Blade Runner

(Photo by Warner Bros./courtesy Everett Collection)

Ridley Scott Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

We’re ranking by Tomatometer all the movies of legendary director Ridley Scott, including sci-fi gamechangers Alien and Blade Runner, Best Picture-winner Gladiator, and blockbuster crowd-pleasers like The Martian, and his most recent releases (Gladiator II, House of Gucci, The Last Duel, Napoleon). —Alex Vo
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#1

Alien (1979)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#1
Adjusted Score: 114620%
Critics Consensus: A modern classic, Alien blends science fiction, horror and bleak poetry into a seamless whole.
Synopsis: In deep space, the crew of the commercial starship Nostromo is awakened from their cryo-sleep capsules halfway through their journey... [More]
Starring: Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#2

The Martian (2015)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#2
Adjusted Score: 110206%
Critics Consensus: Smart, thrilling, and surprisingly funny, The Martian offers a faithful adaptation of the bestselling book that brings out the best in leading man Matt Damon and director Ridley Scott.
Synopsis: When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce... [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#3

Blade Runner (1982)
Tomatometer icon 89%

#3
Adjusted Score: 102955%
Critics Consensus: Misunderstood when it first hit theaters, the influence of Ridley Scott's mysterious, neo-noir Blade Runner has deepened with time. A visually remarkable, achingly human sci-fi masterpiece.
Synopsis: Deckard (Harrison Ford) is forced by the police Boss (M. Emmet Walsh) to continue his old job as Replicant Hunter.... [More]
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#4

Thelma & Louise (1991)
Tomatometer icon 86%

#4
Adjusted Score: 100493%
Critics Consensus: Driven by ride-or-die chemistry between Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon while director Ridley Scott provides scorching visuals fit for a postcard, Thelma & Louise is a feminist adventure that's equal parts provocative and rollicking.
Synopsis: Meek housewife Thelma (Geena Davis) joins her friend Louise (Susan Sarandon), an independent waitress, on a short fishing trip. However,... [More]
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#5

The Last Duel (2021)
Tomatometer icon 85%

#5
Adjusted Score: 99955%
Critics Consensus: The Last Duel's critique of systemic misogyny isn't as effective as it might have been, but it remains a well-acted and thought-provoking drama infused with epic grandeur.
Synopsis: The Last Duel is a cinematic and thought-provoking drama set in the midst of the Hundred Years War that explores... [More]
Starring: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#6

Matchstick Men (2003)
Tomatometer icon 83%

#6
Adjusted Score: 89326%
Critics Consensus: Breezy and well-acted, Matchstick Men focuses more on the characters than on the con.
Synopsis: Roy (Nicolas Cage), a depressed con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Frank (Sam Rockwell), his partner, find their line of... [More]
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#7

American Gangster (2007)
Tomatometer icon 81%

#7
Adjusted Score: 89583%
Critics Consensus: American Gangster is a gritty and entertaining throwback to classic gangster films, with its lead performers firing on all cylinders.
Synopsis: Frank Lucas earns his living as a chauffeur to one of Harlem's leading mobsters; after his boss dies, Frank uses... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#8

Gladiator (2000)
Tomatometer icon 80%

#8
Adjusted Score: 90966%
Critics Consensus: While not everyone will be entertained by Gladiator's glum revenge story, Russell Crowe thunderously wins the crowd with a star-making turn that provides Ridley Scott's opulent resurrection of Rome its bruised heart.
Synopsis: Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes power and strips rank from Maximus (Russell Crowe), one of the favored generals of his predecessor... [More]
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#9
#9
Adjusted Score: 93325%
Critics Consensus: All the Money in the World offers an absorbing portrayal of a true story, brought compellingly to life by a powerful performance from Christopher Plummer.
Synopsis: In 1973, kidnappers demand $17 million from billionaire J. Paul Getty in exchange for his grandson's release. Getty refuses to... [More]
Starring: Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Romain Duris
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#10

Gladiator II (2024)
Tomatometer icon 71%

#10
Adjusted Score: 92931%
Critics Consensus: Echoing its predecessor while upping the bloodsport and camp, Gladiator II is an action extravaganza that derives much of its strength and honor from Denzel Washington's scene-stealing performance.
Synopsis: Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the... [More]
Starring: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#11

Black Hawk Down (2001)
Tomatometer icon 76%

#11
Adjusted Score: 82257%
Critics Consensus: Though it's light on character development and cultural empathy, Black Hawk Down is a visceral, pulse-pounding portrait of war, elevated by Ridley Scott's superb technical skill.
Synopsis: In 1993, the U.S. sends special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to... [More]
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#12

Prometheus (2012)
Tomatometer icon 73%

#12
Adjusted Score: 88207%
Critics Consensus: Ridley Scott's ambitious quasi-prequel to Alien may not answer all of its big questions, but it's redeemed by its haunting visual grandeur and compelling performances -- particularly Michael Fassbender as a fastidious android.
Synopsis: The discovery of a clue to mankind's origins on Earth leads a team of explorers to the darkest parts of... [More]
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#13

The Duellists (1977)
Tomatometer icon 74%

#13
Adjusted Score: 80399%
Critics Consensus: Rich, stylized visuals work with effective performances in Ridley Scott's take on Joseph Conrad's Napoleonic story, resulting in an impressive feature film debut for the director.
Synopsis: Armand d'Hubert (Keith Carradine) and Gabriel Féraud (Harvey Keitel) are French soldiers under Napoleon. A trivial quarrel between d'Hubert and... [More]
Starring: Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Albert Finney, Edward Fox
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#14

Alien: Covenant (2017)
Tomatometer icon 65%

#14
Adjusted Score: 87931%
Critics Consensus: Alien: Covenant delivers another satisfying round of close-quarters deep-space terror, even if it doesn't take the saga in any new directions.
Synopsis: Bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, members (Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup) of the colony... [More]
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#15
#15
Adjusted Score: 67250%
Critics Consensus: Its plot is sometimes hard to swallow, but some fine acting and director Ridley Scott's stylish visual flair make Someone to Watch Over Me an engaging police thriller.
Synopsis: After Manhattan socialite Claire Gregory (Mimi Rogers) witnesses her friend's murder at the hands of Joey Venza (Andreas Katsulas), a... [More]
Starring: Tom Berenger, Mimi Rogers, Lorraine Bracco, Jerry Orbach
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#16

House of Gucci (2021)
Tomatometer icon 62%

#16
Adjusted Score: 81080%
Critics Consensus: House of Gucci vacillates between inspired camp and dour drama too often to pull off a confident runway strut, but Lady Gaga's note-perfect performance has a timeless style all its own.
Synopsis: House of Gucci is inspired by the shocking true story of the family behind the Italian fashion empire. When Patrizia... [More]
Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#17

Napoleon (2023)
Tomatometer icon 58%

#17
Adjusted Score: 77207%
Critics Consensus: Ridley Scott is intent on proving the emperor has no clothes in Napoleon, a slyly funny epic with bravura set pieces and a divided runtime that keeps it from outright conquering.
Synopsis: "Napoleon" is a spectacle-filled action epic that details the checkered rise and fall of the iconic French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte,... [More]
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Ben Miles, Tahar Rahim
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#18

White Squall (1996)
Tomatometer icon 57%

#18
Adjusted Score: 58954%
Critics Consensus: Though it gets occasionally bogged down by touchy-feely sentiment, White Squall benefits greatly from Jeff Bridges' assured lead performance and Ridley Scott's visceral, exciting direction.
Synopsis: In 1960, a hardy group of prep school students boards an old-fashioned sailing ship. With Capt. Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges)... [More]
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Caroline Goodall, Scott Wolf, John Savage
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#19

Body of Lies (2008)
Tomatometer icon 55%

#19
Adjusted Score: 63574%
Critics Consensus: Body of Lies relies on the performances of Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio to elevate it beyond the conventional espionage thriller.
Synopsis: CIA agent Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) hatches a bold but dangerous plan to capture terrorist Al-Saleem. With the help of... [More]
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong, Golshifteh Farahani
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#20

Black Rain (1989)
Tomatometer icon 54%

#20
Adjusted Score: 55454%
Critics Consensus: Black Rain has its fair share of Ridley Scott's directorial flair, but its paint-by-numbers story never rises above genre conventions.
Synopsis: New York City policemen Nick (Michael Douglas) and Charlie (Andy Garcia) witness a murder in a bar and quickly apprehend... [More]
Starring: Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Ken Takakura, Kate Capshaw
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#21

G.I. Jane (1997)
Tomatometer icon 53%

#21
Adjusted Score: 54929%
Critics Consensus: Demi Moore admirably does her duty, but G.I. Jane's well-intentioned message is obscured by stylistic bombast and an overload of jingoism.
Synopsis: In response to political pressure from Senator Lillian DeHaven (Anne Bancroft), the U.S. Navy begins a program that would allow... [More]
Starring: Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft, Jason Beghe
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#22

Robin Hood (2010)
Tomatometer icon 43%

#22
Adjusted Score: 53308%
Critics Consensus: Ridley Scott's revisionist take on this oft-told tale offers some fine acting and a few gripping action sequences, but it's missing the thrill of adventure that made Robin Hood a legend in the first place.
Synopsis: After the death of Richard the Lion-Hearted, a skilled archer named Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) travels to Nottingham, where villagers... [More]
Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Matthew Macfadyen
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#23

Legend (1985)
Tomatometer icon 41%

#23
Adjusted Score: 44883%
Critics Consensus: Not even Ridley Scott's gorgeously realized set pieces can save Legend from its own tawdry tale -- though it may be serviceable for those simply looking for fantasy eye candy.
Synopsis: Darkness (Tim Curry) seeks to create eternal night by destroying the last of the unicorns. Jack (Tom Cruise) and his... [More]
Starring: Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, Tim Curry, David Bennent
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#24

Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Tomatometer icon 39%

#24
Adjusted Score: 45980%
Critics Consensus: Although it's an objective and handsomely presented take on the Crusades, Kingdom of Heaven lacks depth.
Synopsis: Still in grief over his wife's sudden death, village blacksmith Balian (Orlando Bloom) joins his long-estranged father, Baron Godfrey (Liam... [More]
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons, David Thewlis
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#25

Hannibal (2001)
Tomatometer icon 39%

#25
Adjusted Score: 45215%
Critics Consensus: While superbly acted and stylishly filmed, Hannibal lacks the character interaction between the two leads which made the first movie so engrossing.
Synopsis: Seven years have passed since Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) escaped from custody. The doctor is now at large in... [More]
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#26

The Counselor (2013)
Tomatometer icon 33%

#26
Adjusted Score: 43083%
Critics Consensus: The Counselor raises expectations with its talented cast and creative crew -- then subverts them with a wordy and clumsy suspense thriller that's mercilessly short on suspense or thrills.
Synopsis: A Bentley-driving Texas lawyer (Michael Fassbender) appears to have it all, including a beautiful fiancee named Laura (Penélope Cruz) --... [More]
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#27
#27
Adjusted Score: 33184%
Critics Consensus: Historically inaccurate and dramatically inert, Ridley Scott's retelling of Christopher Columbus' exploits is an epic without grandeur or insight.
Synopsis: Determined to find a new sailing route to India, Christopher Columbus (Gérard Depardieu) convinces Spanish Queen Isabella (Sigourney Weaver) to... [More]
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Armand Assante, Sigourney Weaver, Loren Dean
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#28
#28
Adjusted Score: 39721%
Critics Consensus: While sporadically stirring, and suitably epic in its ambitions, Exodus: Gods and Kings can't quite live up to its classic source material.
Synopsis: Egyptian Princes Moses (Christian Bale) and Ramses (Joel Edgerton) are raised together as brothers. When Ramses becomes pharaoh, Moses is... [More]
Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul
Directed By: Ridley Scott

#29

A Good Year (2006)
Tomatometer icon 26%

#29
Adjusted Score: 31329%
Critics Consensus: A Good Year is a fine example of a top-notch director and actor out of their elements, in a sappy romantic comedy lacking in charm and humor.
Synopsis: Failed London banker Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) inherits his uncle's (Albert Finney) vineyard in Provence, where he spent many childhood... [More]
Starring: Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard, Albert Finney, Abbie Cornish
Directed By: Ridley Scott

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