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Though often considered a fan of spectacle-driven filmmaking, the top Zack Snyder movies that he selected reflect a huge range of genres. In an interview with IndieWire, the visionary director revealed his eight favorite movies of all time, which according to him, often “lean highbrow.” Snyder has never kept his influences close to his chest, as every one of the director’s movies, whether it’s the historical epic 300 or any one of the superhero movies he directed in the SnyderVerse, is full of mythology and spectacle. Looking at Snyder’s favorite movies, the polarizing tones and themes of those movies make more sense.
Consisting primarily of older classics, a consistent theme throughout Snyder’s analysis of his favorite films is his appreciation for how these movies are confident in their themes, and that’s reflected in his own ambitious projects. No matter how unpopular or extreme Snyder’s movies might have been at the time, it coincides with the director’s strong feelings on artistic freedom and what he and Christopher Nolan called “filmmaker movies” (via Youtube). That approach to filmmaking was an exact result of growing up with top Zack Snyder movies like Excalibur and RoboCop.
8 Hope And Glory (1987)
Directed by John Boorman, this tragic yet comedic story follows a London family persevering through the terror of World War Two as the bombs fall upon their city. Filled with heart, but also struggle and fear, Hope and Glory represents a theme Zack Snyder described as “how families can persevere through war and the loss of innocence.” It is natural that Snyder should cherish this film considering the frequent family themes embedded in his movies, and it comes as no surprise that Hope and Glory is one of the top Zack Snyder movies, especially as Boorman is one of Snyder’s favorite filmmakers.
7 Excalibur (1981)
John Boorman’s definitive King Arthur movie stands the test of time for its epic, tragic, mythological, and Biblical elements. Excalibur tells the story of Arthur pulling the sword from the stone, pursuing the Holy Grail, and battling evil while struggling with morality, so it’s no wonder that the movie has proven to be an influence on Snyder’s Superman films. Snyder has praised its aesthetic and discussed it often, including during an interview where he goes into detail on how the movie appeals to him (via DGA), noting, “The cool thing about this movie is that it’s not a kid’s movie,” which is an approach he clearly took with the DCU.
6 Mad Max 2 (1981)
Originally titled The Road Warrior on release, George Miller’s sequel to his Australian post-apocalyptic Mad Max tells the story of a community seeking to defend themselves from leather-clad bandits on wheels in a similar vein to Westerns and another of Snyder’s favorite films, Seven Samurai, so the appeal is clear. The Mad Max franchise is known for its post-apocalyptic desert setting and armored vehicles, an aesthetic that Snyder adopted in the dystopian “Knightmare” future in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The Road Warrior still holds up today as one of the great post-apocalyptic films.
5 RoboCop (1987)
Paul Verhoeven’s science fiction thriller sees a good cop in future Detroit rebuilt as a soulless cybernetic law-enforcer following his brutal maiming at the hands of gangsters, and the story follows his gradual quest to rediscover his humanity. Though slightly dated in some areas with occasional stop-motion animation, RoboCop is still a legendary sci-fi classic and understandably one of the top Zack Snyder movies. This thrilling satire of capitalism and corruption balances both mild fantasy elements, making the protagonist a cool hero to root for, with themes about humanity and modern America — exactly the kind of thing that appeals most to Snyder.
4 Blue Velvet (1986)
David Lynch’s mystery film with a sprinkling of romantic elements, Blue Velvet, is a staple of the neo-noir genre, and Snyder’s appreciation for the movie is far from niche. The 1986 release is an unmissable and quintessential movie in the genre, but it also demands a lot with its psychological themes and deeply mature imagery. Blue Velvet’s story revolves around a mystery unearthed by chance, leading to uncovering of grand conspiracies and mysterious characters by a protagonist thrust into a world of intrigue and danger. The classic explains Snyder’s appreciation for sexual themes in his more adult-oriented movies.
3 The Searchers (1956)
Arguably one of the first Spaghetti Westerns with its moral complexity, John Ford’s Wild West story, The Searchers, based on the 1954 Alan Le May book of the same name follows a Civil War veteran and his only family looking for his kidnapped niece. Tremendous drama ensues, and the visual aesthetic of the movie undoubtedly makes it one of the top Zack Snyder movies. With stunning cinematography, an unforgettable story that Snyder calls a “rambling narrative,” and exquisite action set pieces, it’s easily the best Western of the 1950s. There’ll likely be a lot of imagery inspired by The Searchers in Snyder’s upcoming Rebel Moon.
2 A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Along with 2001: A Space Odyssey (of which Snyder is also a fan), the filmmaker loves Stanley Kubrick’s dark, warped demonstration of psychopathy at work. The film remains an iconic fixture of the adult psychological thriller genre, which Snyder called “Shockingly unapologetic” for its disturbing and violent elements that famed film critic Roger Ebert took great issue with (via Roger Ebert). The movie revolves around a young, psychopathic delinquent who participates in crimes both mischievous and utterly unforgivable. He and his gang have since become iconic villains with their distinctly recognizable outfits and sinister demeanors.
1 Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: A New Hope started one of the greatest cinematic franchises of all time, and George Lucas’ epic space opera driven by cosmic wizards, evil space fortresses, and imprisoned princesses is the reason Snyder became a filmmaker (via Youtube). The 1977 classic inspired Snyder’s love of the camera when he was 11 years old. The filmmaker’s love for the iconic space adventure began during his childhood, and from there grew to encompass the full series. Even though die-hard fans of Zack Snyder a clamoring for more of the SnyderVerse, the director’s upcoming Netflix film Rebel Moon is based on a repurposed Star Wars pitch and will introduce his fans to a new universe.
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