Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy Movies Ranked by Box Office: You Won’t Believe Which Film Tops the List!

Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy, known for his captivating and brilliant performances, was one of the most underrated actors before landing the lead role in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Interview magazine once noted that despite starring in critically acclaimed films such as Inception, 28 Days Later, and A Quiet Place Part II, the Irish actor “is still somehow cruelly underrated, and only getting better.”

Cillian Murphy, whose standout films include 2002’s 28 Days Later and 2005’s Breakfast on Pluto, only achieved mainstream success once he first appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins as Scarecrow in 2005. His portrayal of the iconic villain left a lasting impression, showcasing his ability to bring depth and nuance to complex characters.

Christopher Nolan, who describes Murphy as “one of the great actors of his generation, both on stage and on film,” went on to cast him in five additional projects in supporting or minor roles before finally giving him a leading role in 2023’s Oppenheimer, for which Murphy won an Academy Award. It’s been a lucrative collaboration for both, with their films collectively grossing billions at the box office. Here’s a ranking of their movies by box office performance:

6. Batman Begins, 2005 ($370 million)
Batman Begins marked the beginning of Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed Dark Knight trilogy and introduced audiences to Cillian Murphy’s chilling portrayal of Dr. Jonathan Crane, a.k.a. Scarecrow. The film’s success helped redefine the superhero genre and cemented Nolan’s reputation as a visionary director.

5. Dunkirk, 2017 ($525 million)
In Dunkirk, Murphy played a shell-shocked soldier rescued from a sinking ship, delivering a haunting performance in Nolan’s World War II epic. The film was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its immersive storytelling and technical mastery.

4. Inception, 2010 ($826 million)
Inception became a cultural phenomenon, with its mind-bending plot and stunning visuals captivating audiences worldwide. Murphy played Robert Fischer, a pivotal character whose subconscious becomes the battleground for the film’s central heist. The movie’s box office success further solidified Nolan’s status as a master storyteller.

3. Oppenheimer, 2023 ($958.8 million)
Murphy’s first leading role in a Nolan film came with Oppenheimer, a biographical drama about the father of the atomic bomb. His portrayal of J. Robert Oppenheimer earned him critical acclaim and an Academy Award, propelling the film to nearly a billion dollars in box office earnings.

2. The Dark Knight, 2008 ($1.006 billion)
Widely regarded as one of the greatest superhero films ever made, The Dark Knight featured Murphy reprising his role as Scarecrow in a minor yet memorable appearance. The film’s dark, gripping narrative and Heath Ledger’s iconic performance as the Joker contributed to its massive box office success.

1. The Dark Knight Rises, 2012 ($1.085 billion)
The final installment of Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, saw Murphy return as Scarecrow, presiding over a kangaroo court in a dystopian Gotham. The film’s epic conclusion and star-studded cast helped it top the box office, making it the highest-grossing film in Nolan and Murphy’s collaborations.

The partnership between Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy has not only produced some of the most memorable films of the 21st century but has also proven to be a financial triumph. From supporting roles to leading performances, Murphy’s journey with Nolan showcases the evolution of an actor who continues to captivate audiences and critics alike.