5 Films Tarantino Absolutely Loves That You'll Probably Never Finish

Quentin Tarantino is a director with impeccable taste. Almost always. When he's filming. But when he's watching movies — there can be surprises.

Once, he compiled a list of his favorite films released since 1992 — the year the world discovered who Quentin Tarantino was. Among them are cult classics and those films you'd politely describe as "interesting, but definitely an acquired taste." We picked five — the most surprising ones.

Director Quentin Tarantino in a black jacket, Japanese woman in school uniform on the right — Quentin Tarantino and a frame from the Battle Royale trailer

The Insider (1999)

Starring: Russell Crowe, Al Pacino

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

A gripping story based on real events. One fired tobacco company executive wants to tell the truth about nicotine and addiction. A TV producer wants to put it on air. The only problem? Big corporations are against it. Very much against it.

The Insider trailer

You get canceled broadcasts, corporate pressure, and high-stakes drama. "The Insider" is heavyweight, powerful, Oscar-nominated cinema. But if you're not mentally prepared for 2.5 hours of intense dialogue — you're better off rewatching "Pulp Fiction."

Lost in Translation (2003)

Starring: Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

An aging star, a bored college graduate, Tokyo glowing with neon. They meet, share long silences, and wander through hotels and bars. It's beautiful. It's very slow. It's subtle.

Lost in Translation trailer

So subtle that some viewers still aren't sure there was actually a story. But Tarantino loves it — probably for the editing. We love "Lost in Translation" for its cast: Murray at his career peak and a young, stunning Johansson.

Battle Royale (2000)

Starring: Takeshi Kitano, Tatsuya Fujiwara

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

Picture this: 42 schoolkids with explosive collars roam an island, hunting each other under the approving gaze of authorities. Sounds brutal? This was 2000, long before "The Hunger Games."

Battle Royale trailer

Harsh Japanese cinema — bloody, sharp, and vivid. Definitely an acquired taste, but Tarantino calls it his "favorite film of the last 20 years." So if you're tired of movies where everyone survives — welcome to "Battle Royale."

Anything Else (2003)

Cast: Jason Biggs, Christina Ricci, Woody Allen

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 40%

A romantic comedy in legendary Woody Allen's signature style — complete with chatty characters, questionable relationships, and perpetually doubting men.

"Anything Else" movie trailer

Jerry falls for unpredictable Amanda and suddenly starts thinking his life's going down the drain. As you can guess — nothing earth-shattering here. Just Woody Allen doing Woody Allen things. And Tarantino loves it. But for some viewers, this feels like more of the same — too derivative.

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

An ordinary London salesman suddenly finds himself at ground zero of a zombie apocalypse. Armed with his best friend, a couple of shovels, and a bottle of beer, he tries to survive.

"Shaun of the Dead" movie trailer

All of this — in comedy format. Dark, dark comedy. This movie became a classic, but still — not everyone wants to watch 90 minutes of undead creatures and toilet humor. Tarantino did. He put "Shaun" on his personal favorites list.

What's the verdict?

Genius recognizes genius from afar. And also — from the weirdest angles. Tarantino's movies are the gold standard, but his taste as a viewer? That's debatable at best.

Try these five films — and decide who you are: someone with Tarantino-level taste, or someone who just needs something a little more chill. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we covered how Tarantino considers this film his best work, while audiences call it "overrated garbage."