Over his life history , Stanley Kubrick forged a bequest as one of history ’s most innovative and challenging film theatre director . Though he was notorious for his unyielding and obsessional perfectionism , he was revered for his groundbreaking works across multiple genres , as well as his influence on the best filmmakers who came after him .
Here ’s a look at Kubrick ’s filmography , rank from bad to best .
13. Fear and Desire (1952)
This cinema follow a chemical group of soldiers from an nameless land who find themselves stranded behind enemy lines , as they descend into violence and insanity whilw struggling to survive .
At times , the movie feels like a cheapjack image ofThe Twilight Zone , with its playacting and dialogue leaving a circle to be desired . But as Kubrick ’s directorial debut , Fear and Desirestands as a good initiation to his style of filmmaking .
12. Killer’s Kiss (1955)
When an aging boxer ( Jamie Smith ) set forth a love story with a dance palace dancer ( Irene Kane ) , they must both face the wrath of the latter ’s gangster boss ( Frank Silvera ) when they resolve to scarper away together .
Though the ending may not meet with the rest of the story , Killer ’s Kissserves as a vast improvement over the director ’s previous project . With its terrific camerawork , some of the movie ’s stylistic aspects suffice as a precursor to the more celebrated member of Kubrick ’s filmography .
11. The Killing (1956)
Compared to film likeScarfaceandLittle Caesar , this film follow a criminal ( Sterling Hayden ) who assembles a squad to draw off one last looting before he settles down with his married woman ( Colleen Gray ) . But when his accomplice ’s wife ( Marie Windsor ) learns about the heist , she and her lover ( Vince Edwards ) try on to slip the cash for themselves .
Today , The Killingmay seem like a typical noir film that is n’t as recognizable as Kubrick ’s more distinctive cinema . It may also be seen as heavily - handed with its vocalization - over narration . However , it still presents a thrilling nonlinear tale that pass on a unique linear perspective of the stickup destined to go wrong .
10. Lolita (1962)
Based on Vladimir Nabokov ’s controversial novel of the same name , this grim drollery stick with a middle - of age man ( James Mason ) in his pastime of the titular 14 - year - old missy ( Sue Lyon ) .
It ’s a dissentious news report , specially in the forward-looking age , and the film does n’t explore enough of the darkness in Humbert ’s abusive relationship with Lolita . Nevertheless , Kubrick ’s adaptation sprain Nabokov ’s story into watchable cinema thanks to its witty humor and performance , specifically those of Mason , Lyon , and Peter Sellers .
9. Paths of Glory (1957)
make place during the First World War , Paths of Gloryfollows a colonel / lawyer who defend his soldier in tourist court after they refuse to carry out a felo-de-se mission against the enemy .
Similar to Kubrick ’s other films , Paths of Glorypaints a blue picture of the dehumanizing effects of fight as the tv camera travels through the trenches of No Man ’s Land . Blending tense action spell and intense effectual drama , this film require a punishing look at the grim reality of warfare and the injustices that hap both on and off the battlefield .
8. Spartacus (1960)
This jaw - dropping heroic poem depicts a fictionalized account of the nominal gladiator as he lead his fellow slaves in a rising against their Roman oppressors .
Having directed more underrated film beforehand , Spartacusestablished Kubrick as a master key of his trade thanks to its unbelievable visuals , grip activity scenes , and budge narrative . The “ I am Spartacus ” scene singlehandedly cemented this picture show in the annals of cinema chronicle . However , the fact that Dalton Trumbo write the screenplay helped put an end to Hollywood blacklisting .
7. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Kubrick ’s final motion-picture show before his death , this erotic thriller follows a married man ( Tom Cruise ) who , after an argument with his married woman ( Nicole Kidman ) , has many sexual practice - related encounters while wandering the streets of New York , culminating in a mask political party hosted by a mysterious cultus .
Though it may not be as captivating as one would expect , Eyes all-inclusive Shutpresents a dazzling and unnerving odyssey into the surrealistic underbody of human desire , venturing into areas many would dare not step .
6. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Full Metal Jacketfollows a unseasoned military personnel ( Matthew Modine ) as he goes from a wide - eyed trainee to a inure soldier while being immersedin the unforgiving tides of war . Similar toApocalypse Now , this pic satirizes the injustices behind America ’s state of war in Vietnam with sheer cinematic brutality .
From training with a tyrannical recitation sergeant to fighting on the front line of descent , Private Joker ’s shuddery account channel the death and dehumanization forced upon those trying to crusade for their country .
5. Barry Lyndon (1975)
Having emerged from Kubrick ’s canceled Napoleon biopic , Barry Lyndon travel along a greedy villain who fights and marry his way to riches and sumptuousness in eighteenth - hundred England .
This opulent and exquisite epic was rotatory for shoot scenes lit only by candlelight . But straight to its nature as an art man , Barry Lyndonindulges in its own cinematic prowess , which has narrowed its audience to the most die - hard historian and movie devotee .
4. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
After a paranoid Air Force ( Sterling Hayden ) general order a nuclear strike on the USSR , the U.S. chairwoman ( Peter Sellers ) and his cabinet race against the clock to prevent this attack from setting off a Soviet doomsday twist that will destroy the universe .
Just a couple of years after the Cuban Missile Crisis , and with the possibleness of nuclear war was on everyone ’s mind , Dr. Strangelovecame along and provided a uproarious , but cautionary tale about how easily the human race can destroy itself in an age ruled by anserine political leader and their atomic bombs .
3. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
This one is arguably Kubrick ’s most controversial motion-picture show . dress in a dystopian version of London , this photographic film follows sadistic teen Alex ( Malcolm McDowell ) as he and his crew of droogs get their jolly boat by engaging in sexual ravishment and ultraviolence , both of which the flick may overindulge in present .
Despite this , A Clockwork Orangeoffers a thought - enkindle sarcasm of society as Alex is all but stripped of his free will by a corrupt regime seeking to “ bring around ” him of his evil .
2. The Shining (1980)
Based on the novel by Stephen King , this flick follows an alcoholic author ( Jack Nicholson ) who guide his wife ( Shelley Duvall ) and psychical son ( Danny Lloyd ) to watch over a haunt hotel for the wintertime , only to get torn aside by cabin fever and the evil specters watching over them .
Though it was factious upon firing for its deviation from King ’s book , The Shininghas since become a horror classic thanks to its haunting atmosphere , spectacular cinematography , and Jack Nicholson ’s lead performance . It may not stay straight to the source material , but Kubrick ’s movie is a cinematic beast of its own .
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
After an alien monolith is unearthed on the synodic month , a squad of spaceman and their sentient supercomputer put off to investigate a similar anomaly near Jupiter . This sci - fi masterpiece demonstrate an operatic personation of humanity ’s evolution as influenced by aliens , from learning to expend tools to make AI and exploring the infinity of blank space .
2001 : A Space Odyssey , a sci - fi movie with a great conclusion , was decades ahead of its time back in 1968 , and it continue to hold up today thanks to its unforgettable imagery and naturalistic event , which helped build Kubrick as a style - setter all his own .
