Many directors strive to become renowned for their film-making and storytelling identity, the distinct trademarks that distinguish them from their peers. In this pursuit, many filmmakers have become auteurs, directors with such strong stylistic tendencies that their work is instantly recognizable no matter the picture. While the likes ofQuentin Tarantino,Wes Anderson, and theCoen Brothershave become world-famous for this reason, there are plenty of directors who have flourished on the back of their versatility more so than their one-track vision.
With names likeSteven SpielbergandMartin Scorsesepopulating this list, it should still be noted that these filmmakers still have identifiable qualities, with some even adhering to specific genres more so than others. However, all of them have displayed an inspired mastery across numerous genres.It is no coincidence that all 10 of these directors are heralded among the greatest filmmakers of all time.
10Ridley Scott
Science-Fiction, Horror, Period Drama, Crime
When it comes to truly mastering genres which demand specific and strong stylistic and narrative decisions, there are few filmmakers as astute and acclaimed asRidley Scott. He re-wrote the rules and possibilities of horror cinema withAlienbefore pioneering a new aesthetic and image of science-fiction with the neon-soaked, neo-noir masterpieceBlade Runner. Scott has returned to sci-fi several times since, namely with 2015’sThe Martianand his continued work on theAlienfranchise.
Another of his greatest achievements is 2000’s period revenge epicGladiator, whilehis progressive feminist road crime movieThelma & Louiseis another of his defining masterpieces. While his versatility is easy to admire, it is fascinating to observe Scott’s filmography and examine howhe uses creativity in visual details to conjure up spellbinding spectacles no matter the genre. This dates back to his debut outing in the period dramaThe Duelists, and remains a hallmark of his best work today.
9Rob Reiner
Comedy, Coming-of-Age Drama, Fantasy Adventure, Romance, Horror
After breaking into the industry as an actor occupying supporting roles in film and television,Rob Reinermade an immediate impression in the director’s chairwith his debut pictureThis Is Spinal Tap, a film that remains a timeless comedy classic. Just in the rest of the 80s alone Reiner emphasized his versatility, directing the coming-of-age masterpieceStand by Me, the cherished fantasy adventureThe Princess Bride, and the rom-com classicWhen Harry Met Sally….
The 90s saw him expand into horror/thriller withMisery, courtroom drama withA Few Good Men, and political dramedy withThe American President.One of Reiner’s most defining strengths as a filmmaker has always been his deft mastery of tone, an ability to ensure all his stories – no matter the genre – are perfectly imbued with charm, acidic wit, intimidating malice, and/or heart-stopping suspense. He is easily among the greatest directors of all time who have never been nominated for an Academy Award.
8Danny Boyle
Black Comedy, Science-Fiction, Horror, Neo-Noir, Crime Drama, Survival Thriller
Not only a fantastically versatile filmmaker,Danny Boylehas also proven himself time and time again to bea genius when it comes to juggling genre and tone with individual pictures. As such, he has often released movies that are technically the same genre yet have a completely different impact on audiences. This has been true since his very first features when he debut with the black comedy neo-noirShallow Graveand followed it up with the similarly cynical crime-comedyTrainspotting.
His zombie horror classic28 Days Laterremains one of the best movies the subgenre has ever seen, while 2007’sSunshineis among the most underrated sci-fi thrillers of all time and127 Hoursstands asan unforgettably brutal survival biopic. Boyle’s one Academy Award win came for his direction ofSlumdog Millionaire.
Period Romance, Martial Arts Action, Romance, Adventure
After making a couple of movies in his homeland of Taiwan in the early 1990s,Ang Leemade a strong impression on audiences with his breakout English period dramaSense and Sensibility, a character-driven tale of romantic angst that remains one of the best adaptations ofJane Austen’s work. While he followed it up with a couple of box office flops, he soon returned to form with the modern martial arts masterpieceCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which earned him his first Best Director nomination.
Five years after that he received a second nomination for his ground-breaking and urgently progressive romantic dramaBrokeback Mountain, before finally winning the award for 2012’s dazzling adventureLife of Pi. Granted, Lee’s career has had some lows along the way, but he has proven himself multiple times now to bea director capable of enchanting audienceswith narrative, tone, and visual style.
6Fritz Lang
Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Film Noir, Crime-Thriller
One of cinema’s earliest masters, Fritz Langfirst made a name for himself during the silent era, with arguably his most famous film coming in the form of the silent sci-fiMetropolis. While making silent pictures, he also presented an awe-inspiring fantasy epic in the form of his twoDie Nibelungenmovies and showed an early talent for scintillating crime thrillers in parts one and two ofDr. Mabuse the Gambler.
Lang’s transition to sound yielded instant rewards with 1931’sMseeing him truly master crime suspense while making pioneering advancements in the use of sound and camera movement. After meeting witha peculiar admirer inJoseph Goebbels, the Jewish Lang fled Germany, eventually arriving in America where his first U.S. film was 1936’sFury. Through the 40s and 50s he became one of Hollywood’s most renowned film noir directors, withThe Woman in the WindowandThe Big Heathis two most enduring classics in the genre.
5Martin Scorsese
Crime Drama, Historical Epic, Psychological Thriller, Romance, Musical, Family Adventure, Black Comedy
It is difficult to comment on any form of directorial excellence and not mentionMartin Scorsese. He is obviously most famous for his work in crime cinema, withGoodfellas,Casino,The Departed, and recent epicsThe IrishmanandKillers of the Flower Moonmaking up some of the most acclaimed films the genre has seen in the last 50 years. He has applied a similar intensity and commentary on violence to his psychological thrillers likeTaxi Driver,Cape Fear, andShutter Island.
However,some of his best pictures have come in his most severe genre pivots.Hugois a truly wondrous family adventure,New York, New Yorka fascinating musical, andThe Age of Innocenceis an enchanting period romance. Scorsese’s interest in period pieces has become a defining aspect of his career of late as well, withSilencea noteworthy religious historical epic. If one considersThe Wolf of Wall StreetandThe King of Comedyas dark comedies andRaging Bullas a sports biopic, then there are few genres Scorsese hasn’t shown a level of excellence in throughout his astonishing career.
4Billy Wilder
Romantic-Comedy, Film Noir, War, Drama, Courtroom Thriller
Given the enduring fame of many of his contemporaries, it would be easy to make a case suggestingBilly Wilderis one of the most overlooked directors by today’s audiences. A reason for this societal oversight may be the fact that he did pivot between genres so frequently. While he did eventually become known for romantic-comedies in the back half of his career, with films likeThe Apartment,Sabrina, andSome Like it Hotamong his greatest achievements,Wilder was always relatively subtle yet effective with his style, giving his films a remarkably modern feelwhen watched today.
He mastered classic noir withSunset BoulevardandDouble Indemnity, two of the best movies the genre has seen.The Lost Weekendwon numerous awards as a wry drama,Stalag 17offered a unique perspective on war cinema, andWitness for the Prosecutionremains one of the greatest courtroom thrillers of all time.A true master of cinematic storytelling, Billy Wilder is one of the greatest talents Hollywood has ever seen, as well as one of the most versatile.
3Steven Spielberg
Blockbuster, Horror, War, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Action-Adventure, Drama
One of the most celebrated filmmakers of all time,Steven Spielberghas always been a director who changed genresfrom one picture to the next. His major breakthrough inJawsremains one of the best horror movies ever made, an achievement he followed up with the excellent sci-fiClose Encounters of the Third Kind. He has mastered war cinema withSaving Private RyanandSchindler’s List, created spellbinding fantasy adventures withRaiders of the Lost ArkandJurassic Park, and perfected historical biopics with films likeLincoln,Bridge of Spies, and evenAmistad.
The delightful thing about Spielberg’s career is how he has been able toexperiment and pivot between genres while still maintaining an overall sense of familiar blockbuster charm. Throughout his career that has spanned across half a century, Spielberg has been nominated for Best Director on nine occasions, and won the award twice. But his legacy will always be in how he has managed to be formative of the new age of American cinema while constantly evolving as a visual storyteller.
2Akira Kurosawa
Period Epic, Action-Adventure, Crime-Thriller, Tragedy, Thriller
Often heralded as being the single greatest filmmaker of all time,Akira Kurosawais world-famous for his vast filmography. Many immediately think of his samurai movies, and even within just those there is sensational scope, ranging from sprawling epics likeSeven SamuraiandRanto taut thrillers likeThrone of BloodandRashomon, and even to exhilarating action-adventures likeThe Hidden Fortress.
Kurosawa’s work set in contemporary times is no less extraordinary though. He excelled in crime cinema with such pictures asDrunken Angel,High and LowandThe Bad Sleep Well, while his dramatic and poignantly triumphant tragedyIkiruis viewed by many to be his greatest film. Witha brilliant sensitivity towards many forms of narrative as well as the mesmerizing visual presentation of his pictures, Akira Kurosawa’s filmography endures asa captivating embodiment of the possibilities of cinemaand the many ways the medium can move, inspire, and appeal to viewers.
1Stanley Kubrick
Science-Fiction, Comedy, Horror, Anti-War, Historical Epic, Psychological Thriller
Few directors have truly mastered genres the wayStanley Kubrickso famously did throughout his career, which yielded a somewhat low total of just 13 movies. While the lens he cast upon society, his unique yet inspired framing techniques, and his striking narrative focuses have made him distinct,the way he applied his tendencies to different genres was truly remarkable.
Perhaps the greatest testament to both his versatility and his excellence is the fact he directedDr. Strangelove, which is widely regarded to be among the best comedies ever made,The Shining, a horror held in similar regard, and2001: A Space Odyssey, which is viewed as being the pinnacle of sci-fi cinema. He also made exceptionally powerful anti-war movies inPaths of GloryandFull Metal Jacket, seismic historical epics inBarry Lyndonand his disownedSpartacus, and intriguing thrillers inA Clockwork Orange,Eyes Wide Shut,The Killing,and even the polarizingLolita. The sheer vastness of his filmography, as well as his continual brilliance, makes Kubrick arguably the single greatest filmmaker of all time.
