The Ultimate Movie List: 11 Films That Are Quentin Tarantino-Approved

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Sergio Leone, 1966)

This violent, epic spaghetti western is all about gunslingers and a fortune of buried gold, and the uneasy alliance it brings between three desperate men.

This gritty piece contains what Tarantino has called his "favorite cut in the history of movies," with a tense three-way showdown accompanied by the perfect score and, of course, an explosion. It's no surprise that Tarantino's own films have been inspired by this movie.

Rio Bravo (Howard Hawks, 1959)

"Whenever I’m getting serious with a girl, I show her Rio Bravo, and she better f****** like it."

Not only is this a Tarantino favorite, but it is another western that has inspired the director's own work.

In the movie, a sheriff teams up with a young gunfighter, an awkward drunk and an elderly deputy to protect a high-value prisoner. The band of misfits provides a mix of suspense, epic gunfights and plenty of comedy.

Blow Out (Brian De Palma, 1981)

Not only did Tarantino love this movie, he also loved its star, and later wrote a part in Pulp Fiction specifically for John Travolta.

Travolta is an unsuspecting witness in this stylish thriller, playing an audio technician who accidentally records a murder. Instead of what he sees, it's what he hears that puts him in the middle of a conspiracy and makes him a target. Tarantino, already a big fan of the director, called Blow Out "some of Brian De Palma’s finest film."

Taxi Driver (Martin Scorsese, 1976)

When he's passionate, he's very passionate. Tarantino has called Taxi Driver "unarguably one of the greatest movies ever made." This film is definitely up the director's alley, following a war veteran who works as a night cab driver and takes it upon himself to make the world a better place, using violence as his fare.

Recently, Tarantino has hinted that his final film, The Movie Critic (due out this year), draws inspiration from Taxi Driver.

His Girl Friday (Howard Hawks, 1940)

With more funny moments than one can count, it seems surprising that such an innocent and hearty comedy ended up on Tarantino's list.

Perhaps it's the film's fast pacing and multi-layered dialogue, or perhaps it's the story, unique for its time, of a newspaper editor who will do anything to prevent his reporter ex-wife from marrying her new fiancé.

Five Fingers of Death (Jeong Chang-Hwa, 1972)

As a self-proclaimed "student of Hong Kong cinema," it's no surprise that Tarantino gives this kung-fu underdog tale five stars.

With incredible fight sequences and compelling characters, this intense martial arts film was one of the first of its kind to achieve international success. Renamed King Boxer before its release in America, the film's brutal preparations for a high-stakes martial arts tournament continued to captivate audiences.

Pandora’s Box (G. W. Pabst, 1929)

Tarantino's movies often feature compelling female protagonists and violence, which may be why this film, released during the birth of Hollywood, is one of his favorites.

Pandora's Box, visually stunning for its time, follows an irresistible young woman whose charms lead the men around her to violence and tragedy. Sounds like something the director would find compelling.

Carrie (Brian De Palma, 1976)

There have been many versions of the story of a high school girl with kinetic powers and a desire for revenge, but De Palma's 1976 version is Tarantino's favorite. He attributes this to the pure gore and violence of Carrie reaching her breaking point, and even used a scene from the film as inspiration for a scene in his iconic 2009 film, Inglorious Bastards.

Unfaithfully Yours (Preston Sturges, 1948)

Unfaithfully Yours has developed a cult following over time. This is due to the film's use of physical comedy, an original and unforgettable song, and exceptional cinematography.

The hilarious film, about a man seeking revenge after his wife's alleged infidelity, has been described as disappointing yet brilliant. We know Tarantino loves Sturge's writing, but he probably also loved the movie's unique comedic aspect.

Five Graves to Cairo (Billy Wilder, 1943)

Tarantino loves world war movies, and Five Graves to Cairo has earned a place as one of his favorites for the way it does not follow history.

The gritty picture follows an undercover British officer and a woman who run a desert hotel where a German field marshal sets up headquarters.

Jaws (Steven Spielberg, 1975)

Tarantino shared his thoughts on the terrifying shark thriller that launched Spielberg's directorial career, saying, "I think Jaws is the greatest movie ever made. Maybe not the

the greatest movie. But it's the greatest movie ever made." A movie Spielberg was certainly born to make.