Ron Howardhas enjoyed nearly a lifelong career inHollywood—he first found fame as a child actor on shows likeThe Andy Griffith ShowandHappy Daysbefore retiring from acting in 1980 and shifting his focus to behind the camera. Since then,he’s built a reputation as an acclaimed director, with nearly 30 films to his name. His work has earned him numerous award nominations and wins, including two Academy Awards.
Howard’s films run the gamut from intensedramasto family-friendlyholidaystaples. While it’s impossible to distill his work down to a single theme or focus, he’s proven to be skilled at telling character-driven stories dealing with the complexity of humanity, especially ones based on true stories. And given his past successes,it’s easy to imagine Howard will also deliver compelling cinema with whatever he works on next.
10’How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (2000)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Molly Shannon, and Christine Baranski
How the Grinch Stole Christmasisa live-action adaptationof the classic Christmas story written byDr. Seussand published in 1957. The mean, green Grinch (Jim Carrey) lives on a mountaintop just outside the town of Whoville and detests their lively Christmas celebrations, so he decides to come down and ruin the holiday. While the townspeople are asleep,he sneaks into their homes and wreaks havoc, stealing everything from presents to Christmas feats.
The story of the Grinch is a beloved one enjoyed by families every holiday season, andHow the Grinch Stole Christmasbrings it to life in a fun, lighthearted way, even if it might not be as highly regarded as the original animated version. Carrey plays the Grinch in the same over-the-top manner he became known for in his roles in the ’90s, and the character is well-suited for it.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
9’Thirteen Lives' (2022)
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell, and Joel Edgerton
When a group of 12 young boys and their soccer coach become trapped in a system of caves in Thailand, an unexpected rainstorm causes the caves to begin to flood inThirteen Lives. A team of world-class divers is sent in to navigate the caves and find the boys, including British cave divers John Volanthen (Colin Farrell) and Rick Stanton (Viggo Mortensen). The filmwas based on the true storyof the Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018.
The Tham Luang cave rescuewas an incredible story—it had a grip on the world as it unfolded in real time, and it’s no surpriseit eventually made its way to the screen. Howard skillfully presents a dramatization of the events with great pacing, highlighting the scope and difficulties of the rescue, from major players to others impacted.Thirteen Livesalso has a realistic look and feel, thanks in part to the input of the real Volanthen and Stanton.
Thirteen Lives
Director Ron Howard tells the tale of the daring rescue mission mounted to save the lives of seveal students and their teacher trapped deep in a Thai cave.
8’The Paper' (1994)
Starring: Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, and Marisa Tomei
The Paperfollows Henry Hackett (Michael Keaton), the assistant managing editor of a tabloid struggling with financial issues. While considering an offer for another job, one with shorter hours and better pay,Henry gets his biggest story in years—two Black teenagers are arrested for a murder they didn’t commit, and one of his reporters overhears a cop admitting as much. Henry races to confirm and get the story to print.
The Paperis an underrated gem of Howard’s career—it’s a fast-paced film which captures the equally fast-paced workday at a newspaper, especially with a fast-approaching deadline, and it’s no surprise it’s held in particularly high regard by those who have such work experience. Keaton is great to watch as Henry as he balances his personal life with his professional life, especially as he chases the story of his career.
The Paper (1994) follows Henry Hackett, an ambitious editor at a New York City tabloid, as he navigates career pressures and personal challenges. Amidst financial strains and office politics, including disputes with the publisher and a rival colleague, Henry grapples with the demands of journalism and his dedication to the truth.
7’Rush' (2013)
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl, and Olivia Wilde
Formula One drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth), from Britain, and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl), from Austria—with two very different personalities—have an intense rivalry inRush, set in the 1970s.After Lauda is in a dangerous, life-threatening crash during a race, he faces off against Hunt mere weeks later. The film also follows their lives away from the track, including their marriages. It was based on a true story.
Rushis underrated,and it’s much more than just a racing movie—it’s a character-driven story with a focus on the dynamic between Hunt and Lauda, although its racing scenes do still capture both the thrill and danger of the sport.Both actors deliver fantastic performances, and the film also has a great score fromHans Zimmer. It received positive reviews from critics, as well as Lauda himself.
The merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
6’Willow' (1988)
Starring: Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, and Joanne Whalley
InWillow, a young farmer named Willow (Warwick Davis) finds a baby floating down a river, and a rune on her indicates she’s destined to overthrow the evil Queen Bavmorda (Jean Marsh). He travels with her to protect her, and along the way, they meet a mercenary named Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), who accompanies them. The story was created byGeorge Lucas, who also produced the film. It was followed upwith a series on Disney+.
AlthoughWillowwas panned by criticswhen it was released,it has come to be a beloved fantasy film, and it still holds up well today. It can be predictable at times, but it’s still a heartwarming and ambitious fantasy film with great performances from both Davis and Kilmer—Kilmer is particularly charming and entertaining as the swordsman. Marsh, for her part, makes an incredible evil queen, just one sinister element among many.
5’Cocoon' (1985)
Starring: Wilford Brimley, Don Ameche, and Steve Guttenberg
The elderly residents of a retirement home in Florida discover a fountain of youth—a pool containing alien cocoons—while trespassing in a seemingly empty house owned by aliens disguised as humans in the sci-fi comedyCocoon. When others discover its powers, overuse renders it useless, forcing the aliens to depart. It was loosely based on the novel byDavid Sapersteinand was followed by a sequel,Cocoon: The Return, in 1988.
The idea of a fountain of youth is a familiar one,butCocoonputs its own twist on the story and tells a heartwarming story about aging. Its impressive visual effects earned it an Academy Award, andDon Amechewas acknowledged for his performance with a win for Best Supporting Actor. The film was an early success in Howard’s career as a director, helping pave the way for some of his later work.
4’Cinderella Man' (2005)
Starring: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti
Cinderella ManstarsRussell Croweas James J. Braddock,a former boxer who was forced into retirement after breaking his hand. With the Great Depression approaching, his former manager, Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti), offers him a one-time slot against a younger fighter, and after winning, Braddock enjoys a comeback. He continues to win fights as he gears up for the title match against Max Baer (Craig Bierko). It was based on a true story.
Cinderella Manis a compelling dramawith a great performance from Crowein particular—he’s made multiple films with Howard, and the two clearly work well together.Crowe disappears into the character of Braddock. The film’s fight scenes capture his sheer determination, as well as the brutal physicality of boxing and the toll the sport can take on fighters. The result is a film still considered amongthe best boxing movies ever made.
Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man, directed by Ron Howard, stars Russell Crowe as boxer James J. Braddock, whose comeback during the Great Depression inspires a nation. Renée Zellweger plays his supportive wife Mae, while Paul Giamatti portrays his loyal manager Joe Gould. The film follows Braddock’s journey from washed-up fighter to unexpected champion, capturing the era’s struggles and hopes.
3’Frost/Nixon' (2008)
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, and Kevin Bacon
Set three years after the Watergate scandal,Frost/Nixondepicts Richard Nixon’s (Frank Langella) one-on-one interview with British talk-show host David Frost (Michael Sheen).Nixon believes Frost will be easy to mislead and that it’ll be an easy interview, but is quickly proven wrongwhen Frost pushes him on the events and timeline of the scandal. The movie was based on the 2006 play byPeter Morgan, who also wrote the screenplay.
Frost/Nixonisa fascinating dramatization of the encounterbetween Nixon and Frost, with great performances from both leads—they perfectly embody their real-life counterparts and play off each other excellently,capturing the tension between the two men as Frost’s line of questioning becomes increasingly difficult for Nixon. The film was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Langella as Nixon, but shockingly, it did not win any.
Frost/Nixon
Frost/Nixon is a historical drama directed by Ron Howard, focusing on the infamous interviews between British television host David Frost and former U.S. President Richard Nixon. The film explores the intense behind-the-scenes negotiations and the eventual on-air confrontation that sought to address the Watergate scandal. Michael Sheen stars as Frost, with Frank Langella portraying Nixon in a gripping tale of political accountability and journalistic integrity.
2’A Beautiful Mind' (2001)
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, and Jennifer Connelly
InA Beautiful Mind, mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. (Crowe) gains an international reputation after making a groundbreaking discovery and is recruited by the military to aid in code-breaking.He then begins to struggle with his mental health, including hallucinations, and is ultimately diagnosed with schizophrenia, overshadowing his professional accomplishments. The film was based on a true story, including a biography of Nash of the same name written bySylvia Nasar.
A Beautiful Mindis an acclaimed drama which remains among Howard’s most highly regarded works over 20 years later.Crowe is subtle yet devastating as John, especially as his condition worsens and begins to impact his young family—the performance is easily among the best of Crowe’s career. The film also boasts an impressive star-studded cast. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, four of which it won, including Best Picture and Best Director.
A Beautiful Mind
A mathematical genius, John Nash made an astonishing discovery early in his career and stood on the brink of international acclaim. But the handsome and arrogant Nash soon found himself on a harrowing journey of self-discovery.
1’Apollo 13' (1995)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon
Apollo 13follows astronauts Jim Lovell (Tom Hanks), Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), and Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) on a lunar mission gone wrong when an oxygen tank explodes, causing damage to the vessel. With the astronauts in danger and unable to make it to the moon, NASA must find a way to get them back safely. The filmwas based on the actual eventssurroundingthe aborted 1970 Apollo 13 mission.
Apollo 13is not only some of Howard’s best work as a director, but it features incredible performances by Hanks, Paxton and Bacon, as well as the supporting cast. The film is critically acclaimed andhas been praised for its accuracyand attention to detail—which give it a realistic feel—in addition to its dramatic storytelling focusing on the characters rather than action. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards.
NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.
