Quentin Tarantino’s Picks: The Best Michael Madsen Films
According to Cinemadrame News Agency, On the “Pure Cinema” podcast, Quentin Tarantino paid tribute to the legacy of Michael Madsen, who passed away in late July. The two had worked together on films such as Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Tarantino said:
“Many people messaged me about him, but I’m not on social media—and in some ways, that’s a good thing… Publicly expressing grief isn’t really my style, but Michael’s loss is truly a hard blow. And I’m someone who tends to be restrained about people’s deaths… but his passing hit me harder than most.”
In the interview, Tarantino revealed that a few days after Madsen’s death, he spent time at home watching his work and considers the actor’s performance in Kill Bill to be his best. Tarantino offered a list of his favorite Madsen films—but instead of picking popular titles like Thelma & Louise or Donnie Brasco, he chose to explore some of Madsen’s lesser-known works. Some of these are low-budget thrillers from the mid-2000s, while others are TV movies.
Tarantino also shared that he first saw Madsen in Barry Levinson’s The Natural.
Michael Madsen’s Top 10 Films According to Tarantino:
Resurrection Road (2025)
A House in the Hills (1993)
Final Combination (also known as Dead Connection, 1994)
The High Noon (TV Movie, 2000)
The Inspectors 2: A Shred of Evidence (TV Movie, 2000)
44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shootout (TV Movie, 2003)
Vengeance Unlimited (ABC, 1998–99)
Hell Ride (2008)
Strength and Honor (2007)
Croc (TV Movie, 2007)
