There are many elements that make or break a film. While a well-written script is the heart of a movie, visually pleasing imagery keeps audiences enthralled in its story, playing a critical role in creating the visual representation of the narrative, characters, and setting, consequently making the whole viewing experience a lot more immersive and thus enjoyable.
Throughout the years, many talented directors have joined forces with equally talented cinematographers, visual effects supervisors, and other valuable crew members to create believable tales for audiences to immerse themselves in. However, some have succeeded in doing this more often than others, which is frequently a result of their distinctive visual trademarks. To celebrate the beauty of filmmaking,we look back at some of the directors with the best visual style,fromGuillermo del TorotoAndreiTarkovsky.
10Guillermo del Toro
Movies: ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006), ‘The Shape of Water’ (2017), ‘Crimson Peak’ (2015)
Known for his absorbing pictures featuring outstanding worldbuilding that fully immerses audiences in the story, the Oscar-winningPan’s Labyrinthdirector Guillermo del Torois one of Mexico’s most prolific filmmakers and has rightfully earned a very much deserved spot among the world’s finest. Through the years, Toro has showcased his creative genius through his works, which span the horror anddarkfantasy genres.
Frequently collaborating with talented cinematographers likeDan LaustsenandGuillermo Navarroin addition to gifted special effects teams,Toro’s haunting movies are nothing short of incredible, featuring beautifully shot and well-composed scenes that amplify his films' gripping narratives. In addition toPan’s Labyrinth, some of Toro’s most visually stunning projects to date include the Academy Award-winningThe Shape of WaterandCrimson Peak.
9Sofia Coppola
Movies: ‘Marie Antoinette’ (2006), ‘The Virgin Suicides’ (1999), ‘Priscilla’ (2023)
Next up is the critically acclaimed directorSofia Coppola, who has swept audiences off their feet with her charming films about girlhood, a subject she portrays like no other, as seen inMarie Antoinette,The Virgin Suicides, and most recently,Priscilla. She also tackles isolation and human connection (Lost in Translationcomes to mind) through her films' melancholic visuals. One of the most remarkable female directors working today, Coppola has made a name for herself outside her father’s (FrancisFordCoppola) legacy.
Although many quintessential trademarks make a Sofia Coppola picture, including recurring movie stars and sorrowful shots of the lead protagonist looking out the window inside a vehicle of some kind,the pastel color palettes and dream-like lighting are a big part of Coppola’s enchanting visual style. It is not difficult to grasp why so many find Coppola’s movies ethereal and distinctive, especially considering her meticulous attention to detail.
8Dario Argento
Movies: ‘Suspiria’ (1977), ‘Opera’ (1987), ‘The Bird With the Crystal Plumage’ (1970)
It would’ve been a crime not to includeDario Argentoon this list, if only for his unforgettable and outstanding efforts in the originalSuspiria. The Italian filmmaker was one of the most influential in the rise of the horror genre during the 1970s and the 1980s, particularly inthe subgenre known as “giallo”(meaning “yellow”), which blends mystery fiction with the slasher, thriller, psychological horror, and sexploitation subgenres.
While Argento has only directed 15 films throughout his career, the Italian filmmaker established himself as one of the most talented masters in his field, providing audiences with intense and suspenseful narratives to keep them on the edge of their seats throughout. Part ofwhat makes Argento’s works so irresistible is their eerie and atmospheric visual style and symbolic usage of color; in addition toSuspiria, other visually stunning and stylish films that he directed includeOperaandThe Bird With the Crystal Plumage.
7Denis Villeneuve
Movies: ‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017), ‘Dune’ (2021), ‘Arrival’ (2016)
With the release ofDune: Part Two(which was met with many positive reviews, as was to be expected), it has become pretty clear that the CanadianDenis Villeneuveis one of the most interesting directors working today, with a plethora ofamazing projects under his belt, often in the sci-fi and dystopian genres, that prove how great he is in his field.
Frequentlyexperimenting in the science fiction category with thematically constructed color palettes and evocative scores that complement his films' narratives, Villeneuve has delivered nothing but incredible productions over time. These range from the striking and highly atmosphericalBlade Runner 2049to the mind-bending alien-invasion flickArrival, for which he received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Director.
6Wes Anderson
Movies: ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ (2014), ‘Moonrise Kingdom’ (2012), ‘Asteroid City’ (2023)
Influenced by the work ofPedro Almodóvar,Satyajit Ray, andHal Ashbyamong other directors,the perfectly symmetrical, pastel-colored, picturesque works of Wes Anderson have cemented his work as one of the most easily recognizedby any filmmaker working today. Readers may know him for his efforts in the critically acclaimedThe Grand Budapest Hotel,Moonrise Kingdom, and last year’s polarizingAsteroid City.
While Anderon’s quirky premises and characters arecharacteristic traits of the auteur’s impeccable filmography, his unique visual style, which oftentimes resorts to perfectly balanced and harmonized shots, is at the top of the list. Like Coppola, Anderson pays meticulous attention to detail, seldom features frequent collaborators in his films, and tackles existentialist themes like love and death.
5David Lynch
Such a list would not be complete without surrealist filmmakerDavid Lynch’s otherworldly shots and compositions; no one does unsettling and bizarrebetter than the American director. While Lynch’s writing style and eccentric vision make him stand out from the bunch, the way he ultimately executes his stories is the cherry on top, fully elevating his work to higher ground.
From theTwin PeaksmovieFirewalk With Meto his iconic, highly influential fantasy horror filmEraserheadwhich paved the way for the genre back when it was released in 1977,Lynch has proven to be a masterful filmmaker who knows how to properly captivate audiences with his unconventional narratives. As for his visual style, the dream-like, at times haunting imagery is essential.
4Wong Kar-wai
Movies: ‘In the Mood for Love’ (2000), ‘Chungking Express’ (1994), ‘Fallen Angels’ (1995)
Although the Hong Kong film directorWong Kar-waiunfortunately hasn’t put anything out for a while, he remains a fan-favorite among cinephiles. A poignant figure in Hong Kong cinema and an undeniably remarkable auteur,Kar-wai’s most popular moviesincludeIn the Mood For Love,Chungking Express, andFallen Angels, all of which are arguably some of his most visually appealing flicks.
On top of the captivating nonlinear narratives, memorable characters, and great music choice,what makes Kar-wai’s films so compelling and atmospheric are the beautifully shot scenes (often featuring Christopher Doyle’s talents) they feature, which provide his movies with a distinctive, almost poeticambiance. Kar-wai’s unconventional choice of camera angles (likeFallen Angels' wide-angle) makes him stand out from the bunch.
3Stanley Kubrick
Movies: ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968), ‘The Shining’ (1980), ‘Barry Lyndon’ (1975)
The mind behind the iconic horror filmThe Shining, the stunning period dramaBarry Lyndon, and the groundbreaking sci-fi epic2001: A Space Odyssey,Stanley Kubrickis widely regarded as one of the most beloved filmmakers of all time, and for good reason. The epitome of perfectionism, Kubrick went to great lengths to ensure all of his movies featured note-perfect execution and usually succeeded. So much so, that many readers would probably argue that he deserved to be ranked a bit higher on this list.
Although the visuals of Kubrick’s movies are (arguably) not on the same level as the following filmmakers', there is no doubt that the legendary director’s body of work counts on some of the most stunning, awe-inspiring, and all-encompassing filmmaking of all time.Symmetry, one-point perspective, and geometry are two big traits in Kubrick’s structured and organized style.
2Ingmar Bergman
Movies: ‘Persona’ (1966), ‘The Seventh Seal’ (1957), ‘The Virgin Spring’ (1960)
AlthoughIngmar Bergmanis most known for his work on the internationally acclaimedPersona, the renowned Swedish filmmaker’s body of work is quite extensive, with films likeThe Seventh SealandThe Virgin Spring(aWes Cravenfavorite) standing tall among his best. Viewers can always count on Bergman to deliver an immensely captivating cinematic experience, and his visuals add to that.
Colorful movies are particularly deemed the most visually stunning of all. However, plenty of black-and-white movies deserve the same amount of love; Bergman’s filmography, for one, is filled with astonishing films with no use of color.Resorting to intense long takes and intimate close-ups, Bergman’s movies are emotionally arresting and stick with viewers— whether that is given the universal, complex themes of death, faith, and human relationships they tackle or the breathtaking visuals they feature.
1Andrei Tarkovsky
Movies: ‘Stalker’ (1979), ‘Solaris’ (1972), ‘Ivan’s Childhood’ (1962)
Russia’s best director is also one of the world’s most influential filmmakers. Among other talented directors,Andrei Tarkovsky is the name that immediately comes to mind when the subject is movies with the best visuals given his flawlessly executed, mesmerizing dream-like imagery. As for Tarkovsky’s resorted themes, philosophical, existentialist, and nihilistic questions about memory and nature leap out.
Among many of Tarkovsky’s masterpieces are the sci-fi epicsStalkerandSolaris, and the black-and-white war dramaIvan’s Childhood, all of which are stunningly shot and visually poetic. Other characteristics of Tarkovsky’s movies are their slow-burning storylines and long, thoughtful takes. Given the latter aspect, though, his movies do not suit everyone’s taste, as audiences may feel like they drag a bit. Still, there is no denying that Tarkovsky is on the same level as other legendary filmmakers like Kubrick.
NEXT:The Art of Filmmaking: 10 Great Visual Trademarks of 10 Accomplished Directors
