Can You Name the Christopher Nolan Movie From One Screenshot?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name the Christopher Nolan Movie From One Screenshot?
Image: Legendary Pictures/Syncopy/Lynda Obst Productions

About This Quiz

Just so you know, you're not in a dream ... even though our dreams feel real when we're in them. But if you're going to take this quiz, you need imagination.

Christopher Nolan is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. The British-American writer, director and producer has had his hand in some of the most popular movies released in the last 20 years. You may be familiar with some of his work, especially if you were into the "Dark Knight" trilogy that starred Christian Bale. These movies were considered some of the best about Batman.

Although Nolan himself hasn't won any Academy Awards, he has been nominated several times, and he's had some of the biggest blockbusters in American movie history. Not only that, his films are the most talked about and parodied films in history, including "Inception" and "Interstellar." 

If you think you know a thing or two about Christopher Nolan films or you're just really good at recognizing some of the most popular movies of the last two decades, it's time to try your hand at this quiz. See if you can guess the names of these Christopher Nolan movies from a single screenshot. 

6 Dunkirk
Syncopy Inc.
What's the name of this WWII movie by Christopher Nolan?
"The Prestige"
"Following"
"Dunkirk"
"Doodlebug"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As Nazi troops made their way into France in 1940, they trapped Allied troops in Dunkirk. This movie is the story of how those trapped troops were evacuated over a long period of time with the help of multiple armies.

2 The Dark Knight
Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics/Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
Heath Ledger played the Joker in which Christopher Nolan film?
"The Dark Knight"
"The Dark Knight Rises"
"Batman Begins"
"Batman Returns"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In one of the most intense superhero movies ever written, Christopher Nolan creates some of the darkest characters ever seen on the big screen. Many argue that this is the best superhero movie ever made.

24 Batman v Superman
DC Entertainment/RatPac Entertainment/Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual Films
What is the name of this movie about a fight between two super heroes?
"Aquaman v Superman"
"The Breakers"
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
"Justice League"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nolan holds executive producer credit for this DC film. Much like "Justice League," Nolan didn't have a hand in writing or directing the film, but the darkness from "The Dark Knight" series does transfer over a little bit.

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9 Insomnia
Alcon Entertainment/Witt Thomas Productions/Section Eight Productions
Robin Williams stars in this Alaskan mystery movie. Can you name it?
"Inception"
"Mystery Alaska"
"Final Cut"
"Insomnia"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's rare to see Robin Williams play a darker role, but in "Insomnia," we see him as the villain. Williams plays the primary suspect in a series of murders that happen during the time when the Alaskan sun doesn't set.

4 Interstellar
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy/Lynda Obst Productions
Nolan wrote the screenplay for this movie about attempting to save humanity. Do you know what it's called?
"Momento"
"Armageddon"
"Interstellar"
"Independence Day"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it comes to saving the world, most people probably don't think about going through a wormhole and traveling to a different dimension. Luckily, we have the genius mind of Christopher Nolan to create amazing stories like "Interstellar" to bring us to that place.

11 Transcendence
Alcon Entertainment/DMG Entertainment/Straight Up Films
Can you name this movie that stars Johnny Depp?
"Sweeney Todd"
"Transcendence"
"Miraculous Wonders"
"Witch's Brew"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it comes to experimenting with artificial intelligence, movies seem to make scientists seem obsessed and intense. "Transcendence" brings a different perspective into it, helping a scientist put his intelligence into the technology he created.

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25 Batman Begins
Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics/Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
Do you know the name of this film about a rich man who fights crime?
"Interstellar"
"Inception"
"The Prestige"
"Batman Begins"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fans of the "Batman" series from the '80s and '90s know that the director of the film can make or break the success of the series. That's why it was so important to get a storyteller like Nolan involved in the next reboot of "Batman."

10 Man of Steel
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy/DC Entertainment
In which "Justice League" movie do we see the origin of Superman?
"Man of Steel"
"Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice"
"Aquaman"
"Superman"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before the Marvel movies shed light on the fact that entire cities were leveled by superheros, we got to see Superman destroy entire buildings ... and his nemesis. The death of a villain put audiences in an uproar.

21 Dunkirk
Syncopy Inc.
What is the name of this film that shows what life was like in France when the Nazis took over?
"Tenet"
"Trnascendence"
"Inception"
"Dunkirk"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Starring Harry Styles and Tom Hardy, "Dunkirk" is a gritty historical film that received rave reviews in 2017. Not only does the film include the drama of war, but there is a little bit of mystery added to the tone as well.

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26 Momento
Summit Entertainment/Team Todd
What is the name of this film that Nolan wrote and directed?
"Batman Begins"
"Following"
"Man of Steel"
"Momento"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As one of Christopher Nolan's first and most remarkable films, "Momento" gained popularity and success by people talking about the story ... which is very difficult to translate from only seeing it once.

31 Doodlebug
Christopher Nolan
Nolan has one set designer credit to his name. Do you know what movie it was for?
"Inception"
"Batman Begins"
'The Prestige"
"Doodlebug"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you've ever chased a bug around a room to ensure that you've killed it, you might understand the feeling of anxiety, adrenaline and eagerness to complete the task. However, what do you do if you aren't sure what the creature actually is?

40 inception
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
Which film that Nolan wrote, produced and directed is shown here?
"Discovery"
"Inception"
"Transcendence"
"Titanic"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you had the power to control other people's dreams, do you think you'd do good or evil with it? Corporate espionage might not be your first thought, but it could be the most lucrative, as it was for the main character in this film ... for a while.

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17 quay
Syncopy Inc.
For which documentary does Christopher Nolan hold a composer credit?
"Making Waves"
"Inception: The Cobol Job"
"Ghajini"
"Quay"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Of all of Christopher Nolan's movies, Quay is the one that he pretty much did everything for. He wrote, directed, produced and even composed the score for this documentary. That is a lot to take on for one person, but Nolan handled it well.

15 quay
Syncopy Inc.
This short documentary about two animators is one of Nolan's more recent works. Do you know what it's called?
"Stay"
"Quay"
"Way"
"May"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christopher Nolan had his hand in every aspect of this short documentary. It is about Stehpen and Timothy Quay, well-known animators. Although the film is small, it does have a fan following and is well-loved among Nolan's super fans.

7 Batman Begins
Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics/Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
Do you know which "Dark Knight" movie this is?
"The Dark Knight"
"Batman Begins"
"The Dark Knight Rises"
"Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although Tim Burton tried to capture the darkness of Batman in his series of films in the 1990s, it took Christopher Nolan's writing to complete the characters in a way they were meant to be on the big screen.

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38 Transcendence
Alcon Entertainment/DMG Entertainment/Straight Up Films
This film will make you fear artificial intelligence. Do you know what it's called?
"Inception"
"Deception"
"Transcendence"
"Dependence"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a scientist who is working on superintelligence (or artificial intelligence) is shot, his partners decide to attempt to put his consciousness into his own technology. As you may have guessed, things get a little out of control from there.

36 The Dark Knight Rises
Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics/Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
This was Nolan's top-grossing film in the box office. Can you name it?
"The Dark Knight Rises"
"Venom"
"Captain Marvel"
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After the smashing success of "The Dark Knight", audiences were hooked on Nolan's take on the characters. It's no wonder that "The Dark Knight Rises" brought in nearly $1.1 billion worldwide in 2012.

33 quay
Syncopy Inc.
This documentary gave Nolan a cinematographer credit. What is it called?
"Tarantella"
"Quay"
"Forget Me Not"
"She Breaks Free"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As short films go, there probably aren't a lot that people can recommend right off the bat. However, "Quay" is a different kind of documentary, about two brothers who are a little eccentric (to say the least) and give us a view of animators that we never considered before.

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39 Interstellar
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy/Lynda Obst Productions
A man communicates with his daughter through space and time in which film?
"Inception"
"Momento"
"Unbreakable"
"Interstellar"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Earth has become a wasteland that will not sustain human life much longer. A group of pilots must leave the solar system to find an answer and save the human race. What they find instead is a completely different dimension.

12 Doodlebug
Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan wrote and directed this short film while he was still in school. Do you know the name of it?
"Insomnia"
"Inception"
"Doodlebug"
"What Dreams May Come"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This 1997 film was written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It's about a man who has some mental issues and is working toward killing something that looks like a bug that is crawling around his apartment.

1 inception
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
Can you name this film starring Leonardo DiCaprio?
"Inception"
"Deception"
"A.I"
"The Blood Diamond"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even if you've never seen "Inception" before, chances are you know a little bit about it. It's a twist on a corporate espionage movie, and Christopher Nolan knocked it out of the park when he wrote the screenplay, as it is one of the most memorable films of all time (even if you can't understand it).

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35 Batman v Superman
DC Entertainment/RatPac Entertainment/Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual Films
Although he didn't write or direct this film, Nolan was the executive producer. Do you know what it's called?
"Justice League"
"Aquaman"
"Dunkirk"
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although many didn't think that Ben Affleck would make a good Batman, he did show up in this film. It did receive mixed reviews, but that didn't stop people from flocking to all of the "Justice League" films that were released.

30 The Dark Knight Rises
Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics/Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
What is the name of this film that has Joseph Gordon-Levitt in it?
"The Dark Knight"
"Transcendence"
"The Dark Knight Rises"
"Translucent"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was supposed to represent Batman's sidekick, Robin, in "The Dark Knight Rises." As a matter of fact, Gordon-Levitt was supposed to get a stand-alone film for Robin after the success of "The Dark Knight Rises," but it never came to pass.

29 inception
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
In which film does a man steal corporate secrets in a different way?
"Perception"
"Following"
"Inception"
"Larceny"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In this genius film, we see a storyline that takes us on a wild ride. We are often questioning if we are in dreams, reality or dreams within dreams, and as an audience, we feel the tension that the main character feels.

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22 Transcendence
Alcon Entertainment/DMG Entertainment/Straight Up Films
Do you recognize this film produced by Christopher Nolan?
"Transcendence"
"Inception"
"Alice Through the Looking Glass"
"Following"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is one of the few films that Christopher Nolan had his hands in, but didn't write or direct. Even though the film seems to have his tone and twists, it was actually written by Jack Paglen and directed by Wally Pfister.

34 The Prestige
Touchstone Pictures/Warner Bros./Newmarket Films/Syncopy
This film is based on a novel by Christopher Priest. Can you name it?
"Insomnia"
"Broken Moment"
"The Prestige"
"Momento"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson all star in this film about two magicians that butt heads after an accident. You can even spot David Bowie in the film, playing Nikola Tesla.

13 The Dark Knight Rises
Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Comics/Legendary Pictures/Syncopy
Do you know which "Dark Knight" movie this is?
"The Dark Knight Returns"
"Batman Begins"
"The Dark Knight"
"The Dark Knight Rises"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before the M.C.U. blew all other superhero movies out of the water at the box office, "The Dark Knight" series was setting records left and right. It was clear that the genre had taken hold, and "The Dark Knight Rises" was one of the highest-grossing movies of its time.

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5 The Prestige
Touchstone Pictures/Warner Bros./Newmarket Films/Syncopy
Can you name this movie about two magicians with a dangerous rivalry?
"The Turn"
"The Illusionist"
"The Pledge"
"The Prestige"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Movies about magicians and illusionists always attract people who love a sense of mystery. With "The Prestige," Christopher Nolan created a film that included magic, rivalry and some crazy suspense.

3 Momento
Summit Entertainment/Team Todd
This was Nolan's first huge hit. Can you name this movie?
"Momento"
"L.A. Confidential"
"Tarantella"
"Minor Affair"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you are easily confused by movies that don't have clear timelines, you may have a little trouble with "Momento." The story is about a man who has short-term memory loss. This movie is unique because it begins at the end and runs the plot backward.

Tenet
Syncopy Inc.
This film stars Robert Pattinson and John David Washington. Can you name it?
"Quay"
"Make My Day"
"A Day In The Life"
"Tenet"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Commonly referred to as Christopher Nolan's "Bond Movie," "Tenet" is a mystery to those who are anxious to see it. Very little information about the film has been released, other than there are international spies involved.

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18 Dunkirk
Syncopy Inc.
Can you name this movie that Christopher Nolan directed in 2017?
"Dunkirk"
"Interstellar"
"Tenet"
"Batman Begins"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many directors try their hand at a historical film, and it either makes or breaks the director. Nolan took this historical assignment a step further by writing and producing "Dunkirk" as well.

28 larceny
Christopher Nolan
Can you name this short film about a thief?
"Doodlebug"
"Larceny"
"Following"
"On The Way Home"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you watch a director's earlier works, you see them coming into their own directorial personality and style. "Larceny" was released just two years before "Following" but has some of the same Nolan touches that we love to see.

8 Following
Next Wave Films
One of Nolan's first films, this one is completely in black and white. Can you name it?
"Adaptation"
"Following"
"Morning Light"
"Momento"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a writer starts becoming obsessed with the subjects he used as inspiration for his characters, things get a little grim. "Following" takes us on a rather creepy ride through the mind of the insane.

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27 Tarantella
Christopher Nolan
This one might be tough. This television short was co-written and co-directed by Christopher Nolan. Do you know the name of it?
"Tarantella"
"Following"
"Doodlebug"
"Larceny"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

How do you bring comedy, drama and crime together in one short film? It's very difficult, but Christopher Nolan did it in a way that got him a piece on television. Although it was just a short, Nolan had his hand in writing, directing and producing the film.

14 Justice League
DC Films/RatPac Entertainment/Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual Films
Nolan was an executive producer on this film, even though he didn't write it. Can you name it?
"Justice League"
"Aquaman"
"Wonder Woman"
"Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although he didn't write or direct "Justice League", Nolan had his hand in it. The 2017 film was designed to take on "The Avengers" series, and included superhero favorites including Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.

37 Ghajini
Geetha Arts
Although Nolan didn't write, direct or produce this film, it's based on one of his screenplays. Do you know what it's called?
"Mundungus"
"Ghajini"
"Inception 2"
"Red Buttons"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although many have tried to recreate Christopher Nolan's dark films with twisting and winding storylines, none came so close as the 2008 attempt at "Momento" that went by the name of "Ghajini".

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32 the dunkirk spirit
Syncopy Inc.
Can you name this short documentary that Christopher Nolan produced?
"The Dunkirk Spirit: Behind the Making of the Movie"
"Interstellar: Behind the Scenes"
"The Doll's Breath"
"Quay"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Behind-the-scenes documentaries are incredibly popular, especially for historical films. People want to see how directors recreated scenes and events that actually occurred ... with or without the use of special effects. That is what makes "The Dunkirk Spirit: Behind the Making of the Movie" so powerful.

19 insomnia
Alcon Entertainment/Witt Thomas Productions/Section Eight Productions
Directed by Christopher Nolan, this film takes us on a wild ride through a place where the sun doesn't go down. Do you know what it's called?
"The Prestige"
"Insomnia"
"Following"
"Final Cut"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A serious actor, Al Pacino, put up against a well-known funny man, Robin Williams, doesn't necessarily seem like a recipe for a great thriller. However, this mystery brings out the darker side of Williams, even though the sun never goes down.

20 Larceny
Christopher Nolan
Nolan doesn't hold a lot of editor credits, but can you name this short film that he edited in 1996?
"Following"
"Momento"
"Larceny"
"Tarantella"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christopher Nolan had his hand in a few short films before and after he made it big. "Larceny" is a film that he wrote and directed about a pick-pocket who gets a taste of his own medicine.

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16 Following
Next Wave Films
Nolan has a cinematographer credit for which 1998 film, pictured here?
"Stop Hard"
"Quay"
"Following"
"Doodlebug"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although the film only made around $49,000 at the box office, this was one film that brought Christopher Nolan a lot of attention. People noticed his great storytelling capability as well as his ahead-of-its-time directing.

You Got:
/40
Legendary Pictures/Syncopy/Lynda Obst Productions