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It’s easy to forget how much work goes into making a movie, especially when we’re all so focused on the story being told to us rather than the mechanics behind it all. Many of the actors from these stories end up taking their turn behind the camera, sometimes directing themselves, and sometimes settling into the director’s chair permanently. While it’s fair to say that not all of these instances are success stories (looking at you, By the Sea), many of them have produced movies damn near classics. Here are ten of the best movies from actors turned directors.
'Chef'
It could be argued that Favreau has done better, but Chef is one of movies bound to bring a smile to your face every time. Featuring the likes of Bobby Cannavale, Sofia Vergara, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Downey Jr., this dramedy depicts a professional chef (Favreau) who quits his high-pressure Los Angeles restaurant job to drive a food truck around the country with his young son. Armed with an excellent soundtrack and mouthwatering cooking sequences, Chef is an absolutely delectable watch.
'Apollo 13'
Little Ronny Howard from The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, and American Graffiti went on to be quite the filmmaker. While he’s certainly got a slew of great titles under his belt (A Beautiful Mind, Ransom, and Cinderella Man are just a few out of the long list), one that stands out from the bunch is 1995 drama Apollo 13. Starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, and Ed Harris, this dramatization of the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission is something of a modern classic. From the period details to the stunning performances, this film doesn’t skip a beat.
'Eve's Bayou'
You probably know Kasi Lemmons as Jodie Foster’s best friend in The Silence of the Lambs, but it turns out she’s quite the force behind the camera, too. Her directorial debut, Eve’s Bayou, stars Samuel L. Jackson as a doctor who is witnessed having an affair by his young daughter. Set in the summer of 1962 in rural Louisiana, the film takes you on a series of twists and turns that prove just how dangerous misunderstood emotions can be.
'Submarine'
Richard Ayoade, best known for his award-winning performance on The IT Crowd, also boasts an impressive directorial repertoire. He’s helmed music videos for a series of popular artists and also directed The Double starring Jesse Eisenberg, but his best work started at the very beginning, with directorial debut Submarine. This coming-of-age drama stars Craig Roberts as a 15-year-old boy trying to save his parents’ broken marriage who falls into an unusual romance with a girl just as strange as he is. Funny, heartfelt, and unique, Submarine holds its own among the likes of the best indie comedies out there.
'The Ides of March'
It’s no secret that George Clooney is a hell of a director – McCarthy-era drama Good Night, and Good Luck proved that – but I’d wager that political drama The Ides of March shows off his directorial prowess even more. Starring Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Paul Giamatti, and Philip Seymour Hoffman, among others, the film follows a junior campaign manager (Gosling) who truly believes in the potential of his candidate (Clooney). Unsurprisingly, things are not all they seem to be, and the corruption behind it all aids in our lead’s soul-crushing disillusionment as the truth reveals itself. The flick features one of Hoffman’s great supporting roles, and it’s an amazing display of Gosling’s range as a serious actor. So beware The Ides of March… it’s a seriously good movie.
'Matilda'
Danny DeVito‘s adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic remains something of a classic children’s story. A gifted young girl (Mara Wilson) is born to cruel, unsuitable parents (DeVito and Rhea Perlman) and discovers she has special powers. After she is sent to a school run by the worst principal imaginable, Matilda learns to utilize her powers to help her friends – and eventually, help herself. This heartfelt flick is not just for kids – there’s plenty here for everyone.
'Modern Romance'
While Albert Brooks may have stolen your heart as the funny best friend in Broadcast News or as the voice of Marlin in Finding Nemo, it turns out he’s thrived as a director, too. His 1981 comedy Modern Romance revolves around a neurotic, self-absorbed film editor (Brooks), who can’t quite commit to his on-again, off-again girlfriend because he always seems to be looking for the next best thing. A remarkably witty film about jealousy and insecurity, Modern Romance manages to send a message while providing a plethora of laughs along the way.
'Argo'
While I would never consider myself a supporter of the Affleck dynasty (#TeamJen), I have to hand it to Argo. Ben Affleck directs and stars in this Academy Award-winning historical drama depicting the CIA’s mission to rescue Americans from Tehran in 1980. Stocked with a solid screenplay, star-studded cast, and anxiety-inducing sequences, Argo is a must-see.
'Mystic River'
This star-studded drama helmed by Clint Eastwood is one that will haunt you for weeks after watching. Sean Penn took home a Best Actor Oscar for his role as a grieving father who seeks to avenge the violent murder of his daughter (a pre-Shameless Emmy Rossum), while Tim Robbins nabbed the Best Supporting Actor award for playing a blue collar worker haunted by his childhood abduction and abuse at the hands of men posing as police. The raw, emotional performances and moral ambiguity of the film’s conclusion sets it apart from all of Eastwood’s other films.
'Annie Hall'
While Woody Allen is probably best known for his work behind the camera, he actually started in front of it. While he’s been responsible for a multitude of great movies, one of his best works is undoubtedly 1977 romantic comedy Annie Hall. Starring Allen as a neurotic TV writer who tries to understand why his relationship with singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton) failed. Layered with philosophy, identity, and genuine emotion, this modern classic still holds up 40 years later.
