Quentin Tarantino Opens up About His Own Movie He Loves Most and the One He Regrets Making

Quentin Tarantino is often remembered for his 1994 classic Pulp Fiction, a film that won both an Oscar and the Palme d’Or while changing pop culture in the 1990s. The movie had unforgettable dialogue and iconic characters, helping launch the careers of Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, and John Travolta.

Despite the lasting legacy of Pulp Fiction, Tarantino considers his 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood to be his greatest achievement. In a conversation with the Reel Blend podcast, he said, “I do think that Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is my best film.”

He was so involved in the story that he expanded it into a 2021 novel, diving deeper into the lives of characters played by Margot Robbie, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brad Pitt. Tarantino is also very honest about the films he feels didn’t work.

One of those is his 2007 horror-action movie Death Proof, part of the Grindhouse double feature. Although intended as a tribute to old exploitation films, Tarantino felt audiences didn’t understand it.

He explained, “With Grindhouse, I think me and Robert just felt that people had a little more of a concept of the history of double features and exploitation movies. No, they didn’t. At all. They had no idea what the f**k they were watching.

It meant nothing to them, alright, what we were doing. So that was a case of being a little too cool for school.” Years later, he confirmed that it was the weakest film in his career. “To me, it’s all about my filmography, and I want to go out with a terrific filmography… Death Proof has got to be the worst movie I ever made,” he said.

“For a left-handed movie, that wasn’t so bad, all right? So if that’s the worst I ever get, I’m good. But I do think one of those out-of-touch, old, limp, flaccid-d**k movies costs you three good movies as far as your rating is concerned.”

Tarantino is now focused on finishing the final chapter of his career. After shelving his planned 2025 project, The Movie Critic, he’s working on a secret new film that will serve as his cinematic swan song. Sources say it could feature a large ensemble cast, including many of his longtime collaborators.

Beyond filmmaking, Tarantino continues to influence the industry through his curation of the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles. The theater allows fans to watch classic films in their original format, highlighting its dedication to film preservation.

While fans eagerly await news about his final movie, Tarantino’s existing films continue to shape modern cinema. From sharp, witty scripts to distinctive visuals, his work has inspired a new generation of filmmakers. Even though he can be his own harshest critic, his impact on the industry is undeniable.

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