37 David Lynch Movies & TV Shows, Ranked Best to Worst

The Elephant Man is based on the true-life story of Joseph Merrick, who is referred to as John Merrick in the movie. Dr. Frederick Treves discovers John, born with severe physical deformities, earning his living as the Elephant Man. The movie depicts John’s rise in high London society, his refined soul, and his tragic death.  

After finding out that his estranged brother is critically ill, Alvin Straight, a 73 year old man decides to visit him riding a lawn mower, as he is unable to drive. 

A woman who identifies herself as Rita survives a murder attempt and a car crash on Mulholland Drive, but is left with amnesia. Aspiring actress Betty Elms finds Rita in her aunt's apartment and decides to help her regain her identity, but as they proceed with the investigation, the boundary between real and illusion gets blurred.

Named after Bobby Vinton’s song, Blue Velvet, is a neo-noir thriller by American filmmaker David Keith Lynch. It starts when a college student, who is in town visiting his ailing father, finds a human ear severed and thrown in a field. What follows, is his journey to try and uncover the mystery and getting involved with an enticing lounge singer.

Fred Madison, a Jazz musician, who is suspicious of his wife Renee’s loyalty, receives video tapes of their house, and one showing Renee’s murder. Accused of her murder, he is sentenced to death. In the prison, he mysteriously transforms into mechanic Peter Dayton, who is then released. Peter meets a gangster’s girlfriend, Alice, who is Renee’s mirror-image, which deepens the mystery further. 

Henry Spencer, a factory employee, lives alone in his apartment in an industrial town when he unexpectedly learns that he has become a father. His girlfriend Mary and their baby – a strange looking creature – shift into his flat. But the baby is always crying and Mary, unable to take it, just quits. Henry, now all alone, is going insane and begins having hallucinations.

FBI agent, Chet Desmond, disappears mysteriously while investigating the murder of Teresa Banks of Deerfield. One year later, in the neighboring town of Twin Peaks, Laura Palmer who leads a troubled life as a drug addict, is brutally murdered. Can the events of the last seven days of her life preceding her murder throw any light on the identity of the killer? 

Sailor Ripley, released from prison after killing in self-defense, breaks his parole to set out for California with girlfriend, Lula Fortune. Lula’s mother, Marietta, sends a private detective and a contract-killer after them to eliminate Sailor. While on the run in a bid to keep one step ahead of Marietta’s plotting, they encounter offensives, and fight through challenges that test their love.

A young boy, who is often abused by his parents, finds a bag of seeds. He plants them in the middle of his bed, and they develop and grow into a loving and caring grandmother. She tries to protect him and help him get through life.

This horror thriller short film revolves around three humanoid rabbits who are living in a nameless city that is deluged by continuous rain.

Inland Empire is a 2006 mystery drama film, revolving around an actress who begins to adopt the persona of her character in a film, and meanwhile, her world starts becoming nightmarish and surreal.  

In a distant future, the Emperor gives noble Duke Leto Atreides control of desert planet Arrakis, the only source of extremely valuable spice melange required for interstellar travel. However, realizing that the hidden agenda was to destroy his house in a clash with their archenemies—the Harkonnens—Leto's son, Paul, organizes an uprising with the native Fremens.

This is a short black and white film created by legendary filmmaker David Lynch, at that time a student at Pennsylvania Academy. This two-minute film is about a frenzied blue skinned man approaching a woman cowering with her knees to her chest in a field. Taking out a handful of wildflowers from his zip he stares at the camera before falling on the ground. 

Fred Madison, a Jazz musician, who is suspicious of his wife Renee’s loyalty, receives video tapes of their house, and one showing Renee’s murder. Accused of her murder, he is sentenced to death. In the prison, he mysteriously transforms into mechanic Peter Dayton, who is then released. Peter meets a gangster’s girlfriend, Alice, who is Renee’s mirror-image, which deepens the mystery further. 

Lucky is a comedy drama film which tells the story of Lucky, a 90 year old atheist, who lives alone in an isolated house in the small desert town of Piru, California. Upon coming to terms with his own mortality, he decides to search for ever-elusive enlightenment.

FBI agent, Chet Desmond, disappears mysteriously while investigating the murder of Teresa Banks of Deerfield. One year later, in the neighboring town of Twin Peaks, Laura Palmer who leads a troubled life as a drug addict, is brutally murdered. Can the events of the last seven days of her life preceding her murder throw any light on the identity of the killer? 

Inland Empire is a 2006 mystery drama film, revolving around an actress who begins to adopt the persona of her character in a film, and meanwhile, her world starts becoming nightmarish and surreal.  

The Alphabet is an animated horror short film which tells the story of a woman who experiences a dark and strange nightmare, and finds herself continuously reciting letters of the alphabet.

Six Men Getting Sick is an animated experimental short horror film in which six grotesque human figures are shown to be vomiting.

The Elephant Man is based on the true-life story of Joseph Merrick, who is referred to as John Merrick in the movie. Dr. Frederick Treves discovers John, born with severe physical deformities, earning his living as the Elephant Man. The movie depicts John’s rise in high London society, his refined soul, and his tragic death.  

In a distant future, the Emperor gives noble Duke Leto Atreides control of desert planet Arrakis, the only source of extremely valuable spice melange required for interstellar travel. However, realizing that the hidden agenda was to destroy his house in a clash with their archenemies—the Harkonnens—Leto's son, Paul, organizes an uprising with the native Fremens.

Based on the autobiography by American writer Carolyn Cassady, film explores her relationship with her husband, Neal Cassady, a major figure in 1950s’ Beat Generation and novelist Jack Kerouac.