Quentin Tarantino is known for his unfiltered opinions on the state of cinema, but when he loves a film, he's equally vocal. Earlier this year, he praised the Netflix crime thriller The Rip as his favorite movie of 2026, and he's also championed Kevin Costner's Horizon: An American Saga. Now, his favorite World War II movie of the decade has officially arrived on Paramount+.
The film in question is Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk, which stormed theaters in 2017. Tarantino has admitted it took him multiple viewings to fully appreciate it. On The Rewatchables podcast, he shared, "The first time I saw it, I just dealt with the spectacle. I couldn't deal with anything else. I liked the movie, but the spectacle almost numbed me. It wasn't until the third time that I could see past the spectacle and into the people the story is about."
Set during the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, the film features an ensemble cast including Harry Styles, Cillian Murphy, Jack Lowden, and Tom Hardy. It earned Nolan his first Best Director Oscar nomination and went on to win three Academy Awards out of eight nominations. With a worldwide gross of over $550 million against a $150 million budget, it briefly held the title of the highest-grossing WWII film ever, surpassing Saving Private Ryan before being overtaken by Nolan's own Oppenheimer in 2023.
Critics have been overwhelmingly positive, with a 92% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus praises it as "emotionally satisfying spectacle" delivered by a director in full command of his craft. The film's immersive storytelling and practical effects have made it a modern classic.
For those who haven't seen it, or who want to revisit it, Dunkirk is now streaming on Paramount+ as of September 1, 2026. This addition joins other recent arrivals like Tom Cruise's time-loop sci-fi epic and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's Godzilla reboot.
Tarantino's admiration for Dunkirk places it alongside his other favorites, such as Dr. Schultz from Django Unchained, whom he considers a true hero. His evolving list of top films reflects his deep appreciation for bold filmmaking.
If you're a fan of war dramas or Nolan's distinctive style, Dunkirk is a must-watch. Its arrival on Paramount+ gives subscribers a chance to experience one of the most acclaimed films of the decade. Stay tuned for more updates on streaming releases and cinematic gems.
