Much like dreams, merely hearing Lynch's work described does not compare to experiencing his movies and TV series firsthand. Unconventional to the end, the director's filmography (plus Twin Peaks, indispensable to his oeuvre) almost always elicits strong responses, with each project re-assembling a number of core ideas, themes, and images.

"Eraserhead" filmmaker David Lynch brought a dark, thoughtful surrealism to Hollywood. Here are his best movies and TV work, including "Twin Peaks."

Lynch took The Straight Story to 1999’s Cannes film festival, where in perhaps the greatest year ever for American independent film, he sold his movie to Disney. (It’s still streaming on Disney+.) He laughed,