A question movie buffs often ask themselves is, “Who are the best movie directors of all time?” It’s a logical question for someone who loves movies. However, it’s best to focus on your favorite directors. After all, art can’t be entirely measured, nor should it be.
Therefore, I’ll create a list of favorite directors, according to my tastes, most of whom are undoubtedly considered the greatest. Let’s begin and see a list of best directors of all time and their movies.
Stanley Kubrick
My favorite: Eyes Wide Shut, Dr. Strangelove, A Clockwork Orange, Paths of Glory, Barry Lyndon, Full Metal Jacket
Most important nominations: Venice Film Festival, Oscars, BAFTAs
What makes Stanley Kubrick great: His attention to detail, mastery of visual composition, and ability to reinvent genres with intellectually rigorous yet emotionally powerful films.
Dušan Makavejev
My favorite: WR: The Mysteries of the Organism, Man Is Not a Bird, Love Affair, or the Case of the Missing Switchboard Operator, Innocence Unprotected
Most important nominations: Berlin International Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Pula Film Festival
What makes Dušan Makavejev great: His daring blend of political satire, eroticism, and avant-garde techniques challenged censorship and convention, making him a bold voice of the Yugoslav Black Wave. Considering his craft, it’s unsurprising that Mak is one of the favorite directors of many people.
Krzysztof Kieślowski
My favorite: Three Colors trilogy, The Double Life of Veronique, A Short Film About Killing, A Short Film About Love
Most important nominations: Berlin, Oscars, Cannes, Venice, BAFTAs
What makes Krzysztof Kieślowski great: His profound exploration of moral choice, fate, and human connection cemented him as a master of spiritual and philosophical cinema. Aside from being one of the best directors of all time, he was also one of the leaders of the Cinema of Moral Anxiety.
Francis Ford Coppola
My favorite: The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, The Conversation
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, BAFTAs, Venice
What makes Francis Ford Coppola great: His ability to craft epic, operatic narratives blending grand scale with intimate emotion established him as one of the defining auteurs of American cinema.
Martin Scorsese
My favorite: Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, Venice
What makes Martin Scorsese great: His dynamic style, engagement with morality and identity, and lifelong passion for film preservation have made him one of the most influential storytellers.
Jean-Luc Godard
My favorite: Breathless, Bande à Part, Une Femme est une Femme
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Jean-Luc Godard great: His radical reinvention of film language through jump cuts, fractured narratives, and playful self-reflexivity made him a revolutionary force in the French New Wave.
Pawel Pawlikowski
My favorite: Cold War, Ida, Tripping with Zhirinovsky, Dostoevsky’s Travels, Serbian Epics
Most important nominations: Oscars, BAFTAs, Berlin, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Pawel Pawlikowski great: His sharp, visually striking style and intimate storytelling combined with political context have made him one of the best directors today.
François Truffaut
My favorite: The 400 Blows, Day for Night, Jules and Jim
Most important nominations: Cannes, Oscars, Berlin, BAFTAs, Venice
What makes François Truffaut great: His deeply humanistic storytelling, love for cinema, and ability to blend personal intimacy with universal themes made him a master of character-driven film.
Goran Paskaljević
My favorite: The Elusive Summer of ’68, Someone Else’s America, Cabaret Balkan
Most important nominations: Cannes, Berlin, Venice, European Film Awards
What makes Goran Paskaljević great: His compassionate focus on ordinary people, combined with subtle social and political critique, gave his films a warmth and humanity that resonated internationally.
Paolo Sorrentino
My favorite: The Hand of God, The Great Beauty, Loro, Parthenope
Most important nominations: BAFTAs, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Paolo Sorrentino great: His extravagant style, social observation, and existential reflection have made him an auteur who explores almost everything with tenderness and irony.
Milos Forman
My favorite: Amadeus, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Blonde in Love
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, BAFTAs, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Milos Forman great: His eye for social outsiders, biting satire, and deep humanity in both Czech New Wave realism and Hollywood spectacle made him a master. Amadeus is a massive reason why he is one of my preferred and favorite directors.
Sidney Lumet
My favorite: Dog Day Afternoon, Serpico, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, Venice, BAFTAs
What makes Sidney Lumet great: His performance-driven storytelling, ethical complexity, and social consciousness made him one of the most impactful filmmakers.
Nicolas Winding Refn
My favorite: Pusher trilogy, Bronson, Drive
Most important nominations: Cannes, Venice, BAFTAs, Sundance Film Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival
What makes Nicolas Winding Refn great: His bold visuals, hypnotic pacing, and exploration of violence and alienation have made him a distinctive modern auteur, blending arthouse experimentation with genre filmmaking.
Lars von Trier
My favorite: The Idiots, Dogville, Melancholia, Nymphomaniac, Antichrist
Most important nominations: Cannes, Venice, European Film Awards, Danish Film Awards
What makes Lars von Trier great: His fearless exploration of taboo subjects, emotionally raw storytelling, and groundbreaking stylistic innovations have made him one of the most controversial and influential directors. Also, he’s a co-founder of the impressive Dogme 95.
Thomas Vinterberg
My favorite: The Commune, Another Round, The Hunt
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, BAFTAs, European Film Awards
What makes Thomas Vinterberg great: His ability to capture raw human emotion and moral complexity has made him a vital and innovative voice in contemporary cinema. Aside from co-founding Dogme 95 with Trier, they both also gave a blessing to the new Dogma 25.
Goran Marković
My favorite: The Tour, Variola Vera, The Tragic Burlesque, National Class
Most important nominations: Chicago International Film Festival, Montréal World Film Festival, Fantasporto, San Sebastián International Film Festival
What makes Goran Marković great: His social critique, dark humor, and compassionate observation of everyday life have made him one of the most important chroniclers of Balkan society.
Rajko Grlić
My favorite: The Constitution, The Border Post, Bravo maestro
Most important nominations: Cannes, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival
What makes Rajko Grlić great: His witty, human-centered storytelling and skillful balance of romance, politics, and satire have made him a distinctive voice of cinema.
Christopher Nolan
My favorite: Batman trilogy, Memento, Interstellar, Inception, Tenet
Most important nominations: Oscars, Venice, BAFTAs, European Film Awards, IFTAs
What makes Christopher Nolan great: His complex, nonlinear storytelling combined with large-scale spectacle, intellectual themes, and practical filmmaking techniques has made him one of the most innovative directors.
Paul Thomas Anderson
My favorite: Magnolia, There Will Be Blood, Phantom Thread, Punch-Drunk Love, The Master, One Battle After Another
Most important nominations: Oscars, Venice, Cannes, Berlin, BAFTAs, European Film Awards
What makes Paul Thomas Anderson great: His ability to craft character-driven stories with emotional depth, visual inventiveness, and rich performances has established him as one of the most original auteurs.
Želimir Žilnik
My favorite: Early Works, Marble Ass, Tito’s Second Time Among the Serbs
Most important nominations: Berlin, Moscow International Film Festival, Trieste Film Festival
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What makes Želimir Žilnik great: His fearless engagement with social and political realities, blending documentary and fiction to expose marginalized voices and critique authority, has made him a pioneer.
Jim Sheridan
My favorite: The Boxer, In the Name of the Father, Brothers
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, BAFTAs, European Film Awards, IFTAs
What makes Jim Sheridan great: His powerful storytelling with themes about family, identity, and the Irish experience has made him a celebrated filmmaker who brings deep humanity and authenticity.
Aleksandar Petrović
My favorite: Three, I Even Met Happy Gypsies
Most important nominations: Cannes, Oscars, Golden Globes, Chicago International Film Festival, Pula Film Festival
What makes Aleksandar Petrović great: His poetic realism and humanist approach, often centered on marginalized figures, made him a massive contributor to the quality of worldwide cinema.
Federico Fellini
My favorite: La dolce vita, 8½, La Strada
Most important nominations: Oscars, European Film Awards, Venice, Cannes, BAFTAs
What makes Federico Fellini great: His blend of dreamlike imagery, autobiographical reflection, and spectacle made him a uniquely visionary director whose films celebrate the surreal within the everyday. His artistry made him one of the best movie directors of all time and part of the legendary Italian Neorealism.
Živojin Pavlović
My favorite: When I Am Dead and Gone, The Rats Woke Up, The Ambush
Most important nominations: Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Pula Film Festival
What makes Živojin Pavlović great: His uncompromising portrayals of social alienation, raw realism, and critique of political systems made him one of the most significant voices of cinema.
Steven Spielberg
My favorite: Jaws, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can, Bridge of Spies
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, BAFTAs, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Steven Spielberg great: His ability to combine technical mastery with emotional storytelling, moving between blockbusters and human dramas, has made him one of the most influential directors.
Ingmar Bergman
My favorite: Wild Strawberries, The Seventh Seal, Fanny and Alexander
Most important nominations: Oscars, European Film Awards, Cannes, Venice, Berlin, BAFTAs
What makes Ingmar Bergman great: His profound exploration of existential questions, human relationships, and spiritual crises made him one of cinema’s greatest auteurs and a master of psychological depth.
Elia Kazan
My favorite: A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront, Viva Zapata!, East of Eden
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Stockholm Film Festival
What makes Elia Kazan great: His use of naturalistic acting, introduction of Method techniques to film, and fearless engagement with social and political issues made him a cinematic legend. Kazan is the only director for whom Marlon Brando has said he loves to work with.
Alejandro González Iñárritu
My favorite: Birdman, The Revenant, Babel
Most important nominations: Venice, Cannes, Oscars, BAFTAs, European Film Awards, Ariel Awards
What makes Alejandro González Iñárritu great: His narrative structures, intense storytelling, and mastery of intimate human drama and cinematic spectacle have made him one of the most impactful filmmakers.
Srđan Dragojević
My favorite: Pretty Village, Pretty Flame, The Wounds, We Are Not Angels, The Parade, St. George Shoots the Dragon
Most important nominations: Berlin, Locarno Film Festival, Montréal, Pula Film Festival, Stockholm Film Festival
What makes Srđan Dragojević great: His bold blend of humor, social satire, and unflinching portrayals of post-Yugoslav society has made him an authentic voice in contemporary cinema.
David Fincher
My favorite: Fight Club, Seven, Mank, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Most important nominations: Oscars, Cannes, BAFTAs, Venice, Golden Globes
What makes David Fincher great: His visual style, suspense, and ability to craft psychologically complex, tightly controlled narratives have made him one of the most compelling directors.
Ridley Scott
My favorite: Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, American Gangster, Body of Lies
Most important nominations: Oscars, BAFTAs, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Ridley Scott great: His approach to visual storytelling, world-building, and genre filmmaking has made him one of the best directors in sci-fi, historical epics, and beyond.
Quentin Tarantino
My favorite: Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Inglourious Basterds
Most important nominations: Oscars, Cannes, BAFTAs, Golden Globes
What makes Quentin Tarantino great: His inventive storytelling, sharp dialogue, and mastery of genre-blending have made him one of the best storytellers.
Robert Zemeckis
My favorite: Back to the Future franchise, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Flight, Allied
Most important nominations: Venice, Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, César Awards
What makes Robert Zemeckis great: His innovative use of technology, mastery of visual storytelling, and ability to combine thrilling spectacle with heartfelt, character-driven narratives.
Richard Linklater
My favorite: Before trilogy, Dazed and Confused, Nouvelle Vague, Blue Moon
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, BAFTAs, Cannes, Venice
What makes Richard Linklater great: His naturalistic dialogue, patient observation of everyday life, and innovative narrative structures, often exploring time, memory, and human connection.
Michael Mann
My favorite: Heat, The Insider, Ali, The Last of the Mohicans
Most important nominations: Oscars, Venice, Cannes, BAFTAs, Golden Globes
What makes Michael Mann great: His visual style, atmospheric world-building, and focus on morally complex, intense characters have made him one of the best filmmakers.
Jim Jarmusch
My favorite: Night on Earth, Coffee and Cigarettes, Broken Flowers
Most important nominations: Cannes, Venice, European Film Awards, Order of Arts and Letters
What makes Jim Jarmusch great: His minimalist style, deadpan humor, and focus on outsiders and everyday moments have made him a pioneering voice in independent cinema.
The Wachowskis
My favorite: The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions
Most important nominations: Stockholm Film Festival, Fantasporto, German Film Awards, Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
What makes The Wachowskis great: Their groundbreaking fusion of philosophical depth, innovative visual effects, and genre-defying storytelling has made them excellent visionary filmmakers.
Brian De Palma
My favorite: Carlito’s Way, Scarface, Mission: Impossible, The Untouchables
Most important nominations: Berlin, César Awards, Venice, New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films
What makes Brian De Palma great: His bold visual style, suspense, and daring exploration of obsession, violence, and voyeurism have made him one of the most provocative directors.
Lordan Zafranović
My favorite: Occupation in 26 Pictures, Decline of the Century: The Testament of L.Z., Jasenovac: The Cruelest Death Camp of All Times, The Fall of Italy
Most important nominations: Cannes, Venice, Chicago International Film Festival, Pula Film Festival, FEST
What makes Lordan Zafranović great: His unflinching depictions of war, nationalism, and human cruelty have made him one of the most important voices of Yugoslav and Croatian cinema.
Sergei Eisenstein
My favorite: Battleship Potemkin, Strike, Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible Trilogy
Most important nominations: Moscow International Film Festival, State Prize of the Soviet Union, Cahiers du Cinéma, OFTA Film Hall of Fame
What makes Sergei Eisenstein great: His revolutionary use of montage, groundbreaking visual language, and ability to fuse political ideology with innovation made him a founding figure of film theory.
Andrei Tarkovsky
My favorite: Stalker, Solaris, Andrei Rublev
Most important nominations: Cannes, Venice, BAFTAs, Chicago International Film Festival, People’s Artist of the Republic
What makes Andrei Tarkovsky great: His spiritual and poetic approach to cinema, marked by long takes, meditative pacing, and profound explorations, made him one of the most visionary auteurs. Considering his innovations and work, Tarkovsky is undoubtedly one of the best directors ever.
Spike Lee
My favorite: Malcolm X, BlacKkKlansman, He Got Game, Inside Man
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, BAFTAs, Cannes, Venice
What makes Spike Lee great: His fearless engagement with race, identity, and social justice, combined with a dynamic visual style, sharp storytelling, and a strong sense of cultural voice.
Woody Allen
My favorite: Annie Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, BAFTAs, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice
What makes Woody Allen great: His prolific output, witty dialogue, and unique blend of comedy, philosophy, and introspection have made him one of the best and favorite directors.
Milcho Manchevski
My favorite: Before the Rain, Willow, Shadows, Dust, Mothers
Most important nominations: Venice, Oscars, European Film Awards, Raindance Film Festival, Stockholm Film Festival
What makes Milcho Manchevski great: His inventive narrative structures, poetic visual style, and ability to blend myth, memory, and social commentary have made him a distinctive voice in cinema.
Danis Tanović
My favorite: No Man’s Land, An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, Death in Sarajevo, Not So Friendly Neighbourhood Affair
Most important nominations: Oscars, Berlin, Cannes, European Film Awards, Venice, Sarajevo Film Festival
What makes Danis Tanović great: His fearless engagement with the political and human consequences of war, combined with moral clarity, has made him one of the most important voices.
Stole Popov
My favorite: Tattoo, Happy New Year ’49, Gypsy Magic
Most important nominations: Montréal World Film Festival, Moscow International Film Festival, Pula Film Festival
What makes Stole Popov great: His ability to intertwine history, culture, and identity with universal themes has made him a significant figure in Macedonian cinema.
We’ve come to the end of this article about the best and favorite directors, according to my tastes. Thanks for reading, and feel free to write in the comments who your favorite directors are!
framebyframecritic 