Guy Ritchieprobably has the most quotable movies of modern times. Legendary features likeSnatchhave some of the most memorable lines and performances, and Ritchie masterfully blends genres. He’s also skilled in putting together a great cast and creating chemistry between them with his scripts.
Despite his numerous successes with viewers, critics may not be so inclined to agree;Rotten Tomatoesratings compared to the ones by audiences have big gaps between them. But, this shouldn’t mean Ritchie’s movies are bad, they’re just proof that critics don’t always fully grasp the appeal a movie has with an audience.The best movies by Guy Ritchie have a loyal following and reflect his talent and versatility as a director.
10’Aladdin' (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
The wave oflive-action Disney remakesstarted in the 2010s, and waking up the nostalgia has proven to be a mixed bag. For critics at Rotten Tomatoes, Ritchie hasn’t done the best he could to make this live-action version of the beloved animated filmAladdinshine. Audiences disagreed and gaveAladdina fabulous 94% rating, likely due to nostalgia.
This movie was an unusual feat for a director of Ritchie’s caliber, and though it didn’t fire on all cylinders, it still strangely worked.Will Smithwas Genie, and the rest of the cast were meticulously chosen to reflect the story’s location and origin. Following the classic story adapted fromOne Thousand and One Nights, the 2019 movie is fun, if nothing else.
Watch on Disney+
9’Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' (2011)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 60%
The sequel to the well-acclaimedSherlock HolmesstarringRobert Downey Jr.andJude Lawdidn’t get a similar score from critics, butit wasn’t the worst Ritchie could offer. Audiences lovedA Game of Shadowsas much as they loved the original, because their rating for both is 77% on Rotten Tomatoes.
In this sequel, Sherlock Holmes faces off against his most skilled and clever nemesis – James Moriarty, played masterfully byJared Harris. It all starts when Austria’s crown prince dies due to apparent suicide, which Holmes deems as a false interpretation of the crime scene actually orchestrated by Moriarty. The feature also introducedPaul Andersonto wider audiences, who rose to stardom by playing Arthur Shelby inPeaky Blinders.
8’RocknRolla' (2008)
RocknRollais one of Ritchie’s most classic feature films; it has it all – a large ensemble cast, plots, and subplots that culminate in violence, and jokes and references to pop culture that could go over one’s head if not spotted on time. It’s also one of Ritchie’s better-rated movies; the discrepancy between the 60% from RT critics and 71% by audiences isn’t that significant.
Thecrime and action movie’sexciting story is sparked by Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson), a powerful mobster, who orchestrates a scheme to buy up land for redevelopment, involving a Russian billionaire and a stolen painting. However, chaos ensues when a valuable antique shotgun goes missing, sparking a chain reaction of betrayal and double-crossing among various players including One-Two (Gerard Butler), a small-time crook, and his associates, the Wild Bunch.RocknRollamay be rated lower than Ritchie’s other ensemble films ultimately because it tries to be so much at once, with subplots that sometimes feel rushed.RocknRollaisn’t perfect, but it’s awesome nonetheless.
RocknRolla
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7’Wrath of Man' (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
WhenWrath of Mancame out, it was the first movie (or perhaps the second, afterAladdin) that didn’t have the signature Ritchie style. There weren’t fast cuts or voice-over narration, butthere was a gripping action thriller that gave Jason Statham the power to be fully himself. Not all Ritchie fans loved the movie because of that, but it still has a whopping 90% audience approval rate on Rotten Tomatoes.
Statham plays H, a mysterious and skilled cash truck driver who joins an armored truck company in Los Angeles. H’s true motives become apparent when the company comes under attack during a heist, and he displays an unparalleled ability to handle the situation. H’s quest for vengeance soon becomes the driving force of the narrative. This movie is a remake of the French action featureCash Truckwhich starred the acclaimed actorJean Dujardin.
Wrath of Man
6’The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' (2015)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68%
The sleek and stylishThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.is typical for Ritchie’s style, although perhaps the first venture in which he displayed the ability to direct an international spy thriller. Because of this, the movie’s a bit more serious than his regular action comedies, although there are fantastic quick-witted jabs here and there.
Henry Cavillplays a CIA agent Napoleon Solo, whileArmie Hammerportrays KGB spy Illya Kuryakin, who are forced to put aside their differences and work together to stop a mysterious criminal organization from proliferating nuclear weapons. Their mission takes them across Europe, where they meet Gaby Teller (Alicia Vikander), the daughter of a missing German scientist crucial to the organization’s plans. Themovie is set in the 1960sand was mainly shot in Rome, which makes it a visually stunning piece more than just action-wise.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
5’Sherlock Holmes' (2009)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
The firstSherlock Holmeswas surprising for several reasons –it was unlike any other Guy Ritchie movie that came before, it was an action comedy set in the 19th century, and it featuredRobert Downey Jr.’s rugged portrayalof an otherwise gently perceived Sherlock Holmes. Still, this combination worked. Sherlock’s uniqueness was slightly less immortalized and given another dimension, showing that wits can often be followed by brawn and agility.
Jude Lawportrays John Watson, Sherlock’s trusted right-hand man; Law and Downey Jr. have excellent on-screen chemistry in the reimagined version ofSir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective story. The story follows the brilliant detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and his trusted partner Dr. John Watson (Law) as they investigate a series of seemingly unrelated murders connected to the occult and a mysterious conspiracy led by the nefarious Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). As Holmes and Watson delve deeper into the case, they uncover a web of intrigue that puts the entire city at risk.
Sherlock Holmes
Rent on Apple TV
4’Snatch' (2000)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 74%
Snatchis among Ritchie’s best critically rated films, but it’s a lot more than just what critics think. The movie’s brilliance is found in numerous details and subtle gags. From “d’ya like dags?” to Mickey’s friends saying “his ma” in unison, some blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments defineSnatchas a strong comedy thriller. This is another collaboration of Ritchie and Statham, and one ofBrad Pitt’s most iconic supporting roles.
The crime comedy revolves around various characters whose lives intersect due to a series of events involving a stolen diamond, a boxing match, and organized crime. It depicts the way Turkish (Jason Statham), an amateur boxing promoter, and his partner Tommy (Stephen Graham), get involved with local gangster Brick Top (Alan Ford) and his illegal boxing operations. Meanwhile, a group of small-time criminals led by Frankie Four Fingers (Benicio Del Toro) attempts to steal a valuable diamond, leading to chaos and confusion. The charismatic con artist known as “The Pikey” (Pitt) is soon introduced. With its rapid-fire dialogue, intricate plot twists, and dark humor,Snatchends up being fast-paced, quick-witted, and a blend of genres. From a heist movie to a revenge plot, it has everything necessary for a 93% audience rating.
3’The Gentlemen' (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75%
Eagerly awaiting another Guy Ritchie andCharlie Hunnamcollaboration after the poorly receivedKing Arthur: Legend of the Swordpaid off whenThe Gentlemencame out. Its RT score reflects the audience’s impressions, which gave the movie a decent 84% rating. The critics and fans finally agreed on a Ritchie feature.
The story is centered on Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey), an American expatriate who has built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When Mickey decides to sell his business, chaos ensues as various parties vie for control, leading to a series of schemes, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. Though this is another large ensemble cast movie, the leading role belongs to Hunnam, who portrays a millionaire’s right-hand man.Hugh Grantdelivers one of his best roles to date, andColin Farrellsteals every scene he’s in.The Gentlemenmight just be Ritchie’s most star-studded film, although each has a pretty stellar cast.
The Gentlemen
Mickey Pearson, a wealthy American living in London, has built a successful marijuana empire. Planning to cash out, he announces his intention to sell the business, sparking a wave of criminal intrigue. Rival gangs, ambitious newcomers, and corrupt officials all vie for control, leading to a series of betrayals and power plays. As Mickey tries to secure his retirement, he faces challenges from all sides, including a cunning private investigator who complicates matters further.
2’Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' (1998)
Incredibly so,Guy Ritchie’s directorial debut,Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, also has one of the highest critical ratings on the platform. This is rare enough with debut features, but Ritchie unlocked a brand-new genre-blending type of movie people wanted to see.Lock, Stockcame out in ‘98 and truly encapsulates the spirit of Ritchie’s movies that audiences fell in love with.
This is the first collaboration between Ritchie and Statham, but it also features several actors who went on to become big –Dexter Fletcher,Jason Flemyng, andNick Moran. The four actors portray a group of friends that get into debt with the local gangster, and the story follows them looking for ways to pay him back. They soon hatch a plan to rob a group of marijuana growers to pay off their debt. However, their scheme quickly spirals out of control, leading to a series of chaotic and comedic events involving rival gangs, stolen drugs, and double-crosses. There are subplots, like in many of Ritchie’s features, and memorable one-liners, like “It’s a deal, it’s a steal, it’s the sale of the f***ing century!”
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
1’Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Guy Ritchie’s highest-rated film sees him exploring new territory with a blend of action, drama, and war genres. Set against the backdrop of the War in Afghanistan,Guy Ritchie’s The Covenantfollows John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), a seasoned U.S. Army Green Beret master sergeant, who, after losing his interpreter to a Taliban ambush, reluctantly partners with Ahmed (Dar Salim), an Afghan interpreter with a murky past. A bond soon forms between them, rooted in mutual respect and the mounting challenges they face together.
The director tells the sensitive and heavy story with unrecognizable restraint, infusing the unsteady relationship between the two leads with thoughtfulness and emotionality. The film soars thanks to Gyllenhaal’s performance as the jaded yet determined soldier, with the actor lending the protagonist the raw and honest portrayal he needs. It’s not a stretch to say it has become a modern classic and is hopefully indicative of Ritchie’s future works.
