Quentin Tarantino reveals picks for his best movie and the "worst era" in Hollywood history

Quentin Tarantino final movie Star Trek
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Quentin Tarantino has revealed what he thinks is his best movie – despite it releasing in one of the "worst" eras in Hollywood history. Speaking on The Howard Stern Show (H/T Variety), Tarantino said: "For years people used to ask me stuff like [what my best movie is]. I would say something like, ‘Oh, they’re all my children.’ I really do think Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is my best movie."

2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as fading actor Rick Dalton and Brad Pitt as stunt double Cliff Booth, was a love letter to the dying days of The Golden Age of Hollywood in the late 1960s. 

Ironically, it was released during a modern-day period that the director feels is one of the worst in Hollywood’s long and storied history.

"I do feel that ‘80s cinema is, along with the ‘50s, the worst era in Hollywood history," Tarantino remarked on The Video Archives Podcast (H/T NME). "Matched only by now, matched only by the current era!"

While many would consider the 1980s to be filled with wall-to-wall classics, it’s clear Tarantino doesn’t think that’s the case. He had previously taken aim at 1989’s Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, telling the ReelBlend podcast he liked the divisive Kingdom of the Crystal Skull more than the "boring" third movie, which starred Sean Connery as the father of Harrison Ford’s whip-smart archaeologist.

We have our own take on Tarantino’s greatest work. Spoilers: we don’t agree with Quentin. Discover what takes top spot in our ranking of the best Quentin Tarantino movies.

Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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