There are few filmmakers working today who have revolutionized the medium quite likeSteven Soderbergh.With a lengthy filmography that’sfilled with underrated gems,Soderbergh has utilized unusual distribution methods throughout his career, and taken advantage of the streaming revolution. While not all of Soderbergh’s films are equal in terms of quality, his sheer productivity ensures that he is consistently working on a new project.
While he has addressed concerns aboutthe lack of data transparency, many of Soderbergh’s most recent films have gone directly to streaming services like Max and Netflix. While this suggests a major shift in the industry at large,Soderbergh has also directed several major commercial hits that satisfied both critics and audiences. He is perhaps best associated with his more experimental work, but that doesn’t mean that Soderbergh can’t deliver an old-fashioned crowd-pleaser every once in a while.
10‘Logan Lucky’ (2017)
Worldwide gross: $48,453,605
Logan Luckywas a return to cinema for Soderbergh after his brief “retirement” from narrative featuresand served as a revitalization of the modern heist genre that he helped to innovate. Although making an original film with such a sizable ensemble of movie stars would seemingly set a film up for success,Logan Lucky’s underperformance suggests that audiences are more interested in established franchises. Withnot even $50 million globally,Logan Luckyfailed to kickstart a new comedy franchise for Soderbergh to helm.
Despite ostensibly being a box office dud,Logan Luckyis an underrated gem that features many great actors acting against type. In one of his best non-James Bond roles,Daniel Craigdelivered a hilariously fun performanceas the idiosyncratic bank robber Joe Bang. A duo of relatable performances fromChanning TatumandAdam Driversignified that Soderbergh was interested in working with the industry’s most seemingly versatile stars.
Logan Lucky
Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.
Rent on Amazon
9‘Side Effects’ (2013)
Worldwide gross: $63,414,135
Side Effectswas Soderbergh’s last filmbefore his brief “retirement” period,and embodies what a unique storyteller he is. Although the film deals with hyper-specific issues within the healthcare industry,Side Effectsmanages to synthesize its loaded political commentary with dynamic performances from acclaimed actors. Thanks to the star power ofJude Law, Rooney Mara, Julia Roberts, and Channing Tatum,Side Effectsmanagedto earn over $63 million during its box office runat the beginning of 2013.
While it is by no means a traditional blockbuster,it’s impressive thatSide Effectswas able to generate such a significant audience for what was ostensibly an arthouse thriller.The film was unafraid to deal with challenging subject material regarding pharmaceutical malpractice and drug abuse; it’s to Soderbergh’s credit that he made these issues palatable for a general audience who otherwise may not have been interested.
Side Effects
Side Effects is a psychological thriller centering on Emily Taylor, a woman who is prescribed experimental drugs after her husband finishes his prison sentence. With a cast consisting of Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Steven Soderbergh as director, Side Effects received mostly positive reviews upon release in 2013.
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8‘Out of Sight’ (1998)
Worldwide gross: $77,745,966
In addition to being one of his best films,Out of Sightsolidified the importance of Soderbergh’s working relationship with George Clooney, an actor whom he has frequently gone back to working with. While Clooney’s prospects as a movie star had diminished in the aftermath ofBatman & Robin’s critical failure a year prior,Soderberghproved that he was a charismatic leading manwell-suited for darkly comic material.At over $77 million,Out of Sightsucceeded in revitalizing a very old-fashioned style of romantic espionage cinema.
While its success isn’t comparable to the later collaborations between Soderbergh and Clooney,Out of Sight’s strong reviews and idiosyncratic tone certainly helped it reach a broader audience. The film was based on a popular crime novel of the same name byElmore Leonard, and received Academy Award nominations for both Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Out of Sight
A career bank robber breaks out of jail, and shares a moment of mutual attraction with a U.S. Marshal he has kidnapped.
7‘Contagion’ (2011)
Worldwide gross: $136,515,867
While not a traditional horror film by any stretch of the imagination,Contagionmay be the scariest film that Soderbergh has ever directed. Whilethe film’s analysis of the realistic ramifications of a global pandemicfelt spooky upon its initial release in 2011, they felt eerily prophetic in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis in 2020. WhileContagionmay have earned more attention in recent years due to its similarities to current events, the film managed to earnwell over $100 at the global box officeduring its initial run.
Despite featuring standout performances from stars likeKate WinsletandGwyneth Paltrow,Contagionemphasized the importance of its ensemble by using a nonlinear narrative structure.This was perhaps Soderbergh’s way of showing the widespread effects that a crisis like this would have, and how various infrastructures would collapse without proper communication.
6‘Magic Mike’ (2012)
Worldwide gross: $167,282,206
Although it may have seemed like a traditional crowd-pleaser based on the marketing alone,Magic Mikeis a surprisingly dark drama about the inherent challenges of masculinity. Drawing more from 1970s character dramas than comedies likeStriptease,Magic Mikestill managed togross over $150 millionand become one of the bigger “original” hits of 2012. The film also solidifiedChanning Tatum’s prominence as a movie star, and only shortly after Soderbergh had given him a supporting role in his 2011 crime thrillerHaywire.
In addition to the strong response from critics and audiences,Magic Mikewas successful enough to launch a franchise that grew even more experimental with each installment. While Soderbergh did not direct the more comedically-minded 2015 sequelMagic Mike XXL, he returned to the series for the emotionally powerful 2022 trilogy-capperMagic Mike’s Last Dance.
Magic Mike
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5‘Traffic’ (2000)
Worldwide gross: $207,515,725
While his films are no stranger to critical acclaim,Trafficfinally won Soderbergh the Academy Award for Best Director.The unforgettable ensemble crime dramautilized three interlocking storylines to explore the effects of the international drug war on law enforcement officers, dealers, undercover cops, and the victims caught in between them. While the award-season success alone was enough to makeTrafficone of Soderbergh’s biggest hits, it alsopassed the $200 million markat the global box office.
Considering how unfiltered the film is in its depiction of drug abuse,it’s surprising thatTrafficwas able to have such significant mass market appeal. While stories about the drug crisis are frequently told on television, Soderbergh managed to successfully interweave his strong political message with an intriguing narrative packed with memorable characters. It’s a rare film that is both viscerally enthralling and very educational.
A conservative judge is appointed by the President to spearhead America’s escalating war against drugs, only to discover that his teenage daughter is a crack addict. Two DEA agents protect an informant. A jailed drug baron’s wife attempts to carry on the family business.
4‘Erin Brokovich’ (2000)
Worldwide gross: $256,271,286
Released the same year as his Academy Award-winning filmTraffic,Erin Brokovichbecame Soderbergh’s most successful biopic ever. While not entirely accurateto the true story that its based on,Erin Brokovichnonetheless reached an audience due to its association with events that had been extensively documented by the media.Erin Brokovichframes its narrative as an inspirational “David vs. Goliath” story that earned itover $250 million at the box office, a rare feat for a legal thriller.
WhileErin Brokovich’s story didn’t seem like the basis of a traditional crowd-pleaser,the film attracted a significant audience based on the star power of Julia Roberts. Roberts’ snarky, charismatic interpretation of the titular role proved that she was far more than just a romantic comedy star; it also earned her a well-deserved Academy Award win for Best Actress.
Erin Brockovich
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3‘Ocean’s Thirteen’ (2007)
Worldwide gross: $311,312,624
Whileit was ultimately the lowest-grossing film in the originalOcean’strilogy,Ocean’s Thirteenstill managed to end the initial series on a high note,grossing over $300 millionat the global box office. While the material may not have felt as fresh as the first two installments,Ocean’s Thirteentook the series in a more comedic directionthrough the insertion of more humorous banter and more elaborate heist sequences. A delightfully villainous performance fromAl Pacinoalso helped add additional star power to the film.
TheOcean’sfranchise has struggled in the aftermath ofOcean’s Thirteen, as the deaths ofBernie MacandCarl Reinermeant that the original cast would not be able to reunite in full. While 2018’sOcean’s Eightattempted to revitalize the series with a prequel story, it failed to capture the unique charisma of the original trilogy.
Ocean’s Thirteen
Danny Ocean and his crew return for a third heist after one of their own is double-crossed by a ruthless casino owner. Set in Las Vegas, the team plans an elaborate scheme to sabotage the grand opening of the casino, seeking to right injustices while ensuring their own brand of payback.
2‘Ocean’s Twelve’ (2004)
Worldwide gross: $362,744,280
Despiteearning almost $100 million less than its predecessor,Ocean’s Twelvewas a very successful sequel that proved the heist movie formula was still effective. In addition to reassembling the incredible cast from the first film,Ocean’s Twelvemade its ensemble more exciting by addingVincent CasselandCatherine Zeta-Jones. The film managed to subvert audience expectations by breaking the fourth wall with celebrity cameos and a satire of Hollywood stardom.
Whileit may have been considered a mild disappointment in comparison to the first film,Ocean’s Twelveis a much better moviethan it is often given credit for. Rather than repeating the same formula and offering diminishing returns, Soderbergh chose to reinvent the wheel by crafting a “hangout” movie with the stars of the original film. It’s a much more interesting project than a quasi-remake of the first film would have been.
Ocean’s Twelve
“Ocean’s Twelve” follows Danny Ocean and his crew as they reunite for a series of heists across Europe to repay their debt to casino mogul Terry Benedict, who demands the return of his money with interest. The team faces formidable challenges, including a rival thief and intricate European security systems. As they scramble through their meticulously planned operations, personal stakes and relationships add layers of complexity to their globe-trotting adventures.
1‘Ocean’s Eleven’ (2001)
Worldwide gross: $450,717,150
Ocean’s Elevenwas by far the most financially successful film of Soderbergh’s career, signifying that he had left his independent roots behind and become a Hollywood blockbuster director. Earningover $450 million worldwide,Ocean’s Eleventook advantage of Goerge Clooney,Brad Pitt,andMatt Damonwhen they were at the height of their powers, and launched a highly successful franchise that is still generating new installments.
In addition to once again popularizing the heist genre,Ocean’s Elevenbecame one of the most successful remakes ever. While the original film of the same name from 1960starring “the Rat Pack”hadn’t exactly been a critical hit,Ocean’s Elevenreceived strong reviews in addition to its impressive box office sum. While Soderbergh has created more artistically minded films in recent years, he still hasn’t topped the mass market appeal ofOcean’s Eleven.
