Christopher Nolan is known for working with the same actors over and over again, so let’s take a look at the stars he has worked with the most over the years.
The two-time Oscar-winning filmmaker has directed 13 feature films, including the epic new movie The Odyssey, which is playing in theaters right now.
Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, the stars of his new movie, are both on this list with three Nolan movies each. In total, there are 14 actors who have appeared in three or more of the director’s movies.
Larry Holden and Jeremy Theobald – 3 Movies Each
Larry Holden and Jeremy Theobald both had small roles in three of Nolan‘s movies. Unfortunately, we don’t have photos available to share right now.
Holden‘s movies include 2000’s Memento, 2002’s Insomnia, and 2005’s Batman Begins. He sadly passed away in 2011 after a fight with cancer.
Theobald‘s movies include 1998’s Following, 2005’s Batman Begins, and 2020’s Tenet. He also appeared in two short films directed by Nolan.
Tom Hardy – 3 Movies
Tom Hardy is best known for playing Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, but he’s also appeared in 2 other Nolan movies.
2010 – Inception
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2017 – Dunkirk
Morgan Freeman – 3 Movies
It’s probably easy to figure out Morgan Freeman‘s three movies with Nolan. He appeared as Lucius Fox in the Batman movies.
2005 – Batman Begins
2008 – The Dark Knight
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
Anne Hathaway – 3 Movies
Anne Hathaway can currently be seen as Penelope in The Odyssey. She waited over a decade to reunite with Nolan for her third movie with him.
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2014 – Interstellar
2026 – The Odyssey
Matt Damon – 3 Movies
You can see Matt Damon as Odysseus in the new movie The Odyssey and this is his second movie in a row with Nolan.
2014 – Interstellar
2023 – Oppenheimer
2026 – The Odyssey
Kenneth Branagh – 3 Movies
Kenneth Branagh is a recent addition to Nolan‘s movie roster, starring in all three movies that came before The Odyssey.
2017 – Dunkirk
2020 – Tenet
2023 – Oppenheimer
Jack Cutmore-Scott – 3 Movies
Jack Cutmore-Scott is an English actor best known for starring in the Paramount+ reboot of Frasier. He has also been in three Nolan movies in small roles. Just like Branagh, he was in all three movies that came before The Odyssey.
2017 – Dunkirk
2020 – Tenet
2023 – Oppenheimer
Gary Oldman – 4 Movies
Gary Oldman is one of the few people to be in four or more Nolan movies, including all three of the Batman films. He played Commissioner Jim Gordon in that trilogy.
2005 – Batman Begins
2008 – The Dark Knight
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2023 – Oppenheimer
John Nolan – 4 Movies
The late John Nolan is the uncle of the famous director and he has appeared in four of his movies, including the first one. He sadly passed away in April 2026.
1998 – Following
2005 – Batman Begins
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2017 – Dunkirk
Josh Stewart – 4 Movies
Josh Stewart has small roles in four Nolan films, including the latest one.
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2014 – Interstellar
2020 – Tenet
2026 – The Odyssey
Christian Bale – 4 Movies
You without a doubt know three of Christian Bale‘s movies with Nolan, as he starred as Batman in the trilogy. He also appeared in one more film with him in the middle of working on those movies.
2005 – Batman Begins
2006 – The Prestige
2008 – The Dark Knight
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
Cillian Murphy – 6 Movies
Cillian Murphy won an Oscar for starring in Nolan‘s most recent movie, Oppenheimer. Before that, he appeared in five other films with the director.
2005 – Batman Begins
2008 – The Dark Knight
2010 – Inception
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2017 – Dunkirk
2023 – Oppenheimer
Michael Caine – 8 Movies
Michael Caine has appeared in more Nolan movies than any other actor. He retired from acting before Oppenheimer was made, or else he likely would have been in that one too!
2005 – Batman Begins
2006 – The Prestige
2008 – The Dark Knight
2010 – Inception
2012 – The Dark Knight Rises
2014 – Interstellar
2017 – Dunkirk
2020 – Tenet
Posted To:Christopher Nolan Movies
