Christopher Nolan fans can rewatch one of his most underrated movies, because Dunkirk is now streaming on Netflix. Nolan’s best movies tend to focus on unique concepts and original stories, like the dream-sharing technology in Inception and the inverted timeline of Memento. However, he has shown a willingness to experiment with new genres and forms throughout his career. His Oscar success with Oppenheimer shows that he can adapt to new challenges while still bringing his characteristic flair to proceedings.

Nolan is one of the only directors in Hollywood who will have a big audience lined up for his movies, no matter what they are about. This has given him the freedom to push his boundaries as he pleases, because he knows that people will be along for the ride. More often than not, these experiments result in groundbreaking original movies that combine critical appeal with blockbuster commercial success. Many of his movies have a lot of rewatch value, like The Dark Knight, The Prestige and Interstellar. Dunkirk rarely attracts the same level of attention as these other hits.

Dunkirk Is Now On Netflix – What It’s About

Nolan Brings A Real-Life War Story To Life

Dunkirk is based on a true story from the Second World War, and it’s one that has entered the British national consciousness. The story follows the daring rescue of thousands of stranded soldiers from Dunkirk in France, as German forces were advancing on them from all sides. Nolan tracks the action from land, sea and air, as military men and ordinary civilians work together to bring the troops home. Dunkirk has a great ensemble cast to bring the Second World War story to life, including some Nolan regulars like Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy.

This story has come to represent the national spirit of unity and determination in Britain. The image of the small boats coming to the rescue is one of the great emblems of the nation during wartime, even to this day. Most of Nolan’s movies aren’t particularly British at all, but Dunkirk is one obvious exception. Although The Prestige takes place in London, it doesn’t say anything about the country in the same way that Dunkirk does. Nolan’s take on the events might seem patriotic, but the ending reveals a more profound and unsettling truth about war.

Dunkirk Set The Stage For Christopher Nolan To Do Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer Might Not Exist Without Dunkirk

Oppenheimer finally saw Nolan take home the Oscar for Best Director, which underlines the impact that the film had. Of course, Nolan was already a huge name, but Oppenheimer seemed to grant him access to new levels of critical acclaim. It’s possible that none of this would have been possible without Nolan first making Dunkirk six years earlier. Dunkirk was Nolan’s first movie based on historical events, and it’s interesting to note that Oppenheimer continued the trend of examining Second World War stories in depth.

Dunkirk has been praised for its historical accuracy in the past. It’s not just the fact that the story sticks to the broad strokes of real history without altering or adding too much; Dunkirk also looks the part. Nolan is famously dedicated to practical effects wherever possible, and Dunkirk uses several period-appropriate boats and aircraft. Some of the ships were used during wartime, and they only had to be repainted to match those of the British Navy. This same attention to detail is part of what would later make Oppenheimer so immersive.

Nolan’s Next Movie Is An Adaptation But Not Of A True Story

The Odyssey Is Nolan’s Second Adaptation In A Row

Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey is already one of the most exciting movies of 2026. He has a keen eye for cinematic spectacle, so there aren’t many directors better placed than him to adapt Homer’s epic saga. Nolan has made a few adaptations over the years, including The Prestige, Insomnia and, of course, the Dark Knight trilogy. The Odyssey is a new kind of challenge, however, since it’s one of the most famous literary texts in history. Dunkirk and Oppenheimer prove that Nolan can make pre-existing stories feel new and vibrant, which bodes well for The Odyssey.