Every Ridley Scott Movie, Ranked!
From 'Alien' to 'White Squall,' Moviefone counts down every film of director Ridley Scott's illustrious career.
(L to R) Director Ridley Scott and Joaquin Phoenix behind-the-scenes of 'Napoleon,' premiering in theaters around the world on November 22, 2023.
Ridley Scott is one of the greatest directors of all time!
The Oscar-winning filmmaker's resume includes some of the most popular movies of the last 40 years such as 'Alien,' 'Blade Runner,' 'Thelma & Louise,' 'Gladiator,' 'Black Hawk Down,' 'American Gangster' and 'The Martian.'
The director's latest, 'Napoleon' is currently in theaters and stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role. In honor of the new biopic, Moviefone is counting down every film Ridley Scott has ever made.
Let's begin!
28. 'The Duellists' (1977)
In 1800, as Napoleon Bonaparte rises to power in France, a rivalry erupts between Armand (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel (Harvey Keitel), two lieutenants in the French Army, over a perceived insult. For over a decade, they engage in a series of duels amidst larger conflicts, including the failed French invasion of Russia in 1812, and shifts in the political and social systems of Europe.
The Duellists
27. '1492: Conquest of Paradise' (1992)
1492: Conquest of Paradise depicts Christopher Columbus’ (Gérard Depardieu) discovery of The New World and his effect on the indigenous people.
1492: Conquest of Paradise
26. 'The Counselor' (2013)
A lawyer (Michael Fassbender) finds himself in far over his head when he attempts to get involved in drug trafficking.
25. 'All the Money in the World' (2017)
(L to R) Christopher Plummer as J. Paul Getty and Mark Wahlberg as James Fletcher Chace in 'All the Money in the World.' Photo: Sony Pictures.
The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III (Charlie Plummer) and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother (Michelle Williams) to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer) to pay the ransom.
All the Money in the World
24. 'Alien: Covenant' (2017)
Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, the crew of the colony ship 'Covenant' discovers what is thought to be an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world—which has a sole inhabitant: the 'synthetic', David (Michael Fassbender), survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition.
23. 'The Last Duel' (2021)
King Charles VI (Alex Lawther) declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) settle his dispute with his squire, Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver), by challenging him to a duel.
The Last Duel
22. 'Body of Lies' (2008)
The CIA’s hunt is on for the mastermind of a wave of terrorist attacks. Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) is the agency’s man on the ground, moving from place to place, scrambling to stay ahead of ever-shifting events. An eye in the sky – a satellite link – watches Ferris. At the other end of that real-time link is the CIA’s Ed Hoffman (Russell Crowe), strategizing events from thousands of miles away. And as Ferris nears the target, he discovers trust can be just as dangerous as it is necessary for survival.
21. 'Legend' (1986)
Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, this fantastic story follows a mystical forest dweller (Tom Cruise), chosen by fate, to undertake a heroic quest. He must save the beautiful Princess Lili (Mia Sara) and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness (Tim Curry), or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.
20. 'Prometheus' (2012)
2012's 'Prometheus.'
A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.
Prometheus
19. 'A Good Year' (2006)
Failed London banker Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) inherits his uncle's (Albert Finney) vineyard in Provence, where he spent many childhood holidays. Upon his arrival, he meets a woman from California (Abbie Cornish) who tells Max she is his long-lost cousin and that the property is hers.
18. 'Robin Hood' (2010)
When soldier Robin (Russell Crowe) happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley (Douglas Hodge), he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion (Cate Blanchett); and draws the ire of the town's sheriff (Matthew Macfadyen) and King John's henchman, Godfrey (Mark Strong).
17. 'Exodus: Gods and Kings' (2014)
The defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) rises up against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 400,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
16. 'Hannibal' (2001)
After having successfully eluded the authorities for years, Hannibal (Anthony Hopkins) peacefully lives in Italy in disguise as an art scholar. Trouble strikes again when he's discovered leaving a deserving few dead in the process. He returns to America to make contact with now disgraced Agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore), who is suffering the wrath of a malicious FBI rival (Ray Liotta) as well as the media.
Hannibal
15. 'House of Gucci' (2021)
(L to R) Jared Leto, Florence Andrews, Adam Driver, Lady Gaga, and Al Pacino in 'House of Gucci'
When Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga), an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.
14. 'Kingdom of Heaven' (2005)
After his wife dies, a blacksmith named Balian (Orlando Bloom) is thrust into royalty, political intrigue and bloody holy wars during the Crusades.
Kingdom of Heaven
13. 'Matchstick Men' (2003)
A phobic con artist (Nicolas Cage) and his protege (Sam Rockwell) are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the con artist's teenage daughter (Alison Lohman) arrives unexpectedly.
12. 'White Squall' (1996)
In 1960, a hardy group of prep school students boards an old-fashioned sailing ship. With Capt. Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges) at the helm, the oceangoing voyage is intended to teach the boys fortitude and discipline. But the youthful crew are about to get some unexpected instruction in survival when they get caught in the clutches of a white squall storm.
11. 'Someone to Watch Over Me' (1987)
Claire Gregory (Mimi Rogers), an upper class New York personality, witnesses a murder in a luxurious nightclub. Detective Mike Keegan (Tom Berenger), recently promoted, is assigned to protect her.
Someone to Watch Over Me
10. 'Napoleon' (2023)
Joaquin Phoenix in 'Napoleon,' premiering in theaters around the world on November 22, 2023.
An epic that details the checkered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte (Joaquin Phoenix) and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).
Napoleon
9. 'G.I. Jane' (1997)
In response to political pressure from Senator Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft), the U.S. Navy begins a program that would allow for the eventual integration of women into its services. The program begins with a single trial candidate, Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil (Demi Moore), who is chosen specifically for her femininity. O'Neil enters the grueling training program under the command of John James Urgayle (Viggo Mortensen), who unfairly pushes O'Neil until her determination wins his respect.
8. 'Black Rain' (1989)
Two New York cops (Michael Douglas and Andy Garcia) get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. They arrest one of their killers and are ordered to escort him back to Japan. However, in Japan he manages to escape, and as they try to track him down, they get deeper and deeper into the Japanese Mafia scene and they have to learn that they can only win by playing the game—the Japanese way.
Black Rain
7. 'American Gangster' (2007)
Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III), Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.
6. 'The Martian' (2015)
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.
5. 'Blade Runner' (1982)
1982's 'Blade Runner' Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.
Blade Runner
4. 'Thelma & Louise' (1991)
Whilst on a short weekend getaway, Louise (Susan Sarandon) shoots a man who had tried to rape Thelma (Geena Davis). Due to the incriminating circumstances, they make a run for it and thus a cross country chase ensues for the two fugitives. Along the way, both women rediscover the strength of their friendship and surprising aspects of their personalities and self-strengths in the trying times.
3. 'Black Hawk Down' (2001)
When U.S. Rangers and an elite Delta Force team attempt to kidnap two underlings of a Somali warlord, their Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, and the Americans suffer heavy casualties, facing intense fighting from the militia on the ground.
2. 'Alien' (1979)
During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.
1. 'Gladiator' (2000)
Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator.' Photo by Karine Weinberger/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images.
In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
