There are occasionally filmmakers who break all barriers, whose work stands the test of time and continues to captivate audiences and critics even decades later. If you’re looking for a master class in original, timeless filmmaking, check out these filmmakers whose originality stands the test of time and offers experiences that are still relevant, riveting, and righteously entertaining.
Alfred Hitchcock
It’s impossible to have a list of enduring filmmakers without including Hitchcock. His silent film roots allowed him to innovate in the area of visual storytelling by mastering mise-en-scène, captivating use of music, and wise editing.
Hitchcock is perhaps best known for his innovative camera movement, and his knack for persuading audiences to feel as if they are a part of the story through the clever manipulation of perspective through close-ups, long takes, and more.
Click here to read more about why we think Hitchcock’s work will be enjoyed for years to come.
Timeless Hitchcock films to watch asap:
- Notorious (1946)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Vertigo (1958)
- North by Northwest (1959)
- Psycho (1960)
Akira Kurosawa
Posthumously named “Asian of the Century” in in 1990 by AsianWeek, Kurosawa’s work did more than just put the Japanese film industry on the international map. His superb screenwriting abilities, dynamic style, and innovative techniques went on to influence all of Western cinema, including The Magnificent Seven, a reimagining of Kurosawa’s masterpiece Seven Samurai. From Americans like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to fellow Asian filmmakers like Hayao Miyazaki and John Woo, countless notable filmmakers have expressed their admiration for Kurosawa’s cinematographic achievements.
Timeless Films
- Rashomon (1950)
- Ikiru (1952)
- Seven Samurai (1954)
- Kagemusha (1980)
- Ran (1985)
Steven Spielberg
If there’s one reason Spielberg will be esteemed for ages to come, it’s for his versatility. From intense war stories and terrifying thrillers to adventure movies fun for the whole family, this man has probably done it all — and done it marvellously. While most directors find their niche and stay put, Spielberg’s storytelling prowess has been proven across an amazing range of genres while somehow still expressing his signature style. It’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t love at least one film from this iconic director who, at the ripe age of 71 in of 2018, is still behind the camera.
Timeless Films
- Jaws (1975)
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
- Schindler’s List (1993)
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Spike Lee
This African-American filmmaker began impressing critics and viewers alike with his first feature film “She’s Gotta Have It,” a comedy drama shot in two weeks with a budget of $175,000. When it grossed over $7 million in America, people knew Lee was something special. He has since then delivered several classics that have earned him numerous accolades over the years. Many of his projects are renowned for examining important issues such as race relations, urban poverty, and discrimination even among black communities.
Timeless Films
- Do the Right Thing (1989)
- Malcolm X (1992)
- The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
- 25th Hour (2002)
- Inside Man (2006)
Stanley Kubrick
The late, great Kubrick made an impact on the film industry in a way few other directors have. His constant striving for perfection and mastery of the technical side of filmmaking allowed him to craft cinematic experiences that transcended genre and changed everything that followed. Along with working closely and intensely with his writers and performers, Kubrick was also known for requiring as many takes as it took in order to find what he called “the magic.”
Timeless Films
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
- 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
- A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- The Shining (1980)
- Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Francis Ford Coppola
This American filmmaker is responsible for one of the most overwhelmingly praised trilogy of films ever to hit the big screen: The Godfather alone won nearly a dozen Oscars and is #2 in American Film Institute’s list of best American films. The trilogy’s influence inspired the creation of other notable gangster films such as Goodfellas and TV shows like The Sopranos.
Timeless Films
- The Godfather (1972)
- American Graffiti (1973)
- The Godfather: Part II (1974)
- Apocalypse Now (1979)
- Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Sofia Coppola
The daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia has emerged as one of the most talented female directors of all time. She was the first American woman to win Venice Film Festival’s top prize and receive a Best Director nomination at the 2003 Academy Awards, while also serving as the second woman to win best director at Cannes Film Festival. Her Oscar-winning Lost in Translation a great starting point for film fans to witness Coppola’s impressive ability to balance humor and drama.
Timeless Films
- The Virgin Suicides (1999)
- Lost in Translation (2003)
- Marie Antoinette (2006)
- The Bling Ring (2013)
- The Beguiled (2017)
Orson Welles
What’s there to say about Welles that hasn’t been said before? The legendary director changed the game with Citizen Kane, a film ranked by many as the best of all time. The 1941 drama went on to influence even the most prominent directors with its nonlinear storytelling, powerful use of themes and motifs, and phenomenal cinematography. Welles would go on to direct several more films, many of which are also worthy of viewing almost a century later.
Timeless Films
- Citizen Kane (1941)
- The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
- The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
- Touch Of Evil (1958)
- Chimes at Midnight (1965)
Up-and-Coming Timeless Filmmakers
Christopher Nolan
Still arguably near the beginning of his illustrious career, Nolan came into prominence at the turn of the millenium with Following, a neo-noir crime thriller he funded personally. Since then, the English filmmaker has made a name for himself by producing hit after hit, making him one of the highest-grossing directors of all time. His use of nonlinear storytelling and enticing themes surrounding human morality and identity have allowed him to create films that will likely be watched in film classes for a long time.
Timeless Films
- Memento (2000)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Inception (2010)
- Interstellar (2014)
- Dunkirk (2017)
Catherine Hardwicke
Hardwicke got her start in the business as a production designer, where she was able to study the techniques of skilled directors like Cameron Crowe. She first proved her own directing talents with 2003’s Thirteen, which won six awards and nearly a dozen nominations. Highly successful films like Twilight and The Nativity Story have only helped cement Hardwicke’s legacy as one of the best female directors of all time.
Timeless Films
- Thirteen (2003)
- Lords of Dogtown (2005)
- The Nativity Story (2006)
- Twilight (2008)
- Red Riding Hood (2011)
Ava DuVernay
Leading the new generation of great African American filmmakers is DuVernay, who in less than two decades has already made a name for herself behind the camera. This includes being the first black woman to win the Sundance Film Festival’s directing award. She is also the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Golden Golden Globe award and Academy Award for Best Picture. With so many accomplishments at the ripe age of 45, we’re confident that DuVernay’s best work is yet to come.
Timeless Films
- Saturday Night Life (2006)
- I Will Follow (2010)
- Middle of Nowhere (2012)
- Selma (2014)
- 13th (2016)
What other directors would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below, and learn more about Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy.