Zack Snyder has had a big impact on the movie business as a director, who is well-known for his visually stunning and exciting movies. It is undeniable that his style and approach to filmmaking have made him a unique voice in Hollywood. The talented filmmaker started his Hollywood film career in 2004 with the remake of George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead.
He often names a number of films as his favorites. These films, which frequently have intense and gritty themes, complex characters, and rich mythology embedded within them, clearly have an influence on Snyder’s body of work.
Listed below are some of the movies he has recommended in interviews and on social media. And none of them are Marvel to DC.
1. Apocalypse Now
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1979 epic war film, Apocalypse Now follows a U.S. Army captain on a Vietnam War mission to kill a rebellious colonel. The movie is praised for its outstanding cinematography and unforgettable performances, and it is regarded as a masterpiece of cinema that has influenced a lot of other movies and directors.
Apocalypse Now did well at the box office, earning $40 million domestically and ultimately more than $100 million internationally. Zack Snyder once recalled making an Apocalypse Now remake that was set in his boarding school, which caused some controversy.
2. RoboCop
RoboCop, a 1987 science fiction action movie directed by Paul Verhoeven, centers on a Detroit police officer who undergoes cyborg transformation. The movie has become a cult classic and an iconic work in the genre because of its outrageous violence and biting satire.
The movie is “both funny and violent, and Paul Verhoeven balanced it with just the right amount of satire,” according to Zack Snyder. In his early films, such as Dawn of the Dead, which some still consider to be among his best to date, the filmmaker also experimented with satire.
RoboCop is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
3. Akira (1988)
This 1988 Katsuhiro Otomo Japanese animated cyberpunk action film is based on Otomo’s 1982 manga of the same name. Akira, widely regarded as a milestone in the anime genre, won praise for its innovative animation and provocative themes.
Zack Snyder, who frequently adapted comic books like 300 and Man of Steel, was greatly inspired by Akira’s imaginative visual style.
You can stream Akira on Hulu.
4. Throne of Blood (1957)
The story of Macbeth is set in feudal Japan in this Japanese samurai movie adaptation. Akira Kurosawa’s Throne of Blood is hailed as a masterpiece for its arresting visuals, compelling performances, and significant themes. It is one of his most famous films.
Zack Snyder listed this movie on social media along with twenty other excellent films that he enjoyed. Its imagery and themes must have had a profound impact on him. The iconic imagery and subtext in Snyder’s movies frequently compelled viewers to revisit and analyze the deeper meanings.
Throne of Blood is streaming on Max.
5. Blue Velvet (1986)
This psychological thriller explores the dark side of a small-town American setting while following a young man who gets entangled in a murder investigation. David Lynch’s Blue Velvet, which stars Dennis Hopper, Kyle MacLachlan, and Isabella Rossellini, was praised for its dreamlike atmosphere, enduring characters, and legendary performances.
Undoubtedly, many filmmakers, including Zack Snyder, have been influenced by David Lynch’s often complex and surrealistic films. Lynch’s masterpiece is “one of those movies that never goes where you expect and conjures a perfectly unique world,” according to Snyder.
Blue Velvet is streaming on Max.
6. The Wild Bunch (1969)
The Wild Bunch centers on a gang of elderly outlaws plotting their final heist. The Sam Peckinpah film was quite divisive but is now regarded as a classic in the Western genre. The Wild Bunch was ranked as the sixth-best Western in the AFI’s 2008 list of the ten best movies across ten different genres.
Having morally dubious characters in his films is nothing new for Zazk Snyder, who created characters like The Comedian in Watchmen. His movies, especially the ones with a large ensemble cast, must have been greatly influenced stylistically by The Wild Bunch.
The Wild Bunch is streaming on Classix.
7. Raging Bull (1980)
Jake LaMotta, played by Robert De Niro in the biographical drama, is a boxer whose personal and professional lives are explored. Raging Bull, which Martin Scorsese directed, is hailed as one of the greatest sports films of all time for its gritty tone, gorgeous black-and-white cinematography, and Robert De Niro’s outstanding performance.
In a podcast by The Russo Brothers, Zack Snyder revealed that Scorsese is his favorite filmmaker. He claimed that Scorsese’s themes and visual style had the greatest influence on his films.
Raging Bull is streaming on Max.
8. Body Double (1984)
Brian De Palma’s erotic thriller, Body Double follows an actor who gets mixed up in a murder investigation. Even though Melanie Griffith’s performance received praise from critics, the film’s explicit s*xual content caused some controversy. As a result of its acclaimed stylish cinematography and Hitchcockian suspenseful story, it has since become a cult classic.
De Palma was mentioned as one of Zack Snyder’s favorite directors in a podcast with The Russo Brothers. The diverse filmography of De Palma undoubtedly had an impact on Snyder’s career. Despite the differences between their films, both have received criticism for their use of style over substance.
Body Double is available to rent on Apple TV.
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9. Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur, a film directed by John Boorman, tells the story of King Arthur. Upon its initial release, it received a mixed response; however, as time went on, it developed a cult following, with admirers praising its visual aesthetic, intense action scenes, and lovely score.
This film is one of Zack Snyder’s favorites. The movie is “the perfect meeting of movies and mythology”, he said of it. His films clearly reflect its influence, especially the DCEU films where the recognizable superheroes were given a contemporary mythology to give them a grounded and realistic existence.
Excalibur is available to rent on Apple TV.
10. Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981)
In Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, Mel Gibson plays the title role, who is tasked with defending a group of survivors from a band of marauders. This George Miller-directed movie is regarded as a classic in the field and serves as the model for a number of other movies.
Zack Snyder gushed about how much he loved this film’s scope and ambition. He said it “feels uncompromising” and was “violent and sophisticated.” In his Justice League and Batman v. Superman, viewers got a glimpse of what a post-apocalyptic world might look like.
You can stream Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior on Max.
