15 Great Movies That Feature the Director Starring in His Own Film

It’s not uncommon for an actor to direct a film, and these films often produce deeply personal results. Actors have served as directors since the silent film era. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were two of the biggest movie stars of the time and they both directed each other on several occasions. Although the Hollywood landscape has changed drastically since then, this practice persists to this day.

These days, it’s not uncommon for an actor to get behind the camera later in their career. People like Ben Affleck, Denzel Washington, and Bradley Cooper transitioned into directing after starting out as actors and often starred in their own films. Playing dual roles in a film eliminates the problem of the actor’s vision not being aligned with the director’s, so it’s no surprise that there have been so many brilliant films with the same person behind and in front of the camera.

15

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh Hercule Poirot the movies have been a mixed bag so far, but A haunting in Venice It’s a charming mystery. Branagh stars as the famous Belgian detective and is once again surrounded by an excellent cast. Tina Fey plays her old friend and potential suspect, and Michelle Yeoh, fresh from her Oscar win, captivates as a mystic. A haunting in Venice is infused with retro charm, just like Branagh’s previous two films, but has the added element of supernatural danger. Branagh has a chance to show he could be a competent horror director if he had the will.

14

Woman of the Hour (2023)

Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick’s most popular films include comedies and musicals, such as Pitch perfect series. This makes his directorial debut a bit surprising, but Woman of the Hour has been receiving impressive reviews since it was released on Netflix in October. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2023. Woman of the Hour is based on the true story of Rodney Alcola, a serial killer who appeared in The dating game in 1978. Unlike most other serial killer films, Kendrick tells the story from the position of a potential victim. This gives Woman of the Hour an edgy atmosphere and Kendrick delivers a compelling performance.

13

Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Clint Eastwood

With the launch of Juror #2, Clint Eastwood is still making films at 94 years old. With dozens of directorial features to add to his decades-long career as a movie star, few people in Hollywood have been as successful in both disciplines. Eastwood combines a legendary acting career with a legendary directing career. Million Dollar Baby is one of the best examples of what he can do in both areas. The boxing film won Best Picture and earned Eastwood a Best Director award, as well as a Best Actor nomination. 20 years later, there is still no other sports movie like this.

12

Tropical Thunder (2008)

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller directed 1994 Reality Bites before scoring some of his biggest hits. At the time he did Tropical Thunderhe had a few more directorial efforts, as well as a long list of popular comedies, including Zoolander and Dodgeball. Tropical Thunder remains one of his funniest filmsbringing together an exceptional cast to satirize the Hollywood machine. join Stiller as foul-mouthed studio executive Les Grossman.

11

Citizen Kane (1941)

Orson Welles

Orson Welles was just 25 years old when he made Citizen Kane, but he was no newbie. He had already distinguished himself in theater and radio and adopted cinema with ease. Decades later, Citizen Kane It is still considered one of the best films of all time. Welles’s roman à clef is a precise character study that somehow feels universal. It’s remarkable that such a mature and complex work came from a first-time director.and Citizen Kane influenced more mature filmmakers for years. One aspect of the film that often goes unnoticed is how dark and funny it can be, as when Kane stands up to applaud his wife at the opera, knowing he has staked his entire reputation on her poor talents.

10

Police Story 2 (1988)

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan directed many of his own films in Hong Kong, cultivating a style that complemented his notable martial arts skills with physical comedy inspired by silent film era stars such as Buster Keaton. He co-directed the first Police story with Chi-Hwa Chen, but he took on the sequel himself. Police story 2 offers the same thrilling action as the original. The story follows a disgraced detective trying to get back to the top. Ultimately, the plot is not the most important thing. The film’s central appeal comes from watching Chan and his stunt team repeatedly accomplish the impossible.

9

A Quiet Place (2018)

John Krasinski

Before A peaceful place, John Krasinski was most famous as Jim de The office. Creating a surprisingly original horror film was exactly what he needed to separate himself from the comedy, and A peaceful place it soon spawned an entire franchise. A peaceful place It wasn’t Krasinski’s first feature film as director, but it was his first major success. It pays homage to the history of the horror genre, but many of the most memorable moments from A peaceful place They are all his own creation. Krasinski stars alongside his wife Emily Bluntand their real-life relationship makes the film’s parable about parental anxiety all the more urgent.

8

Annie Hall (1977)

Woody Allen

For obvious reasons, Woody Allen’s films aren’t as popular as they once were, but there’s no denying the quality of some of his big hits. Anne Hall remains his true masterpiece, and its frank introspection and charming dialogue have continued to shape romantic comedies for decades. Allen is a much better director and writer than he is an actorbut Anne Hall doesn’t ask much of him. He and Diane Keaton make a wonderful pair. Even amid Allen’s cynical view of modern life, their chemistry makes their relationship feel genuine and touching. Anne Hall ends on a bittersweet note that captures Allen’s wistful exploration of the human condition.

7

Space Balls (1987)

Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks used to give the best characters in his comedies to other actorsbut he was always available to take on a hilarious supporting role. In The Producers, Young Frankenstein and Flaming Saddles, he only has smaller roles, but he gave himself more to do in Space balls. He stars as President Skroob, a comically inept stand-in for Star Wars’ Emperor, and Yaddle, a constantly demanding Yoda. Brooks is as funny as ever, but Rick Moranis really steals the show as Lord Dark Helmet. The next Space balls the sequel faces the task of recapturing the magic without Brooks or Moranis.

6

What you do! (1996)

Tom Hanks

Few actors enjoyed a hot streak like Tom Hanks in the 1990s, with hits like Saving Private Ryan, Toy Story and Apollo 13 showing off his impressive range. What you do came right in the middle of this purple patch, and this goes back to his first comedies like Big and A league of its own. What you do is a musical comedy set in the 1960s that follows a band trying to make it big. Hanks plays the band’s manager, and the constant friction between art and commerce provides a rich vein of comedy to the film. What you do is a joy to watch, thanks to some charming performances, period romance, and a catchy soundtrack.

5

Fences (2016)

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has directed four films, three of which he himself starred in. Fences is the best of the bunch and received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor in Washington. He stars alongside Viola Davis as a man struggling to raise his family in 1950s Pittsburgh. Fences is an adaptation of a play by August Wilson, and Washington and Davis received Tony nominations for their performances in the 2010 Broadway revival. The power of the writing combined with their performances makes Fences One of Denzel Washington’s best films.

4

Master (2023)

Bradley Cooper

Before Bradley Cooper signed on as director, both Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg were interested in Conductor. Cooper had some big shoes to fill at the time, but ConductorHis seven Oscar nominations prove he rose to the occasion. Cooper stars as composer Leonard Bernstein and forms a charming relationship with Carey Mulligan. Of course, Cooper has received critical acclaim before for directing A star is bornbut Conductor feels like a leap forward in both his ambition and his execution as a filmmaker. Like Bernstein himself, Cooper exudes joy in the way he plays with the limits and conventions of the medium.

3

Matilde (1996)

Danny De Vito

Matilde remains one of the best Roald Dahl adaptations, alongside names like Wes Anderson Fantastic Mr. Fox and the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Danny DeVito hasn’t directed many films, especially during the 21st century, but Matilde shows that he’s not afraid to give in to his stylistic impulses. Matilde captures the darkness and magic of Dahl’s book. While some film adaptations water things down, DeVito seems to agree with Dahl’s idea that there’s no need to talk down to children. DeVito plays Matilda’s father and also narrates the film.

2

Pollock (2000)

Ed Harris

Ed Harris received four Oscar nominations. His only nomination for a leading role came in pollock, one of only two films he has directed so far. Pollock stars Harris as Jackson Pollock, the American revolutionary artist who was an integral part of the abstract expressionist movement. Harris gives a fascinating performance as a painter, showing the connection between his life and his art. The scenes in Pollock’s painting are beautifully shot and performed. Knowing that Harris himself is the director, it’s hard to ignore the notion that he’s drawing parallels between Pollock’s creative process and his own.

1

The City (2010)

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck has directed several films, including Argo and Air. The city It marked the first time that Affleck took on both roles. Although it may have been overshadowed by the Oscar-nominated film Argo two years later, The city still deserves a lot of love. The Boston-based crime thriller delivers constant excitement, from the excellent opening heist sequence to the bittersweet ending. Affleck stars as an experienced bank robber who begins to slip when he develops feelings for a victim of one of his previous robberies.