Reservoir Dogs, a crime film that set the basis for his visual and narrative style, as well as the type of violence fans have since come to expect from his movies.
That was the beginning of a successful (and often controversial) career for Tarantino, who has since directed nine more movies from different genres, such as the martial arts two-parter Kill Bill and tense western From Dusk till Dawn, which falls into the second level of his universe. Tarantino’s movies have jumped from present to past, and if you want to watch them in chronological order (not release order), here’s how it should go.
It’s worth noting that some Tarantino movies don’t have a specific time setting, so it’s assumed that they take place around the time they were released. Others, like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, are set in specific years. Those that fall into the “movies within this universe” category can be tricky to place, but following the “release year as setting” rule makes it easier. That said, here’s the timeline of Tarantino’s movies:
- Django Unchained - 1858
- The Hateful Eight - 1877
- Inglourious Basterds - 1941/1944
- Once Upon A Time In Hollywood - 1969
- Reservoir Dogs - 1992
- Pulp Fiction - 1994
- Jackie Brown - 1995
- From Dusk Till Dawn - 1996
- Kill Bill: Volume 1 - 1998 or 1999/2002 or 2003
- Kill Bill: Volume 2 - 2003 or 2004
- Death Proof - 2007
There’s some confusion among fans regarding the time settings of From Dusk Till Dawn, both Kill Bill movies, and Death Proof, as the character Earl McGraw (played by Michael Parks) appears in all of them, including Planet Terror are all part of the second level of Tarantino’s universe, meaning they are movies that the characters from the rest watch. McGraw didn’t die – he’s just an actor reprising his role.
This timeline is an interesting way to Star Trek movie, which would most likely not be part of his shared universe – unless it’s part of the second level. Only time will tell, but for now, this universe begins in 1858 and ends in 2007.
