Half a century into his prolific filmmaking career, Ridley Scott remains one of the most revered directors in the world. This is partly because he keeps pumping out great movies that live up to his all-time best, whereas many of his contemporaries are well past their prime. But it’s also because his old classics have stood the test of time.
From his tautly crafted sci-fi horror masterpiece Gladiator, many of Scott’s movies are rewatchable gems that can be enjoyed again and again.
American Gangster (2007)
Scott’s biopic of notorious drug kingpin Frank Lucas is anchored by a fantastic performance by Denzel Washington. He’s backed up by ing players Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Idris Elba.
While Scott’s retelling of Lucas’ life story isn’t as stylish as Martin Scorsese’s iconic drug kingpin biopic, American Gangster are just as captivating.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Scott’s third entry in the Alien franchise, as effective as the first Alien movie.
But it’s still a riveting sci-fi horror thriller. Alien: Covenant has a few chilling moments that are worth revisiting, like a dusty parasite sneaking through an ear canal or a xenomorph attacking two lovebirds in the shower.
Legend (1985)
Scott’s early-career cult classic Star Wars.
This massively underappreciated gem stars three of the biggest movie stars of the ‘80s: Tom Cruise as Jack o’ the Green, Mia Sara as Princess Lili, and Tim Curry as the Lord of Darkness.
Matchstick Men (2003)
The darkly comedic crime caper Matchstick Men stars Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell as a pair of double-crossing con artists. Matchstick Men is a decidedly bleaker, more cynical answer to The Sting.
The movie demands to be rewatched, because it builds to a hilariously shocking climactic twist. On the second time around (and every subsequent viewing), audiences can pick up on all the hints and foreshadowing.
Black Hawk Down (2001)
As thrilling as it is harrowing, Black Hawk Down is one of the most visceral and intense war movies ever made. Its true-life-based story setup paves the way for nonstop action.
A bunch of soldiers are dropped into the middle of a warzone in Mogadishu and forced to fend for themselves. Black Hawk Down has an ensemble cast featuring such legends as Ewan McGregor, Eric Bana, Jason Isaacs, and Tom Hardy in his first film role.
The Martian (2015)
Scott’s adaptation of the surprisingly realistic sci-fi novel The Martian is carried by Matt Damon’s hilarious and deeply moving performance as an astronaut who gets left behind on Mars.
The Martian is nowhere near as bleak as the average survival movie, because Mark Watney maintains his sense of humor throughout the whole ordeal. Ultimately, this film is a testament to the human spirit.
Gladiator (2000)
Scott revitalized the long-dormant swords-and-sandals genre with his 2000 hit Gladiator. An Oscar-winning Russell Crowe brings real depth and humanity to the role of Maximus amidst Scott’s cinematic spectacle.
Thanks to glorious visuals, incredible performances, and thrilling action sequences, Gladiator’s two-and-a-half-hour runtime flies by, even after a few viewings.
Thelma & Louise (1991)
Starring Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise, Thelma & Louise is one of the most endearing cinematic portraits of friendship. It’s also celebrated as a cornerstone of feminist cinema, as the pair fights back against an oppressive patriarchal society.
The title characters set off on a road trip and, after a series of unfortunate events, end up on the lam from the cops. Thelma & Louise is a tribute to the undying bond between two BFFs.
Blade Runner (1982)
Adapted from Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Blade Runner pioneered the sci-fi noir subgenre with a hard-boiled detective story about androids trying to sneak into human society and the titular “blade runner” tasked with sniffing them out.
Rick Deckard is one of Harrison Ford’s coolest and most nuanced roles, while Rutger Hauer makes for a sinister yet surprisingly sympathetic villain as Roy Batty. Blade Runner has dazzling futuristic visuals with deep philosophical themes to boot.
Alien (1979)
Scott’s original Alien film is one of the most masterfully crafted horror movies of all time. The film’s greatest strength – aside from Sigourney Weaver’s badass, groundbreaking turn as Ellen Ripley – is its patient pacing. Scott doesn’t jump into the action too early.
The director gives the audience plenty of time to get to know the crew of the Nostromo and empathize with them before one of them is attacked by a facehugger and impregnated with a bloodthirsty star-beast. H.R. Giger’s hauntingly beautiful designs round out a deeply disturbing, truly immersive world that audiences can revisit again and again.
