Top 20 Incredible Movies by First Time Directors

Spike Jonze

In 1999, the movie world was introduced to the peculiar combo of Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman, who made their cinematic debut with "Being John Malkovich." A borderline nightmarish trip into a world filled with quirky characters who are utterly unaware of the strangeness that surrounds them, "Being John Malkovich" is an unforgettable experience that is simultaneously hilarious and deeply unsettling. Jonze's direction is reassured but also unintrusive, presenting the bizarreness of this universe and premise in an almost matter-of-fact manner that greatly enhances the story's impact. Jonze might not regularly direct a feature film, but when he does, he tends to hit a home run.

Bo Burnham

With Bo Burnham having a background in stand-up comedy, one might have assumed his debut film would lean into humor, but "Eighth Grade" is far from a laugh riot. A realistic look at anxiety, "Eighth Grade" focuses on a middle school girl, Kayla, as she deals with depression, mental illness, and loneliness. Written and directed by Burnham, "Eighth Grade" comes packed with sobering moments of sheer devastation, particularly an intense truth and dare sequence set in the back of a car. The film might be hard to watch for some people, but it's incredibly effective.

Neill Blomkamp

A highly ambitious film, Neill Blomkamp's feature debut is technically brilliant, thematically dense, and just very entertaining. Set in Johannesburg, South Africa, the movie follows the treatment of aliens that have been detained at a camp called "District 9," with the premise being an allegory for events that transpired during the apartheid era. Initially presented through found footage and newsreels before transitioning into a more traditional direction, "District 9" succeeds as a crowd-pleasing action film and a socially conscious study of racism. "District 9" showcased Blomkamp's unique and powerful voice and instantly established the director as someone to keep track of.

Lynne Ramsay

Set in Glasgow during the early '70s, "Ratcatcher'' follows a troubled boy, James, as his family waits to be moved to a new housing complex. With a garbage strike serving as a backdrop, Lynne Ramsay's "Ratcatcher" presents a gritty and dirty world that feels almost documentary-like in places. The greyish aesthetic of the movie's visuals complements its generally grim tone, but Ramsay breaks up the story's grief with moments of levity and surrealism. Featuring minimalist acting and confident direction, "Ratcatcher" is a character piece driven by realism, substance, and emotion.

Richard Kelly

Teenage angst, thy name is "Donnie Darko," and just to be clear, that is a compliment. Richard Kelly's debut film features time-travel, a huge bunny suit, and a whole lot of philosophical musings. Genuinely original films are not easy to come by, but "Donnie Darko" stands out as a singular entity born out of a unique vision. While complicated, the story still manages to be followable, primarily because the characters are quite relatable. Then there is the fantastic cinematography and direction, two elements perfectly demonstrated in the brilliant "Head Over Heels" scene.

Elaine May

Already an established voice in the comedy scene by 1971, Elaine May crafted something close to perfection with her debut film, even though a lot of scenes were left on the cutting room floor. "A New Leaf" follows a contemptible New Yorker who learns that family riches do not last forever, prompting Henry to try and marry into money. As the clumsy and oblivious Henrietta, May's character walks a fine line between pathetic and endearing while delivering plenty of laughs along the way. "A New Leaf" is a comedic tour-de-force.

Terrence Malick

A beautiful and violent masterpiece, "Badlands" introduced the world to the immeasurable talent of Terrence Malick. While nowhere near as abstract as the director's later films, "Badlands" does showcase Malick's deft touch for music, visual storytelling, and distinctive editing. Often compared to "Bonnie and Clyde," "Badlands" follows the captivating pair of Kit and Holly as they become America's most wanted criminals. Touching upon themes of death and pointlessness, Kit and Holly are purposefully shallow characters who live without much reason and seek meaning in places and acts that have none to offer.

Sam Raimi

A low-budget horror film that would go on to launch the career of its director and main actor, "The Evil Dead" is a bonafide classic. While the series would get progressively sillier in the best possible way, the original "Evil Dead" is more interested in inspiring screams than laughter. Through Sam Raimi's kinetic direction, the film moves at a blistering and ceaseless pace, reflecting the frantic states of the teenagers as they find themselves reading the wrong book. "The Evil Dead" has aged beautifully, cementing itself as a landmark release in gory horror.

Sidney Lumet

The debut film in what would be a long and storied directorial career, "12 Angry Men" is rightfully hailed as a classic and one of Sidney Lumet's greatest films. Set primarily in a deliberation room of a courthouse, this bottle movie explores the psyches, influences, and experiences of twelve jury members assigned to determine whether an 18-year-old is guilty of murdering his father. Thrilling from beginning to end, "12 Angry Men" does not waste a single moment and features a roster of characters who come across as fully realized individuals.

Spike Lee

Groundbreaking at the time of its release, Spike Lee's debut was a great indicator of things to come. Filmed on a shoestring budget, "She's Gotta Have It" explores the sexual freedom of Nola, an up-and-coming artist living in Brooklyn. Racial themes are naturally present throughout the film, and Lee largely opts to just present a black community without the stereotypes that often defined films up until that point. Although somewhat messy at times, "She's Gotta Have It" is the byproduct of a visionary who has clear social concepts he wants to focus on.

Steven Soderbergh

This film's provocative title might paint a picture of a scandalous erotic thriller, but Steven Soderbergh's feature is actually a subtle character study. Centering around four people with complicated relationships with sexuality, "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" sees Soderbergh touch upon sophisticated themes while exploring characters who could be off-putting if handled poorly. The cast and the direction of the actors are both very strong, with James Spader being especially brilliant. Also written by Soderbergh, "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" is not only an exhibition of the director's talent behind the camera but also his ability in front of a typewriter.

Satoshi Kon

Following more than a decade in the manga scene, TV animation, and feature film production as an animator and writer, Satoshi Kon made his directorial film debut with the haunting "Perfect Blue." A mind-bending look into the world of idols, "Perfect Blue" sees Mima leaving a popular group to pursue a career in acting, a decision not everyone agrees with. Obsession, mental frailty, and a brittle sense of self are just a few of the concepts explored in Kon's impressive debut. A challenging but rewarding watch, "Perfect Blue" proved to be just the first of many masterpieces in Kon's tragically short career.

Sofia Coppola

As the daughter of a rather acclaimed director, Sofia Coppola had some mighty big shoes to fill. With her directorial debut, "The Virgin Suicides," Coppola instantly set herself apart from her father. Moving at a slow pace and boasting an unconventional story structure, "The Virgin Suicides" presents an outsider's perspective into the sad and aloof lives of five sisters. Coppola's direction imbues a dream-like atmosphere into the film, almost like these events are taking place detached from time. Many technical and thematic ideas explored in "The Virgin Suicides" would continue to be present in Coppola's subsequent films such as "Lost in Translation."

Jordan Peele

In a surprising move, renowned comedian Jordan Peele decided to turn to horror for his directorial debut. Demonstrating a mastery of the genre, Peele's "Get Out" is intense, clever, and frequently scary. Peppered in with comedic flashes and a genuinely likable lead, "Get Out" keeps audiences guessing as Chris' weekend at his girlfriend's family gets progressively weirder. Dealing with themes of racism, "Get Out" manages to be thought-provoking and consistently entertaining. Peele's debut shows plenty of restraint in its execution, allowing a mystery-laden opening hour to blossom into a heart-pounding final act.

John Huston

A timeless detective film that set the standard for a decade of noir, John Huston's directorial debut sits comfortably among the greatest movies of all time. A lot can and has been said about Humphrey Bogart's Sam Spade and Mary Astor's femme fatale, but they are just two pieces of what is an all-around stunning film. Although not light on plot, "The Maltese Falcon" revels in its characters, and never once even attempts to dilute Spade's hardness or any of the complex supporting players. Huston's direction was innovative for the time and used style to enhance the story rather than overshadow it.

John Singleton

A coming-of-age story set in Los Angeles, John Singleton's drama earned a couple of Oscar nominations and its significance has not diminished with time. "Boyz n the Hood" chronicles Tre's growth towards adulthood, a feat that's far from guaranteed in a world populated by gang warfare, instability, and hate-filled cops. A smart and grounded look at South Central life, "Boyz n the Hood" backs its social commentary with three-dimensional and likable characters, elevating the film beyond just a cautionary tale. "Boyz n the Hood" is not just one of the defining movies of the early '90s, but also one of the best of all time.

Charles Laughton

Charles Laughton enjoyed a long and celebrated career in front of the camera and on stage, but the actor only got to direct a single film. It just so happens that "The Night of the Hunter" is a pretty special movie. Seeking riches and maybe a murder or two, Reverend Harry Powell is a monster who sets his sights on a widow, her two kids, and some money they are meant to be hiding. Beautifully and creatively shot, "The Night of the Hunter" defies classification; a dark fairy tale that has moments of pure terror and genuine hilarity.

Quentin Tarantino

With his first two feature films, Quentin Tarantino shaped the trajectory of cinema for the foreseeable future, inspiring many other filmmakers to emulate his style. Although slightly overshadowed by "Pulp Fiction," "Reservoir Dogs" is nevertheless a milestone release in film history and, in hindsight, demonstrates that Tarantino's style was fully formed right from the get-go. Unapologetic bursts of gruesome violence effortlessly exist alongside disconcerting flashes of realism and long stretches of rich dialogue laced with pitch-black humor. Engrossing conversations about irrelevant topics, references to movies, and a kickass soundtrack, "Reservoir Dogs" sets up all the elements of a quintessential Tarantino flick.

David Lynch

A nightmare brought to life on screen, David Lynch's "Eraserhead" will make you question your sanity. A surreal odyssey born out of the director's personal fear about being a father, "Eraserhead" presents unfiltered anxiety in every one of its soul-crushing, hair-rising, and distressing scenes. While the film does have something resembling a story, with characters and everything, "Eraserhead" is very much a mood piece, one that seems to have no interest in being conventionally entertaining. From the lightning to the sound design, everything in "Eraserhead" comes together to craft an unexplainable experience.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“The Watermelon Woman” (1996), Cheryl Dunye
Because It’s Culturally Significant & Also Just Really Clever


“Night of the Living Dead” (1968), George A. Romero
Because It Shaped Zombie Films for Practically Ever


“Red Road” (2006), Andrea Arnold
Because a Thriller This Raw Is a Rare Thing

“Chocolat” (1988), Claire Denis
Because This Film Is an Incredibly Intelligent Exploration of Racism

“Bottle Rocket” (1996), Wes Anderson
Because This Delightfully Quirky Film Launched an Amazing Career

Orson Welles

Frequently cited to be one of the best movies ever made, "Citizen Kane's" legacy is beyond question. A well-established director in theatre, Welles was hardly an unknown property when he directed his first feature production, but "Citizen Kane" pushed the film industry forward in multiple areas. Along with an experimental non-linear structure and an innovative score, "Citizen Kane's" cinematography was also groundbreaking and showcased many techniques, like deep focus, that would become stables of cinema. Each frame of "Citizen Kane" has been studied and dissected to death, and each discussion is warranted.