From “Blade Runner” to “Gladiator”: Ridley Scott’s 10 best films ranked

With almost 50 years at the top of the film industrydirector Ridley Scottprovide a record of work ranging from nightmarish thrillers to visionary science fiction films to epic historical dramas. Works likeAlien,Blade RunnerorGladiatorare not only cult, but. Also some of his new projects includingThere Martians ? Corrected Mark Watney(2015) andThe Last Duel(2021), make their way into this illustrious list.

Admittedly, some of his filmsstayed falls short of expectationsor even disappointed, we'll give you an example hereBlack Rain,Robin HoodandNapoleon. Now Scott faces one of his biggest challenges:Gladiator 2, within the lead role, promises to continue the legacy of its monumental predecessor. Can the film withstand this pressure and Ridley Scott finallylong-awaited Oscar trophy for “Best Director”bring? Further information can be found below.

On the occasion of the cinema release ofGladiator 2It's worth taking a look back and appreciating the visionary director's work. Below is the oneTen best films by Ridley Scott in the Esquire ranking.

Ifanother historical epicà la Ridley Scott includedTheLast Duelhence the typical elements such as battle scenes, complex issues and a captivating climax to which the whole film skilfully builds. It is based on thetrue story of a rape allegation in 14th century Franceand is also excellently cast with Jodie Comer, Adam Driver, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, although the latter two are unintentionally comically reminiscent of nu-metal musicians. Through thePresentation of events from three different perspectivesScott reveals the often blurred line between truth and perception. Although it wasn't a box office hit, the film offers onedeep reflection on patriarchal structures, whose echo can still be felt today.

After the rivets in the nineties (with the exception ofThelma & Louise) Ridley Scott had another run at the turn of the millennium:Gladiator,Black Hawk DownandHannibal? all within two years. WithTricks(im Original:Matchstick Men), the director nevertheless went out of his comfort zone and proved that he toosuccessful, darkly humorous film about con artistscould rotate. The mix of comedy, crime and drama is perfect, Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell as partnersshine in the main roles.

Ridley Scott's visually stunning expansion of theAlienuniverse (more to comeCovenantandRomulus) serves asPrequel to his groundbreaking sci-fi horror classicAliens? The eerie creature from an alien worldand once again demonstrates his ability to create something new from existing material. On their quest to decipher the origins of humanity, a group of scientists travel to an unexplored planet. That's where they come acrossRemains of a long-decayed alien spaceship. The researchers begin exploring? a decision that has unexpected consequences.Prometheusencouragesintense reflection on the nature of good and evilif you get involved with it.

Based on true events, followsBlack Hawk Downa US special forces unit in Somalia, which after theTwo helicopters crashget into a sudden crisis. The film focusescliched about the American soldiers, while the Somali characters are largely portrayed as anonymous threats. Scott seems to be more in favor of themtechnical aspects of the military operationto be more interested than in the political context or the deeper causes of the conflict, although he doesatrocities of warcaptured with masterful precision. Less history lesson, moreactiongeladenes Spectacle. Take it or leave it.

Although Ridley Scott is best known for his dark science fiction works, breaksThere Martians? Corrected Mark Watneywith this tradition. The film tells thatcrazy survival story of an astronaut(Matt Damon), who is left alone on Mars and in a wayCast-Away-Variationmust use his creativity and science to survive. The film is captivating and entertainingGravityandas furtherambitious and visually impressive projectinto the sci-fi series of the 2010s.

American Gangsterwas afterGladiatorandA good yearalready thatthird collaboration between Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe(withThe man who never livedandRobin Hoodthere should be two more to come). But here it's not Crowe who's the star, but Denzel Washington, who? like so often? steals the show. In thisgripping crime dramaWashington plays a ruthless heroin smuggler who smuggles drugs into the USA during the Vietnam War, and Crowe plays the tireless detective who follows him. The genre would betypically atto find, but Scott proves that he too is oneA knack for such deep crime storieshas ? and doesn't even make it look like a Scorsese flick. Sure, violence is an inevitable part of the film, but it's also a reflection on what it means"American dream"to live.

InThelma & Louisetwo women set course for the southwest of the USA in a 1966 Thunderbird? and literally drive into theAnnals of Hollywood History. The film is Ridley Scott's most sensitive work, onebittersweet, life-affirming and feminist story about autonomy and female friendship, packed into one. With his remarkable ability to reinterpret genres, Scott hasRoad movie genre claimed for itselfand delivered a true classic (and received his first Oscar nomination for Best Director). Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis will be showingBest performances, and forHis tailor-made supporting role was the career springboard.

This is the only Best Picture Oscar for Scott so farGladiatoroneA return to monumental sandal filmsHowBen-HowandSpartacus, refreshed by CGI technology. Also, the director made hisLead actor to A-list star. Russell Crowe plays the charismatic general Maximus, who is defeated by the jealous new emperor Commodus? wonderfully perfidious played by Joaquin Phoenix? betrayed and sold into slavery. Later Maximus becomes thegreatest gladiator of the Roman Empireand wants to take revenge. AlthoughGladiatormore for hisepic proportionsthan is celebrated for its narrative depth, it isRussell Crowe's powerful charisma, which carries the film. But it's not just a cult classic because of its spectacular fight scenes and Crowe's Oscar-winning performance;best action films of all time. Kurz:Gladiatoris Ridley Scottsbest historical epicand bebest film outside of the science fiction genre. Maximus' rhetorical question is not only directed at the audience in the Colosseum: "Are you not entertained?"

IfBlade RunnerWhen it came to cinemas, it was initially released ascommercial and artistic failureconsidered. But over time, both fans and critics have come to recognize the science fiction film for what it was: oneexceptionally imaginative depiction of a dystopian future, impressive, visually stunning and grippingly staged. Based onPhilip K. Dicks Do androids dream of electric sheep?the film follows police detective Deckard (Harrison Ford) on hisTracking Androidsthrough an industrialized Los Angeles riddled with constant rain. The world ofBlade Runnerremains in the audience's memory long after the end. The same applies to the themes that the work addresses, including:reliability of our memoriesand the potential dangers of artificial intelligence.Blade Runneris rightly consideredMilestone of the dystopian science fiction genre.

There were many more parts to come, some better (James Cameron), some worse () implemented, but it was the original thatrevolutionize the film worldshould.Aliens? The eerie creature from an alien worldfrom? Director Ridley Scott has long had itStatus of a science fiction classicachieved, and to call it one of the best in the genre would be modest. The influence ofAlienon the cinema is immense, as he is onemasterful balance between oppressive confinement and futuristic visionoffers. Like at first glanceAlienbe a simply constructed film: a dangerous alien life form is unleashed on the unsuspecting members of a spaceship, plunging them into an overwhelming battle for survival. But Ridley Scott showed incredible ingenuity by creating oneoriginal, intelligent and deeply frightening sci-fi plot with the dramatic twists and turns of a thriller? the survival horror concept has been copied countless times. All of this will happen naturallySigourney Weavers iconic representationassupported, a figure who would inspire numerous action heroes in the decades that followed. Furthermore, the creature created by HR Giger undoubtedly remains thatmost famous movie monsters of all timeand a key element of pop culture. AndAliena masterpiece.

The film world holds its breath whenGladiator 2will be released in German cinemas on November 14, 2024. TheContinuation of the epic historical dramafrom 2000, which featured Russell Crowe as the unforgettable title character, is now presentedPaul Mescal in the role of the Roman gladiator Lucius Verus. Directed by Ridley Scott, the sequel also features Hollywood stars like MescalDenzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsento the big screen (Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix reportedly won't be seen). Already the first trailerGladiator 2heralds a bloodbath of epic proportions and sets huge expectations for this highly anticipated cinema blockbuster.

Another project from Ridley Scott this year is once again a new film from the iconicAlien-Row.Alien: Romulus, which takes place between the first part and James Cameron's sequel, has been in cinemas since August 15th.RomuluswithCailee Spaeny in the lead roleis based on the four originalsAlien-The movie,Prometheus? Dark charactersandAlien: Covenantthe nowseventh part of the. However, Scott did not act as director, but “only” as executive producer. took over as directorFede Álvarez aus Uruguay.