One of the most celebrated directors of all time, Robert Zemeckis has had quite the impressive career over the decades. Still making movies over 40 years after the release of his debut film, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, the director has refused to be pigeonholed, trying his hand at almost every conceivable genre, from horror to comedy to computer animation – and everything in between.
Although not all of Zemeckis’ films have been critical darlings, he has an impressive batting average nonetheless – helming some of the most inventive, ground-breaking movies ever made. Here are the director’s 10 best movies, ranked according to IMDb.
10 Allied (2016) – 7.1
While Allied is hardly the most beloved movie in Robert Zemeckis’ filmography, the movie has enjoyed a higher score on IMDb than other review aggregate sites, nonetheless. There’s not exactly anything wrong with Allied, per se, but it fails to live up to the promise of an epic, Zemeckis-directed wartime drama, ultimately ringing a little hollow in the shadow of classics like Casablanca.
With that said, Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard are great leads, and the production is suitably sumptuous, making it more than worth a watch for fans of period drama.
9 The Walk (2015) – 7.3
Telling the real-life story of French high-wire enthusiast Phillipe Petit, The Walk sees its central character attempt to pull off an illegal wire walk between New York’s Twin Towers with the help of his friends.
One of Zemeckis’ least talked about movies, The Walk remains a good time regardless, with its dizzying high wire sequences standing out as the movie’s strongest moments. Boasting a strong cast – with Joseph Gordon-Levitt giving in an impressive performance as Petit – and energetic direction, The Walk is a must-see for fans of Zemeckis’ work.
8 Flight (2012) – 7.3
Earning Denzel Washington an Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the 85th Academy Awards – with the movie also earning a nomination for Best Original Screenplay – 2012’s Flight proved to be one of the year’s biggest hits, both critically and financially.
Telling the story of troubled airline pilot Whip Whitaker, Flight sees the captain successfully pull off a controlled landing after the plane malfunctions mid-flight. While he manages to save almost every passenger on board, the subsequent investigation reveals he was under the influence at the time. Despite having one of the most breathtaking opening sequences of the decade, Flight really soars in its compelling central drama, with Washington painting a tragic picture of a man no longer in control.
7 Contact (1997) – 7.4
1997’s Contact was hardly the most well-received Robert Zemeckis movie upon its initial release. Nevertheless, the movie has managed to hold a special place in the wider pop-culture consciousness, with audiences worldwide connecting with its ambitious concepts and thoughtful approach to its extra-terrestrial subject matter.
Starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey, the movie follows Dr. Ellie Arroway, who unearths compelling evidence for the existence of extra-terrestrial life – and the intense philosophical debate that ensues as Arroway prepares to establish contact with them.
6 Back To The Future Part III (1990) – 7.4
Conceptually the most unique entry in the Back to the Future franchise, Back to the Future Part III sees Marty attempt to rescue Doc Brown from Biff’s gun-slinging great-grandfather after he finds himself trapped in 1885.
While there’s great debate over which Back to the Future movie is the best, there’s no doubt that the third and final entry in the franchise is a fan favorite, gleefully capping off the series in satisfying fashion.
5 Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) – 7.7
One of the most iconic movies of the 1980s – and rightfully so – Who Framed Roger Rabbit is by far the most successful fusion of live-action and animation ever put to screen. The story follows private detective Eddie Valiant, who’s tasked with clearing Roger Rabbit’s name after he’s framed for murder – despite his prejudice against ‘toons’.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s unmatched technical skill and painstaking attention to detail set it apart from every other movie of its kind, which combined with its great characters, inventive script and warm heart makes it a near-perfect movie.
4 Back To The Future Part II (1989) – 7.8
The middle chapter of the Back to the Future franchise, Back to the Future Part II sees Doc and Marty whisked away to the distant future of 2015, where they unintentionally facilitate an elderly Biff’s rise to power – causing a whole host of new problems for the duo.
Sure, the movie may not be quite as consistent as the entries that bookend Part II, but it’s a great time regardless, with the movie’s depiction of 2015 remaining the movie’s biggest novelty.
3 Cast Away (2000) – 7.8
Telling the harrowing story of plane crash survivor Chuck Noland – played by Tom Hanks – as he finds himself stranded on a deserted island, Cast Away is one of the most widely-known Robert Zemeckis movies ever made.
Both a critical darling and a financial juggernaut, Cast Away made over $429 million at the box office, and Hanks even earned himself an Oscar nomination for his powerhouse performance in the movie – which has since become one of the most parodied movie roles of all time.
2 Back To The Future (1985) – 8.5
Arguably the first movie you think of when you hear the name Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is the film that made him a household name. Following the exploits of teenager Marty McFly and his mad scientist friend Dr. Emmet Brown, the movie sees the pair trapped in 1955 after experimenting with a time-traveling DeLorean.
One of cinema’s most iconic movies, Back to the Future’s creative script remains the gold standard for time travel movies, with the movie still being studied in film studies classes to this day.
1 Forrest Gump (1994) – 8.8
Beating out the likes of Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption at the 67th Academy Awards, it goes without saying that Forrest Gump became something of a cultural phenomenon when it was released in 1994, even managing to rake in a staggering $678 million at the box office.
The movie chronicles the life of its titular character, Forrest Gump, as he overcomes his physical and mental handicaps, unknowingly impacting some of the 20th century’s most important events with his kind heart. With its unique, heartwarming script, iconic central performance from Tom Hanks, and perfect execution, it’s not a surprise that the movie sits at number 12 in IMDb’s top 250 movies.
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