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What Quentin Tarantino Says is Worst Movie of His Career

By Judah Carroll Men's Journal

Quentin Tarantino is not a filmmaker with many, if any, films that are considered "misses." Every movie in the writer-director's filmography is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and all but two are 84% or higher.

Even with a nearly perfect body of work, including films like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill: Volume 1, Inglourious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, something has to be at the bottom. Tarantino himself has a clear opinion on what is the least impressive of his career.

In The Hollywood Reporter's Director Roundtable series, also featuring Gus Van Sant, Ben Affleck, Ang Lee, David O. Russell and Tom Hooper, the director, promoting Django Unchained at the time, gave his answer.

"Death Proof has got to be the worst movie I ever make. And 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-dick movies costs you three good movies as far as your rating is concerned."

Tarantino's Death Proof was a part of a unique collaboration with fellow director Robert Rodriguez to create an official double feature called Grindhouse. Rodriguez's film, Planet Terror, paired with Death Proof to complete the final product.

The film, starring Kurt Russell, currently sits at 67% from critics and 71% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. While Tarantino considers it to be his worst work, Death Proof is still a cult classic that many fans love. The film holds a 3.6/5 rating on Letterboxd, which is far from a film that moviegoers don't like.

Since Tarantino broke into the business with his debut film, Reservoir Dogs, in 1992, he has made a total of nine movies. He has repeatedly said that he will limit himself to 10 films before calling it quits, only allowing the director one more.

It is still undecided what that final project will be. Tarantino wrote a sequel film for Brad Pitt's character, Cliff Booth, that will premiere in 2026, but was directed by David Fincher. This week, it was announced that a sequel to Django Unchained is in development without his involvement at all.

Due to Tarantino's self-imposed 10-film rule, the era of his stories and characters getting new life without him is just beginning.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:58 PM.

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