Daily · 17 August 2023

Top 100 Movie Directors

Ranked from 100 down to 1. Generated by /lad, illustrated by /iad.

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Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg\'s classic science fiction film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" tells the story of a young boy, Elliott, who befriends an alien stranded on Earth. Together, they embark on a magical adventure full

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese\'s "The Departed" is a crime drama film about two men on opposite sides of the law. One is an undercover cop infiltrating a powerful Irish mob, while the other is a mole planted within the police department. As the two

Alfred Hitchcock

Alfred Hitchcock\'s "The Birds" is a classic horror film from 1963. It tells the story of a small town that is terrorized by an unexplained flock of birds. The birds attack the townspeople in increasingly violent and inexplicable ways, leading to a

Stanley Kubrick

This documentary chronicles the life and career of legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. Through interviews with family, friends, and colleagues, as well as rare archival footage, the film explores Kubrick\'s life from his early days in New York to his groundbreaking films such as "2001

Quentin Tarantino

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is the ninth feature film from acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino. Set in Los Angeles in 1969, the film follows the story of fading television star Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth as they attempt to make a name

Orson Welles' Citizen Kane is a classic 1941 American drama film that tells the story of Charles Foster Kane, a powerful newspaper tycoon whose life is explored after his death. The film follows Kane's rise to fame and his eventual downfall, and is widely considered to be

Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola\'s "The Godfather" is a classic crime drama set in the 1940s and 1950s. It follows the Corleone family, a powerful Italian-American mafia family in New York City, as they struggle to maintain their

Akira Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' is a classic 1950 Japanese film that tells the story of a murder from four different perspectives. Through a series of flashbacks, the film examines the nature of truth and justice, as well as the human capacity for

Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan\'s "The Dark Knight" is a 2008 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman. The film follows Bruce Wayne, the alter ego of Batman, as he battles against the Joker, a criminal mastermind, in an effort to save the city of

Blade Runner is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. Set in a dystopian future, the film follows the story of a blade runner, a special police officer tasked with hunting down and retiring rogue replicants, artificially created humans. The film stars Harrison Ford, Rut

David Fincher's The Social Network is a 2010 American biographical drama film about the founding of the social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits. Directed by Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, the film stars Jesse Eisenberg as founder Mark Zuckerberg

James Cameron's Avatar is an epic science fiction adventure film released in 2009. It follows the story of Jake Sully, a paraplegic Marine who is sent to the distant world of Pandora, where he is given a mission to help the Na'vi people save their home from

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings is an epic fantasy adventure film trilogy based on the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. The trilogy follows the quest of a fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans to save the world from the

This biography of Clint Eastwood chronicles the life and career of one of Hollywood's most iconic actors. From his early days as a TV star in the 1950s to his later success as an Academy Award-winning director and producer, this book examines Eastwood's life

Annie Hall is a 1977 romantic comedy directed by Woody Allen. The film follows the story of Alvy Singer, a neurotic stand-up comedian, and Annie Hall, a struggling nightclub singer. As their relationship develops, the two must confront their own in

A Serious Man is a 2009 black comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by the Coen brothers. The film follows Larry Gopnik, a Jewish professor living in 1967 Minnesota, as he struggles to make sense of the chaos in his life.

The Grand Budapest Hotel is a 2014 comedy-drama film written and directed by Wes Anderson. Set in the 1930s, the film follows the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel, and Zero Moustafa, the

David Lynch\'s "Mulholland Drive" is a surreal neo-noir mystery film that follows the story of an aspiring actress, Betty Elms, as she navigates the strange and dangerous world of Hollywood. The film follows Betty

Ingmar Bergman\'s "The Seventh Seal" is a classic Swedish film from 1957 that follows a knight who returns home from the Crusades to find his homeland ravaged by the Black Death. He challenges Death to a chess game for his life, and the film

Federico Fellini

Federico Fellini\'s "8 1/2" is a classic Italian comedy-drama film that follows the story of Guido Anselmi, a film director who is struggling to find inspiration for his next movie. The film follows Guido

Sergio Leone's Epic Western Masterpiece is a timeless classic that tells the story of a man's journey from the lawless frontier of the Wild West to a place of redemption. Set in the late 1800s, this film follows the story of a former outlaw

Jean-Luc Godard

Jean-Luc Godard's Breathless is a classic French New Wave film that follows the story of a young criminal and his girlfriend as they attempt to escape the law. The film is a landmark in cinematic history, as it was the first of its kind to feature jump cuts

Billy Wilder's Classic Comedy is a timeless classic that follows the misadventures of a group of misfits trying to make it in the big city. With a stellar cast, including Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe, this hilarious film follows their struggles as

John Ford's The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a classic western film starring John Wayne and James Stewart. Set in the Wild West, the movie follows the story of a small-town lawyer, Ransom Stoddard (Stewart), who

Andrei Tarkovsky

Andrei Tarkovsky\'s "The Sacrifice" is a powerful and thought-provoking drama about a man\'s search for spiritual redemption. Set in a small Swedish village, the film follows Alexander, an aging intellectual, who makes a desperate plea to God to save

Steven Soderbergh

Steven Soderbergh's 'The Girlfriend Experience' is a 2009 drama film starring Sasha Grey as a high-end escort who offers more than just sex to her clients. The film follows her as she navigates the complexities of her profession, her

Terrence Malick

Terrence Malick's 'The Tree of Life' is a poetic and philosophical exploration of life, death, and the meaning of existence. The film follows the story of a family in 1950s Texas, and the struggles they face as they come to terms

Roman Polanski\'s "Rosemary\'s Baby" is a classic horror film from 1968. It tells the story of Rosemary Woodhouse, a young woman who moves into an old apartment building with her husband, only to find out that her neighbors are part

Robert Altman\'s "The Player" is a satirical black comedy film released in 1992. It follows Griffin Mill, a Hollywood studio executive who is receiving death threats from a screenwriter whose script he rejected. As Griffin attempts to track down the writer, he finds himself

Michael Mann's The Last of the Mohicans is a classic 1992 American epic historical drama set in 1757 during the French and Indian War. It follows the story of Hawkeye, a white man raised by the Mohican tribe, and his two adopted Moh

Darren Aronofsky

Darren Aronofsky\'s "The Fountain" is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful sci-fi drama that follows a man\'s epic journey through time and space in search of the meaning of life. Spanning centuries, the film follows the story of a man

This 1993 stop-motion animated musical fantasy film tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of "Halloween Town" who discovers Christmas Town and decides to bring its joy to his home. With the help of his rag-tag group of friends, Jack

Lawrence of Arabia is a 1962 British epic adventure drama film based on the life of T. E. Lawrence. Directed by David Lean, the film stars Peter O'Toole in the title role. It tells the story of Lawrence's experiences in

Brian De Palma\'s "Scarface" is a classic crime drama set in 1980s Miami. It follows the story of Cuban refugee Tony Montana, who rises to the top of the criminal underworld through his ambition and ruthlessness. The film is filled with intense action

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Alejandro González Iñárritu\'s "The Revenant" is a gripping adventure drama set in the untamed American wilderness of the early 19th century. It follows the story of Hugh Glass, a fur trapper and frontiersman

Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water' is a romantic fantasy drama set in 1962 Baltimore. It follows the story of Elisa, a mute janitor who works at a hidden, high-security government laboratory. When she discovers a mysterious

American Beauty is a 1999 drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. Starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, and Chris Cooper, the film follows the life of a middle

Paul Thomas Anderson

Paul Thomas Anderson\'s "Magnolia" is a dramatic ensemble film that follows the intertwining lives of nine characters in the San Fernando Valley. The film follows the characters as they struggle with their own personal issues, including broken relationships, loneliness, and regret. Through a

Spirited Away is an Academy Award-winning animated film from acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows the story of Chihiro, a young girl who finds herself in a strange and magical world after her family takes a wrong turn on their way

This biography of George Lucas is a comprehensive look at the life and career of the legendary filmmaker. From his early days as a student at the University of Southern California to his rise to fame with the Star Wars franchise, this book explores Lucas's life in detail. It examines

Fritz Lang's Metropolis is a classic science fiction film from 1927 that tells the story of a futuristic city divided between the wealthy elite and the working class. Set in a dystopian future, the film follows the struggles of the workers to overthrow the oppressive ruling class. With

Danny Boyle\'s "Yesterday" is a romantic comedy-drama film about a struggling musician who, after a mysterious global blackout, finds himself the only person on Earth who remembers the music of The Beatles. With the help of his best friend, he embarks on a

Oliver Stone's Wall is a documentary film that explores the life and legacy of the controversial filmmaker and political activist Oliver Stone. Through interviews with Stone himself and those close to him, the film examines his career, his views on politics, and his impact on the world. It

Pedro Almodóvar

Pedro Almodóvar\'s "Volver" is a 2006 Spanish-language drama film about a mother and her daughters who must confront the dark secrets of their past in order to move forward. Starring Penélope Cruz, Carmen Maura, L

Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee. The film follows a day in the life of a Brooklyn neighborhood and its residents, who must confront their racial tensions and simmering anger as the

In the Mood for Love is a 2000 Hong Kong romantic drama film written, produced, and directed by Wong Kar-wai. The film tells the story of two neighbors, Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, who move into neighboring apartments

Lars von Trier\'s "The Element of Crime" is a dark and brooding psychological thriller set in a dystopian future. The story follows a detective, Michael, as he investigates a series of gruesome murders. As he delves deeper into the case

Richard Linklater

This retrospective examines the career of acclaimed filmmaker Richard Linklater, from his early independent films to his more recent blockbuster successes. Through interviews with Linklater and his collaborators, as well as clips from his films, this retrospective will explore the themes, techniques, and influences that have

Ang Lee's 'Sense and Sensibility' is a classic romantic drama based on the beloved novel by Jane Austen. Set in the late 18th century, the film follows the lives of two sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, as

John Huston's The African Queen is a classic 1951 adventure film starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. Set during World War I in German East Africa, the film follows Charlie Allnut (Bogart), the grizzled captain of a dilapidated

Robert Zemeckis

Back to the Future is a classic 1985 science fiction adventure film directed by Robert Zemeckis. The movie follows the story of Marty McFly, a teenager who is accidentally sent back in time to 1955. While there, he meets his parents as teenagers and must

Braveheart is a 1995 epic historical drama film directed by and starring Mel Gibson. It tells the story of William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish warrior who led the Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against King Edward I of England. The film features a

Joel Schumacher

Joel Schumacher\'s "The Lost Boys" is a classic 1980s horror-comedy film about two brothers who move to a small California town and discover that it is overrun by vampires. Starring Corey Feldman, Jason Patric, Kiefer

Kathryn Bigelow

Kathryn Bigelow\'s "The Hurt Locker" is an intense and gripping war drama that follows an elite U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team as they battle insurgents in Iraq. The team is led by Staff Sergeant William James

Finding Forrester is a 2000 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Mike Rich. The film stars Sean Connery, Rob Brown, Anna Paquin, F. Murray Abraham, and Busta Rhymes. It tells the story of

This book is a comprehensive biography of the legendary film director Howard Hawks. It chronicles his life and career, from his early days in the silent film era to his later successes in the Golden Age of Hollywood. It examines his many classic films, including Scarface,

Sidney Lumet\'s "Network" is a 1976 satirical drama film that follows the story of a fictional television network, UBS, and its struggle to stay afloat in the face of declining ratings. The film stars Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, and William

Jean Renoir's Grand Illusion is a classic 1937 French film directed by Jean Renoir. Set during World War I, the film follows two French soldiers, Maréchal and Rosenthal, as they attempt to escape a German POW camp. The film is widely considered to be one

Tokyo Story is a 1953 Japanese drama film directed by Yasujirō Ozu. It tells the story of an aging couple who travel to Tokyo to visit their grown children. The film contrasts the behavior of their children, who are too busy to pay them much attention

Luc Besson\'s "The Fifth Element" is a sci-fi action-adventure film set in the 23rd century. It follows the story of Korben Dallas, a former special forces major, who is hired to protect the mysterious "Fifth Element

Sam Peckinpah's Wild West is a classic western film directed by the legendary Sam Peckinpah. It follows the journey of a group of outlaws as they travel through the untamed American West in search of a better life. Along the way, they

John Carpenter's The Thing is a 1982 horror film directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell. The film follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter a parasitic alien life form that assimilates and then imitates other organisms. As the researchers struggle to survive and escape the

David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg\'s "The Fly" is a classic sci-fi horror film about a scientist whose experiment goes horribly wrong. After a botched teleportation experiment, Seth Brundle, played by Jeff Goldblum, finds himself slowly transforming into a grotesque human-fly

Time Bandits is a 1981 British fantasy comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Sean Connery, John Cleese, Shelley Duvall, and Ralph Richardson. The film follows a young boy who joins a group of dwarves as they travel through time and space,

Abbas Kiarostami

Abbas Kiarostami\'s "A Taste of Cherry" is a 1997 Iranian film that follows the story of a man who is searching for someone to help him commit suicide. The film follows the man as he drives around the outskirts of Tehran, searching

Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon is a 2009 German-language drama film set in a rural German village just before World War I. The film follows the story of the villagers and their children, and examines the oppressive social mores of the time. It explores themes

Satyajit Ray\'s "The Apu Trilogy" is a series of three classic Indian films directed by the legendary filmmaker. The trilogy follows the life of Apu, a young boy from a rural village in Bengal, as he grows into adulthood.

Ken Loach\'s 1969 drama "Kes" tells the story of Billy, a young working-class boy in northern England who finds solace in the training of a wild kestrel. As he forms a bond with the bird, he begins to find his

Mike Leigh's Naked is a 1993 British drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh. It tells the story of a young man, Johnny, who is struggling to survive on the streets of Manchester after leaving home. The film follows Johnny as he interacts with a variety of people, including

Aguirre, the Wrath of God is a 1972 German-Peruvian epic historical drama film written and directed by Werner Herzog. Set in the 16th century, the film follows the story of Spanish conquistador L

Bernardo Bertolucci

Bernardo Bertolucci\'s "The Conformist" is a 1970 Italian drama film that follows the story of Marcello Clerici, a weak-willed Italian man who is easily manipulated into joining the Fascist secret police in order to

Krzysztof Kieślowski

Krzysztof Kieślowski\'s "Three Colors Trilogy" is a critically acclaimed series of films that explore the themes of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The trilogy consists of three feature films, each representing

François Truffaut

The 400 Blows is a 1959 French New Wave film directed by François Truffaut. It follows the story of Antoine Doinel, a young boy growing up in Paris in the 1950s, as he struggles with his parents, school, and the

Bong Joon-ho's Parasite is a dark comedy-drama that follows the lives of two families from different social classes. The wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim family become intertwined when the Kims begin to work for the Parks. As the two

Park Chan-wook's Vengeance is a critically acclaimed South Korean film that follows the story of a man seeking revenge after his wife and daughter are brutally murdered. The film is a dark and intense exploration of the lengths one will go to for justice, and the consequences of such actions

Takeshi Kitano's 'Hana-bi' is a 1997 Japanese crime drama film that follows the story of Nishi, a former detective who is struggling to cope with the death of his wife and the crippling injury of his partner. After being

Hero is a 2002 Chinese wuxia film directed by acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou. The film tells the story of an unnamed protagonist, played by Jet Li, who is a nameless warrior in ancient China. He is given the task of assassinating three powerful warlords in

Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Delicatessen is a 1991 French dark comedy film directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the film follows the story of a struggling former clown who takes a job as a handyman in a former butcher shop that

Michel Gondry's 'The Science of Sleep' is a surreal romantic comedy-drama that follows the story of a man named Stephane, who struggles to reconcile his dreams with reality. Stephane is a creative and imaginative man who works in

Lost in Translation is a 2003 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Sofia Coppola. The film stars Bill Murray as aging actor Bob Harris, who befriends college graduate Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) in a Tokyo hotel. The two develop

J.J. Abrams\' "Mystery Box" is a concept that encourages creative exploration and encourages viewers to think outside the box. It is based on the idea that the unknown can be a powerful tool for storytelling. By using the mystery box,

Joss Whedon's 'Firefly' is a science fiction television series that follows the adventures of the crew of a transport ship called Serenity in the year 2517. Set in a future where the Alliance has taken over the universe, the series follows the crew

Edgar Wright's Baby Driver is an action-packed crime thriller that follows a young getaway driver, Baby, as he navigates a world of criminal activity. With a killer soundtrack and a star-studded cast, Baby Driver is a thrilling ride that will

What We Do In The Shadows is a 2014 mockumentary horror comedy film written, directed, and co-produced by Taika Waititi. The film follows a group of vampires who live together in a flat in Wellington, New Zealand. The

Denis Villeneuve

Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune' is an epic science fiction adventure set in the far future. Based on the classic novel by Frank Herbert, the film follows the story of Paul Atreides, a young nobleman who is given stewardship of the

Jordan Peele's Get Out is a horror-thriller film that follows the story of Chris, a young African-American man who visits his white girlfriend's family estate. As the weekend progresses, Chris uncovers a dark secret that the family is hiding and must

Greta Gerwig\'s Lady Bird is a heartfelt coming of age story about a young woman\'s journey through her senior year of high school. Set in 2002 Sacramento, California, the film follows Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson as

When They See Us is a powerful drama from acclaimed director Ava DuVernay. The four-part limited series chronicles the true story of the Central Park Five, five teenagers of color who were wrongfully convicted of a brutal crime in 1989.

Patty Jenkins is an acclaimed director who has made a name for herself in Hollywood. She is best known for directing the 2017 blockbuster hit Wonder Woman, as well as the 2003 film Monster. This documentary takes a look at

Barry Jenkins' Moonlight is a critically acclaimed drama that follows the life of Chiron, a young African-American man growing up in Miami. Through three distinct chapters of his life, Chiron struggles to find his place in the world as he deals with poverty, bullying, and

Damien Chazelle

La La Land is a romantic musical comedy-drama written and directed by Damien Chazelle. Set in modern-day Los Angeles, the film follows the story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz musician, as they struggle to make their dreams

Rian Johnson's Knives Out is a thrilling murder mystery film that follows a renowned detective as he investigates the suspicious death of a wealthy patriarch. With an all-star cast including Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Toni Collette, this

Alfonso Cuarón

Alfonso Cuarón\'s "Roma" is a critically acclaimed drama set in 1970s Mexico City. The film follows the life of a young domestic worker, Cleo, as she navigates the complexities of her life and the lives of those around her

Yorgos Lanthimos

The Favourite is a 2018 black comedy-drama film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Set in the early 18th century, the film follows the political machinations of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, and her cousin Abig

Midsommar, the latest psychological horror film from acclaimed director Ari Aster, is a gripping and disturbing exploration of a young couple's relationship as they travel to a remote Swedish village for a mysterious midsummer festival. With a stunningly eerie

Robert Eggers' The Witch is a horror film set in 1630 New England. It follows a family of Puritans who are exiled from their colonial plantation and forced to live in the wilderness. As they struggle to survive, they are haunted by a malevolent witch living in

Luca Guadagnino

Luca Guadagnino's Call Me By Your Name is a romantic drama set in 1983 Italy. The story follows Elio Perlman, a 17-year-old who falls in love with his father's American assistant, Oliver. As their relationship bloss

Paul Greengrass

Paul Greengrass's Directorial Debut is a captivating drama that follows the story of a young filmmaker's journey to make his first feature film. The film follows Paul as he navigates the world of independent filmmaking, from finding the right cast and crew to dealing

Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. The film, based on DC Comics characters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and provides a possible origin story for the character. Set in 1981, the story

Guy Ritchie is an English filmmaker known for his stylish crime films, such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and the Sherlock Holmes series. He is also known for his marriage to Madonna and his directing of the 2019 live-action remake of Disney's Aladdin

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