16 Memorable Ridley Scott Movies, Ranked From Worst to Best
Ridley Scott's "Black Hawk Down" turns 15 years old this year, a milestone for the definitive, big-screen military procedural. And war drama is just one of the many genres this versatile filmmaker has tackled over his crazy-impressive career. In honor of its 15th anniversary, we're doing the rank and file thing on the director's best movies.
16. 'Hannibal' (2001)
The sequel to "The Silence of the Lambs" does everything different -- and nothing better-- than that Oscar-winner. Julianne Moore is serviceable here in Jodie Foster's Oscar-winning role of Clarice Starling, but has zero chemistry with Anthony Hopkins' Dr. Lecter. It's only saving grace amongst the bloody and unrestrained proceedings? A chilling (and gory) detour to Florence.
15. 'The Counselor' (2013)
The one where Cameron Diaz has sex with a car and its windshield. This movie is either so bad it's good, or so bad it's BAD -- depending on who you ask. Good luck finding anyone that paid to see it, as the film failed at the box office despite Hollywood feverishly chasing down its script, written by author Carmac McCarthy. He should stick with books.
14. 'Robin Hood' (2010)
"Robin Hood" is an expensive misfire that started out as a fresh take on the Robin Hood legend as told from Nottingham's perspective, but got watered down into a dull, "Robin Hood Begins" origin story that no one asked for.
13. 'Prometheus' (2012)
After fans saw the first trailer for "Prometheus," they couldn't wait for Ridley Scott's return to the "Alien" universe. Then they saw the movie, and wished they could get their money back. From supposed intelligent characters making stupid (even for a horror movie) choices, to the frustrating way this "Alien" prequel is in a tug-of-war with itself to not really be an "Alien" prequel, "Prometheus" is a very well-shot, but very disappointing, effort that finds increasingly new ways to go off the rails as its bloated and unfocused narrative advances. It lacks any human characters worth investment as it powers through a thematically underwhelming plot that's more concerned with big-budget set pieces than the chilling tension Scott once mastered.
12. 'Matchstick Men' (2003)
"Ocean's 11" in tone, but not in execution, "Matchstick Men" tries to achieve Elmore Leonard-level hijinks but falls unfortunately short. Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell have great chemistry as struggling con men, but are undone by Scott's tone deaf handle on the material. This movie falls outside of his muscle set, proving that even a director as accomplished as Scott has limits.
11. 'Body of Lies' (2008)
Ridley Scott's first, and only, team-up with Leonardo DiCaprio (but his then-fourth collaboration with Russell Crowe) is a messy, uneven spy thriller obsessed with tradecraft but undone by its lack of emotional attention toward the characters that practice it. Based on the novel "Penetration," DiCaprio stars as one of the CIA's top field operatives in the Middle East, struggling to take down the next Osama Bin Laden. If the gunfire and RPGs don't kill him, handler Crowe and his unique brand of "living room" espionage will. The twists and turns achieve effective tension, but are somewhat undone by an ending executed with too much exposition and not enough reasons to care.
10. 'Legend' (1984)
Exceptional production design and a frightening, iconic performance from Tim Curry (pictured) elevate this uneven fantasy epic that's bound to soundstages. Tom Cruise rocking a shiny chainmail man-dress doesn't help the proceedings, and neither does Scott's over-commitment to music video-y visuals of unicorns underscored by Tangerine Dream. But you've never seen a film like it; one of the '80s more unique guilty pleasures.
9. 'The Duellists' (1978)
Scott's first feature film is often his most overlooked, which is a shame. Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine star as the titular swordsmen at odds in this slow-burn period piece that shows off the director's then-developing appreciation for good, character-driven storytelling. The proceedings are a slog at times, but a small price to pay for one of the more confident directorial debuts to come out of Hollywood.
8. 'American Gangster' (2007)
What could have been Ridley Scott's "Heat" falls short, despite impressive production values and even more impressive performances from costars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. These three Oscar-winners, along with one more -- screenwriter Steven Zaillian ("Schindler's List") -- tell the very violent, very gritty rise and fall of Frank Lucas, a self-made gangster-turned-drug kingpin in 1970s Harlem. The best (and most shocking) parts of the movie are those that really happened.
7. 'Kingdom of Heaven: The Director's Cut' (2006)
As sprawling and epic as the theatrical cut was, it lacked that which the director's cut has in spades: An emotionally stronger narrative to ground the impressive David Lean-inspired production. Orlando Bloom's lack of commanding screen presence in the lead is a problem no matter which version you watch, but everything around him deserves at least one viewing to appreciate Scott's inspired take on the Crusades and the souls who died fighting them.
6. 'Gladiator' (2000)
One of the more popular films in the filmmaker's canon, "Gladiator" is an entertaining (if a bit safe) crowd-pleaser that bailed Scott out of Director Jail -- thanks to a string of mid '90s misfires -- and scored two Oscars for Best Actor (Russell Crowe) and Best Picture.
5. 'Thelma & Louise' (1991)
Of all the movies on Scott's resume, this one more than likely makes you go: "Wait -- he directed this?!" More than 20 years since its release, "Thelma & Louise" still holds up for its resonate take on its two titular characters' need to break out from their patriarchal trappings. It's more than a "road trip" movie and its much-parodied (but very effective) ending; it's necessary viewing. Scott is one of the few directors who can get out of movie's way and just let the story be, especially if he has a good script -- and he has an Oscar-winning one here from writer Callie Khouri.
4. 'The Martian' (2015)
Scott's best movie since "Black Hawk Down," "The Martian" is a very funny, very gripping film that doubles-down on something so few movies bother to approach -- humanity's "can-do" spirit when faced with challenges. In doing so, it delivers one of the decade's best and most entertaining films. Matt Damon gives an Oscar-nominated performance as stranded astronaut Mark Watney, whose dire situation on Mars inspires the best minds on Earth to bring him home. From the supporting cast to the hilarious and tense script, everything works in this movie -- if only more sci-fi films could be this great.
3. 'Black Hawk Down' (2001)
Scott's follow-up to "Gladiator" is arguably the superior film. The real-life story of the downed helicopter is a tense and absorbing military procedural, with an impressive ensemble of then-rising stars employed to tell an unflinching tale of heroism and the split-second decisions that make or break heroes. Scott gives each scene the exact amount of whatever it needs, effortlessly, making one of the best war films ever.
2. 'Blade Runner' (1982)
Scott is largely responsible for two of science-fiction's most influential films, and this is one of them. After 30-plus years and at least five separate cuts of the film, "Blade Runner" still entertains and challenges long after the credits have rolled. Nevermind the tired idolizations film school brats throw at it; the film works, on both narrative and (obviously) visual levels.
1. 'Alien' (1979)
Here is Scott's other genre-defining work. It's "Ten Little Indians" in space plot gives license to a very grounded, and terrifying, monster hunt centered on blue-collared workers confronted with an evil that literally makes chests explode. "Alien" turned Sigourney Weaver into a star, and her character, Ripley, into an icon -- all while paving the way for more smart, female-driven genre fare. So many films, to varying degrees, owe their existence to this one, which is responsible for teaching us that, in space, no one can hear you scream.
