In comparison to other filmmakers fromDavid Lynch’sgeneration, Lynch has always rightfully received critical acclaim for his unique, visually driven style, providing a surrealist feel to each of his films. While he’s widely known for his TV projects such as the legendaryTwin Peaks, Lynch has written and directed films not only set themselves apart from each other but from other films released at a similar time.
Even though he’s only directed ten films throughout his long career, each made a big enough impact for him to be regarded as one of the top directors. Here are all of Lynch’s feature films, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.
10Dune (1984) - 44%
Perhaps one of his most well-known films,Dunewas the film that genuinely introduced audiences to his unique visual style. Adapting one of the most beloved novels in its genre written by Frank Herbert of the same title was always going to be a challenge, with fans still questioning whether it was the correct decision to tell such a large-scale, complex story over the course of 2 hours and 20 minutes.
One thing that can’t be disputed is the beauty of the film.Considering the number of sci-fi movies that were released during this decade, being able to wonderfully stand out from the rest to the extent that this film did is a massive accomplishment in itself. The sci-fi epic follows Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan), a gifted young man born into a destiny beyond his comprehension, as he travels to the most dangerous planet to ensure the future of his people.
9Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me - 64%
A prequel to Lynch and Mark Frost’s hit showTwin Peaks, two years after the premiere of the show cameTwin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. This film is the best of both worlds, combining the masterclass in TV with his unique theatrical style, both of which are on full show here. A psychological horror (in true Lynch fashion) is a film you don’t need to watch the show before viewing, but if you have seen it, it’ll make it all the better.
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The film details the last seven days of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), one year after the murder of Teresa Banks, a resident of Twin Peaks' neighboring town. Banks' death is a massive part of the story, and helps Agent Dale Cooper’s harrowing investigation into Laura’s death. The original show managed to captivate viewers with the question of who killed Laura Scott, with this film giving viewers a chance to see who this mysterious woman was.
8Wild at Heart - 65%
Wild at Heartis perhaps one of Lynch’s most unique entries into his filmography, with the film leaning into the comedy genre, providing much more fun than the other movies on this list. The film still includes the trademark Lynch characteristics with their being some disturbing darkness, definitely making it not a film for the weak-hearted. With a star-studded cast including Nicolas Cage, Laura Dern, and Willem Dafoe,it’s the memorable performancesall around that make this film such a standout dark comedy of the ’90s.
The plot follows Sailor Ripley (Cage) after serving prison time for a self-defense killing as he reunites with his girlfriend Lula Fortune. Lula’s mother, Marietta (Diane Ladd) is desperate to keep them apart, even hiring a hitman to kill Sailor. However, Sailor already finds himself in a world of trouble after he lands in jail yet again after trying to rob a store with his old friend Bobby Peru (Dafoe), who’s also out to get him.
7Lost Highway - 68%
This 1997 installment in Lynch’s filmography,Lost Highwaytakes his surrealist style from his films prior, building on what makes it so special. A film that brings all different emotions to the surface, the film will continue to grab your attention in contrasting ways as the story progresses. Although there are definitely more similarities compared to other films in his filmography than usual, there’s still not a film released at this time that can be compared toLost Highway.
Shifting between two separate but intersecting stories, one about a jazz musician (Bill Pullman) who’s tortured by the idea that his wife is having an affair, and finds himself accused of murder. The other follows a young mechanic (Balthazar Getty) as she’s drawn into a web of deceit by a temptress who’s cheating on her gangster boyfriend. One element that leads to this film being so gripping is that the women in both stories are played by the same actress (Patricia Arquette).
6Inland Empire - 72%
The most recent film of David Lynch,Inland Empireonce again features Laura Dern in a key role, playing the character of Nikki. This movie is full to the brim ofLynch’s visual-driven, surrealist style, which led to the film becoming quite polarizing among viewers. If you like Lynch’s style, it’ll absorb you for the long three-hour run time, giving you a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.
The film follows Nikki, a new actress, who takes on a role in a new film. Due to her husband (Peter J. Lucas getting jealous of her, her co-star Devon (Justin Theroux) gets a stern warning not to make any romantic moves. As the film progresses, both actors learn that the project is a remake of an unfinished film in which the stars were murdered, leading to the film falling deeper and deeper into a disturbing third act.
5Mulholland Drive - 84%
Similar toInland Empire,Mulholland Driveis one of Lynch’s films where he lets his style run wild, perhaps even more in this film.Mulholland Driveis a mysterious, almost dreamlike neo-noir, full of twists and turns that keep you hooked throughout its unconventional structure.
Carried by a fantastic performance from the cast, especially Naomi Watts, the film follows Camilla Rhodes or Rita (Laura Elena Harring) who’s left amnesiac after a car crash.Wandering the street of a dreamy Los Angeleswith none of the synonymous traffic or smog, she’s discovered by Betty (Watts), a Midwestern woman who has come into the city seeking fame as an actress. Together, the two attempt to solve the mystery of Rita’s true identity.
Yet another surreal movie in this list,Eraserheadcan’t help but stand out among all other films that Lynch has been involved with.Using black and white cinematographypaired with its eerily memorable score, the film is on hand a marvel to look at, but its deep, emotion-filled story creates a disturbing yet enticing movie when paired with the latter two elements.
Henry (John Nance) lives alone in a cold apartment surrounded by bleak industrial gloom. When he discovers that an earlier fling with Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) is pregnant with his child, he marries the soon-to-be mother and has her move in with him. In true bizarre Lynch fashion, the baby turns out to be a lizard-like creature that can’t stop screaming. The film does an amazing job of conveyingHenry’s fear of being a parentas a man, which is clearly the underlying message of the film.
3The Elephant Man - 92%
Adapting one of the most famous stories in show business,The Elephant ManseesLynch take on a true storyfor his second feature, meaning this film isn’t a non-linear bizarre entry like some of his other movies. However, the classic Lynch imagery is still present, making the film feel unmistakably and uniquely his.
In an absorbing, satisfying drama, Dr. Frederic Treves (Anthony Hopkins) discovers Joseph Merrick (John Hunt) in a sideshow. Born with a congenital disorder, Merrick uses his disfigurement to earn a living as ‘The Elephant Man’. Be sure to grab some tissues for this one, as seeing what Merrick had to endure over his short 27 years alive is a powerful tear-jerking story that Lynch manages to expertly bring to the screen.
2The Straight Story - 94%
Another film that you might need to grab the tissues forisThe Straight Story, which is easily Lynch’s most sentimental film. Leaving behind the neo-noir surrealism of other films on this list,The Straight Storyis equally as captivating as those films for the complete opposite reasons.
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The film follows retired farmer and widower Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) who’s in his ’80s as he learns his distant brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and might not recover. Determined to make things right while he still can after so much regret throughout his life, Alvin does everything he can to travel from Iowa to Wisconsin, no matter the odds. We follow him on a beautiful picturesque journey across the American heartland in a film completely different from anything else in Lynch’s filmography.
1Blue Velvet - 95%
Going back to the true David Lynch style,Blue Velvetencapsulates almost everything that sets Lynch’s style apart from so many other filmmakers. Its bold, colorful visual imagery is contrasted so heavily with the film’s premise dealing with the subject of sexual assault,which made the film so controversialupon its release which is still spoken about today.
The film follows college student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) who returns home after his father has a stroke. When he discovers a severed ear in an abandoned field, he teams up with a detective’s daughter Sandy (Laura Dern) to solve the mystery. Believing that lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) may be connected to the case, Beaumont finds himself trapped in her dark, disturbing world. The film was so impactful no matter how you view it, making it deserving of the top spot out of David Lynch’s filmography.
