24 Best British Directors of All Time, Ranked

Summary

• International film directors from the UK are celebrated for their diverse works spanning all genres.
• Notable British directors like Amma Asante and Lynne Ramsay have created impactful and critically acclaimed films.
• From iconic classics like David Lean’s
  Lawrence of Arabia
  to contemporary hits like Christopher Nolan’s
  Inception
  , British directors have left a significant mark on global cinema.

Filmmaking is a global art. Because of this, you’ll often find that the world’s greatest directors come from all corners of Earth. Some of the most renowned international film directors of all time are from the United Kingdom. Plenty of these names are undoubtedly more familiar than others, but for the most part, their works should be recognized by most film fans across the world, regardless of region.

The filmographies of these creatives span every genre imaginable, with star-studded casts and legendary crew members to boot. Some names featured herein are likely far more recognizable to some audiences than others, but for the most part, these are all A-list directors coming out of the United Kingdom. All that said, these are the 24 best British directors of all time, ranked.

Updated August 18, 2024: This collection of the best British film directors has been updated with useful features and additional information.

24 Amma Asante (1969–Present)

From a commercial standpoint, A United Kingdom (2016) by Amma Asante should go down as one of the most underrated films of the past ten years. Starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike, its plot chronicles the real-life romance between Seretse Khama — the heir to the Bangwato Tribe (a chieftaincy of Botswana) — and Ruth Williams Khama, his wife. Of course, those characters are portrayed by the aforementioned performers in Oyelowo (Seretse) and Pike (Ruth). It was praised for its proper pacing and impressive performances, and justifiably so, later going on to earn a Best British Film nomination at the British Academy Film Awards.

More than Just a One-Hit Wonder

But A United Kingdom is far from the only film worth writing home about among Asante’s high-quality oeuvre. Belle (2013) is right up there as her best, while A Way of Life (2004) and Where Hands Touch (2018) only add to her resume. Ultimately, everything resulted in a spot on this list. Her numerous contributions to British cinema would eventually net her some recognition from the Order of the British Empire, who subsequently highlighted her best films.

23 Tony Richardson (1928–1991)

After starting out with both television and theater, director Tony Richardson soon found himself transitioning to film and becoming one of the hottest rising filmmakers in the entire industry. He would earn a plethora of accolades in his prolific career, including several BAFTA awards and numerous Palme d’Or nominations. He would also be retroactively cited as a prominent figure in the growing British New Wave, a movement that also included directors like Jack Clayton and Bryan Forbes.

Albert Finney Launched Tony Richardson to Stardom

He has dozens of projects under his filmmaking belt, but perhaps the most prominent is the one that garnered a win for Best Director at the Academy Awards: Tom Jones (1963). An adaptation of Henry Fielding’s novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling from 1749, this critically acclaimed comedy stars Albert Finney as the titular character, with several other talented performers among its cast. Ultimately, Tom Jones as a whole helped land Richardson near the beginning of the bunch.

22 Andrea Arnold (1961–Present)

No matter how many critical hits English director Andrea Arnold pumps out in the 21st century, projects such as Red Road (2006) consistently make splashes instead of waves at the worldwide box office. An intense film at its core, Red Road made significant headway in critical circles due to its unconventional filming techniques, its harrowing plot, and its eerily prescient focus on CCTV footage. While it wouldn’t make too big of an international impact, a survey hosted by The Guardian (formerly The Observer) saw many critics dub it as one of the best British films in a quarter-century.

Underrated, But Not Forgotten

That psychological thriller remains highly underrated today, along with the majority of Arnold’s other films: Fish Tank (2009), Wuthering Heights (2011), and American Honey (2016). The last of those three features up-and-coming actress Sasha Lane alongside Hollywood mainstay Shia LaBeouf. It follows the former’s character (named Skye) as she leaves home to join a sales crew who deal in magazine subscriptions across America. Again: highly underrated, and helps land Andrea here at number twenty-two.

21 Lynne Ramsay (1969–Present)

Scottish director Lynne Ramsay made her directorial debut at the turn of the century with Ratcatcher (1999), which follows a child as he traverses through the ever-changing landscape of his public housing in Glasgow. He’s accustomed to having no running water, having nowhere to bathe, and having nowhere to even use the restroom. The film would go on to win a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Director, as well as numerous other accolades from the British Independent Film Awards and the British Film Institute.

Ratcatcher Made Ramsay Famous

Despite unanimously positive reviews from pundits and audiences alike, the latter group of viewers by no means traveled en masse to see Ratcatcher inside movie theaters across the globe. But it’s since gone down as something of a cult classic, resonating fondly with viewers of every ilk just as it did with critics at the turn of the century. Ramsay has a few other noteworthy films to boot, like the thrilling Joaquin Phoenix vehicle You Were Never Really Here (2017), as well as the eternally haunting psychological drama We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011). She undoubtedly deserves to land here on the list.

20 John Schlesinger (1926–2003)

The filmography of John Schlesinger truly runs the gamut of genres, from romantic comedies and period dramas to psychological thrillers and horror stints. But three of his projects perhaps stand out as his best: Darling (1955), Midnight Cowboy (1969), and Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971). And those catch the eye for garnering Schlesinger Best Director nominations at the Academy Awards.

The Only X-Rated Best Picture Win

In fact, he even won for Midnight Cowboy, the only X-rated film to ever win Best Picture. Not only that, Midnight Cowboy would also walk away with additional wins for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. But there is one more film worth writing home about with regard to this particular English filmmaker: Marathon Man (1976), a thriller with Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier, and Roy Scheider. It holds a great legacy today, and goes down as one of the best films of its decade.

19 Ken Russell (1927–2011)

Although he may not hold the contemporary name value of many others on this list, Ken Russell was once among the most talented filmmakers the United Kingdom had to offer, period. After starting with a few smaller-budget projects, he burst onto the scene with Women in Love (1969), which takes place in an English mining town after the First World War and details the plot of two sisters’ relationships with two men. That project garnered him Best Director nominations at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes, without a doubt going down as the definitive project of his career.

A Director With Many Talents

But Russell released several other critical darlings, such as The Boy Friend (1971), Tommy (1975), and Altered States (1980). Tommy would end up becoming a critically-acclaimed rock opera film, earning Ann-Margret a Golden Globe win as well as netting Pete Townshend an Oscar nomination for his tremendous score. Few of Russell’s projects go down as recognizable today, but he more than earned a spot on this list.

18 Nicolas Roeg (1928–2018)

Perhaps the most prominent project throughout the oeuvre of Nicolas Roeg would be Don’t Look Now (1973), a thriller that influenced more creatives than just about any other film by a director on this list. Schindler’s List (1993), Memento (2000), Casino Royale (2006), In Bruges (2008), Hereditary (2018) — their respective directors all drew massive inspiration from Roeg’s definitive movie. In it, Donald Sutherland co-starred with Julie Christie in a horror film that broke several filmmaking conventions for the time, exhibiting shocking content that would both elevate the genre and broaden horizons for what could be done with horror.

An Influential Filmmaker

Roeg’s utilization of perception and impressionist cinematography was nothing short of influential. But as with every other filmmaker featured herein, there are, of course, plenty more titles worth writing home about from this director’s long list of works. Take The Man Who Fell From Earth (1976), Bad Timing (1980), and The Witches (1990), for example. None of these titles are particularly popular today, but that takes nothing away from their quality.

17 Guy Ritchie (1968–Present)

The first two films by Guy Ritchie in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000) are both so beloved by film fans around the world that this placement might appear confounding off the bat. The two films were nothing short of iconic, with the former being a hilariously engaging crime comedy that relied on dark humor and impressive lead performances, and the latter repeating these elements with a brand-new setting and the incorporation of more international actors. Despite their small differences, both films would dominate the box office, along with dazzling critics from around the world.

Stellar Highs (And Some Occasional Lows)

But aside from those two highs, Ritchie’s oeuvre remains somewhat imbalanced. Sherlock Holmes (2009), The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015), The Gentleman (2019), Wrath of Man (2021), Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant (2023) — these were all high-quality projects. But along the well-known way, he’s made a few absolute duds: Swept Away (2002), Revolver (2005), and most recently, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare (2024). Those projects in particular mar Ritchie’s overall placement, but his first and sophomore features warrant one nonetheless.

16 Ken Loach (1936–Present)

Although neither his name as a director nor the popularity of his individual projects hold much value for most film fans, Ken Loach is undoubtedly a respected filmmaker for a particular corner of the film industry. And perhaps the most prominent picture of his would be The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2006), a war film with Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney. It won the Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival and was even the highest-grossing independent movie from Ireland at the time of release.

One of Nine Directors to Win Two Palme d’Or Awards

But it wasn’t the only Loach film to win the grand prize at the aforementioned festival, as I, Daniel Blake (2006) also received such honors. This film, a contemporary drama starring Dave Johns in the lead role, forms a pointed critique of the public health system in the United Kingdom, as Blake is simultaneously unable to work and ineligible for welfare payments. Those two projects alone warrant him a spot on this list, let alone the rest of his oeuvre.

15 Jim Sheridan (1949–Present)

Not to take anything at all away from the skill of Jim Sheridan as a director, but it’s safe to say he’s best known for his collaborations with Daniel Day-Lewis. Often cited by many fans and pundits alike as the greatest actor to ever do it, Day-Lewis gained most of his initial traction in the industry through his projects with Sheridan, particularly with My Left Foot (1989) and In the Name of the Father (1993). The former followed an Irish man whose cerebral palsy condition paralyzed most of his body, and the latter was a biography about the real-life Guildford Four, who were falsely accused of a violent crime they didn’t commit.

Frequently Collaborated with Daniel Day-Lewis

Sheridan picked up Oscar nominations for Best Director for both of those works, and Day-Lewis actually won Best Actor for My Left Foot. The two collaborated again in The Boxer (1997) with Day-Lewis playing the titular pugilist, and Sheridan alone made waves with critics once again thanks to In America (2003). He without a doubt deserves this recognition. His latest film, Re-creation, will be co-directed by David Merriman, with Vicky Krieps and Colm Meaney joining the cast.

14 Alan Parker (1944–2020)

Just off popularity, Bugsy Malone (1976) is likely the most recognizable title throughout the career of Alan Parker. But of course, that musical gangster comedy is far from the only noteworthy entry thereof. Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982) was a creative force to be reckoned with in itself, along with Crazy Heart (1987) starring Mickey Rourke and Robert De Niro — a tantalizing psychological thriller with tangible elements of neo-noir and a well-executed plot twist to boot.

A Creative Tour de Force

But both Midnight Express (1978) and Mississippi Burning (1988) put Parker on another level with regard to this list. The former would win Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score at the Academy Awards, whereas the latter earned a win for Best Cinematography among six other nominations. Although he may not have the name value of the next pick, he’s undoubtedly a talented director.

13 Richard Attenborough (1923–2014)

Up to this point in the list, Richard Attenorough is among the most recognizable names for general film fans thanks to his famous biographical projects like Gandhi (1982) and Chaplin (1992). Those both garnered multiple nominations at the Academy Awards — particularly the former, as Gandhi swept the 55th ceremony with eight out of eleven nominations. And yes, one of those victories was for Best Director.

More than Just Gandhi and Chaplin

But Attenborough, of course, has other titles under his directorial belt, such as A Bridge Too Far (1977), a war film, and Cry Freedom (1987), a biographical drama starring Denzel Washington. His prolific output, as well as his equal ability to act in front of the camera prior to his directorial efforts, gave him an edge in crafting compelling narratives and forming his own unique vision. On any given day, Attenborough could place even higher on the list. But number thirteen will have to suffice.

12 Mike Leigh (1943–Present)

Throughout his critically acclaimed yet commercially overlooked career, British filmmaker Mike Leigh received seven total nominations at the Academy Awards: five for Best Original Screenplay and two for Best Director. He came up short with each, but that arguably puts him among the best creatives to never walk away with a golden statuette.

Fantastic British Talent

With regard to his individual films, they hold little name value for American audiences, but feature taught plots in tandem with solid performances. Secrets & Lies (1996), Topsy Turvy (1999), Vera Drake (2004), Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), and Another Year (2010) all received widespread acclaim from pundits of the industry. The talent of Mike Leigh is simply undeniable, and it can be found in all of his feature films.

11 Steve McQueen (1969–Present)

With Hunger (2008), a historical drama about the Irish hunger strike of 1981, British director Steve McQueen burst onto the scene of critical reverence. The film holds a 90% approval rating on critical consensus website Rotten Tomatoes, and remains highly overlooked from a commercial perspective, with Michael Fassbender putting on an incredible performance as a prisoner enduring a hunger strike. Two BAFTA nominations and a total of six Irish Film & Television Academy Awards only solidify its impressive qualities.

Known for Incredible Storytelling

By far and away, the seminal McQueen film is 12 Years a Slave (2013), an adaptation of a slave narrative memoir of the same name, written by Solomon Northup in 1853. The adaptation received widespread acclaim, with a 95% approval rating on the aforementioned website and nine total nominations at the Academy Awards. McQueen came up short for Best Director, but the project as a whole was awarded Best Picture. His most recent released project, Widows (2018), only solidifies his inclusion herein thanks to a thrilling plot and a star-studded cast.

10 Danny Boyle (1956–Present)

While many of these directors appeal to a rather niche portion of film fans, Danny Boyle directs projects of all genres and sizes. Shallow Grave (1994) was among the most respected directorial debuts of the 1990s, and he undoubtedly topped those efforts with his sophomoric follow-up in Trainspotting (1996). This entry could be entirely dedicated to that one film, to be frank.

Only Gets Better With Time

But that would be an injustice to the rest of his filmography: 28 Days Later (2001), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), and 127 Hours (2010) were among the most respected films of their respective years, while Millions (2004), Sunshine (2007), and Trance (2013) remain vastly underrated today. Steve Jobs (2015), T2 Trainspotting (2017), and Yesterday (2019) all bolstered Boyle’s spot, but he was ultimately held back from placing higher due to a couple particularly panned projects: A Life Less Ordinary (1997) and The Beach (2000). Definitely avoid those two.

9 Michael Powell (1905–1990)

Although American audiences may not recognize Michael Powell or even the names of his most famous films, some of his titles, like Peeping Tom (1960), were highly influential in Hollywood. That particular horror movie was a precursor of the slasher genre — popularized by American filmmakers in the following decade — and it’s still the best project in Powell’s portfolio.

Special Thanks to Emeric Pressburger

But other films by him include The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Canterbury Tale (1944), and The Red Shoes (1948) — all of which were codirected by Emeric Pressburger. They were quite a famous filmmaking duo, and if it weren’t for the existence of Peeping Tom, Pressburger would have made the list as well. But in the end, Powell directed that horror feature himself, and thus lands here at number nine.

8 Martin McDonough (1970–Present)

Recently, The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) by British-Irish filmmaker Martin McDonough picked up nine total nominations at the 95th Academy Awards. That’s perhaps McDonough’s masterpiece, with only three other projects throughout his career: In Bruges (2008), Seven Psychopaths (2012), and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017).

McDonough’s Incredible Screenplays

But here’s the thing about McDonough’s relatively sparse filmography: each film is nearly perfect in plot and profound in pitch from start to finish, with all but Seven Psychopaths picking up nominations at the Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. Plus, he actually won that same award for those three films at the BAFTAs. Three Billboards and Banshees were also nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars, while the latter project picked up a Best Director nod for McDonough himself. There’s a solid argument that all of those awards should have gone to the filmmaker at hand.

7 Terry Gilliam (1940–Present)

Throughout the 1970s, British filmmaking standout Terry Gilliam made a name for himself by dint of both Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and Jabberwocky (1977). The former was made with Terry Jones, and is among the most famous movies of their careers. But in the following decade, Gilliam separated himself from them by making Time Bandits (1981), Brazil (1985), and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988).

A Director of Many Talents

Then, he reached another level of filmmaking entirely in the 1990s: The Fisher King (1992) picked up five nominations at the Academy Awards, while Twelve Monkeys (1995) garnered Brad Pitt his first Oscar nomination on top of a win at the Golden Globes. Deservedly so. Gilliam’s filmography since that science fiction classic has undoubtedly waned in quality. But luckily, for the sake of this list, his legacy has long been set in stone.

6 Sam Mendes (1965–Present)

With American Beauty (1999), Sam Mendes burst into the Hollywood stratosphere unlike few first-time filmmakers before him. An all-star cast consisting of Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Allison Janney, and more brought a compelling drama to life, melding morbid comedy with an impeccable script and an excellent score to boot. In a year full of incredible films, American Beauty managed to stand out against the likes of Being John Malkovich, The Matrix, and Magnolia.

Sam Mendes Delivered Hit After Hit

That directorial debut remains his masterpiece today, winning Best Director off the bat as his career had legitimately just gotten started. But he was by no means done there, returning in valiant fashion with Road to Perdition (2002), a crime film with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman. After that came Jarhead (2005), an underrated war film with Jake Gyllenhaal, followed by Revolutionary Road (2008) and Away We Go (2009). After that, Mendes directed two James Bond films: Skyfall (2012) and Spectre (2017). He then went back to the war genre with 1917 (2019), and frankly, if it weren’t for his most recent project, Empire of Light (2022), the quality of his filmography alone would’ve warranted a spot in the top five. But number six will suffice.

5 Ridley Scott (1937–Present)

Along with a couple others to follow, Ridley Scott is among the most famous British directors to ever live, if he’s not number one. Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982) are two absolute classics of the science fiction genre, and without a doubt hold up today in terms of sheer quality. And he’s only continued the trend of acclaimed science fiction projects into the twenty-first century with titles like Prometheus (2012) and The Martian (2015). Of course, he also has plenty of films that are firmly rooted in historical fiction, including Napoleon (2023) and The Last Duel (2021).

Too Many Ridley Scott Films to Count

Frankly, his filmography is massive — to list his others outside the aforementioned genre would take too much time, but there are some standouts, like Gladiator (2000), Black Hawk Down (2001), and American Gangster (2007). That’s still hardly touching the surface, and his commercial successes are evident. He’s among the best directors ever, regardless of region, and if it weren’t for duds like The Counselor (2013) and Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014), he could’ve placed even higher.