David Lynch’s top 10 films and TV shows ranked as legendary director dies aged 78

The directorial maestro David Lynch has sadly died, leaving the film world in mourning just shy of his 79th birthday. Much-loved for his groundbreaking work on the cult phenomenon Twin Peaks and movies including Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, Lynch’s legacy as a pioneer in cinematic arts will endure.

His grieving family shared a heartfelt message in a statement, which read: “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time.”

They continued, reflecting his distinctive outlook: “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the doughnut and not on the hole’. It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way.”

To celebrate Lynch’s extraordinary impact, here is a list of his top 10 films and TV shows, as rated by fans on IMBd. This homage excludes pieces like as his Weather Report and What Is David Working on Today?, focusing instead on his main contributions to screen entertainment.

A special mention must also go to noteworthy works like Wild at Heart (1990), On the Air (1992), Inland Empire (2006) and his adaptation of Dune (1984).

10. Eraserhead (1977)

Starting the tribute at number 10, we have Eraserhead (1977), Lynch’s influential debut film offering a surreal take on the terrors of fatherhood, reports the Mirror US.

The plot revolves around Henry Spencer (Jack Nance) and his girlfriend (Charlotte Stewart), who gives birth to a monstrous creature.

When she leaves, he is stuck caring for the ‘child’ and is haunted by disturbing visions.

The black and white film contains minimal dialogue and has a nightmarish quality to it and – while it has proven to be divisive – is certainly one of Lynch’s most memorable works.

9. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)

The first of four Twin Peaks projects on this list, 1992 film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me acts as a prequel to the iconic original series, helping fans fill in some of the blanks.

The movie once again delves into dark surrealism, with Sheryl Lee delivering an unforgettable performance as murdered teenager Laura Palmer.

8. Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (2014)

Subsequent film Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces contains deleted scenes from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) assembled together for the first time in an untold portion of the story’s prequel. Fans clearly loved discovering these hidden clues, as it ranks even higher than the original film.

7. Lost Highway (1997)

This unsettling thriller is Lynch’s ode to Los Angeles, following the plight of saxophonist Fred Madison (Bill Pullman), who’s sentenced to death for apparently murdering his wife, Renée (Patricia Arquette).

The plot thickens as the man in Fred’s jail cell turns out to be someone else entirely, auto mechanic Pete Dayton (Balthazar Getty), who starts up an affair with an identical woman (also played by Arquette).

6. Blue Velvet (1986)

1986 film Blue Velvet is one of Lynch’s best-loved classics, depicting how much evil can lurk beneath the banality of modern day suburbia.

The movie stars Lynch’s longtime favourite Kyle MacLachlan, who portrays college student Jeffrey Beaumont, who finds a severed ear near his home.

He soon discovers a sadistic criminal underworld after finding singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini).

The film also sees Laura Dern take on one of her earliest roles as Jeffrey’s neighbor and romantic interest Sandy.

5. Mulholland Drive (2001)

2001’s Mulholland Drive is another iconic surrealist film in Lynch’s impressive portfolio. The twisty but ethereal film stars Naomi Watts as a wide-eyed budding Hollywood star Betty, who moves to Los Angeles to pursue fame.

Here, she meets a woman named Rita (Laura Harring), who suffers from amnesia and things take an unsettling turn.

The film depicts an equally glitzy and sinister version of Hollywood, and remains one of Lynch’s most famous works.

4. The Straight Story (1999)

Lynch’s 1999 movie The Straight Story is very different from his other works, largely because it is pretty solidly grounded in reality.

The film is based on the true story of the interstate tractor journey undertaken by Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) to visit his dying brother.

The movie is a story about forgiveness, endurance and a version of America that feels long-forgotten.

3. The Elephant Man (1980)

A favourite with film buffs, Lynch’s The Elephant Man is sure to tug on your heartstrings, as it follows the journey of a lonely misfit growing up in a world that has rejected him.

John Hurt turns in a career-defining performance as the tragic central figure, while Anthony Hopkins shines in one of his earliest film roles.

2. Twin Peaks (2017)

Twin Peaks fans were overjoyed to learn that the show would be returning for a limited series in 2017, picking up decades after the original series had aired. The complex and ambitious follow-up show arguably raised a lot more questions than it answered – a classic Lynch trope – but it certainly left viewers on the edge of their seats.

1. Twin Peaks (1990)

The original Twin Peaks is the favourite show of many film fans, mainly because it pushed the boundaries of what a television series could be.

Alongside Mark Frost, Lynch created one of the best murder mystery series of all time, focusing on the peculiar inhabitants of a small town in the American Pacific Northwest.

Originally airing on ABC, Twin Peaks was watched by millions, who were all on tenterhooks to find out who killed teen homecoming queen Laura Palmer.

It stars Kyle MacLachlan as cheery FBI agent Dale Cooper, who explores the horror and evil lurking beneath the surface of the charming small town, Twin Peaks.