Top 10 Ridley Scott Movies

Taking inspiration from traditional fairytales and Disney cartoons to craft his vision, Ridley Scott built a fantastical and original world for his characters to inhabit in “Legend.” Starring Mia Sara in her big screen debut alongside Tom Cruise and a devilish Tim Curry, this Ridley Scott fantasy adventure flick is filled with glorious unicorns and is applauded for the spectacular costume design. “Legend” highlighted the battle between good and evil, as Princess Lili and Jack confront the almighty Power of Darkness. While Scott’s fourth feature film was a box office failure, “Legend” has since become a cult classic thanks to the visuals of his dark, whimsical world.

With this film, Scott turned to dark comedy, casting Nicolas Cage as an obsessive-compulsive conman, or con-ARTIST, with a few eccentricities. Life was hard enough trying to get by with his partner-in-crime, but then a 14-year-old girl shows up claiming to be his daughter. Instead of focusing his energies on his trademark visuals, Scott decides to let the talented actors’ performances breathe, instead letting the characters and relationships shine. More fun than his normal fare, “Matchstick Men” is atypical for Scott, but it proves that the director can work his magic in any number of genres, and is not averse to trying new things.

Although the religious aspects of this historical epic have been hotly debated, the pure drama and striking cinematography were instantly applauded. Loosely based on actual events of the 12th century crusades, “Kingdom of Heaven” stars Orlando Bloom as a widowed blacksmith destined for glory. The 144-minute film features excellent performances, and the $130-million budget allowed for beautiful shooting locations in both Morocco and Spain, but – according to the director himself – the plot was watered down with excessive editing that made sure the film flopped. Ridley Scott later released a Director’s Cut with 45 extra minutes of footage, which renewed interest in “Kingdom of Heaven” and improved its standing with audiences.

Based on a Joseph Conrad short story, Ridley Scott made his successful directorial debut with this lavish production. In the early 19th century lived an extremely intense Frenchman, who took an insult just a little bit too far. How far you ask? Well, Lieutenant Gabriel Feraud obsessed over an unfinished duel for decades and capitalized on every opportunity to kill his nemesis, Armand d’Hubert. With Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine in the lead roles, “The Duellists” was finely acted, but the grand production and jaw-dropping fight scenes are simply on another level. With characteristically stylized visuals that harken back to the paintings of the era, Scott made his mark early.

The third director to join this project, Ridley Scott was able to sign the talented star actors necessary to make this film a success. Based on the life of New York City drug dealer Frank Lucas, and – at Scott’s insistence – his relationship with lawyer Richie Roberts, “American Gangster” takes a blunt look at the realities of the criminal underworld. Denzel Washington stars as the cautious lead character, who takes over the Harlem drug world and rules his territory with shocking violence. Critics generally praised this Academy Award-nominated film, as Scott highlighted a dark chapter in The Big Apple’s history and heightened the drama for the big screen.

Sure, life didn’t exactly go as planned for these ladies, but they sure made us smile. They made us cry too, which is why “Thelma & Louise” connected with so many, in large part thanks to the as-them unexploited talent of Ridley Scott for comedy. With the lovable Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon in the lead roles, this film addresses domestic abuse and conveys the idea that anyone can break free of their problems, whether psychological or geographical. “Thelma & Louise” earned six Academy Award nominations, including a well-earned nod for Ridley Scott as Best Director.

Released just months after the events of 9/11, this war film based on the book of the same name focused on the 1993 battle between American forces and Somali militiamen. While the drama was obviously exaggerated for the screen, the actual details of the engagement remained a mystery for many Americans until they were highlighted in “Black Hawk Down.” Agree or disagree with the politics behind the story, Ridley Scott handled the subject matter with care and refrained from typical genre clichés, expertly directing a talented ensemble cast. As a result, he offered viewers one of the most polished war films of the decade, and was awarded for his work with an Oscar nomination.

Tempted by the idea of bringing Ancient Rome to the big screen in his own special way, Ridley Scott accepted the challenge of directing this picture. Inspired by similarly themed Hollywood sword-and-sandal epics, he set about telling the tale of a general-turned-slave traumatized by the murder of his family, who must rise through the gladiatorial ranks to come face-to-face with his worst enemy. Bolstered by powerhouse performances from both Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe, “Gladiator” became one of Scott’s biggest critical and commercial hits, winning five Academy Awards, including those for Best Actor for Crowe and Best Picture.

Here’s a film that not only transformed the horror and sci-fi genres, but also changed the face of cinema as a whole. Horrifying and wildly entertaining, “Alien” completely freaked out audiences, as an unassuming space crew is terrorized by an extra terrestrial. Inspired by the success of “Star Wars,” Scott wanted to utilize special effects to their full advantage, and the result was the film that put him on the international map. With revolutionary visual effects, strong acting and masterful pacing, Ridley Scott directed one of the best films of all-time with only his second feature. Not everyone was impressed at first; but decades later the legacy of “Alien” speaks for itself.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “Body of Lies” (2008)
- “G.I. Jane” (1997)
- “Prometheus” (2012)

Truly a game-changer for Ridley Scott and Hollywood filmmaking, “Blade Runner” mixed classic film noir with a sci-fi dystopian world, and it was AWESOME. The great American writer Philip K. Dick was largely unknown to mainstream audiences in the early-‘80s, but his status was instantly elevated when Scott adapted his story about a futuristic operative played by Harrison Ford. Though it was a box-office disappointment, “Blade Runner” is undoubtedly one of the most influential movies of the 20th century, featuring all of the hallmarks of a Ridley Scott film. It also proved that Scott was far more than a “good” director: he was and is one of the best.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite Ridley Scott movie? For more mind-blowing Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.