Martin Scorsese is considered one of the most influential and the best filmmakers of all time. His works are widely acknowledged by many film lovers around the globe. Not many filmmakers got that much fondness that Martin Scorsese is getting. Not exaggerating but every film lovers favorite films list contains at least one film that is directed by Martin Scorsese. Here are 10 of the Best Martin Scorsese Movies Ranked. So because of sticking to the number 10, there are going to be some leftovers. And this is not any ranking 10 is just for numbering convention.
Best Martin Scorsese Movies
10. The Departed
2006 ‧ Crime/Drama
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Vera Farmiga
IMDb Ratings: 8.5/10
If not the best one of the best films by Martin Scorsese. This film is the epitome of the remake. Taking the basic premise of the HONG KONG mafia film ‘INFERNAL AFFAIRS’ screenwriter William Monahan brilliantly adapted and written. It is without a doubt one of the best screenplays of the 21st Century. Converting that outstanding screenplay into a film Martin Scorsese masterfully did that job and got his overdue OSCAR as the best director.
This film is just perfect in every aspect. Direction is tremendous, writing is stunning, Acting by ensemble Leonard DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin all are just amazing in their roles. Editing by Thelma Schoonmaker is one of the best aspects of this film and she deserves that OSCAR that she got for that film. Overall a must-watch masterpiece.
9. The Wolf of Wall Street
2013 ‧ Drama/Dark comedy
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Jordan Belfort, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill
IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
One of the most hilarious and sexy films of the all-time. It is a laughing riot throughout its run time. This is a very very engaging film even though it is more than 170 mins. It is worth every single second. Screenwriter Terence Winter wrote Jordan Belfort’s life story in an extremely witty way. Converting that witty screenplay into a film Martin Scorsese again kicked the ball out of the window.
When you watch this film there is no way rear you are going to stop in the middle. You will complete it for sure. Not only this is a hilarious film this film is also very inspirational. The long monologues are too perfect. Acting by Leonard DiCaprio is just amazing. This is for sure one of his top-3 performances. Margot Robbie is very good in her role. Johanna Hill gave his best performance to date. Overall this is a must-watch biopic for sure.
8. The Irishman
2019 ‧ Crime/Drama
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannaval
IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
One of the best mob films of all time and my favorite Martin Scorsese mob film. This film is more than 200mins but there isn’t a single boring scene. If the same script is handed to another director it will be less than 150mins which will ruin the film and it would have become another forgettable mob film. But this film is directed by Martin Scorsese. His brilliant direction will just blow your mind. This film is perfect in a lot of aspects. The cinematography is terrific. It is easily one of the best-looking films in recent time.
The Color grading of this film is done perfectly. It deserves a lot of praise. Editing is very rough and that is perfect for this film. Production design, costumes are done in a very precise way. The de-Ageing procedure isn’t done well even with a budget of $200M. That is the only problem that I have with this film. Acting Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci is just marvelous. Seeing this trio on one screen that too in the direction of Martin Scorsese is a dream that comes true. If you are expecting to watch a ‘Goodfellas’ type of mob film then it isn’t for you. But if you like slow study lengthy mob films then it will impress you.
7. The Aviator
2004 ‧ Drama/Epic
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Gwen Stefani
IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
Don’t know why but this film doesn’t get enough recognition and appreciation that it should get. It is one of the top-5 best, overlooked works of Martin Scorsese. I feel that this is the best-directed film by Martin Scorsese not his film but his best as director. Cinematography is eye-popping. Easily this is one of the best-looking films of all time. Editing Thelma Schoonmaker is just out of this world.
Too precise and soo detailed. Production design will transport you into the place where the film is happening. Color grading is one of the best aspects of this film. Performances are just Wow! Everyone is excellent. Especially Leonard DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett. I think this is Leonardo Dicaprio at his best and Cate Blanchett second best after ‘Blue Jasmine ‘. Every scene is directed so well and carefully. Writing is very good. Especially courtroom scenes are awesome. Overall a well made biopic from a master storyteller
6. The King of comedy
1982 ‧ Crime/Dark comedy
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Martin Scorsese, Jerry Lewis, Robert De Niro, Sandra Bernhard, Diahnne Abbott
IMDb Ratings: 7.8/10
This is one of the most overlooked films not only in Martin Scorsese’s career but of all time. Even a lot of Martin Scorsese fans haven’t watched this film This film deserves appreciation in the level of ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Goodfellas’. This is the primary inspiration for ‘JOKER’ 2019. Martin Scorsese’s direction is damn good in this film.
But this is one of the few times where the script shines more than the direction of Martin Scorsese. What a mesmerizing screenplay. The screenplay deserves an Oscar or at least a nomination. Robert De Niro is just amazing even his performance in this film is very very underappreciated. He portrayed every single layer with ease. Martin Scorsese’s cameo is freaking hilarious and awesome. Overall a must watch overlooked masterpiece
5. After Hours
1985 ‧ Comedy/Indie film
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Griffin Dunne, Rosanna Arquette, Linda Fiorentino, Verna Bloom, John Heard
IMDb Ratings: 7.7/10
Another very good, hilarious and yet another overlooked film in Martin Scorsese career. Man, he made a lot of great works that are neglected. This is his I guess his most grounded work. It doesn’t have any mobs or it isn’t a controversial man biopic. It is about a man whose night doesn’t go as he planned. And the film happens in just one night. This is extremely difficult for the writers and they succeed in writing a very good film.
This is one of the smallest films that Martin Scorsese made. Straight up to the point no deviations. Normally Martin Scorsese takes some time to get into this film but for this film, he got into the film. This film is very funny than I thought. Another film which I will give a lot of credits to the writers. Martin Scorsese direction is great but this is just a writers film. The writing stands out so well. Overall it is ‘ Good Time ‘ before ‘ Good Time ‘ came(kidding!!)
4. Shutter Island
2010 ‧ Thriller/Mystery
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow
IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
Maybe the only Detective Thriller from Martin Scorsese. By this film, it is so evident that Martin Scorsese can handle any genre perfectly. His brilliant direction shows that how good that he is as a director. This is one of the few films that get a lot better in repeat viewings even though you know the climax twist. You will come across the tiny details in the film. The screenplay of this film is precise and has a lot of details. This starts as a normal detective film and slowly turns into something more than that. It is paced very well.
Not too fast or not too slow. That is the type of pacing that this film needs. The climax twist will sure blow your mind away. This film takes a lot of turns. It doesn’t go as you think. Acting by everyone is very good. 2010 is a great year for Leonard Dicaprio Inception, Shutter Island. He is very good as always in both of the films. I think Mitchell Williams performance is the best performance of the film. She got very less screen time but her performance stands out like no other. Overall a great detective film from legendary filmmaker.
3. Raging Bull
1980 ‧ Drama/Sport
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Jake LaMotta
IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci all came together to make one best boxing films of the all-time. This film is considered one of the best films of the all-time and it deserves the hype that it is getting. Not overhyped. But this film isn’t for everyone. Because this isn’t a regular boxing film. It is different. This film is more about the man and less about boxing. Which will create some decisive opinions. But Boxing scenes are done very well. The choreography, cinematography, acting everything is so perfect.
Martin Scorsese direction is top-notch. His brilliant usage of silence is one of the best aspects of this film. Thelma Schoonmaker editing is just amazing. Especially in boxing scenes. The cinematography is awesome. Lighting is just mind-blowing. Acting by Robert Di Niro is incomparable. His physical and mental transformation towards the character deserves all the accolades. Joe Pesci is very very outstanding. I think it is his debut as an actor. Even Robert De Niro is on the screen Joe Pesci stands out. That is what a brilliant actor do. Overall a must watch boxing film.
2. Casino
1995 ‧ Crime/Drama
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, James Woods, Don Rickles
IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
Casino gets criticism that it is a kind of rip off from ‘ Goodfellas ‘. Well, it is far different from Goodfellas. There are only very few similarities. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Mobs, voiceover narration. That it. The story, screenplay are far different from Goodfellas. There are a lot of things in this film that are even more interesting than Goodfellas. Personal opinions aside, This is a great depiction of Casinos in Las Vegas. Great performances, amazing cinematography, jaw-dropping costumes.
Everything worked so well for this film. The story is so good and the screenplay at the beginning feels rushed. Already film length is more than 175 mins soo it is quite understandable why screenwriters choose to make the beginning a bit fast. Martin Scorsese direction is great as always. The film editing is so nice. Not perfect but very nice. The performances are great. Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci gave great performances as always. But Sharon Stone is show stellar. She is very versatile in her role. Cinematography is the best. The colors, framing is perfect. Costume Design should have got an Oscar nomination. Overall a great film about Casinos in Las Vegas in the 1970s.
1. Taxi Driver
1976 ‧ Drama/Drama
Director: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Martin Scorsese, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel
IMDb Ratings: 8.2/10
What to say about this film that isn’t something that already said. This is very culturally impactful. One of the few films that have grown more and more relevant. One of the very few films that portrayed Isolation and showed the gritty raw life in New York. This film is psychologically violent. One of the best character-centric films. The way the writer should the mind of Travis Bickle is very very applicable. His character is one of the well-written characters in the entire film history. Now Travis Bickle became a pop culture icon which shows how much the film stands out even today. Everything is just perfect about this film.
Acting, Directing, Writing, Editing all are soo great. Robert De Niro is great as always. This will be definitely in his top-5 performances. Jodie Foster is good in her role. Martin Scorsese cameo is iconic. His performance is surprisingly great. There is nothing to nitpick about Writing, Directing. Too perfect. All credits go to Paul Schrader, Martin Scorsese. Overall if you haven’t seen it yet stop whatever you are doing and watch this masterpiece. This is the Best Martin Scorsese Movies Ranked.
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