stars out of 5.

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#06 Inland Empire (2006)

"???????????????????????????" Yeah, that's my review of Inland Empire. Seriously though, I don't even know how or where to begin to describe this film. It's like watching a 3-hour nightmare. Inland Empire left my head spinning, and Laura Dern is stellar throughout. 4.5 stars out of 5.

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#05 Eraserhead (1977)

David Lynch's feature film debut is still as wild and disturbing as I remembered it to be. Eraserhead is dark, eerie, and atmospheric. Eraserhead is a nightmare captured on film. To this day, Lynch's sound design in this picture is a masterwork. 4.5 stars out of 5.

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#04 The Straight Story (1999)

David Lynch’s The Straight Story is such a heartwarming tale. A triumph in direction from Lynch with incredible performances from Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, and Harry Dean Stanton. Sweet and sentimental, The Straight Story melts your heart away. 5-stars.

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#03 The Elephant Man (1980)

David Lynch's The Elephant Man is a somber, empathic, and heartbreaking tale. Lynch uses sensitive storytelling to balance out the darker elements of this story. A poignant film that studies the human condition; while also displaying the good with the evil. Actor John Hurt's portrayal of John Merrick is superb and utterly powerful. In addition, the black-and-white filmmaking in this picture is unmatched. 5-stars.

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#02 Blue Velvet (1986)

David Lynch's Blue Velvet is provocative storytelling and a visual grandeur from the first to the final frame. Blue Velvet is an intoxicating experience through its erotic atmosphere, engaging madness, and Lynch's original cinematic vision. Lynch pushes the boundaries of storytelling through this mesmerizing thriller. Plus, actor Dennis Hopper will send chills down your spine with his portrayal as a sexual and murderous psychopath. What a picture. 5-stars.

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#01 Mulholland Drive (2001)

Mulholland Drive is David Lynch’s magnum opus. A dream-like wonder turned nightmare, Mulholland Drive is an engrossing work of art that leaves the viewer guessing. A mysterious neo-noir that is unconventionally structured on purpose. I was in awe from the first to the final frame. Actress Naomi Watts is incredible, and this film helped boost her career. There is a reason people continue to say Mulholland Drive is one of the greatest films ever made, and that's because it is simply a masterpiece. 5-stars.