Quentin Tarantino often grabs headlines not only for his box-office hits with star-studded casts but also for his long-standing declaration to direct only 10 films. However, this limit clearly applies only to his directing work. In this selection, we’ve gathered 5 hit movies in which Tarantino played a significant role—not as a director, but as a screenwriter.
Four Rooms (1995)
This dark comedy hit the screens a year after the release of Tarantino's cult classic Pulp Fiction and showed the famous director in an unusual role—as a cameo actor. Tarantino also co-wrote the script, penning the fourth and final segment of Four Rooms. In the last segment, he played an eccentric director, a character that many claimed was a satirical version of himself.
Past Midnight (1991)
This film can be considered Tarantino’s first major project, where he was even credited in the closing titles. At the time, the then-unknown aspiring filmmaker helped refine the script. Although Past Midnight is a part of Tarantino's career legacy, the thriller was quickly forgotten, and it now feels odd to think of it as a project Tarantino once had a hand in shaping.
True Romance (1993)
At one point, Tony Scott made the right choice to direct True Romance—even though he could have been one of the creators of Reservoir Dogs, the film that launched Tarantino into the big leagues. Tarantino presented Scott with scripts for both films at the same time. While True Romance became Scott’s property, it perfectly embodies Tarantino’s style—a blend of action with touches of romantic comedy. The film is now considered one of Scott’s best works.
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
This film by Robert Rodriguez features a script written by Tarantino, who also snagged one of the lead roles. From Dusk Till Dawn is still considered one of the best showcases of both filmmakers’ talents and remains one of Tarantino’s most entertaining works to this day.
The Rock (1996)
Ironically, director Michael Bay has been criticized for decades for the same things people love about Tarantino's work—excessive violence, over-the-top visuals, and an intensely paced storyline. So, it’s no surprise that the two directors found common ground and collaborated on The Rock, a high-octane action movie for which Tarantino contributed to the script. The result exceeded expectations—the film, starring Nicolas Cage, is still regarded as one of Bay's standout works.
