Posted 18 minutes agoSubscribe to Screen Time NewsletterCaret DownI Love Movies! Here Are My Favorite Movies From 11 Popular Directors So You Can Dip Your Toe Into The Works Of The GreatsIf you want to become a film buff, this is a good spot to start!by NicoleBeckCommunity CreatorApproved and edited by BuzzFeed Community TeamFacebookPinterestLink I absolutely love movies! I always have, and I even minored in film in college to learn even more about what I love. I'm infatuated with all aspects of film, from the score to the cinematography to the writing and acting. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF ABC / Via giphy.com When watching great films, some names tend to pop up frequently. They're names of great writers/directors, like Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, and many more. Here are 11 all-time great filmmakers, and my favorite film from their filmography, if you're looking for a place to start or just want to expand your familiarity with the works of the greats. Paul Thomas Anderson Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Paramount Vantage / Via giphy.com My pick: There Will Be BloodPaul Thomas Anderson tends to make long and thought-provoking films. The average runtime of his films is 144 minutes, with Punch Drunk Love bringing the average way down at only 95 minutes. He works with immensely talented actors and tends to produce movies that will stay with you after viewing. My favorite of his films is his 2007 masterpiece, There Will Be Blood. This film follows an oil prospector as he attempts to become rich from oil with his son, H.W. This film is considered a thriller/Western, and while it may seem long at times, the tension is palpable. The final crescendo is gut-wrenching and horrific. This film will leave you thinking about the characters and their actions. While this one may be long at 158 minutes, it's certainly worth watching. Steven Spielberg Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Universal Pictures/Regal / Via giphy.com My pick: Jurassic ParkSpielberg is my personal favorite director. His film shaped my childhood, and many of the movies I consider to be my favorites today came from, or were adapted for the screen, by his mind. Having to choose between classics like Jurassic Park, Jaws, and the Indiana Jones films had me quite stressed. Then add on his other works like E.T.: the Extra-Terrestrial, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler's List, and I could make a list for Mr. Spielberg alone. I had to pick Jurassic Park as my favorite, but you could make a case for any of the above, plus many others. I have a vivid memory of watching Jurassic Park for the first time with my parents and being mesmerized. The effects were advanced for the time, and while they're dated now, they don't take you out of the film. There's nothing more epic than the first time the team sees a dinosaur and the iconic Jurassic Park theme plays. This film is beautiful, thrilling, and heartfelt. This score is also one of my all-time favorites. I could go on forever about this film, and my friends could tell you I do. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and watch it. If you have seen it, maybe it's time for a rewatch, or perhaps check out the equally excellent book it was based on. Martin Scorsese Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Giphy / Via giphy.com My pick: The DepartedWhen I think of iconic directors, I think of Scorsese. He started making films in 1967 and is still producing heavy hitters today, with his most recent, Killers of the Flower Moon, coming out just under two years ago in 2023. This is another director whose filmography I had to sit with in order to pick a favorite, and another one with many correct answers. I'm sure that many cinephiles reading my list think my pick is criminal. How could I select The Departed? If I wanted a mob film, Scorsese has directed incredible movies like Goodfellas, Casino, and The Irishman; why not pick those? I could have, and all are great in their own right. To me, though, The Departed is the sleeper hit of Scorsese's repertoire. This is a mob movie, but it's so much more than that. To me, it feels more like an organized crime film than a proper mob movie. Scorsese has another one of those (Gangs of New York), but The Departed still prevails to me. This is another long one, a trend you'll find on this list, with a runtime of 151 minutes, but I assure you it doesn't feel long. This one is twisty and turny and will have you on the edge of your seat. On top of the fantastic writing, the expert camera work, and excellent set design, the cast is star-studded with names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. Please, please, please check this one out. If you like it, Scorsese has plenty of other mob movies and plenty of other non-mob movies that are truly exceptional. My runner-up is Shutter Island, which is also underrated in my opinion, and a fun thriller if you're looking for something on the spookier side. Christopher Nolan T