The best Ridley Scott movies, ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

It is no exaggeration to say that Ridley Scott He is one of the most beloved and prolific directors of this century and the last. Since its inception in 1977 fencersScott has directed 27 feature films, most of which have received widespread critical acclaim. Whoever sleeps hits like Blade Runner To instant classics like alienThe legendary British director has had a lasting impact on cinema through his wide and varied filmography.

Scott has a reputation for making films that are both critical and commercial successes. On Rotten Tomatoes, the director has 14 newly approved films, as well as a number of others that many fans consider underrated. In the list below, we’ve counted down Scott’s top 12 movies in ascending order according to their Rotten Tomatoes scores.

12 Alien: Covenant (2017) – 65%

Alien: Covenant It is the sequel to Scott’s fantastic sci-fi horror masterpiece alienIt tells the story of a spaceship crew who touches an unknown world. There they encounter a mysterious robot and a hostile race of aliens who turn their dream of discovering paradise into a nightmare.

With a stacked cast of top artists including Michael Fassbender, Katherine Watterson, and Danny McBride, plus state-of-the-art special effects and some truly terrifying horror sequences, Alien: Covenant to hand in Most of goods. The film, which sits at a score of 65% on Rotten Tomatoes, has drawn in some viewers who expected the prequel series to evolve the series rather than alien horror rehashes of previous entries. All in all, it’s a fun sci-fi horror game, but it’s far from the best of the franchise.

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11 Prometheus (2012) 73%

Prometheus It is the first of Scott’s prequel films alien, a controversial film that some love and some hate. It follows the crew of a spaceship on a quasi-spiritual mission to encounter a race of god-like creatures on a distant planet, who inadvertently come into conflict with a long-sleeping monster.

as a alien film, Prometheus It hasn’t been a hit with many, but its strong themes and bold new direction have managed to win over many critics, hence its not-so-shattering score of 73%. Story and contact with alien Far and away, the movie boasts sumptuous visuals, a great cast, and, in retrospect, is generally more exciting than its sequel. Alien: Covenant.

10 Black Hawk Down (2001) – 77%

The black hawk has fallen is Scott’s war epic about the United States’ involvement in the Somali Civil War. It specifically follows a group of Special Forces soldiers whose Black Hawk helicopter is attacked, leaving them trapped deep in enemy lines. At 77%, it’s obvious The black hawk has fallen nothing Saving Private Ryan; Its characters fall a bit flat, but it’s still a technically impressive and interesting war movie.

The film was a massive commercial success, as well as a critical success at the Academy Awards, winning Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

9 All the Money in the World (2017) – 79%

All the money in the world It tells the true story of the 1973 kidnapping of the grandson of billionaire J. Paul Getty. Scott’s usual flair for pacing and slick compositions draw the viewer into this edge-of-your-seat true crime thriller.

However, its best aspect may be Christopher Plummer’s stellar performance as Getty, which is impressive given the circumstances; Plummer was brought in as a last-second replacement when the original actor for the role, Kevin Spacey, was removed from the project one month before the premiere.

8 Gladiator (2000) – 80%

Scott scored another huge critical and commercial success with his 2000 film wrestler. Set in ancient Roman times, the film details the life of a general turned gladiator on a bloody quest for revenge. Starring Russell Crowe in the most iconic role of his career to date, and portrayed in sumptuous style by the almighty Scott, wrestler It was showered with praise and grossed over $460 million at the box office.

As Screen Rant explains,wrestler is an immersive cinematic spectacle that immerses audiences in ancient Rome, but it’s not just a treat for the eyes; There is also a great deal of thematic depth beneath all the dazzling visual flair.”

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7 American Gangsters (2007) – 81%

American gangster It is Scott’s fictional story about the life of Harlem heroine Kingpin Frank Lucas. Described by Rotten Tomatoes as “a gritty and entertaining return to classic gangster movies,” this critically acclaimed and financially successful crime thriller boasts a richly textured revival of 1970s New York City and a slew of great performances.

One of Denzel Washington’s best movies, it also features Russell Crowe, Lemari Nadal and Josh Brolin in memorable roles. Brilliantly directed and brilliantly understated, this work more than justifies its 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

6 The Last Duel (2021) – 85%

The last duel It is an epic historical action drama set during the Hundred Years War about a pair of self-centered men who must settle a dispute with an intense duel to the death. By centering the conflict around a woman who defied patriarchy and spoke out about the sexual misconduct of men, Scott turns what could be an ordinary medieval vendetta into a more layered and thought-provoking drama.

It features a career-best performance from Matt Damon, as well as stellar performances from Jodie Comer, Adam Driver, and Ben Affleck, The last duel A well-acted, technically brilliant epic that does an admirable job of tackling some very insightful themes.

5 Thelma and Louise (1991) 86%

Thelma and Louise is a disturbing road movie that follows two friends whose relaxing hunting trip turns into a high-octane race away from the law. The story of an unlikely criminals’ journey to Mexico has long been heralded as one of Scott’s greatest films, and the high score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes reflects that. It’s a lovable feminist companion movie, packed with jaw-dropping action, outstanding performances, and graphic visuals to die for.

4 Blade Runner (1982) – 89%

Blade Runner is Scott’s brilliant and moody sci-fi masterpiece about a detective on a mission to track down a group of criminal robots in a rainy-future version of Los Angeles. The movie is one of the best film adaptations ever made by Philip K. Dick at all, as the film takes the classic tale of humanity versus machine and pumps it up full of rich world-building, exciting characters, and stunning visuals that still look flawless even today.

Originally released to middling reviews, this touching film has since been re-evaluated and recognized as a masterpiece.

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3 Mars (2015) – 91%

One of the best science fiction films of the first decade of the twenty-first century. The Martian It tells the story of an astronaut left on Mars after a terrible storm. Perfectly played by Matt Damon, the stranded astronaut must survive the elements with dwindling supplies while NASA organizes a mission to bring him home. Faithfully adapted from Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, The Martian is a refreshingly funny and intelligent sci-fi thriller that offers a great deal of realism and extraordinary visuals.

2 The Duelists (1977) 93%

fencers is Scott’s directorial debut film about a pair of French soldiers under Napoleon who repeatedly engage in duels with various weapons in order to settle a 15-year-old grudge. As each duel ends in a bloody stalemate, their bitter rivalry continues to escalate over the course of many battles and historical events.

Although heavily influenced in visual style by Stanley Kubrick Barry LyndonIt’s clear even here that Scott has always had a knack for richly textured compositions that are entirely his own. Great start, ed fencers It was an important moment in the history of Western cinema: the beginning of Scott’s long and illustrious career.

1 Alien (1979) – 98%

alien is a classic sci-fi movie about a spaceship crew terrorized by a strange creature. Written by the late great Dan O’Bannon and directed by an instinct for suspense that rivals an Alfred Hitchcock film, Scott’s second film is considered by many to be the greatest science fiction horror film of all time. Scary and terrifying, while also featuring a cast of realistic and likable characters, alien is the true successor to Jaws; A perfect outer space nightmare heralded not only an iconic franchise, but an amazing directorial career.

Collider calls it “an untouchable classic of the science fiction and horror genres, alien It truly gave birth to a franchise that has spanned an incredibly long time, though the origin is also amazing as a stand-alone story.” What can be said about it that hasn’t been said a million times before? It’s a masterpiece, plain and simple, and Scott’s best and most significant contribution to the cinematic canon in the world.