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Wolfgang Petersen Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

Director Wolfgang Petersen filmography was deliberate yet eclectic, as he searched for epic scope across all genres. His second film, 1982’s Das Boot, was towering and claustrophobic, and ended up with six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. His English-language debut was the ’80s fantasy classic The Neverending Story, followed a year later with the cult sci-fi nearly two-hander Enemy Mine.

Petersen’s 1990s output made the most out of when the American studio system could still turn adult thrillers into blockbusters, like Clint Eastwood‘s In the Line of Fire and Harrison Ford‘s Air Force One. By the 2000s, Petersen was reaching with his largest budgets yet, with disaster film The Perfect Storm, and Brad Pitt‘s Troy, which is much improved from the theatrical release in the director’s cut. Petersen’s final film was 2006 remake of The Poseidon Adventure. —Alex Vo

Das Boot (1981)

98%

Critics Consensus: Taut, breathtakingly thrilling, and devastatingly intelligent, Das Boot is one of the greatest war films ever made.

Synopsis: A German submarine patrols the Atlantic Ocean during World War II, manned by a crew that must contend with tense conflicts and long stretches of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

In the Line of Fire (1993)

96%

Critics Consensus: A straightforward thriller of the highest order, In the Line of Fire benefits from Wolfgang Peterson's taut direction and charismatic performances from Clint Eastwood and John Malkovich.

Synopsis: A Secret Service agent is taunted by calls from a would-be killer who has detailed information about the agent - including the fact that he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, Dylan McDermott

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

The Neverending Story (1984)

84%

Critics Consensus: A magical journey about the power of a young boy's imagination to save a dying fantasy land, The NeverEnding Story remains a much-loved kids adventure.

Synopsis: On his way to school, Bastian ducks into a bookstore to avoid bullies. Sneaking away with a book called "The Neverending Story," Bastian begins reading... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach, Moses Gunn

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

Air Force One (1997)

78%

Critics Consensus: This late-period Harrison Ford actioner is full of palpable, if not entirely seamless, thrills.

Synopsis: After making a speech in Moscow vowing to never negotiate with terrorists, President James Marshall boards Air Force One with his family and advisers. When... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close, Wendy Crewson

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

Enemy Mine (1985)

61%

Critics Consensus: Enemy Mine extracts thrilling sci-fi pulp from Dennis Quaid and Louis Gossett Jr.'s chemistry and inventive production design, but an overextended story diminishes the power of its central duo's relationship.

Synopsis: During a war between humans and the reptilian Drac race, spaceship pilot Willis Davidge ends up stranded on an alien world, along with enemy fighter... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr., Brion James, Richard Marcus

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

Outbreak (1995)

60%

Critics Consensus: A frustratingly uneven all-star disaster drama, Outbreak ultimately proves only mildly contagious and leaves few lasting side effects.

Synopsis: A dangerous airborne virus threatens civilization in this tense thriller. After an African monkey carrying a lethal virus is smuggled into the U.S., an outbreak... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

Troy (2004)

53%

Critics Consensus: A brawny, entertaining spectacle, but lacking emotional resonance.

Synopsis: While visiting Spartan King Menelaus, Trojan prince Paris falls for Menelaus' wife, Helen and takes her back to Troy. Menelaus' brother, King Agamemnon, having already... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, Diane Kruger

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

The Perfect Storm (2000)

47%

Critics Consensus: While the special effects are well done and quite impressive, this film suffers from any actual drama or characterization. The end result is a film that offers nifty eye-candy and nothing else.

Synopsis: Based on a true story, the film tells of the courageous men and women who risk their lives every working day, pitting their fishing boats... View Full Synopsis

Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen

#10

Poseidon (2006)

33%

Critics Consensus: This remake of The Poseidon Adventure delivers dazzling special effects. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that any of the budget was left over to devote to the script.

Synopsis: After a huge tidal wave capsizes a luxury liner in the North Atlantic, individual survivors (Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Jacinda Barrett) band together and traverse... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Jacinda Barrett, Richard Dreyfuss

Directed By: Wolfgang Petersen