7 Best Ridley Scott Movies That Most People Don’t Know About

Ridley Scott has directed many beloved films, but because he’s made so many, even his biggest fans might not have seen them all. He’s known for iconic movies like Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator, and these films often inspire new trends in filmmaking.

The film Gladiator brought back the classic Hollywood epic, sparking a wave of similar movies like Troy. Blade Runner has heavily influenced countless futuristic films, TV shows, and video games. And the Alien franchise, along with many movies it inspired, has been popular for almost half a century.

Ridley Scott has created some truly timeless films, but not everything he’s directed has been a hit. Gladiator 2 felt like a pale imitation of the first movie, and Alien: Covenant, while visually stunning, was a complicated and somewhat disjointed addition to the Alien story. Over his long career, Scott has directed nearly 30 films, and his most famous works often overshadow his less successful ones.

7. The Duellists (1977)

Scott built his skills as a commercials director, becoming known for his ability to tell stories visually. Despite the common belief that Alien was his first film, Ridley Scott’s actual debut was The Duellists. This movie, set during the Napoleonic Wars, features Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine as French officers engaged in a bitter rivalry that lasts for years and dominates their lives.

I recently checked out The Duellists, and while it didn’t exactly set the box office on fire, I was really impressed. The acting was strong, it looked beautiful, and the sword fights were fantastic! It’s Ridley Scott’s first feature film, which is kind of amazing, but honestly, not many people seem to know about it. It didn’t reach the same level of cultural impact as Alien, of course, but it’s a really solid historical drama and definitely worth a watch if you’re into that kind of thing.

6. Body of Lies (2008)

Leonardo DiCaprio briefly starred in action films that also explored serious themes, such as Blood Diamond and Body of Lies. In Body of Lies, a thriller directed by Ridley Scott, DiCaprio plays a CIA agent hunting a terrorist, and the movie offers a grim portrayal of the post-9/11 world.

Body of Lies features strong performances from its talented cast – including Mark Strong, Russell Crowe, and a young Oscar Isaac – and boasts impressive visuals. However, the film feels stretched too thin, resembling an extended episode of 24, and ultimately lacks the compelling story and suspense needed to truly succeed, culminating in a surprisingly flat ending.

Although some people have looked at it differently over time, it’s easy to see why this work isn’t a favorite among fans. Still, it remains a reliably enjoyable, if not groundbreaking, thriller for a casual weeknight watch.

5. Black Rain (1988)

Often dismissed as just another 1980s buddy cop film following the popularity of Lethal Weapon, Black Rain is actually a visually impressive and gripping thriller. It features Michael Douglas as a determined detective navigating frustrating red tape while pursuing a criminal in Japan.

Black Rain shares a similar atmosphere with Blade Runner, but focuses on a tough police officer who is forced to confront his own life choices. While it features some action, like a shocking motorcycle-related death, the film is primarily a deep dive into its main character.

Douglas gives a strong performance as the main character, and Andy Garcia and Ken Takakura are particularly good as his American and Japanese colleagues. The film’s visuals, captured by cinematographer Jan de Bont – who later directed Speed – are also very impressive.

4. G.I. Jane (1997)

Though not a major success when it was released, this Demi Moore film holds up surprisingly well today. It’s a fictional story about the first woman to attempt Navy SEAL training. The movie follows Moore’s character as she battles both the incredibly difficult physical demands of the program and the prejudice and doubt from her male colleagues.

While G.I. Jane doesn’t fully achieve everything it sets out to do and feels a bit awkward at times, it’s still an enjoyable film thanks to its inspiring, underdog story – similar to Rocky. Despite not performing well at the box office, both Moore and Scott are very proud of it. Scott even believes it’s a more powerful feminist statement than his classic 1991 film, Thelma & Louise.

Throughout the 1990s, director Scott made a string of unsuccessful films, and G.I. Jane is often remembered more for starring Demi Moore than for being a strong Ridley Scott movie. Despite this, it’s a surprisingly good film that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

3. Matchstick Men (2003)

It’s surprising to find Nicolas Cage in a comedy, considering the director’s usual work, but the two teamed up for this delightful and playful movie. Cage plays a con artist with OCD whose already complicated life gets even more hectic when a teenage daughter (Alison Lohman) shows up.

Though visually similar to other films by director Ridley Scott, Matchstick Men feels different – and that’s a good thing. This 2003 thriller is a fun, fast-paced ride with excellent performances, especially from Sam Rockwell, and a clever, unpredictable story.

Many consider Matchstick Men to be one of Scott’s best, yet most overlooked films. It didn’t do well when it first came out and isn’t widely known today, but it’s a movie worth checking out.

2. Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)

Starring Tom Berenger and Mimi Rogers, Someone to Watch Over Me is a lesser-known thriller that mainly appeals to fans of director Ridley Scott. The film features Berenger, who was gaining recognition for his role in Platoon, as a married detective who finds himself attracted to the beautiful woman (Rogers) he’s been assigned to protect.

As a film buff, I think this New York thriller would be perfect paired with Black Rain. They both really dig into the characters, with bursts of action. What I especially loved was the emotional core – a complicated love triangle with Lorraine Bracco adding a lot of depth. And honestly, the cinematography is just stunning; Scott really knows how to make a visually captivating film.

1. Kingdom of Heaven: Director’s Cut (2006)

When Kingdom of Heaven was released in 2005, critics had a mixed reaction. While visually stunning, many felt the film lacked substance as a historical epic. This was largely due to director Ridley Scott being forced to remove 45 minutes of the story; the studio preferred a more action-packed blockbuster with a focus on exciting scenes.

The original release of Kingdom of Heaven wasn’t very good, but director Ridley Scott’s 2006 version is a truly exceptional film. It’s a powerful, gritty, and large-scale epic. While Orlando Bloom isn’t the strongest actor in the lead, he’s supported by a fantastic cast featuring Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, and Edward Norton.

Many consider Ridley Scott’s director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven to be his best film of the 21st century. It’s unfortunate this longer, 3-hour version wasn’t shown in cinemas, but thankfully Scott was able to release his intended vision on Blu-ray.

2026-02-01 22:10