From the aquatic romance in ‘The Shape of Water’ to the pulpy action-horror of ‘Blade II’, the auteur has left an indelible mark on modern cinema.
Guillermo del Toro is one of those filmmakers of whom it is almost impossible not to be captivated by, partly because of the quality of his films, but also because of the pure love they have for all forms of cinema. From his early horror work with Mimic to his truly prestigious projects, the filmmaker has never ceased to amaze us with his creativity.
With a filmography spanning 12 feature films, Guillermo has an incredible range, never losing his trademark gothic fairytale style. From the aquatic romance in The Shape of Water to the pulpier action-horror in Blade II, the auteur has left an indelible mark on modern cinema. Here are all of his 12 films, ranked.
12. y 11. Cronos (1992) and The Devil’s Backbone (2001).
As with quite a few directors, there is always a film or two from the beginning of his career that is somewhere in the ether, but, alas, unattainable. Try as I might, I think the only way to watch these movies is to re-download Ares, it’s not a prospect I enjoy. The trailers can be found here and here, with both looking, to be fair, deliciously unhinged.
10. Blade II (2002)
Blade II presents something of an enigma. The action is gloriously gory and arcade-inspired, and there’s a wonderful atmosphere that combines much of Guillermo’s classic gothic style with the new-age techno vibe in which the bloodsuckers of this world seem to thrive. However, the story and character development? They really aren’t great. Blade teams up with some nasty vampires to fight some evolved, nasty (and a bit savage) vampires, only for everyone to die except our protagonist. Meanwhile, the main moment for our beloved Daywalker’s character is when he drinks blood at the end of the film… the same result as the first film. It leads to good action, but there is little originality.
9. Mimic (1997)
Mimic is a classic creature feature, and while it’s not the groundbreaking work we’ve come to expect from Guillermo in later works, it’s still highly enjoyable as a low-budget horror film. It’s a tried and tested plot of human ingenuity gone wrong, as insects that have been genetically engineered to stop an epidemic evolve beyond their limits and threaten New York City. There is an ominous tension throughout the film that builds nicely as the plot descends deeper into New York. If you are afraid of insects, I would recommend avoiding this movie.
8. Hellboy II (2008)
While not as captivating as the first in the series, Hellboy II: The Golden Army is still far better than many recent superhero movies. Ron Perlman returns as the eponymous hero, pitted against an elven prince bent on awakening the mythical Golden Army (giant robots that spell practically doom for all). Much more than the first film, Hellboy II really immerses you in a fantasy world with a roster of weird and wonderful creatures throughout the story. Like the first, it sows seeds of what could have been expanded into a third and final film, and to this day, it remains a real tragedy that the director was never able to finish what he started.
7. Hellboy (2004)
Continuing his collaboration with the always excellent Ron Perlman, the director’s first Hellboy film is frankly a fucking delight. We see our big, red horned protagonist battle Grigori Rasputin, played by Karel Roden, before the latter is able to release some big demons currently imprisoned in space. Add in some comedy from Jeffrey Tambor, the father figure of John Hurt and Doug Jones playing a fish man for the first time in a Guillermo del Toro film, and you have a winner. But seriously, Hellboy ticks all the boxes: it’s fun, the action is great and it lays the groundwork for what could have been an excellent trilogy. Unfortunately, this was not the case.
6. Pacific Rim (2013)
Pacific Rim is an awesome and crazy movie that remains very true to Guillermo’s style. The plot involves giant monsters called Kaiju that emerge from a rift in the Pacific Ocean and are fought by piloted robots called Jaegers. Despite the absurdity of the plot, the film is inclusive and poignant in addressing issues of grief and loss. Pacific Rim is a hit with kids and adults alike and one of the best blockbusters of the modern era.
5. The shape of Water (2017)
Guillermo del Toro won Best Director for his work on “The Shape of Water”, which also won Best Picture. While not his best work, it is a wonderful film with a love story between Sally Hawkins and Doug Jones. Set during the Cold War, the film is visually stunning and manages to keep the focus on romance despite the historical context. It is an incredible achievement by director Guillermo del Toro.
Pinocchio (2022)
Guillermo’s film is one of the best in technical terms in recent years, with exceptional stop-motion animation that demonstrates skill, emotion, humor and excellent voice work. Each frame has been carefully created by a filmmaker at the height of his powers. In addition to the title character, the vocal work is rich and vibrant, constantly keeping the viewer engaged. It is an emotionally rich film that will be remembered as one of the best animated films in the history of cinema.
3.The Scarlet Summit (2015)
“The Scarlet Summit” is a highly stylized gothic romance and fantasy film with Guillermo del Toro’s distinctive creative touch. The acting of the main characters is excellent, with Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston standing out. However, the real protagonist is del Toro himself, who manages to create a beautiful but violent atmosphere. While it can feel a bit self-indulgent at times, overall it is a stylish and well-made film.
2. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
“Pan’s Labyrinth” is a masterpiece that put director Guillermo del Toro on the map. Set in Franco’s Spain, it tells the story of Ofelia, a girl who encounters mythical creatures and is challenged by a mysterious faun. The film masterfully combines war and human cruelty with the beauty of Ophelia’s descent into the underworld. Doug Jones’ physical performance as the faun and the pale man is impressive. In short, “Pan’s Labyrinth” is a perfect example of Guillermo del Toro’s style.
1. The Alley of Lost Souls (2021)
“Nightmare Alley” is a stunning masterpiece that stands out for its impeccable production and costume design, an all-star cast that gives its all, and a heartbreakingly beautiful ending. Guillermo del Toro has never directed a film this good. The plot follows Bradley Cooper as Stan, who joins a circus and takes us on an incredible journey of noir and degradation, with one of the director’s best endings in years. Only a few directors could handle a story of eventual desperation like this, and fortunately, del Toro is one of them.”
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