Ridley Scott
Born November 30, 1937 · South Shields, County Durham, England, UK
Ridley Scott is a renowned English filmmaker known for directing films in various genres, including science fiction, crime, and historical epics. He has directed several iconic films, such as Alien (1979) and Gladiator (2000), which have grossed over $5 billion worldwide. Scott's work has earned him numerous accolades, including the BAFTA Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement in 2018.
5
Films reviewed
7.9
Avg. rating
Gladiator
Best-reviewed
1979–2026
Years active
Biography
Sir Ridley Leighton Scott (born 30 November 1937) is an English filmmaker. He directs films in the science fiction, crime, and historical epic genres with an atmospheric and highly concentrated visual style. He ranks among the highest-grossing directors, with his films grossing a cumulative $5 billion worldwide. He has received many accolades, including the BAFTA Fellowship for Lifetime Achievement in 2018, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003 and appointed a Knight Grand Cross by King Charles III in 2024.
An alumnus of the Royal College of Art in London, Scott began his career in television as a designer and director before moving into advertising as a director of commercials. He made his film directorial debut with The Duellists (1977) and gained wider recognition with his next film, Alien (1979). Though his films range widely in setting and period, they showcase memorable imagery of urban environments, spanning 2nd-century Rome in Gladiator (2000) and its 2024 sequel, 12th-century Jerusalem in Kingdom of Heaven (2005), medieval England in Robin Hood (2010), ancient Memphis in Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014), contemporary Mogadishu in Black Hawk Down (2001), futuristic cityscapes of Los Angeles in Blade Runner (1982) and extraterrestrial worlds in Alien, Prometheus (2012), The Martian (2015) and Alien: Covenant (2017).
Scott has been nominated for three Academy Awards: Directing for Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down. Gladiator won the Academy Award for Best Picture and received a nomination in the same category for The Martian. In 1995, Scott and his brother Tony received a British Academy Film Award for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. Scott's films Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma & Louise were each selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being considered "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". In a 2004 BBC poll, Scott was ranked 10 on the list of most influential people in British culture. Scott also works in television and has earned 10 Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He won twice, for Outstanding Television Film for the HBO film The Gathering Storm (2002) and Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special for the History Channel's Gettysburg (2011). He was Emmy-nominated for RKO 281 (1999), The Andromeda Strain (2008), and The Pillars of the Earth (2010).
On theIReview.com
Films featuring Ridley Scottthat we've reviewed.
The Dog Stars
Director
Ridley Scott · 2026
★ 6.4Gladiator II
Director
Ridley Scott · 2024
RT 70%
★ 8.5Gladiator
Director
Ridley Scott · 2000
RT 80%
★ 8.1Blade Runner
Director
Ridley Scott · 1982
RT 89%
★ 8.5Alien
Director
Ridley Scott · 1979
RT 93%
Review Highlights
AI-summarized critic and audience reaction, pulled from the Fan & Critic Buzz on their highest-rated films with us.
“The public reaction to "Gladiator" is overwhelmingly positive, with many praising its epic scope, powerful imageries, and exceptional performances. Some critics have noted that the film may not be perfect, but it has become a classic in its own right due to its unique qualities. The movie's unique battle scenes, cinematography, acting, and directing have been widely praised, with many reviewers calling it a "masterpiece" or one of the greatest films ever made.”
From the Fan & Critic Buzz on Gladiator →
“The movie "Alien" is widely praised for its horror and sci-fi elements, with many reviewers noting that it sets a new standard for the genre. The film's claustrophobic setting and iconic alien design have become synonymous with fear and suspense. A strong cast, including Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and Yaphet Kotto, has been praised for their performances. Despite being described as not eventful or entertaining in some reviews, "Alien" is still regarded as a classic horror movie that continues to thrill audiences today.”
From the Fan & Critic Buzz on Alien →
Selected Filmography
- The Good Wife(2009)TV Series · 156 epsExecutive Producer
- Numb3rs(2005)TV Series · 118 epsExecutive Producer
- The Good Fight(2017)TV Series · 60 epsExecutive Producer
- Blade Runner 2049(2017)Executive Producer
- The Man in the High Castle(2015)TV Series · 40 epsExecutive Producer
- Alien: Romulus(2024)Producer
- Alien: Earth(2025)TV Series · 8 epsExecutive Producer
- The Martian(2015)Director
- Taboo(2017)TV Series · 8 epsExecutive Producer
- Kingdom of Heaven(2005)Director
- Prometheus(2012)Director
- Film '72(1971)TV Series · 2 epsas Self
- The Terror(2018)TV Series · 20 epsExecutive Producer
- Alien: Covenant(2017)Director
- Black Hawk Down(2001)Director
- Z-Cars(1962)TV Series · 1 epDirector
- Napoleon(2023)Director
- Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter(2015)TV Series · 2 epsas Self
- Raised by Wolves(2020)TV Series · 2 epsDirector
- Kulturzeit(1995)TV Series · 1 epas self