With Gladiator II now in theaters, Ridley Scott’s career is back in the spotlight, with fans excited to see whether the sequel will live up to the high standards set by its predecessor. Scott is a director who has shaped genres, with his groundbreaking work having an undeniable level of influence on cinema as a whole. Known for his genre-defining works that told some of the greatest stories on the big screen, Scott has given audiences some of the most iconic films in movie history.
From the sci-fi masterpiece Alien to the legendary cyberpunk classic, Blade Runner, Scott creates engrossing character studies told against incredible settings. With films that span a variety of genres, there’s something for every fan among Ridley Scott’s very best works from his remarkable career. With all the buzz surrounding his latest movie, it’s the perfect time to look back at his greatest films.
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10. All the Money in the World (2017)
Based on the real-life 1973 kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III, All the Money in the World depicts the intense negotiation for his safe return that’s complicated by dysfunctional family dynamics. As the boy’s mother, Gail Harris (Michelle Williams), desperately tries to secure his safety, his grandfather and oil tycoon J. Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer) refuses to part with even a fraction of his fortune to pay the ransom. Ex-CIA operative Fletcher Chase (Mark Wahlberg) is eventually brought in to manage the negotiation, which just keeps getting worse.
Despite its notoriously troubled production, which saw Kevin Spacey being replaced last minute due to sexual misconduct allegations, the 2017 film is one of Scott’s must-see works. Plummer is impeccably cast as the wealthiest man in the world, whose stubbornness and greed allow viewers to glimpse a family with a unique view of a terrible situation. Despite some pacing issues and underexplored arcs, All the Money in the World is still a taut crime thriller with a riveting true story worth checking out.
9. American Gangster (2007)
Denzel Washington stars as real-life Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas in 2007’s American Gangster. Set in 1970s New York, the essential gangster film chronicles the growth of Lucas’ drug empire as he begins importing heroin directly from Southeast Asia. Showing the other side of the coin, the movie also follows the determined detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe), whose quest to do the right thing inevitably turns him and Lucas into mortal enemies.
Scott creates a convincing setting of the criminal world in the ’70s while contrasting the kingpin’s lavish lifestyle with the chaos in the streets full of his customers now living with drug addiction. The director captures the excess and disarray of the period with a startling authenticity. There’s also an undeniable chemistry between Washington and Crowe, whose feud feels so real despite the two actors never actually sharing the screen until American Gangster‘s climactic final moments.
8. Black Hawn Down (2001)
Black Hawk Down is a gripping war movie based on the true story of the titular helicopters that were downed during the Battle of Mogadishu. Based on journalist Mark Bowden’s detailed nonfiction book, the film follows a group of U.S. Army Rangers and Delta Force operatives on a mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid’s top lieutenants. The operation is soon plunged into chaos when two Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, leaving soldiers stranded in hostile territory and fighting for survival.
The 2001 film is a technical achievement, with Scott’s direction fully immersing viewers in the terrifying situation. Black Hawk Down achieves realism through handheld camera work and a stark color palette that makes viewers feel close to the action. Its ensemble cast also ensures that each soldier leaves a lasting impression. These good qualities are often overshadowed by the movie’s uneven storytelling and problematic depiction of Somali characters, which are the main criticisms from fans and critics alike.
7. The Duellists (1977)
It may not be among the best dramas ever, but The Duellists earns its spot alongside the greats and is notable for being Scott’s feature directorial debut. Set in Napoleonic-era France, the period drama is centered on two French officers, Armand d’Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Feraud (Harvey Keitel), whose nearly 20-year feud starts out as a trivial misunderstanding. Driven by their differences, the duo becomes locked into a series of escalating duels spanning several years of their lives.
Scott made an unforgettable splash with his first feature film, which received the Best Debut Film award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival and was also nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or. The director immediately set himself apart as having an eye for visual storytelling, with the film’s misty landscapes and meticulously detailed period costumes making it feel like a series of living paintings. The Duellists was also praised for its accurate depiction of dueling on the big screen, which was and is a rarity in the genre.
6. The Last Duel (2021)
Set in medieval France, The Last Duel is based on the true story of the last judicial duel in the country and is an adaptation of Eric Jager’s novel. It revolves around the conflict between the knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and the squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). The clash starts when Marguerite de Carrouges (Jodie Comer), Jean’s wife, accuses Jacques of assault, a claim that forces the knight to challenge his former friend to trial by combat.
Structured in a Rashomon-like narrative, The Last Duel unfolds through three distinct perspectives, which shows audiences the events leading up to the fateful titular fight. Damon, Driver, and Comer are right at home in Scott’s immersive medieval world, with the filmmaker once again showing his talent for crafting convincing period pieces. Despite positive reviews, the 2021 film was a box office flop, but is still considered one of Scott’s best movies to date.
5. The Martian (2015)
Based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, The Martian is an essential sci-fi movie that any fan of the genre should see. It follows an astronaut, Mark Watney (Matt Damon), who is left stranded on Mars when his crew, believing him dead during a violent storm, is forced to abort their mission. Left to fend for himself on a barren planet, Watney must “science the hell out of this” to survive, and uses his skills and botany expertise to grow food and generate water. His most important task is to communicate with NASA and find a way to let them know that he’s still up there and alive.
The Martian is considered one of the most scientifically accurate movies out there, thanks to its detailed source material and NASA’s involvement in the film’s production. Scott combines this incredible level of accuracy with a huge entertainment factor, with Damon’s performance as the bold and charming Watney helping to make growing potatoes a nail-biting plotline. The 2015 film is a crowd-pleasing ode to science and a thrilling adventure that keeps audiences both laughing and on the edge of their seats.
4. Thelma & Louise (1991)
Thelma & Louise is an iconic road movie that portrays the evolving bond between Thelma (Geena Davis), a housewife stifled by her controlling husband, and Louise (Susan Sarandon), a fiercely independent waitress. One weekend changes their lives as they go on the run after Louise kills a man attempting to assault Thelma, which leads to an uncertain journey to nowhere. As they travel through the American Southwest, their friendship is tested by various characters and experiences that force them to confront their new reality.
The 1991 film soars thanks to Davis and Sarandon’s powerhouse performances, which capture the importance of the female friendship at the movie’s core. Thelma & Louise is a timeless celebration of friendship, autonomy, and femininity, with the film often cited alongside other great movies with relevant social commentary that is delivered effortlessly. Its supporting cast also helped bolster the duo’s story, particularly Brad Pitt’s breakout role as the seductive drifter J.D.
3. Gladiator (2000)
A historical epic starring Russell Crowe, Gladiator is one of Scott’s most well-known triumphs. Set in ancient Rome, the film is an epic tale of vengeance and redemption that sees revered general Maximus Decimus Meridius (Crowe) betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the power-hungry son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Stripped of his rank and forced into slavery, Maximus rises as a gladiator, fighting in the Colosseum while plotting to avenge the killing of his family and face the traitorous Commodus once more.
Crowe’s towering performance as Maximus earned him an Academy Award, and for good reason. His character has become legendary, alongside lines like “Are you not entertained?,” which have taken on a life of their own online. As is expected from the director, the ancient setting is brought to life in stunning detail, with elaborate set pieces and spectacular battles transporting viewers to the violent empire. Although some reviews indicate that Gladiator II isn’t a worthy sequel, the fact that it exists speaks to the lasting legacy of its widely beloved predecessor.
2. Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner is a sci-fi masterpiece that needs no introduction. Based on Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the film is set in a dystopian Los Angeles in 2019, where bioengineered humanoids known as replicants are hunted by special operatives called blade runners. Here, the disillusioned blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is tasked with “retiring” four rogue replicants led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), who turns out to be a much more complex enemy than he seems.
Whether it’s the Colosseum of Rome or the rain-soaked streets of a dystopian Los Angeles, Scott proves his versatility and remarkable talent for crafting rich worlds. Scott’s vision of a cyberpunk future is breathtaking, with Blade Runner‘s setting being a pioneering cityscape teeming with life that helped cement the film as one of the most influential sci-fi movies ever. Add to that a surprisingly poignant story of what it means to be human, and it’s no surprise that Blade Runner has since achieved cult status, despite being initially met with mixed reviews and box office disappointment.
1. Alien (1979)
Sigourney Weaver stars in her breakout role as Ripley in Scott’s crowning achievement, 1979’s Alien. The sci-fi horror film follows the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo, who unwittingly bring aboard a deadly alien life form after investigating a mysterious distress signal on a desolate planet. What begins as a routine mission then becomes a fight for survival as the creature — terrifyingly adaptable and almost indestructible — stalks them through the ship’s corridors and hunts them down one by one.
Scott showcases his talent for creating nerve-racking tension through clever restraint. His iconic alien has very limited screen time, but still manages to terrify audiences who expect it to be lurking around every corner. The Nostromo’s dimly lit industrial design turn it into a claustrophobic nightmare, and fantastic performances from the cast make those horrors feel real. Alien has since spawned a franchise that mostly hasn’t captured the same intensity of the original, which remains a benchmark for both science fiction and horror, as well as an unforgettable reminder that in space, no one can hear you scream.
