The Best David Lynch Movies and Shows, Ranked (2025/01/24)- Tickets to Movies in Theaters, Broadway Shows, London Theatre & More

In honor of the director who passed away on January 16, 2025, here are the best David Lynch movies, ranked.

The great director is gone, but his art lives on. From Eraserhead to Twin Peaks: The Return, David Lynch’s unique blend of surrealism, psychological depth, and haunting visuals has left an indelible mark on cinema and television. With each film, he invited audiences into worlds that were both familiar and utterly alien, always challenging perceptions and pushing boundaries. Here’s how we rank his best work, celebrating the films and series that defined his legacy.

**9. Dune (1984)**

Dune (1984), starring Kyle MacLachlan and Francesca Annis, is Lynch’s ambitious, visually stunning adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic. While it remains a polarizing take on the complex novel, the film stands out for its surreal imagery, bold production design, and Lynch’s distinct atmosphere, making it a unique vision of a desert planet’s power struggles.

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Where to watch: Watch Dune on Amazon Prime.

Sting David Lynch and Kyle MacLachlan on the set of Dune — Credit: Universal / Everett Collection

8. The Elephant Man (1980)

The Elephant Man (1980), starring John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins, tells the heartbreaking true story of John Merrick, a man with severe physical deformities. Lynch’s delicate direction and stunning visuals bring this deeply emotional tale of compassion, exploitation, and humanity to life, making it one of his most accessible yet profoundly moving films.

Where to watch: Watch The Elephant Man on fuboTV.

**7. Wild At Heart (1990)**

Wild at Heart (1990), starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern, is a wild, surreal road movie about a passionate couple on the run. Blending romance, violence, and Lynch’s signature style, it’s an unpredictable journey through love and danger.

Where to watch: Watch Wild at Heart on Prime Video.

6. Eraserhead (1977)

Eraserhead (1977), Lynch’s haunting debut feature, is a surreal, nightmarish exploration of anxiety, fatherhood, and the grotesque. Starring Jack Nance, the film follows Henry Spencer as he navigates a dystopian, industrial landscape while grappling with the pressures of parenthood. With its stark black-and-white imagery, unsettling sound design, and dreamlike narrative, Eraserhead remains a bold and disorienting piece of cinema that defined Lynch’s signature style.

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Where to watch: Watch Eraserhead on Max.

Eraserhead

**5. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)**

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992), starring Sheryl Lee and Kyle MacLachlan, serves as both a prequel and a darker, deeper dive into the mysterious and tragic life of Laura Palmer. Lynch takes us to the heart of Twin Peaks’ most haunting story, peeling back the layers of secrets, trauma, and the supernatural that defined the series.

Sting David Lynch and Kyle MacLachlan on the set of Dune

Where to watch: Watch Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me on Max.

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4.Twin Peaks (1990-1991)

This iconic series, featuring standout performances by Kyle MacLachlan and Sherilyn Fenn, began as a mystery about a small town and the murder of a beloved high school student. But Lynch quickly turned Twin Peaks into a surreal, genre-defying blend of crime drama, supernatural horror, and quirky humor. Today, it’s impossible to imagine Twin Peaks as anything other than a groundbreaking TV show.

Where to watch: Watch Twin Peaks on Paramount+.

TWIN PEAK, SHERILYN FENN, KYLE MACLACHLAN — Sherilyn Fenn and Kyle MacLachlan in ‘Twin Peaks.’. ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

**3. Blue Velvet (1986)**

This groundbreaking film, featuring unforgettable performances from Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini, shocked audiences upon its release with its dark, twisted portrayal of suburban life. Blue Velvet pushed the boundaries of mainstream cinema, blending innocence with perversion in a way that only Lynch could. Today, it’s impossible to imagine it as anything other than a film: A haunting, surreal exploration of the hidden darkness lurking beneath the surface of everyday life.

Where to watch: Watch Blue Velvet on Max.

Blue Velvet Movie Stills — Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini star in MGM’s ‘Blue Velvet’

**2. Twin Peaks: The Return (2017)**

Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), with standout performances from Kyle MacLachlan and Naomi Watts, picks up 25 years after the original series, reuniting viewers with the eerie world of Twin Peaks. This ambitious revival pushes the boundaries of television, blending Lynch’s signature surrealism with a haunting exploration of time, identity, and the supernatural.

Where to watch: Watch Twin Peaks: The Return on Paramount+.

Kyle MacLachlan and Sheryl Lee in the updated Red Room of “Twin Peaks The Return.” — Kyle MacLachlan and Sheryl Lee in the updated Red Room of “Twin Peaks: The Return.”PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZANNE TENNER / SHOWTIME

1. Mulholland Drive (2001)

This now legendary drama, featuring standout performances by Naomi Watts and Laura Harring, originally began as a TV pilot that didn’t make it to series, but Lynch transformed it into a cinematic masterpiece. Today, it’s almost impossible to picture Mulholland Drive as anything other than a film: A mysterious, mind-bending story that delves deep into the illusions and heartbreak of Hollywood aspirations. This is why it’s one of the best David Lynch movies.

Where to watch: Watch Mulholland Drive on Prime Video.

Universal Pictures

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