This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of David Lynch Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Mulholland Dr. (1999)
12
3
Mulholland Dr.
12
3
Starring:
Naomi Watts, Lee Grant, Ann Miller, Robert Forster, Justin Theroux
Directed By:
David Lynch
2. The Elephant Man (1980)
39
10
The Elephant Man
PG
39
10

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.  

Directed By:
David Lynch
3. David Lynch Cooks Quinoa (2007)
10
4
David Lynch Cooks Quinoa
10
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
4. The Straight Story (1999)
22
6
The Straight Story
G
22
6

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. 

Starring:
Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton, Jane Galloway Heitz, Joseph A. Carpenter, Donald Wiegert, Richard Farnsworth
Directed By:
David Lynch
5. Mulholland Drive (2001)
50
13
Mulholland Drive
R
50
13

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.

Starring:
Naomi Watts, Lee Grant, Jeanne Bates, Dan Birnbaum, Laura Harring
Directed By:
David Lynch
6. Blue Velvet (1986)
30
9
Blue Velvet
R
30
9

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.

Directed By:
David Lynch
7. Lost Highway (1997)
24
7
Lost Highway
R
24
7

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. 

Directed By:
David Lynch
9. Eraserhead (1977)
21
9
Eraserhead
21
9

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.

Starring:
Jeanne Bates, Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph, Judith Roberts
Directed By:
David Lynch
10. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
19
8
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
R
19
8

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? 

Directed By:
David Lynch
11. Wild at Heart (1990)
18
7
Wild at Heart
R
18
7

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.

Starring:
Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe, Crispin Glover, Diane Ladd, Laura Dern, Isabella Rossellini, Harry Dean Stanton
Directed By:
David Lynch
12. The Grandmother (1970)
8
3
The Grandmother
8
3

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.

Starring:
Richard White, Dorothy McGinnis, Virginia Maitland, Robert Chadwick
Directed By:
David Lynch
13. Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted (1990)
7
4
Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted
7
4
Starring:
Laura Dern, Nicolas Cage, Julee Cruise, Lisa Giobbi, Félix Blaska
Directed By:
David Lynch
14. Rabbits (2002)
8
4
Rabbits
8
4

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

Starring:
Naomi Watts, Scott Coffey, Laura Harring, Rebekah Del Rio
Directed By:
David Lynch
15. Lumière et compagnie (1995)
7
5
Lumière et compagnie
7
5
Starring:
Romane Bohringer, Youssef Chahine, Merzak Allouache, Jeffe Alperi, Theodoros Angelopoulos
16. Inland Empire (2006)
15
6
Inland Empire
R
15
6

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.  

Starring:
William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen, Nastassja Kinski, Jeremy Irons, Naomi Watts, Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton
Directed By:
David Lynch
17. Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence (2007)
7
3
Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence
7
3

This anthology film is a collection of 33 different short films, where the directors expresses their ideas and feelings regarding cinema.

Starring:
David Cronenberg, Lars von Trier, Isabelle Adjani, Jeanne Moreau, Josh Brolin, Bradley Walsh, Michael Lonsdale
18. Premonition Following an Evil Deed (1995)
7
3
Premonition Following an Evil Deed
7
3
Starring:
Michele Carlyle, Jeff Alperi, Stan Lothridge, Russ Pearlman, Pam Pierrocish
Directed By:
David Lynch
19. Dune (1984)
21
12
Dune
PG-13
21
12

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.

Starring:
Sean Young, Patrick Stewart, Linda Hunt, Max von Sydow, Kyle MacLachlan, José Ferrer, Francesca Annis
Directed By:
David Lynch
20. Absurda (2007)
6
3
Absurda
6
3
Directed By:
David Lynch
21. Lady Blue Shanghai (2010)
6
3
Lady Blue Shanghai
6
3
Starring:
Marion Cotillard, Gong Tao, Emily Stofle, Cheng Hong, Lu Yong
Directed By:
David Lynch
22. The 3 Rs (2011)
6
3
The 3 Rs
6
3
Starring:
Mindy Ramaker
Directed By:
David Lynch
24. Lamp (2003)
5
3
Lamp
5
3
Directed By:
David Lynch
26. Absurd Encounter with Fear (1967)
4
4
Absurd Encounter with Fear
4
4

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. 

Starring:
Peggy Lynch, Jack Fisk
Directed By:
David Lynch
27. Fictitious Anacin Commercial (1967)
4
4
Fictitious Anacin Commercial
4
4
Starring:
Jack Fisk
Directed By:
David Lynch
28. The Amputee (1974)
5
4
The Amputee
5
4
Starring:
Catherine E. Coulson
Directed By:
David Lynch
29. Darkened Room (2002)
4
4
Darkened Room
4
4
Starring:
Jordan Ladd, Cerina Vincent, Etsuko Shikata
Directed By:
David Lynch
30. Bug Crawls (2008)
4
4
Bug Crawls
4
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
31. Sailing with Bushnell Keeler (1967)
4
4
Sailing with Bushnell Keeler
4
4
Starring:
Bushnell Keeler, Dave Keeler
Directed By:
David Lynch
32. Ballerina (2007)
4
4
Ballerina
4
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
33. Industrial Soundscape (2008)
3
4
Industrial Soundscape
3
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
34. The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (2002)
3
4
The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed
3
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
35. Coyote (2002)
3
3
Coyote
3
3
Directed By:
David Lynch
36. Pierre and Sonny Jim (2001)
2
3
Pierre and Sonny Jim
2
3
Directed By:
David Lynch
37. Dead Mouse with Ants (2002)
2
3
Dead Mouse with Ants
2
3
Directed By:
David Lynch

Movies (Actor)

1. Lost Highway (1997)
42
13
Lost Highway
R
42
13

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. 

Starring:
Henry Rollins, William Gary Busey, Marilyn Manson, Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette, Richard Pryor, Giovanni Ribisi
Directed By:
David Lynch
2. Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014)
11
3
Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces
11
3
Starring:
Kiefer Sutherland, Peggy Lipton, Miguel Ferrer, Chris Isaak, Kyle MacLachlan, Rick Aiello, C.H. Evans
Directed By:
David Lynch
3. Lucky (2017)
13
5
Lucky
13
5

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.

 

Role:
Howard
Starring:
Ed Begley Jr., Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, Ron Livingston
Directed By:
John Carroll Lynch
4. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
29
11
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
R
29
11

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? 

Starring:
Peggy Lipton, Miguel Ferrer, Kyle MacLachlan, Harry Dean Stanton, Chris Isaak, Kiefer Sutherland, Ray Wise
Directed By:
David Lynch
5. My Beautiful Broken Brain (2016)
7
3
My Beautiful Broken Brain
7
3
Role:
Self
6. Nadja (1994)
6
4
Nadja
R
6
4
Starring:
Jared Harris, Peter Fonda, Suzy Amis, Martin Donovan
Directed By:
Michael Almereyda
7. The Amputee (1974)
5
4
The Amputee
5
4
Role:
Nurse
Starring:
Catherine E. Coulson
Directed By:
David Lynch
8. Sailing with Bushnell Keeler (1967)
4
4
Sailing with Bushnell Keeler
4
4
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Bushnell Keeler, Dave Keeler
Directed By:
David Lynch
9. David Lynch Cooks Quinoa (2007)
10
2
David Lynch Cooks Quinoa
10
2
Role:
Himself
Directed By:
David Lynch
10. Meditation, Creativity, Peace (2012)
6
3
Meditation, Creativity, Peace
6
3
Role:
Himself
11. Zelly and Me (1988)
5
3
Zelly and Me
PG
5
3
Role:
Willie
Starring:
Isabella Rossellini, Glynis Johns, Alexandra Johnes, Kaiulani Lee
Directed By:
Tina Rathborne
12. Lamp (2003)
5
3
Lamp
5
3
Role:
Himself
Directed By:
David Lynch
13. Peixe Vermelho (2009)
5
3
Peixe Vermelho
5
3
Starring:
Carina Dias, Rafael Sieg, Sandra Dani, Jairo Klein
Directed By:
Andreia Vigo
14. The Black Ghiandola (2017)
5
4
The Black Ghiandola
5
4
Role:
Man In Black
Starring:
Johnny Depp, Richard Chamberlain, Laura Dern, J.K. Simmons
Directed By:
15. The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (2002)
3
4
The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed
3
4
Directed By:
David Lynch

TV Shows

Louie
40
7
Louie
TV-MA
40
7
Starring:
Chelsea Peretti, Steven Alexander Wright, Dave Attell, Charles Grodin, Marc Maron, F. Murray Abraham, Victor Garber
Directed By:
Twin Peaks
35
6
Twin Peaks
TV-MA
35
6
Starring:
Monica Bellucci, Jim Belushi, Francesca Eastwood, Michael Cera, Tim Roth, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Amanda Seyfried
Directed By:
David Lynch
Interview Project
9
2
Interview Project
9
2
Arena
9
2
Arena
9
2
Starring:
Colin Firth, Peter Edward Cook, Harold Pinter, Ian Holm, Judi Dench, Dawn French, Michael Sheen
Directed By:
Anthony Wall, Nigel Finch, Adam Low, Nigel Williams, David Thompson
On the Air
8
3
On the Air
8
3
Starring:
Miguel Ferrer, Nancye Ferguson, Ian Buchanan, Gary Grossman, Mel Johnson Jr.
Directed By:
David Lynch
More Things That Happened (2007)
7
3
More Things That Happened
7
3
Starring:
Laura Dern, Nastassja Kinski, Peter J. Lucas, Karolina Gruszka, William Maier
Directed By:
David Lynch
Eraserhead Stories (2001)
7
3
Eraserhead Stories
7
3
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Jack Nance, Catherine E. Coulson
Directed By:
David Lynch
Nine Inch Nails: Came Back Haunted (2013)
7
3
Nine Inch Nails: Came Back Haunted
7
3
Starring:
Trent Reznor
Directed By:
David Lynch
David Lynch's Comic-Con Message (2017)
6
3
David Lynch's Comic-Con Message
6
3
Role:
Himself
Directed By:
David Lynch
Chris Isaak: Wicked Game, Wild at Heart Version (1990)
6
3
Chris Isaak: Wicked Game, Wild at Heart Version
6
3
Starring:
Chris Isaak
Directed By:
David Lynch
Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com (2007)
6
3
Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com
6
3
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Jordan Ladd, Cerina Vincent, Etsuko Shikata, Emily Stofle
Directed By:
David Lynch
David Lynch: Crazy Clown Time (2012)
6
3
David Lynch: Crazy Clown Time
6
3
Starring:
Chris Pounders, Emily Elicia Low, Pandie Suicide
Directed By:
David Lynch
Hotel Room
6
3
Hotel Room
6
3
Starring:
Mariska Hargitay, Crispin Glover, Harry Dean Stanton, Clark Heathcliff Brolly, Camilla Overbye Roos
Directed By:
David Lynch
Duran Duran: Unstaged (2014)
6
3
Duran Duran: Unstaged
6
3
Starring:
John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes, Gerard Way
Directed By:
David Lynch
Blue Green (2007)
5
3
Blue Green
5
3
Directed By:
David Lynch
BlueBob: Thank You, Judge (1999)
4
3
BlueBob: Thank You, Judge
4
3
Role:
Billy Groper
Starring:
Eli Roth, Naomi Watts, John Neff
Directed By:
David Lynch
Thought Gang: A Real Indication (1992)
4
3
Thought Gang: A Real Indication
4
3
Starring:
Angelo Badalamenti
Directed By:
David Lynch
Idem Paris (2013)
4
4
Idem Paris
4
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
Out Yonder (2007)
4
3
Out Yonder
4
3
Starring:
Austin Jack Lynch
Directed By:
David Lynch
Intervalometer Experiments (2004)
4
4
Intervalometer Experiments
4
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
X Japan: Longing - Togireta Melody (1995)
4
3
X Japan: Longing - Togireta Melody
4
3
Starring:
Toshimitsu Deyama, Hideto Matsumoto, Hiroshi Morie, Pata, X Japan
Directed By:
David Lynch
Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir (2010)
3
3
Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir
3
3
Starring:
Ariana Delawari
Directed By:
David Lynch
Working with Marilyn Manson (2007)
3
3
Working with Marilyn Manson
3
3
Role:
Himself
Directed By:
David Lynch
Twin Peaks
0
0
Twin Peaks
TV-14
0
0
Starring:
David Duchovny, Billy Zane, Molly Shannon, Lara Flynn Boyle, Carel Struycken, Tony Jay, Peggy Lipton
Directed By:
Les Français vus par
0
0
Les Français vus par
0
0
Starring:
Harry Dean Stanton, Jack Nance, Tracey Walter, Frederic Golchan, Michael Horse
Boat (2007)
0
0
Boat
0
0
Starring:
Emily Stofle
Directed By:
David Lynch

Narrator/Dubbing

Inland Empire (2006)
19
9
Inland Empire
R
19
9

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.  

Role:
Bucky J (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
William H. Macy, Mary Steenburgen, Nastassja Kinski, Jeremy Irons, Naomi Watts, Diane Ladd, Harry Dean Stanton
Directed By:
David Lynch
Girlfriend's Day (2017)
5
5
Girlfriend's Day
TV-MA
5
5
Role:
Narrator (voice)
Starring:
Bob Odenkirk, Natasha Lyonne, Ed Begley Jr., Amber Tamblyn, Stacy Keach, Alex Karpovsky
Directed By:
Michael Paul Stephenson
Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir (2010)
4
4
Ariana Delawari: Lion of Panjshir
4
4
Role:
Self (voice) (uncredited)
Starring:
Ariana Delawari
Directed By:
David Lynch

Animation Movies

Family Guy
60
13
Family Guy
TV-14
60
13
Starring:
Bryce Dallas Howard, Liam Neeson, Adam West, Ben Stiller, Bill Maher, Craig Ferguson, Dakota Fanning
Directed By:
The Short Films of David Lynch (2002)
9
3
The Short Films of David Lynch
9
3
Starring:
Robert Chadwick, Frederic Golchan, Catherine E. Coulson, Jeffe Alperi, Eddy Dixon
Directed By:
David Lynch
The Alphabet (1968)
8
4
The Alphabet
8
4

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.

Starring:
Peggy Lynch
Directed By:
David Lynch
Does That Hurt You? (2002)
7
4
Does That Hurt You?
7
4
Role:
Himself
Starring:
Agnieszka Jurek, Cora Jurek
Directed By:
Agnieszka Jurek
Moby: Shot in the Back of the Head (2009)
6
4
Moby: Shot in the Back of the Head
6
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
The Cleveland Show
9
7
The Cleveland Show
TV-14
9
7
Starring:
Eliza Dushku, Ashley Tisdale, Emily Deschanel, Jennette McCurdy, Jennifer Tilly, Katee Sackhoff, Bebe Neuwirth
Directed By:
The Pig Walks (2002)
3
4
The Pig Walks
3
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
Factory Mask (2002)
2
4
Factory Mask
2
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
Head with Hammer (2001)
2
4
Head with Hammer
2
4
Directed By:
David Lynch
Six Men Getting Sick (1966)
0
0
Six Men Getting Sick
0
0

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

Directed By:
David Lynch
Interpol: I Touch a Red Button (2011)
0
0
Interpol: I Touch a Red Button
0
0
Directed By:
David Lynch

Special Appearance/Cameo

The Elephant Man (1980)
18
4
The Elephant Man
PG
18
4

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.  

Role:
Man in Bowler Hat in Mob Chasing Merrick (uncredited)
Starring:
Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller
Directed By:
David Lynch
Dune (1984)
10
6
Dune
PG-13
10
6

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.

Role:
Spice Worker (uncredited)
Starring:
Sean Young, Patrick Stewart, Linda Hunt, Max von Sydow, Kyle MacLachlan, José Ferrer, Francesca Annis
Directed By:
David Lynch
Heart Beat (1980)
4
3
Heart Beat
R
4
3

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. 

Role:
Painter (uncredited)
Starring:
Nick Nolte, Sissy Spacek, Ray Sharkey, John Heard, Ann Dusenberry
Directed By:
John Byrum