Ridley Scott’s top 12 films ranked – Gladiator is only No. 3 | Films | Entertainment
Ridley Scott has worked in over 80 films over the course of his career (Image: Getty)
With many gems across genres in his curriculum, Ridley Scott is the owner of nine Oscars, nine BAFTAs, five Golden Globes and the title of one of the highest-grossing directors of all time.
Specialising in science fiction, crime films and historical epic tales, Scott crafted a highly atmospheric and loaded visual style, paired with remarkable plotlines and heavy cultural context, for a spotless formula that has proven to be efficient at creating landmark films.
Here, we take a look at his twelve best films, according to critics’ opinions on reviewing platform Letterboxd.
12 – Prometheus (2012)
3.3/5
In alien Prequel Prometheus, a crew aboard the homonymous ship follows clues to humanity’s origins, leading them to a distant moon where they discover a structure and a potential threat to humankind.
The crew, led by Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), an archaeologist, and her partner Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), investigates the possibility of a superior extraterrestrial species, the Engineers, being the creators of humanity. Their discovery leads them to a terrifying realization that their mission may be more dangerous than they anticipated.
With a supporting cast boasting the likes of Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba and Guy Pearce, Prometheus received numerous accolades upon release – including nominations for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards and Best Special Visual Effects at the BAFTA Awards.
Charlize Theron and Idris Elba in scene from Prometheus (2012) (Image: 20th Century Fox)
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11- Matchstick Men (2003)
3.6/5
Matchstick Men tells the story of Roy (Nicolas Cage), a con artist with severe phobias, who unexpectedly discovers he has a teenage daughter, Angela (Alison Lohman), and struggles to balance his grifting lifestyle with the responsibility of parenthood.
Roy’s con partner, Frank (Sam Rockwell), helps him find Angela, and their relationship challenges Roy’s comfort zone and forces him to re-evaluate his life choices.
The film was adapted from Eric Garcia’s novel of the same name.
10- Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
3.6/5
A fictionalised account of the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven tells the story of Balian, a French blacksmith, who journeys to Jerusalem during the Crusades and is drawn into the conflict between Christians and Muslims. He becomes a knight and is caught in the religious war between King Baldwin IV and Sultan Saladin, ultimately leading to a negotiated surrender of Jerusalem.
The film explores themes of duty, faith, and the complexities of war, as well as the fragile peace between Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem.
It was mostly praised for its soundtrack score, for which it won the EFA People’s Choice Award at the European Film Awards, the Outstanding Original Score award at the Satellite Awards.
Nicolas Cage in Matchstick Men (2003) (Image: Warner Bros – film still)
9 – Black Hawk Down (2001)
3.7/5
Black Hawk Down follows a disastrous US military raid in Mogadishu, Somalia, during Operation Gothic Serpent in October 1993. Then, a team of US Rangers and Delta Force operators tasked with capturing a Somali warlord’s lieutenants found themselves in a fierce and prolonged firefight with Somali militia, resulting in the downing of two Black Hawk helicopters and heavy casualties.
The film – starring Josh Hartnett, Eric Bana, Ewan McGregor, Tom Hardy, Orlando Bloom and Jason Isaacs – depicts the desperate attempts of the remaining soldiers to rescue their wounded and retrieve the downed crews, while facing overwhelming odds and a hostile environment.
During the following awards season, Black Hawk Down garnered several accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. It also received three BAFTA Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Editing.
8 – The Last Duel (2021)
3.7/5
Historical drama The Last Duel is based on a true story of a trial by combat in medieval France. It centres on Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), a knight, challenging his former friend Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) to a duel after his wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer), accuses Le Gris of sexual abuse.
The film explores the story through multiple perspectives, highlighting the complex dynamics of power, justice, and the nature of truth in a patriarchal society.
Damon, Ben Affleck (who also has a supporting role), and Nicole Holofcener co-wrote The Last Duel.
7 – The Martian (2015)
3.8/5
In The Martian, astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a dust storm on Mars and left behind by his crew. He must then survive alone on the planet, using his scientific knowledge and ingenuity to communicate with NASA, grow food, and ultimately plan a way to return to Earth.
The film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and Best Actor for Matt Damon. It was also nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
It boasts names like Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Kristen Wiig, Michael Peña and Donald Glover in its supporting cast.
Matt Damon stars in The Martian (2015) (Image: Dumfries and Galloway Standard)
6- The Duellists (1977)
3.8/5
The oldest entry in this list, The Duellists offers a historical drama story focused on the escalating conflict between two French army officers, Gabriel Feraud (Harvey Keitel) and Armand d’Hubert (Keith Carradine), over a seemingly minor incident that leads to a series of duels spanning years.
The film, based on Joseph Conrad’s short story, explores themes of honor, obsession, and conflict’s destructive nature.
During the international festival season of the time, it won the Best Debut Film award at the Cannes Film Festival.
5- American Gangster (2007)
3.9/5
American Gangster follows Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), a heroin kingpin, and Richie Roberts (Russel Crowe), a dedicated cop, as their lives intertwine in the world of New York City’s drug trade.
The film explores Lucas’s rise to power, smuggling heroin from Thailand through returning Vietnam War soldiers. Richie, ostracized for his honesty, is tasked with targeting Lucas, leading to a complex relationship between the two men.
It was nominated for several Academy Awards – including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress (Ruby Dee) – and Golden Globe Awards – Best Motion Picture, Best Actor (Denzel Washington), and Best Director (Ridley Scott).
4 – Blade Runner (1982)
4.1/5
Set in the futuristic dystopian world of 2019, Blade Runner sees Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former “blade runner”, – bioengineered human created for off-world labour – be called back to duty to hunt down and “retire” four rogue replicants.
Led by the charismatic Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), the replicants seek to escape their predetermined lifespan and find their creator, Tyrell, hoping to extend their lives. Deckard’s pursuit leads him down a path of self-discovery, blurring the lines between human and replicant as he questions his own humanity.
The groundbreaking film won the Cinematography, Costume Design, and Production Design awards at the BAFTAs, and was nominated for Best Original Score. It also ran for two Academy Awards, for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Effects, Visual Effects. A sequel, Blade Runner 2049, was released in 2017.
Harrison Ford on the set of Blade Runner (1982) (Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
3 – Gladiator (2000)
4.1/5
A staple of historically themed films, Gladiator follows Roman General Maximus, chosen by the dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius to restore the Republic, betrayed by Aurelius’s son Commodus, who murders his father and seizes the throne.
Maximus, reduced to slavery, becomes a gladiator, rising through the ranks to seek revenge on Commodus for the murder of his family and the usurpation of the throne.
It went on to win five Academy Awards – Best Picture, Best Actor (Russell Crowe), Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects -, one BAFTA – Best Film – and one Golden Globe – Best Director, for Scott. Gladiator reached iconic status today, and got a sequel in 2024.
2- Thelma & Louise (1991)
4.2/5
Thelma and Louise, tired of their unsatisfying lives, decide to go on a weekend getaway to the mountains, hoping to find some freedom and adventure. While on their trip, they encounter a man who harasses them and then attempts to rape Thelma (Geena Davis).
Louise (Susan Sarandon), in self-defence, shoots and kills him, sending them on a desperate flight. With Louise in the driver’s seat, they flee, becoming outlaws and facing the consequences of their actions.
The film’s main duo reached Bonnie and Clyde-esque fame in pop culture after release, and the movie received six Academy Award nominations then – winning Best Screenplay.
1- Alien (1979)
4.3/5
The crown of Ridley Scott’s best film goes to Alien – in which the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo is awakened from cryosleep to investigate a distress signal on a nearby planetoid.
Sigourney Weaver in Alien (1979) (Image: Channel 5 Broadcasting.)
They discover a derelict spaceship containing alien eggs, one of which hatches and attaches to crew member Kane. The creature, later known as the Xenomorph, then becomes the main danger to be tackled by the crew.
Starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright and John Hurt, Alien won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and earned significant critical acclaim over the years. Three sequels were released in 1986, 1992 and 1997, all starring Weaver.
