Guillermo del Toro, an acclaimed director known for blending horror, fantasy, and human drama, has delivered a remarkable collection of films over the past three decades. His latest project, a long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein premiering on Netflix this Friday, stars Jacob Elordi, Oscar Isaac, and Mia Goth. In honor of del Toro’s distinguished career, this article ranks the best Guillermo del Toro movies based on their Rotten Tomatoes scores.
Crimson Peak: A Gothic Tale of Mystery and Romance
Released in 2015, Crimson Peak holds a 72 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The story follows Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska), an aspiring writer who falls for English baronet Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston). He invites her to his imposing mansion, Crimson Peak, where his enigmatic sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) resides. Amid the mansion’s eerie atmosphere, Edith encounters spirits delivering warnings while uncovering sinister secrets tied to the Sharpe family.
Though it is often overlooked, Crimson Peak showcases del Toro’s skill at weaving lavish visuals, tragedy, and romance into a Gothic ghost story. Its blend of period drama, supernatural elements, and murder mystery, enhanced by powerful performances, makes it a captivating film for enthusiasts of emotional and stylistic depth.
Hellboy: A Supernatural Hero’s Battle Against Darkness
The 2004 film Hellboy, rated 81 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, adapts Mike Mignola’s popular comic series. The plot centers on Hellboy (Ron Perlman), a demon summoned to Earth by Nazis but saved by Allied forces. Now a key agent at the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, Hellboy fights malevolent forces while struggling with his own dark nature. The film features a mix of humor, action, and fantasy creatures within a visually striking world.
Hellboy highlights del Toro’s talent for rich character development and his distinctive visual style. The movie balances intense action with moments of heartfelt romance, making it both an effective comic adaptation and a showcase of del Toro’s unique approach to filmmaking.
The Shape of Water: An Unconventional Love Story
With a 92 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating, The Shape of Water (2017) earned the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2018. Set in 1960s Baltimore, it follows Elisa (Sally Hawkins), a mute woman who forms a deep bond with an amphibious creature (Doug Jones) held captive in a secret government lab. Their silent connection grows into love, prompting Elisa to plan a daring rescue to save him from dangerous forces.
The film is widely praised for its visual elegance and emotional depth, blending fantasy with a moving narrative about acceptance and otherness. Critics recognized The Shape of Water as a pinnacle of del Toro’s career, blending society’s exclusion of the “Other” with a tender, imaginative love story.
The Devil’s Backbone: A Haunting Allegory Amid War
The Devil’s Backbone (2001) receives a 93 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and unfolds during the Spanish Civil War within a remote orphanage serving as a rebel base. Young Carlos (Fernando Tielve) comes to the orphanage unaware of his father’s death, and soon encounters a ghostly child named Santi. As Carlos forms bonds with orphans and uncovers hidden truths, the story intricately blends supernatural horror with political undertones.
This film marked del Toro’s initial foray into magical realism, skillfully mixing chilling ghost story elements with sorrow and political commentary. The Devil’s Backbone’s haunting beauty and complex narrative distinguish it as an emotionally powerful and visually compelling work.
Pan’s Labyrinth: A Masterpiece of Fantasy and Brutality
Pan’s Labyrinth, boasting a 95 percent Rotten Tomatoes score, is set in the summer of 1944 Spain, where young Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) travels with her pregnant mother (Maribel Verdú) to meet her mother’s new husband, Captain Vidal (Sergi López), a cruel nationalist. Ofelia discovers a mystical labyrinth guarded by a faun (Doug Jones), who reveals she is a reincarnated princess destined to complete three tasks to reclaim her kingdom, even as she struggles against Vidal’s tyranny.
Considered by many to be del Toro’s finest achievement, Pan’s Labyrinth shares thematic links with The Devil’s Backbone, both set under Francoist Spain and exploring similar motifs. Del Toro infuses the film with intricate special effects and haunting imagery, delivering a story that is both intelligent and deeply affecting, capturing the harshness of reality alongside mythic fantasy.
Guillermo del Toro’s films have consistently merged genre storytelling with emotional resonance, exploring themes like love, loss, and political conflict through imaginative worlds and compelling characters. This ranking not only celebrates his best-reviewed movies but also reflects his unwavering passion and unique artistic vision. As his new Frankenstein film debuts, fans and critics alike eagerly anticipate how del Toro will continue to expand the boundaries of cinematic fantasy and horror.
