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15 Best Ridley Scott Movies, Ranked

John Smith16 min read
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15 Best Ridley Scott Movies, Ranked

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15 Best Ridley Scott Movies, Ranked


Ridley Scott made a triumphant return to the top of the box office and added to his lengthy list of historical epics with Gladiator II, but where it ranks among the best movies from his decades-long career is a point of debate. The historical inaccuracies in Gladiator II did little to discourage moviegoers from seeing the long-awaited sequel in theaters, and its early box office haul put Ridley Scott into elite company among directors. While reviews indicate that Gladiator II is unlikely to be counted among Scott’s very best movies, it’s still an entertaining and worthy follow-up to its predecessor.

Since making his feature film directorial debut in 1977, Ridley Scott has tackled a number of different genres, and has become the gold standard for several of them. Scott is particularly famous for tackling historical epics (like Gladiator and Gladiator II) that require time, patience, and attention to detail. However, despite being 87 years old, Scott is still among Hollywood’s most active and influential directors. With so many different genres in his filmography, any comparative examination of Ridley Scott’s feature films is a difficult exercise.

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Gladiator 2’s mixed reception proves that the best Ridley Scott sequels aren’t directed by Ridley Scott. Scott’s own sequels are a mixed bag.

15 Kingdom Of Heaven (2005)

The Visually-Stunning Historical Epic Set During The Crusades

Kingdom of Heaven was a box office disappointment despite maintaining Scott’s trademark stunning visuals evoking antiquity, and generally speaking, it wasn’t well-received by critics. However, the version that hit theaters was significantly cut from what Scott originally intended, and his Director’s Cut of the film is recognized by many critics as the definitive version of the movie upon which judgment should be based. As with many of Scott’s historical epics, Kingdom of Heaven was criticized for its historical inaccuracies, but none of that detracts from the sheer spectacle of Saladin’s assault on Jerusalem, or of the immersive Crusades-era set pieces.

14 Alien: Covenant (2017)

Scott’s Most Recent Addition To The Sci-Fi Horror Series

Alien: Covenant may not achieve the heights of the first two movies in the franchise, but the second of Scott’s two Alien movies from the 2010s still maintains many of the elements that made the franchise popular in the first place. Covenant departs from the more big-picture world-building of its predecessor, Prometheus, in favor of the claustrophobic terror of the original Alien. Covenant boasts an excellent cast, and includes many of the practical effects that made the series tick in the earlier movies, all of which combine to create a worthy addition to the franchise.

13 Prometheus (2012)

The Mind-Bending Quasi-Prequel To Alien

Prometheus isn’t really a prequel to Alien, as, by Scott’s own admission, it explores completely different ideas despite being set in the same universe as Ripley and the original Xenomorph. Prometheus notably frustrated fans for leaving many of its biggest questions unanswered, but it’s a standout in the franchise for its incredible visuals and haunting aesthetic. The legitimate scares and captivating performance by Michael Fassbender’s android David makes this one of the stronger overall entries in the franchise, and is the second-best Ridley Scott film set in the Alien universe.

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12 All The Money In The World (2017)

The Gripping Biographical Crime Thriller Based On A True Story

All The Money In The World was infamous for having its main actor swapped mid-production; thanks to sexual misconduct allegations, Kevin Spacey was removed from the film and replaced with Academy Award-winner Christopher Plummer. Plummer was actually Scott’s first choice to play J. Paul Getty, and he was truly excellent in the role, which elevated the quality of the movie. The biographical movie received terrific overall reviews, thanks largely to Scott’s excellent direction and David Scarpa’s tight and gripping script. Plummer’s outstanding work earned him an Academy Award nomination, and helped Scott earn a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director.

11 Matchstick Men (2003)

The Black Comedy Based On Eric Garcia’s 2002 Novel

Matchstick Men is another of Scott’s movies that never got the box office love that should come with a movie of its quality. The black comedy was driven more by its characters than most of Scott’s movies, and the result is a truly entertaining crime comedy. Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell shine as con men, with Cage in particular stealing the movie as Roy Waller, who suffers from Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While it didn’t generate any major award nominations, critics and fan reviewers in general embraced the movie for its acting and engaging plot.

10 Gladiator II (2024)

The Long-Awaited Sequel To Scott’s Academy Award-Winning Epic

Gladiator II was in development for more than 20 years before its 2024 release date, and as a result, audience anticipation was at a fever pitch for its debut. While it never quite measures up to the original Gladiator, it outshines its predecessor in sheer spectacle. Ridley Scott used every bit of his massive budget to continue the story of Lucius Verus Aurelius, who inadvertently picks up the mission of Russell Crowe’s Maximus. Denzel Washington steals the movie from an acting standpoint, but the action and visuals are still as engrossing as any vintage Ridley Scott historical epic.

9 The Last Duel (2021)

The Profound Drama Set During The Hundred Years’ War

The Last Duel has a justifiable claim as the most underrated Ridley Scott movie ever. Despite its $100 million budget, a star-studded cast and rave reviews from critics, The Last Duel brought in only $30 million at the box office. Critics applauded the performances of the entire cast​​​​​​, along with the thought-provoking script from Nicole Holofcener (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. Scott’s direction also received plenty of acclaim, as he took the source material and made it appropriately epic. The Last Duel‘s 85% Rotten Tomatoes score is far more representative of its quality.

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8 The Duellists (1977)

The Decades-Spanning Drama Set During The Napoleonic Wars

Ridley Scott’s feature film debut foreshadowed his legendary status, as The Duellists was nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival, at which the historical drama debuted. The sprawling narrative follows a pair of officers during the Napoleonic Wars over the course of 20 years, which provided the perfect backdrop for Scott to show off his trademark visceral style and skill at bringing a historical time period to life. It may not be the most well-known of Scott’s historical dramas, but it’s certainly among the overall strongest.

7 American Gangster (2007)

The Academy Award-Nominated Biographical Crime Drama

American Gangster is a 2007 crime film directed by Ridley Scott, featuring Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin in Harlem, and Russell Crowe as Richie Roberts, the detective determined to bring him down. The film explores the rise of Lucas in the drug trade and the eventual intersection of their lives amidst the backdrop of a corrupt and morally complex society.

Release Date
November 2, 2007
Writers
Steven Zaillian , Mark Jacobson
Runtime
157 minutes
Budget
$100 million

American Gangster benefited from a loaded cast, which included multiple-time Ridley Scott collaborators Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. The biographical crime drama earned two Academy Award nominations, and garnered 21 awards overall, thanks in large part to its excellent cast and production under Scott’s direction. Given that the subjects of the movie were still alive when it was released, it was criticized for its lack of historical accuracy, but as with most of Scott’s movies, that did nothing to detract from the entertainment quality of the narrative, which is almost always Scott’s focus.

6 The Martian (2015)

The Epic Story Of One Man’s Survival

The Martian was both a box office and critical smash hit, and it’s difficult to pinpoint one element over another as far as why. The ensemble cast, led by Matt Damon, was applauded by critics for managing to infuse a genuine drama with a surprising amount of comedy, which resulted in a truly engaging sci-fi story. The production crew on the movie was also praised for its outstanding work on bringing the lofty source material to the big screen. Ultimately, The Martian earned seven Academy Award nominations, and boasts the second-highest Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score of Ridley Scott’s career.

5 Black Hawk Down (2001)

Scott’s Gritty And Violent Modern War Epic

Black Hawk Down recounts the harrowing true story of a U.S. military mission gone awry in Somalia. Tasked with capturing a warlord, elite soldiers find themselves in a fierce battle against Somali militia forces.

Release Date
January 18, 2002
Writers
Ken Nolan
Runtime
144 minutes
Budget
$92 million

Black Hawk Down was considered a triumph in sound and production design when it was released in 2001, as it earned Academy Awards for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. The visceral and bloody historical war drama is so immersive that it’s difficult to watch at times, and as usual, it was criticized for its inaccuracies given its basis in real events. However, Black Hawk Down may be the most technically sound movie that Ridley Scott has ever directed, and to many, it represents the peak of his directorial prowess.

4 Thelma And Louise (1991)

The Star-Studded And Award-Winning Crime Drama

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Thelma & Louise is a 1991 drama directed by Ridley Scott, featuring Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise. The film follows the journey of two friends on a road trip that spirals into unexpected and intense circumstances, challenging their friendship and transforming their lives. Brad Pitt makes an early appearance in a supporting role, helping to cement the film’s enduring legacy.

Release Date
May 24, 1991
Writers
Callie Khouri
Runtime
130 Minutes
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The beloved crime drama is one of the most universally-praised movies of Ridley Scott’s career, and earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Director. Starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis in the title roles, the original screenplay has evolved into a landmark feminist film, and is among the most influential that Scott has ever directed. In addition to the award recognition that the movie earned upon its release, in 2016 the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry due to its cultural significance, further cementing its status as an all-time great movie.

3 Gladiator (2000)

Scott’s Iconic Best Picture-Winning Historical Epic

Gladiator is the most decorated movie that Ridley Scott has ever produced, as it won five Academy Awards and was nominated for seven others. Scott earned an Oscar nomination for Best Director, and his directorial style is truly on display in Gladiator.The opening battle sequence is one of the finest scenes of Scott’s career from a technical direction standpoint, and the rest of the movie is perfectly balanced between character work and immersing the audience in the spectacular set pieces. Gladiator also boasts the elite Colosseum action sequences, which further showcase Scott’s technical ability.

2 Blade Runner (1982)

A Foundational Cornerstone Of Modern Science Fiction

The adaptation of the Philip K. Dick novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner may hold the status of Ridley Scott’s most influential movie. Since its release in 1982, its influence has been cited by some of the most famous and talented directors on the planet, including Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Nolan, and Denis Villeneuve, among many others. It may not have as many formal award nominations as other movies on this list, but it does boast the third-highest Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score (89%) and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

1 Alien (1979)

One Of The Most Influential Movies In Both The Sci-Fi And Horror Genres

Official theatrical poster for Alien (1979)

Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo. Upon investigating a distress signal on a distant moon, they discover a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley and became a seminal work in both the sci-fi and horror genres, known for its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking visual effects.

Release Date
June 22, 1979
Writers
Dan O’Bannon , Ronald Shusett
Runtime
117 Minutes
Main Genre
Sci-Fi

Scott’s sci-fi horror masterpiece holds the top spot on this list for a number of reasons, not least of which is its inclusion in the National Film Registry. It holds the highest Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score of any Ridley Scott movie with a 93%, and has been cited as one of the most influential movies ever in both the science fiction and horror genres. Alien‘s gripping close-quarters terror is iconic, and the dark and haunting space aesthetic has influenced countless other movies since. Alien also launched a wildly successful movie franchise, furthering its legacy.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes



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