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20 Directors with (Almost) No Bad Movies

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Ignacio Weil

Entertainment - March 5th 2025, 18:09 GMT+1

Cropped About — About this gallery:

For this list, we’re focusing on those rare directors who have built a (nearly) flawless career – delivering hit after hit with hardly a misstep. Yes, many of them are among the greatest filmmakers of all time, but this isn’t just a ranking of the “best directors” (even though, let’s be honest, some of them would definitely make that list too).

Think we missed a director with a perfect track record? Drop your picks in the comments – we’re always up for a good cinematic debate! | © The New York Times

Cropped Robert Eggers — Robert Eggers

If Robert Eggers’ movies were a meal, they’d be a meticulously researched 17th-century feast served on a candlelit wooden table – creepy, atmospheric, and historically accurate to a fault. With just three feature films under his belt – *The Witch* (2015), *The Lighthouse* (2019), and *The Northman* (2022) – Eggers has already carved out a niche as the king of moody, folklore-infused horror. His commitment to period-accurate dialogue and unsettling psychological tension makes his films feel like eerie time capsules you were never meant to open. Sure, he hasn’t made a "bad" movie yet, but with his meticulous approach, it seems unlikely he ever will. Just don’t ask him to direct a rom-com. | © Robert Eggers

Cropped Alex Garland — Alex Garland

Alex Garland doesn’t just make movies – he makes eerie, cerebral nightmares wrapped in stunning visuals. After writing mind-bending scripts like *28 Days Later* (2002) and *Sunshine* (2007), he stepped into the director’s chair and immediately proved he was a force to be reckoned with. *Ex Machina* (2014) gave us one of the sleekest, most unsettling AI thrillers ever, while *Annihilation* (2018) turned cosmic horror into a visually stunning existential crisis. And then there’s *Men* (2022), which made audiences collectively whisper, “What did I just watch?” Garland’s films don’t just entertain – they burrow into your brain and stay there long after the credits roll. | © George Pimentel/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Cropped Jordan Peele — Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele went from making people laugh to making them terrified – and sometimes both at the same time. After redefining horror with *Get Out* (2017), he followed up with the deeply unsettling Us (2019) and the genre-bending spectacle *Nope* (2022). His signature blend of social commentary, psychological horror, and eerie visuals has made him one of the most exciting directors of his generation. Somehow, he’s managed to keep his streak flawless, with each film feeling like a cultural event. If Peele’s future movies are anything like his first three, we should all prepare for more nightmares – and more think pieces. | © Jordan Peele

Cropped Celine Sciamma — Céline Sciamma

If emotions had a director, it would be Céline Sciamma. She has a rare ability to take quiet, intimate stories and turn them into cinematic gut punches. *Portrait of a Lady on Fire* (2019) isn’t just a movie – it’s a whole experience that leaves you emotionally wrecked (in the best way possible). Before that, she gave us *Tomboy* (2011) and *Girlhood* (2014), two beautifully told coming-of-age films that explore identity and belonging with rare authenticity. And then there’s *Petite Maman* (2021), a magical little gem that proves Sciamma can make you cry in under 75 minutes. If she’s ever made a bad movie, no one’s found it yet. | © Céline Sciamma

Cropped Satoshi Kon — Satoshi Kon

Satoshi Kon didn’t just make movies – he made reality feel unstable. In his tragically short career, he directed only four films – *Perfect Blue* (1997), *Millennium Actress* (2001), *Tokyo Godfathers* (2003), and *Paprika* (2006) – yet his influence on cinema is immeasurable. From psychological thrillers that mess with your sense of identity to heartfelt stories about found families, every film in his catalog is a must-watch. Christopher Nolan, Darren Aronofsky, and countless others have borrowed (or outright copied) his techniques, but no one has ever replicated his unique mix of surrealism and humanity. A true legend gone too soon. | © Satoshi Kon

Cropped Pete Docter — Pete Docter

If you’ve ever ugly-cried at an animated movie, there’s a good chance Pete Docter was responsible. As one of Pixar’s greatest storytellers, he’s given us *Monsters, Inc.* (2001), Up (2009), *Inside Out* (2015), and *Soul* (2020) – each one a masterclass in making adults sob in front of their kids. His specialty? Taking big, existential ideas (like emotions having emotions or the meaning of life itself) and distilling them into stories that somehow hit everyone, from five-year-olds to full-grown philosophers. Has Docter ever made a bad movie? Not unless you count the emotional damage he’s caused. | © Fuller Studio

Cropped Andrei Tarkovsky — Andrei Tarkovsky

Tarkovsky didn’t make movies – he made slow-burning, poetic experiences that test your patience and reward you with existential enlightenment. From the dreamlike *Solaris* (1972) to the hypnotic *Stalker* (1979), his films demand you sit back, breathe, and contemplate life, death, and the nature of existence. Every frame feels like a painting, every scene lingers just long enough to make you question reality. Sure, his work isn’t exactly "popcorn entertainment," but in the realm of filmmaking, he’s as close to a philosopher as you can get. If you’ve never seen a Tarkovsky movie, just know that watching one is a commitment – both mentally and spiritually. | © Andrei Tarkovsky

Cropped Quentin Tarantino — Quentin Tarantino

Quentin Tarantino has spent his entire career proving that excess can be an art form. With *Pulp Fiction* (1994), he redefined indie cinema. With *Kill Bill: Vol. 1* (2003) and *Vol. 2* (2004), he turned revenge into a blood-soaked ballet. And with *Once Upon a Time in Hollywood* (2019), he gave us a nostalgic love letter to a bygone era. Every Tarantino movie is packed with razor-sharp dialogue, over-the-top violence, and a soundtrack so cool you’ll want to Shazam every scene. He claims he’ll retire after his tenth film, but honestly, the world isn’t ready for a Tarantino-free existence. | © Quentin Tarantino

Cropped Paul Thomas Anderson — Paul Thomas Anderson

If Tarantino is all about excess, Paul Thomas Anderson is about depth – his films are sprawling, hypnotic, and filled with characters that feel so real, you half expect to run into them at a gas station. From the chaotic ensemble of *Magnolia* (1999) to the haunting intensity of *There Will Be Blood* (2007), PTA has mastered the art of making dysfunction feel poetic. He jumps between genres effortlessly, giving us everything from a neo-noir (*Inherent Vice* (2014)) to a twisted love story (*Phantom Thread* (2017)). At this point, it’s safe to say that if Anderson’s directing it, you should probably watch it. | © Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Cropped Alejandro Iñarritu — Alejandro Iñárritu

Alejandro Iñárritu loves making his audiences feel things – often very intense, existential things. His films don’t just tell stories; they put you through an emotional marathon. Whether it’s the gut-wrenching interconnected tragedy of *Amores Perros* (2000), the breathtaking one-shot illusion of *Birdman* (2014), or the frostbitten survival odyssey of *The Revenant* (2015), every Iñárritu film is a visceral experience. He doesn’t do "lighthearted" – even his less brutal films, like *Babel* (2006), still leave you emotionally wrecked. The man just doesn’t miss, even if his movies make you question your entire life. | © Getty Images

Cropped Denis Villeneuve — Denis Villeneuve

Denis Villeneuve is what happens when a director decides that every movie should feel like a cinematic event. Whether it’s the eerie slow-burn tension of *Prisoners* (2013), the mind-bending sci-fi of *Arrival* (2016), or the stunning spectacle of *Dune* (2021), Villeneuve has a way of making you sit in awe for two and a half hours without realizing time has passed. He somehow made *Blade Runner 2049* (2017) a worthy sequel to a sci-fi masterpiece, which should have been impossible. His films aren’t just great – they’re *experiences*. And with *Dune: Part Two* on the horizon, he shows no signs of slowing down. | © FERRARI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock

Cropped Alfonso Cuarón — Alfonso Cuarón

Alfonso Cuarón is the guy who takes on a new genre and somehow makes the best version of it. A Mexican road trip coming-of-age drama? *Y Tu Mamá También* (2001) nailed it. A dystopian thriller? *Children of Men* (2006) redefined the genre. A space survival epic? *Gravity* (2013) had people gripping their armrests in sheer terror. A deeply personal black-and-white drama? *Roma* (2018) won him an Oscar. Even *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban* (2004) remains the most stylish and mature entry in the franchise. It’s almost unfair how good he is at everything. | © Associated Press

Cropped Wes Anderson — Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson movies are like dioramas filled with perfectly placed characters, quirky dialogue, and a color palette so distinct you can spot his work from a mile away. From the dysfunctional charm of *The Royal Tenenbaums* (2001) to the whimsical adventure of *The Grand Budapest Hotel* (2014), his films are as much about storytelling as they are about pure aesthetic joy. He’s basically the only director who could make *Fantastic Mr. Fox* (2009) look like a stylish indie film. Sure, some people say his movies are "too quirky" – but that’s like complaining that a sunset is too colorful. | © People Picture/Jens Hartmann/REX/Shutterstock

Cropped Bong Joon Ho — Bong Joon-Ho

Bong Joon-Ho refuses to be put in a box – unless that box is metaphorical and filled with layers of social commentary. Whether he’s crafting a monster movie with hidden depth (*The Host* (2006)), a post-apocalyptic class war on a train (*Snowpiercer* (2013)), or a genre-defying masterpiece (*Parasite* (2019)), his ability to blend satire, humor, and suspense is unmatched. No one makes movies quite like Bong, and the fact that *Parasite* made history as the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture proves that his brilliance is undeniable. Hollywood better keep up. | © Bong Joon-Ho

Cropped Stanley Kubrick — Stanley Kubrick

Stanley Kubrick didn’t just make movies – he made art that happened to move. Whether it’s the mind-bending terror of *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), the unsettling perfection of *The Shining* (1980), or the ultra-violent chaos of *A Clockwork Orange* (1971), his films feel like they were crafted by a director who spent months obsessing over every single frame (because he did). His perfectionism was legendary, his influence is immeasurable, and his filmography has *zero* bad entries. Even his "lesser" films are masterpieces by normal standards. Kubrick didn’t play by the rules – he *wrote* them. | © Stanley Kubrick

Cropped David Fincher — David Fincher

David Fincher makes perfectionism look easy. Every shot, every cut, every line of dialogue in his films is so meticulously crafted that even his characters seem like they know they’re in a Fincher movie. From the psychological chaos of *Fight Club* (1999) to the eerie precision of *Zodiac* (2007) and the mind-bending twists of *Gone Girl* (2014), his films have an almost surgical level of detail. And let’s not forget *The Social Network* (2010), which somehow made a movie about Facebook feel like a Shakespearian tragedy. The man doesn’t do sloppy. He only does sleek, stylish, and sinister. | © David Fincher

Cropped Christopher Nolan — Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan makes blockbusters for people who like to feel smart. He turned non-linear storytelling into an art form with *Memento* (2000), redefined superhero movies with *The Dark Knight* (2008), and made everyone question time, dreams, and reality itself with *Inception* (2010) and *Interstellar* (2014). Even when he goes full physics lecture with *Tenet* (2020), audiences still show up ready to decipher his puzzles. And then there’s *Oppenheimer* (2023), where he casually recreated the atomic bomb *without CGI*. If filmmaking were a heist, Nolan would be the mastermind, orchestrating every tiny detail to blow our minds. | © Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho

Cropped Akira Kurosawa — Akira Kurosawa

If you’ve ever watched a movie about warriors, revenge, or honor, chances are it was influenced by Akira Kurosawa. He practically invented modern action cinema with *Seven Samurai* (1954), gave us the ultimate lesson in perspective with *Rashomon* (1950), and made Shakespeare feel even more epic in *Ran* (1985). His storytelling was so ahead of its time that Hollywood has been borrowing (okay, straight-up remaking) his films for decades. If cinema had a Mount Rushmore, Kurosawa would be right up there, probably directing the lighting on his own carving. | © Akira Kurosawa

Cropped Hayao Miyazaki — Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki is the closest thing we have to a real-life wizard. His films aren’t just animated – they’re pure magic, infused with wonder, nostalgia, and just the right amount of existential dread. *My Neighbor Totoro* (1988) gave us the most lovable giant furball in cinema, *Spirited Away* (2001) redefined what animation could be, and *Princess Mononoke* (1997) tackled environmentalism before it was cool. Every Miyazaki film feels like stepping into a dream – one filled with breathtaking landscapes, strong heroines, and food that somehow always looks delicious. If retirement ever calls again, we’re all just going to pretend we didn’t hear it. | © Studio Ghibli

Cropped Martin Scorsese — Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese has been making masterpieces longer than most directors have been alive. Whether it’s the gritty crime saga of *Goodfellas* (1990), the psychological madness of *Taxi Driver* (1976), or the Wall Street chaos of *The Wolf of Wall Street* (2013), his films feel like cinematic adrenaline shots. Even when he’s not making gangster epics, he’s still dropping modern classics like *The Irishman* (2019) and *Killers of the Flower Moon* (2023). He loves cinema so much that he’s basically its unofficial guardian, constantly reminding us that Marvel isn’t *real* cinema. And honestly? He’s earned the right to say it. | © Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

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When it comes to filmmaking, even the greatest directors occasionally stumble. However, some visionary filmmakers have built careers with remarkably few missteps. Whether through impeccable storytelling, technical mastery, or an unparalleled ability to connect with audiences, these directors have maintained a level of consistency that sets them apart from their peers.

In this article, we’ll explore 20 directors with (almost) no bad movies – filmmakers whose filmographies are filled with critical and commercial hits, with little to no duds along the way. From legendary auteurs to modern-day masters, these are the directors who rarely disappoint.

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When it comes to filmmaking, even the greatest directors occasionally stumble. However, some visionary filmmakers have built careers with remarkably few missteps. Whether through impeccable storytelling, technical mastery, or an unparalleled ability to connect with audiences, these directors have maintained a level of consistency that sets them apart from their peers.

In this article, we’ll explore 20 directors with (almost) no bad movies – filmmakers whose filmographies are filled with critical and commercial hits, with little to no duds along the way. From legendary auteurs to modern-day masters, these are the directors who rarely disappoint.