Quentin Tarantino slams current cinema, says he would 'rather read a book'

Tarantino highlighted 'The Rip' and 'Horizon' and described them as standout in an otherwise disappointing landscape

Quentin Tarantino has criticised the state of modern cinema, arguing that the current decade continues a broader decline in filmmaking quality, while also saying he would “rather read a book” than engage with many of today’s releases. The director made the comments in a recent interview, where he reflected on the wider film industry and its creative direction.

Tarantino, known for films including Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has frequently voiced dissatisfaction with contemporary Hollywood, particularly the dominance of franchise filmmaking and streaming-era release models. In his latest remarks, he reiterated that he feels modern movies lack the ambition and identity of earlier eras, continuing his long-standing criticism of what he sees as a weakening theatrical culture.

Despite his broader frustration with the industry, Tarantino did single out a few recent projects for praise. He highlighted The Rip and Horizon, describing them as standout examples in an otherwise disappointing landscape, though he did not expand in detail on what specifically impressed him about the titles.

The filmmaker’s comments add to a growing body of criticism he has made in recent years about the direction of cinema, including repeated claims that the industry has become overly reliant on formulaic storytelling and reduced theatrical windows. He has previously argued that the shift toward streaming availability shortly after cinema releases has undermined the traditional moviegoing experience.

Tarantino is currently expected to step away from directing after his next film, although he continues to remain active in film discussions, writing and podcast appearances.