10 Best Tony Scott Movies, Ranked

10. Déjà Vu (2006)

This criminally underrated and high-concept sci-fi thriller perfectly matches Tony Scott's manic energy with the incomparable gravitas of Denzel Washington to deliver a cinematic, powerful performance. In the movie, Denzel plays a federal ATF agent using cutting-edge, time-folding technology to uncover the truth behind a tragic and deadly ferry boat explosion. This exciting blend of gritty, procedural detective work with a desperately ticking-clock temporal romance makes for a heart-pounding and incredibly intelligent action film from one of Hollywood's best.

9. Spy Game (2001)

This ultra-cool and high-octane espionage thriller casts Robert Redford and Brad Pitt as a battle-hardened CIA operative and his ambitious rogue protégé. Spanning a critical 24-hour period, Redford spends his last day as the head of the agency manipulating his own operation to organize an extremely risky prison break in China. Scott uses a non-linear, globe-trotting timeline with the use of flashbacks to showcase his expert use of rapid editing techniques. Overall, ' Spy Game' is an incredibly smart look at the clinical pragmatism of Cold War espionage operations.

8. Crimson Tide (1995)

This intense and claustrophobic submarine drama serves as the perfect masterclass in high-powered and emotional performances. It follows a dangerous nuclear showdown on board a U.S. ballistic missile submarine. The story erupts into a brutal ideological war between a combat-hardened veteran captain and his executive officer after receiving a dangerously corrupted launch code. Featuring powerhouse acting from Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington, the movie trades explosive and heated dialogue amidst the claustrophobia of emergency lighting and tight framing.

7. Days of Thunder (1990)

Returning to collaborate once again with Tom Cruise, this energetic and high-powered sports drama takes the proven formula of 'Top Gun' and translates it to the high-octane world of NASCAR racing. Cruise shines as Cole Trickle, an extremely talented open-wheel racer struggling to harness his hot-headed nature and dominate on the stock car circuit. Expertly using in-car shots to give viewers a first-person view of the racetrack, Scott manages to make each high-speed crash and paint-scraping overtake feel incredibly intense and dangerous.

6. The Last Boy Scout (1991)

'The Last Boy Scout' is a powerful and extremely dark action comedy featuring an excellent pairing of a cynical, washed-up private investigator with a former NFL quarterback turned PI. This explosive film follows two men who stumble into a blood-spattered conspiracy surrounding professional betting on football games and corrupt politicians. Directed by the brilliant Shane Black and featuring a razor-sharp and filthy script, the film offers a lot of hilarious moments alongside shootouts and exceptional practical explosions. In essence, it was the best possible example of the classic action film genre.

5. Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)

Stepping in to take charge of this franchise sequel, Tony Scott brings his trademark high-contrast and glossy MTV style into the already-established chaos. Eddie Murphy dominates as the sharp-witted and charming detective Axel Foley, who heads back to Los Angeles in search of the dangerous "Alphabet Bomber" syndicate. Ditching its original gritty tone in favor of huge set pieces and stunning cinematography from sunny Southern California, the film becomes an outright masterclass in elevating an action-comedy franchise sequel into a major visual spectacle.

4. Top Gun (1986)

As arguably the most defining blockbuster movie of the decade, this film successfully reinvented the very concept of Hollywood action movies. Centering on a young pilot, Maverick, trying to prove himself as part of an elite Navy flight squad, this film manages to balance an intense rivalry with Val Kilmer's Iceman character. Featuring iconic aerial sequences shot using real-life fighters, the movie uses a perfectly timed and iconic synth-pop soundtrack to deliver a visually dazzling, nostalgic, and cool masterpiece of a film.

3. Man on Fire (2004)

This brutal and deeply emotional revenge film features the peak of Tony Scott's collaboration with a committed Denzel Washington. Portraying an alcohol-addicted former CIA operative named Creasy, Denzel gives an electrifying and deeply touching performance as a man who finds hope in his relationship with the child he's tasked with protecting. When the little girl he was watching is tragically kidnapped in Mexico City, the film turns into a brutal crusade of unbridled vengeance filled with a raw and intense visual style to match.

2. True Romance (1993)

An undeniable masterpiece in the history of Hollywood films, 'True Romance' is a fantastic blend of a fantastic pop-cultured screenplay from Quentin Tarantino and Tony Scott's unique visual style. Following a bizarre story about a couple of criminals stealing a suitcase full of cocaine, the movie features an excellent cast, with Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette providing some unforgettable chemistry in the lead roles. Moreover, the film boasts a legendary cameo with a historic dialogue showdown between Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken.

1. Enemy of the State (1998)

An extremely prescient high-tech political thriller that takes the crown by delivering a breathless and never-ending sequence of chases. Featuring an impeccable Will Smith playing the part of an innocent lawyer whose life is destroyed by a rogue NSA operative after getting incriminating evidence regarding political assassination. Additionally, Gene Hackman gives an amazing supporting performance as a continuation of his iconic character from 'The Conversation,' handling the theme of state surveillance brilliantly.