Ridley Scott's 10 Most Rewatchable Films

Ridley Scott's career dates back to the 1970s, and he has directed many blockbusters over the years that have a lot of rewatch value. Ridley Scott's best films span a wide range of genres. He began his career with science fiction classics Foreigner and Blade runnerbut he later gained a reputation for historical epics such as Gladiator, and he has also directed crime thrillers, comedies, and a few fantasy films.

Ridley Scott has a track record of box office success, proving that his films are often extremely popular. Naturally, this means they're often worth watching again and again. Whether he's directing a sci-fi film, a historical epic, or something else, his films often have wonderful production values, which means it can often take multiple re-watches to catch every detail.

10

Hannibal (2001)

Ridley Scott replaces Jonathan Demme

10 years after winning an Oscar for his performance in The Silence of the Lambs, Anthony Hopkins returned to the role of Hannibal Lecter. 2001 Hannibal and 2002 Red Dragon may not meet the high standards of The Silence of the Lambs, but they're still worth watching for fans of the crime genre. It's a joy to see Hopkins returning to his most famous role after a decade away.

Although Hopkins gives an imposing performance as always, neither Jonathan Demme nor Jodie Foster returned for the sequel. Julianne Moore takes on the role of Clarice Starlingwith Ridley Scott in the director's chair. Hannibal it is even more grotesque than its predecessor. It may not be as refined, but it all adds to the legend of Hannibal Lecter and has plenty of artistic flourishes to elevate the sinister theme.

9

The Last Duel (2021)

A recent underrated gem

Ridley Scott began his career as a director in 1977 The Duelists, and The Last Duel it also follows the rivalry between two French people in a historical setting. It's tempting to compare the two films based on similarities, but The Last Duel it takes place hundreds of years earlier and the combat is much more brutal and bloody. One thing both films share is Scott's beautiful recreation of a historical era.

Scott has always courted controversy with his approach to historical accuracy. He believes in cinematic spectacle even at the expense of rigorous precision. The Last Duel It's based on a true story, which also confuses things a bit. The public should not expect a historical documentary from The Last Duel, but it's a wonderful period drama with an excellent cast, and its sad failure at the box office doesn't reflect its quality.

8

All the Money in the World (2017)

A true crime thriller that deserves more love

All the money in the world it created headlines before it was even released when Kevin Spacey was fired in a storm of controversy and replaced by Christopher Plummer. This move paid off, as Plummer was nominated for an Oscar for his performance as J. Paul Getty. All the money in the world is based on the unbelievable true story of the 1973 kidnapping of Getty's grandson in Rome by an Italian crime syndicate.

Real-world context gives some extra weight to All the money in the world. It's a tense crime thriller that addresses the media frenzy surrounding the family at the time and the internal conflict that occurred behind the scenes. Plummer's performance deserves the praise he received at the timeas he certainly doesn't look like a hasty replacement, but the entire squad is key to the loan All the money in the world its dramatic impulse.

7

Legend (1985)

The legend is a visual marvel

Legend left before Top Gun, the color of money and rain man turned Tom Cruise into one of Hollywood's biggest stars. It was initially seen as a failure, but as Cruise and Ridley Scott developed their careers, it was critically re-evaluated. Legend It's now seen by many as an underrated cult classic, and many of its reviews don't reflect its considerable charms.

Legend has taken on a nostalgic appeal in the decades since its release. Its practical effects are reminiscent of other 80s fantasy classics, such as Maze and The never-ending story, although Legend it has a darker tone. Its intriguing production design invites the audience in, and the gorgeous details are part of what gives it so much rewatch value. The 2002 Director's Cut is a huge improvement.

6

Matchstick Men (2003)

Matchstick Men is one of Scott's funniest films

Ridley Scott doesn't direct many comedies, and that's part of what he does matchstick men stand out from the rest of his filmography. Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell make a charming duo as two crazy con men, each with their own foibles and shortcomings, and they're given a script that makes the most of their talents. matchstick men It's so funny and smart on a second watch.

matchstick men is all about deception, but still manages to deliver a brilliant and invigorating ending. Unlike some other movies with twists, matchstick men it's fun the second time around as it reveals its hidden tricks scene by scene. While matchstick men is unusual for a Ridley Scott film in many ways, it's a fun comedy that deserves more love thanks to a lively script and some strong performances.

5

Blade Runner (1982)

One of Scott's true classics helped shape the science fiction genre

Blade runner is as captivating and visually stunning as ever, in part due to the simple fact that sci-fi films have been trying to emulate its style for decades. Ridley Scott's seminal sci-fi thriller influenced countless other directors with its dark and bleak dystopia, both aesthetically and thematically. The plot innovates many film noir conventions, updating the genre for the 21st century and beyond.

Blade runner is a great detective story, even before considering the added depth of the science fiction concept. Harrison Ford gives one of his best performances as he walks through a strange and foreboding world, culminating in a mystery about his character's true identity that compels audiences to watch the entire film again. Blade Runner 2049 was an excellent legacy sequel without Scott as director, and the franchise continues with the TV spin-off Blade Runner 2099.

4

Gladiator (2000)

There was a new wave of enthusiasm for Ridley Scott's best picture winner

With the success of Ridley Scott Gladiator II, the original film from 24 years earlier is enjoying a resurgence. Fortunately, it's as enjoyable as ever. Russell Crowe's towering performance is a key factor in Gladiatorappeal. He injects each scene with the grandeur and intensity that the setting demands, and is also great to watch in the scenes inside the arena.

Gladiator is one of the films that cemented Scott's reputation as a master of large-scale action, especially historical battles. He has many other historical epics, but like 2023 Napoleon shows, not all of them are universally loved. Gladiator shows Scott firing on all cylinders, from the iconic opening battle to the final duel with Commodus. He earned a Best Director nomination for Gladiator, just one of the film's 12 nominations.

3

Thelma and Luísa (1991)

The road trip classic is captivating and tragic

Thelma and Luisa is not usually discussed together with people like Foreigner, Blade runner and Gladiator in the debate about Ridley Scott's best films. It's much smaller in scale than those epics, but Scott shows he's a master of his craft in the cross-country crime thriller. Thelma and Luisa unites a thrilling chase with some harrowing personal stakes and has been hailed as a modern feminist classic.

Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis create a brilliant dynamic in Thelma and Luisa. Each of the two main characters has their own reason for wanting to escape and their own reason for accepting their dark fate. Thelma and LuisaThe iconic ending. The story also has time for some light-hearted humor, which helps to humanize the bond between the two women. Brad Pitt's supporting role is another reason to rewatch Thelma and Luisa several times.

2

The Martian (2015)

The Martian skillfully combines drama and comedy

The Martian stars Matt Damon as an astronaut who becomes stranded on Mars when his crew believes he is dead. Ridley Scott follows the story of Mars and Earth as NASA tries to bring him home and Mark Watney tries to survive long enough on the inhospitable planet. It's a dramatic science fiction story, but The Martian It's also filled with humor, making it a great film to rewatch.

The Martian offers an uplifting story about humanity's perseverance in the face of incalculable odds. Mark's video diary is a way for the film to keep things light as he faces endless hardships alone on Mars, but the soundtrack and turbulent dynamics among the NASA hierarchy are also fun. It has been repeatedly criticized for its scientific inaccuracies and half-truths, but getting into the nitty-gritty misses the point. The Martian.

1

Foreigner (1979)

Foreigner was Ridley Scott's big film after the critical success of The Duelists, and it remains one of his most influential and entertaining contributions to cinema. The sci-fi horror classic has many elements of a slasher film, as Ellen Ripley sees her companions aboard the Nostromo being picked off one by one by an enigmatic creature. There's no shortage of iconic scenes to enjoyfrom the chestburster scene to the final confrontation with the alien in the escape pod.

ForeignerThe practical effects give it a visceral, kinetic feel, but Scott's direction is also important in heightening the tension and fueling the mystery of the alien. Its vision of the Nostromo feels simultaneously futuristic and rooted in the 1970s. The cast is also great at providing an immersive and believable atmosphere on board. Few horror films manage to make their characters feel so relatable in such a short amount of time, and details like this make Foreigner A great film to watch again and again.