Renowned filmmaker Ridley Scott criticized the current state of cinema during an October 5 appearance at the British Film Institute Southbank in London, expressing frustration with what he described as the poor quality of most modern movies. Scott’s comments about “millions” of films being produced today and their mediocrity sparked debate over the accuracy and fairness of his assessment on the evolution of film.
Ridley Scott Expresses Disdain for Contemporary Films and Praises His Own Work
At the British Film Institute event, Ridley Scott voiced strong opinions about Hollywood’s output, according to journalist Tori Brazier from Metro, who attended the talk. Scott bluntly stated,
“The quantity of movies that are made today, literally globally — millions. Not thousands, millions … and most of it is sh*t.”
This sweeping criticism reflects his frustration with the film industry’s current landscape.
While Scott’s reputation as a director is well established, his estimation of global film production numbers is inaccurate. Recent data from the World Intellectual Property Organization and Omdia show that around 9,511 films were produced worldwide in 2023, marking a high point over the past two decades but far less than the millions Scott mentioned. Despite this, Scott continued to denounce many modern films, asserting that excessive reliance on digital effects masks weak storytelling. He added,
“I think a lot of films today are saved and made more expensive by digital effects, because what they haven’t got is a great thing on paper first … Right now, I’m finding mediocrity — we’re drowning in mediocrity. And so what I do — it’s a horrible thing — but I’ve started watching my own movies, and actually, they’re pretty good. And also, they don’t age.”
Scott went further to estimate that only 10% of today’s films are “pretty good,” and a mere 5% are “great,” yet these percentages appear inconsistent with film production realities, especially given his claim of millions being made annually.
The Overlooked Excellence in Recent Film Releases
Though some of Scott’s points hold merit—such as the significant use of digital effects and rushed productions without solid scripts, an example being the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday—his overall viewpoint disregards many outstanding films launched since 2020. Prestigious accolades, including Academy Awards, have recognized titles like Everything Everywhere All at Once and Oppenheimer, highlighting creativity and quality in recent cinema.
Popular superhero movies such as Superman, The Batman, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse have also demonstrated innovation and broad audience appeal. Furthermore, films like Sinners, Top Gun: Maverick, and Conclave have achieved commercial success while maintaining distinct narratives and originality.
Emerging filmmakers are contributing fresh perspectives as well. Horror director Zach Cregger’s movie Weapons broke from genre conventions, and Jane Schoenbrun’s I Saw the TV Glow blended horror, teen drama, and explorations of gender identity. Celine Song’s Past Lives offered a more profound approach to romance, emphasizing the evolving storytelling landscape.
It is worth noting that other directors from Ridley Scott’s generation have continued to deliver outstanding work. Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese released highly praised films in the 2020s, such as The Fabelmans and Killers of the Flower Moon. Spielberg, in contrast to Scott, has remained relatively upbeat about contemporary films, recently endorsing the upcoming One Battle After Another.
Modern Failures May Shape Ridley Scott’s Negative Outlook
A possible reason behind Scott’s harsh evaluation of modern movies could be related to his own recent projects, which have not met expectations. Films like The Last Duel failed to recoup their production costs, and House of Gucci featured criticized performances by actors including Al Pacino and Jared Leto. The lengthy and costly Napoleon also faced mixed reactions. Only Gladiator II among his recent works has been modestly well-received, though it has not matched the acclaim of the original Gladiator.
Scott’s forthcoming project, The Dog Stars, may represent a chance to reaffirm his creative relevance. Adapted from Peter Heller’s novel, The Dog Stars is a post-apocalyptic thriller centered on a pilot striving to survive a pandemic. The film stars Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, Benedict Wong, and Guy Pearce, and it is scheduled for release on March 27, 2026. The outcome of this film could determine whether Scott sustains his stature or faces pressure to retire.
Upcoming Film “The Dog Stars” and Its Cast
The Dog Stars features a cast of notable actors including Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, Josh Brolin, and Guy Pearce, who join Benedict Wong in bringing this dystopian narrative to life. The story follows a pilot navigating a world reshaped by a pandemic, offering a premise that could resonate with contemporary audiences if handled effectively.
