Top 10 Stanley Kubrick Movies

“How did they ever make a movie of ‘Lolita’?” Good question. While many of Kubrick’s movies are book adaptations, Vladimir Nobokov’s “Lolita” is one challenging story to bring from page to screen. Why? That pesky little detail about the middle-aged man falling for a young girl, and marrying her mother to get near her. By increasing Lolita’s age ever-so-slightly, and employing a storytelling technique wherein the end falls at the beginning, Kubrick attempted to lessen the controversy and heighten the interest.

This was Kubrick’s final film before his death, and he considered it “his greatest contribution to the art of cinema.” In this erotic story of sex, relationships and the occult, the director demonstrates his perfectionism by taking control of each of the film’s visual aspects, from props and wall color to gorgeous masks. Employing a shooting style that underlines the bizarre storyline, Kubrick’s choices are purposeful, intense and stunning.

An example of Kubrick’s earlier work, this is one of the few war movies that doesn’t glorify violence. Honest, short, and bleak, it adapts the story of French soldiers who are sacrificed to set an example and assure the motivation of their fellow officers. With hard-hitting sentiment, trademark visual beauty and realism, this film also features the emotionally raw performances only Kubrick could elicit from his actors.

Kubrick re-teamed with Kirk Douglas to create this award-winning historical drama. Though the director was unable to retain the same level of creative control he was accustomed to, “Spartacus” still proved a powerful film, with spectacular acting and action sequences. Also notable for its communist connections and its parallels to the American civil rights movement, this epic features a climax scene that’s been copied and quoted on multiple occasions.

Like most of his films, this Kubrick period piece broke cinematic ground with new techniques – in this case, he made the unprecedented move of using only candles to light some scenes. Labeled by Roger Ebert as “one of the most beautiful films ever made,” it follows the story of a fictitious, 18th-century Irish social climber. A Kubrick vehicle in every sense, it’s detached, beautiful and a technical marvel.

Produced, directed and co-written by Kubrick, this film peppers comedy in the midst of the Vietnam War’s drama and violence. Experimental in form, its first section follows marine training and traces the descent into madness of one private because of a severe drill instructor. Some say the film loses stature by changing settings in the second half; however, it’s just quirky and beautiful enough to be a Kubrick favorite.

While avid Stephen King fans may’ve been left unsatisfied, this Kubrick adaptation is now considered one of the great horror films. With a spooky Jack Nicholson performance as its anchor, it tracks an alcoholic writer’s downward spiral as he spends the winter holed up in a haunted hotel. With shot-after-beautifully-composed-shot complemented by Kubrick’s iconic first use of steadicam, “The Shining” ratchets up the scares psychologically – and to great effect.

With lotsa help from Peter Sellers, Kubrick highlights the nuclear arms race in yet another anti-war film – however, this one’s considered one of the funniest political satires of the twentieth century. Subtitled, “Or: How I Leaned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” this movie is elevated by stellar performances, which Kubrick inspired using dubious methods, sometimes angering actors or saying a take was a rehearsal.

Bring on the ultra-violence. This story of Alex, his droogs and their dystopian future has become a true cult classic thanks to Kubrick’s thoroughness and nitpicking: by shooting and reshooting pivotal scenes, playing with fast and slow-motion, using a hand-held camera for most of the shoot, and even dropping his camera out the window, Kubrick brought viewers into this violent world – and he garnered ample controversy for his efforts.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- The Killing
- Fear and Desire
- Killer’s Kiss

Sometimes overlooked because of its complexity, this film explores artificial intelligence, evolution, and space travel through a contemplative look at the human experience. Initially, it received mixed reviews from critics and audiences; however, it later won an Oscar for special-effects, and was labeled his generation’s “big bang” by Steven Spielberg. Kubrick’s groundbreaking efforts and stunning cinematography eventually inspired countless future science-fiction films, as the very definition of awesome.

Do you agree with our list? Which do you think is Stanley Kubrick’s best movie? For more top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.