7 best Ridley Scott movies, ranked

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Prometheus

Out of Scotts entire filmography, Prometheus was his riskiest endeavor.

Why risk tarnishing the reputation of the classic Alien?

It was a high-risk, high-reward move from the English filmmaker.

The crew believes this will lead to the origins of humanity and godlike creatures known as the Engineers.

The trip is a success, as the crew safely lands on the barren moon.

Watch onHulu

6.

Watch onPluto TV

5.

The Martian'

Scott rarely directs comedies.

However, that doesnt mean his movies arent funny.

To survive, Mark mustscience the you-know-what out of thisand rely on his instincts.

Watch onMax

4.

Black Hawk Down

Two things are working against Black Hawk Down.

With those two distinctions aside, Black Hawk Down absolutely rips as an action movie.

It follows a group of U.S. soldiers fighting to escape a Somali city after their helicopter is shot down.

Black Hawk Down features some of Scotts best technical work in riveting battle sequences.

Watch onPeacock

3.

Scott did that with Alien and his follow-up, Blade Runner.

Scotts cyberpunk sci-fi mystery is set in the dark, gloomy and futuristic setting of 2019 Los Angeles.

With haunting visuals and a synth-driven score, Blade Runner is Scotts most philosophical film.

Rent/buy onAmazonorApple

2.

Gladiator

After 24 years, audiences are still entertained by Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator.

If Ellen Ripley is Scotts greatest female heroine, Russell Crowes Maximus remains his top male hero.

Watch onParamount Plus

1.

Alien

No phrase embodies Alien more than “simplicity is perfection.”

There are not many plot points in Alien.

The crew of the Nostromo wakes up early from stasis to explore a planet.

Its a murder mystery that serves as Scotts masterclass in atmosphere and dread.

Sigourney Weavers Ellen Ripley became the gold standard for action heroines.

Many filmmakers would have rushed to show the Xenomorph in the first act.

Not Scott, who takes his time by utilizing silence to build suspense.

Its the defining work of an exceptional director.

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