After a 13-year hiatus from directing, legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola has returned with a new film, Megalopolis, which is already causing a stir following its Cannes premiere. A prominent figure in the New Hollywood film movement, Coppola is often hailed as one of the greatest directors of all time for his cinematic masterpieces with larger-than-life characters and rich stories. For those interested in delving into his work before Megalopolis, this guide will demonstrate where to watch his 15 best films.
Even those unfamiliar with Coppola will likely have heard of his best film, The Godfather, which is often hailed as one of the greatest movies ever made. The Godfather is credited with revolutionizing the gangster genre as it humanized the Corleones and their love of family. Additionally, the storytelling is rich, the criminals larger-than-life, and the performances of Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone and Al Pacino as Michael Corleone blew audiences away.
While the sequel, The Godfather II, couldn’t match the original's groundbreaking nature and historical significance, it is easily one of the greatest movie sequels ever made. The film arguably adds more depth and an even darker tone as it continues to delve into Michael’s deterioration intercut with masterfully crafted flashbacks of Vito’s (Robert de Niro) life.
Another movie that almost eclipsed The Godfather in quality and impact is Apocalypse Now. It is based on Joseph Conrad’s thought-provoking novel Heart of Darkness but switches the setting to the Vietnam War. Featuring the talents of Brando, Robert Duvall, Martin Sheen, and Laurence Fishburne, Apocalypse Now is one of the most haunting, mesmerizing, and unforgettable war epics of all time.
Although often overshadowed by The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, The Conversation also warrants special mention in discussions of Coppola’s greatest works. The movie follows surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman), who faces an intense moral dilemma when he realizes the couple he has been tailing may be at the center of a murder plot. It’s a simple plot, but the layers to the story are numerous as viewers delve deep into the nightmarish sense of paranoia and probe questions of morals and power.
In addition to four of the greatest movies of all time, Coppola has made many more well-received hits ranging from the zany and amusing You’re a Big Boy Now to the experimental road trip drama The Rain People to the horror vampire film Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
If you’re looking for more of Coppola’s greatest works, see below for where to watch his 15 best films ranked by their quality, popularity, and historical significance.
