It is not easy to find a comparison; Al Pacino and Quentin Tarantino have had such an impact on modern cinema, among a few directors and actors. Pacino was basically one explosion of energy for every role he did; meanwhile, Tarantino practically rewrote filmmaking standards when it comes to style, dialogue, and genre passion. Not only one but several of their most influential and memorable movies are the result of their working together. In no particular order, these are the 10 movies that have become the quintessential examples of the two of them being forever characters in cinema history.
10. Jackie Brown (1997)
Jackie Brown, the stylish and heartfelt homage of Quentin Tarantino to blaxploitation movies and Elmore Leonard, is his soulfully neglected work most of the time in his filmography. The resourceful flight attendant caught up in a deadly racket scheme, Pam Grier shines, while Forster, Jackson, and De Niro fill a richly detailed universe with their vibrant characters. Differing from the over-the-top violence of Pulp Fiction, the film finally goes its distance with the director’s clever storytelling and one of his best soundtracks. It is subdued, elegant, and absolutely satisfying with repeated viewings.
9. Scarface (1983)
Originally, the movie Scarface was heavily criticized for being overly violent, obnoxious, and excessive. However, over time, the character of Tony Montana, as flamboyantly brought to life by Al Pacino, has become one of the most celebrated figures in film history. The narrative of a Cuban exile making and losing a fortune in Miami’s narcotics market is now widely accepted as a classic story of ambition and extravagance, particularly by the rap industry. Such quotes as “Say hello to my little friend” have become part of everyday language, and Pacino has acknowledged that it was his milestone performance.
8. Heat (1995)
Michael Mann’s Heat is not merely a crime flick; it is the crime movie. The crime movie is the confrontation of Pacino’s fiery cop and De Niro’s cool, calculated thief, who play a treacherous cat and mouse game with their iconic diner speech lighting the brief exchange of fire that still burns today. The action moves seamlessly between intimate character scenes and breathtaking gun battles, but the film continues to be the principal heist drama of its kind.
7. Pulp Fiction (1994)
The film that made Tarantino a cultural icon. With its non-linear narrative, pop culture-drenched dialogue, and iconic soundtrack, Pulp Fiction revolutionized independent filmmaking. It revived the career of John Travolta, provided Samuel L. Jackson with some of his most memorable lines, and inspired a generation of filmmakers. It’s more than a movie—it’s a cinematic earthquake.
6. Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Few performances convey desperation as Pacino’s Sonny Wortzik, a fellow who’s robbing a bank to pay for his lover’s gender-affirming surgery. The film plays virtually in real time, ratcheting tension while examining social issues pertinent even today. Pacino’s kinetic nervous energy, vulnerability, and charisma make Sonny both flawed and extremely sympathetic. It’s one of Pacino’s most human and memorable performances.
5. Kill Bill: Volumes 1 & 2 (2003–2004)
A two-part revenge saga, Kill Bill is Tarantino in his most stylish and genre-defying mode. Uma Thurman’s Bride cuts her way through martial arts sagas, spaghetti westerns, and grindhouse excitements, with Volume 1 providing staggering action and Volume 2 exploring character and resolution. From the anime-inspired sequences to the House of Blue Leaves climax, these movies are a love letter to film itself.
4. Goodfellas (1990)
Technically a Scorsese film, but impossible to leave off this list. Goodfellas is a spiritual cousin to both Pacino’s mob dramas and Tarantino’s crime tales, with its kinetic energy, unforgettable narration, and brutally honest look at life in the Mafia. De Niro, Pesci, and Liotta all deliver career-defining work, and their influence on everything from The Sopranos to Tarantino’s own style is undeniable.
3. The Godfather (1972)
The part that cemented Pacino as a legend. As Michael Corleone, Pacino is one of cinema’s greatest character transformations—transitioning from reluctant son to calculating employer. Coppola’s grand scale, Marlon Brando’s legendary performance, and the film’s indelible moments make it a masterpiece. It’s frequently cited as one of the best films ever made, and for good reason.
2. The Godfather Part II (1974)
A sequel on par with the original—and in a few respects, superior. Alternating between young Vito’s ascension (played magnificently by De Niro) and Michael’s tragic fall, the film is epic but also intensely personal. Pacino’s acting here is widely regarded as his finest work, conveying the isolated, weighty horrors of power. With its opera-like storytelling and Oscar-winning credentials, it’s the kind of sequel that’s inevitable and necessary.
1. Scent of a Woman (1992)
After decades of powerhouse performances, Pacino finally received his Oscar for playing Frank Slade, a blind, bitter ex-colonel. Part larger-than-life and part deeply vulnerable, Pacino dominates every scene, providing us with iconic lines and emotional depth in equal measure. The famous “Hoo-ah!” is the film’s calling card, but it is the quiet moments of connection and pain that make the role one of Pacino’s greatest achievements.
Be it Pacino’s incendiary performances or Tarantino’s genre-defying visions, these movies represent the finest of contemporary cinema. From crime epics to cool revenge stories, each of them has left an irreparable imprint on the audience and the filmmaker. They remind us why we actually head for the cinemas in the first place—to be jolted, awed, and utterly transported.