From Alien to Gladiator, These Are Ridley Scott’s Best Movies

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This guide will show you Ridley Scott’s best movies like Alien and Blade Runner, and let you know where you can stream them online right now. 

Ridley Scott is (usually) an acclaimed director who has made some of the biggest films in Hollywood history. Granted, he also sometimes has some big misses, like with G.I. Jane and 1492. But personally, I think any ambitious filmmaker should have a few duds or misunderstood films to show they’ve taken risks. Plus, his filmography has way more hits than misses, proving that Scott truly is a gifted director. Use our guide below to find out all of Ridley Scott’s best movies and where to watch them.

Alien

Scott will always be best known for his 1979 sci-fi thriller Alien. The movie launched Sigourney Weaver into superstardom and sees the crew of the spaceship Nostromo fight off a xenomorphic alien that has been gestating inside one of the crew. For great action, scares, and sci-fi, it’s a must-watch.

Blade Runner

Harrison Ford starred in Scott’s next big hit about a futuristic world where humans live alongside bioengineered humanoids called “replicants”. The film examines what it means to be human and alive. Although it had a so-so release back in the ‘80s, it has since become a classic with a great legacy (and tons of alternate versions).

Thelma & Louise

Playing with the ideas of gender and feminism, Thelma & Louise sees two friends on a road trip. But after a stranger tries to rape one of them, the girls fight back and ultimately find themselves running from the law. The movie ended up getting nominated for 6 Oscars, including Best Director for Scott.

Gladiator

Love, loss, corruption, and conspiracy are all at the center of Gladiator’s plot. In the film, Russell Crowe plays a general who is unfairly sentenced to death. But after he escapes the plot, he finds himself sold into slavery as a gladiator and works his way up the ranks until he can one day face the Emperor of Rome himself. Scott also received a Best Director nom for the film, and it won the prestigious Best Picture award in 2001.

Hannibal

Scott directed the Silence of the Lambs sequel Hannibal in 2001. In the movie, Julianne Moore took over the role of Clarice from Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins reprised his iconic role of Hannibal Lecter. In Hannibal, the cat-and-mouse chase between the two continues, leading to more sinister, macabre madness.

Black Hawk Down

Set during the Somalia famine, Black Hawk Down tells the true story of the Battle of Mogadishu. During the conflict, a Black Hawk helicopter was shot down and the survivors had to escape on foot. The film earned Scott another Best Director nomination and became a box-office hit.

The Martian

Inspired by the novel of the same name, The Martian sees a NASA crew exploring Mars when a massive storm threatens their lives. Desperate to escape, they’re forced to leave one astronaut (Matt Damon) on the planet. He then has to try and create a livable habitat for himself until help can arrive. The Martian received 7 Oscar nominations including Best Picture.

Gladiator II

Scott’s long-awaited sequel to Gladiator is also being called one of his best. The film has received positive reviews and picks up over 20 years after the first movie, now focusing on (spoiler alert) Maximus’ son.

Where Can I Watch Ridley Scott’s Best Movies Online? 

Use our guide below to discover more of Ridley Scott’s best movies and find out where they are streaming online right now.

Netflix
Disney Plus
Amazon Prime Video
Apple TV Plus
Apple TV
Hulu
Crunchyroll
fuboTV
Max
Max Amazon Channel
Epix Amazon Channel
Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Peacock Premium
Kocowa
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Paramount Plus
Paramount+ with Showtime
Paramount Plus Apple TV Channel
Starz Apple TV Channel
AMC Plus Apple TV Channel
Britbox Apple TV Channel
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
Discovery+ Amazon Channel
AMC+ Amazon Channel
The Roku Channel
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
Starz Roku Premium Channel
AMC+ Roku Premium Channel
AMC+
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
YouTube Premium
YouTube Free
Hoopla
The CW
Fandango At Home
Starz
VUDU Free
Criterion Channel
PBS
FXNow
JustWatchTV
Tubi TV
Kanopy
Microsoft Store
Sun Nxt
Crackle
AMC
AMC Theatres
Fandor
Curiosity Stream
NBC
MGM Plus
Freeform
History
A&E
Lifetime
Shudder
Screambox
Acorn TV
Sundance Now
GuideDoc
BritBox
MUBI
Netflix Kids
ALLBLK
History Vault
Yupp TV
MyOutdoorTV
WWE Network
Pure Flix
Lifetime Movie Club
PBS Kids Amazon Channel
Cinemax Amazon Channel
Hallmark Movies Now Amazon Channel
PBS Masterpiece Amazon Channel
MZ Choice Amazon Channel
Spamflix
Pluto TV
BYUtv
HiDive
VIX
Night Flight Plus
Retrocrush
Dekkoo
Shout! Factory TV
Chai Flicks
OVID
Mhz Choice
Shudder Amazon Channel
Vice TV
MUBI Amazon Channel
AcornTV Amazon Channel
BritBox Amazon Channel
Fandor Amazon Channel
Screambox Amazon Channel
Sundance Now Amazon Channel
Adult Swim
USA Network
Fox
Bet+ Amazon Channel
FlixFling
Rakuten Viki
TCM
Bravo TV
TNT
Food Network
BBC America
IndieFlix
AHCTV
TLC
DIY Network
HGTV
Investigation Discovery
Science Channel
Destination America
Discovery Life
Animal Planet
Discovery
Travel Channel
Cooking Channel
Here TV
VH1
DreamWorksTV Amazon Channel
Flix Premiere
TBS
AsianCrush
Revry
DOCSVILLE
Spectrum On Demand
OXYGEN
Hi-YAH
tru TV
DisneyNOW
WeTV
ARROW
Plex
Plex Live TV
Plex Player
WOW Presents Plus
Magellan TV
BroadwayHD
The Oprah Winfrey Network
Filmzie
MovieSaints
True Story
Martha Stewart TV
DocAlliance Films
OnDemandKorea
FlixHouse
Hoichoi
iQIYI
Metrograph
Freevee
Public Domain Movies
Eventive
Cultpix
FilmBox+
aha
ShortsTV Amazon Channel
Bet+
Takflix
Klassiki
Starz Amazon Channel
Netflix basic with Ads
Cohen Media Amazon Channel
Popflick
ViX Premium Amazon Channel
Runtime
Fandango
Telemundo
Discovery +
Reveel
Ovation TV
Angel Studios
Cineverse
AD tv
Midnight Pulp
FYI Network
Xumo Play
National Geographic
Atom Tickets
Shahid VIP
DistroTV
myfilmfriend
Cinemark
Outside Watch
Cinepolis Cinemas
Full Moon Amazon Channel
Citytv
Univer Video
GlewedTV
Toon Goggles
A&E Crime Central Apple TV Channel
Acorn TV Apple TV
ALLBLK Apple TV channel
UP Faith & Family Apple TV Channel
Tastemade Apple TV Channel
Sundance Now Apple TV Channel
Shudder Apple TV Channel
ScreenPix Apple TV Channel
OUTtv Apple TV Channel
Lifetime Movie Club Apple TV Channel
Hallmark Movies Now Apple TV Channel
Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel
CuriosityStream Apple TV Channel
Cinemax Apple TV Channel
BBC Select Apple Tv channel
BET+  Apple TV channel
Carnegie Hall+ Apple TV Channel
IFC Films Unlimited Apple TV Channel
HISTORY Vault Apple TV Channel
HISTORY Vault Amazon Channel
Carnegie Hall+ Amazon Channel
Lifetime Movie Club Amazon Channel
Film Movement Plus
Amazon Prime Video with Ads
Troma NOW
Regal Cinemas
Harkins Theatres
B&B Theatres
Marcus Theatres
Kino Film Collection
Tubi TV Live
Pluto TV Live
Cineverse LiveTV
Strand Releasing Amazon Channel
Peacock Premium Plus
ALLBLK Amazon channel
Apple TV Plus Amazon Channel
Motorvision TV Amazon Channel
Stingray Classica Amazon Channel
Stingray Djazz Amazon Channel
Stingray Karaoke Amazon Channel
TV1000 Russian Kino Amazon Channel
RetroCrush Amazon Channel
Filters
  1. Alien

    Alien

    1979

    #1

    During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.

  2. Blade Runner

    Blade Runner

    1982

    #2

    In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.

  3. Thelma & Louise

    Thelma & Louise

    1991

    #3

    Whilst on a short weekend getaway, Louise shoots a man who had tried to rape Thelma. Due to the incriminating circumstances, they make a run for it and thus a cross country chase ensues for the two fugitives. Along the way, both women rediscover the strength of their friendship and surprising aspects of their personalities and self-strengths in the trying times.

  4. Gladiator

    Gladiator

    2000

    #4

    In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences..

  5. Hannibal

    Hannibal

    2001

    #5

    Living in exile, Dr. Hannibal Lecter tries to reconnect with now disgraced F.B.I. Agent Clarice Starling, and finds himself a target of revenge from a powerful victim.

  6. Black Hawk Down

    Black Hawk Down

    2001

    #6

    When U.S. Rangers and an elite Delta Force team attempt to kidnap two underlings of a Somali warlord, their Black Hawk helicopters are shot down, and the Americans suffer heavy casualties, facing intense fighting from the militia on the ground.

  7. The Martian

    The Martian

    2015

    #7

    During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive.

  8. Gladiator II

    Gladiator II

    2024

    #8

    After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.

  9. Prometheus

    Prometheus

    2012

    #9

    A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

  10. House of Gucci

    House of Gucci

    2021

    #10

    When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately… murder.

  11. Napoleon

    Napoleon

    2023

    #11

    An epic that details the chequered rise and fall of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his wife, Josephine.

  12. American Gangster

    American Gangster

    2007

    #12

    Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson, Frank Lucas establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.

  13. Matchstick Men

    Matchstick Men

    2003

    #13

    A phobic con artist and his protege are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the con artist's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly.

  14. Legend

    Legend

    1985

    #14

    Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, this fantastic story follows a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, to undertake a heroic quest. He must save the beautiful Princess Lili and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness, or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.