My Favourite Robert Zemeckis Films of All-Time

Not many filmmakers are as beloved as Robert Zemeckis. Since the 1990’s, Zemeckis has become an icon. Whether it’s famous historical figures, island survivors or teens travelling back to futures, Zemeckis has created many strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of a director that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Forrest Gump

Intellectual disabilities impacted my identity. At an early age, my life forever changed when I was diagnosed with Autism causing emotional damage. I remember feeling a sense of terror when I was diagnosed with a disability that put my life in danger. Autism affected my abilities to succeed in a competitive school system. Nevertheless, my mother’s inspiring words of wisdom motivated me to cope with Autism. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured intellectual disabilities that cause a bump in lives of individuals as powerfully as “Forrest Gump”. Ever since its release in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ movie has stood the test of time as a classic that audiences adore. With the greatest film of his career, Zemeckis captured the life of a man with low IQ embarking on a journey to discover his identity in America. Zemeckis is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at using non-linear storytelling in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “Forrest Gump”. Throughout the film, Zemeckis beautifully uses flashbacks to capture the life of an intellectually disabled man. For instance, the scene in which Forrest recounts with nostalgia memories of growing up as an intellectually disabled child in America is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Tom Hanks, who embodied a man with low IQ seeking to make his dreams come true. Ultimately, what makes “Forrest Gump” Robert Zemeckis’ greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about intellectual disabilities which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about war veterans recounting with nostalgia memories of growing up in Alabama, it’s a riveting reminder of a filmmaker with charisma whose movies always attract audiences to the Cinema.

2. Back to the Future

“Back to the Future” is a spectacular science-fiction film that inspired my teacher. Years ago, I formed bonds with a science teacher that loved the film about time travel. I remember a professor that would speak fondly about a sci-fi film changing his life forever. He would always love discussing Marty McFly as a character with whom he could identify. As someone treasuring a teacher that appreciated a film about time travelling danger, I adored “Back to the Future”. Ever since its release in 1985, Robert Zemeckis’ movie has stood the test of time as a science-fiction classic. With the most thought-provoking film of his career, Zemeckis captured an adolescent boy embarking on time-travelling missions to overcome fear. Zemeckis has always been one of those filmmakers with an aptitude for commemorated special effects, and his strengths as evident in “Back to the Future”. For instance, the scene in which Marty embarks on missions with Doc to discover his parents’ past is one of the most best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Back to the Future” a classic is its message. The film delivers a heartwarming message about time that would resonate with everyone. As powerful as Marty McFly’s desire to travel back to the future, it’s a breathtaking reminder about a filmmaker whose movies audiences always treasure.

3. Cast Away

Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my life forever changed when my family experienced a bombing causing emotional damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parent’s strong drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to portray people which survive disasters that are cast away as powerfully as “Cast Away”. Released in 2000, Robert Zemeckis’ movie depicted the hardships faced by a man seeking to survive on a stranded island. With the most adventurous film of his career, Zemeckis captured a man seeking to survive on an island causing despair. With “Cast Away”, the filmmaker took a step out of his comfort zone by making a quiet movie about survival. For instance, the scene in which Chuck Noland faces silence after he lands on the island after the plane crash showcased the filmmaker at his best. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a man with a strong drive to survive a hopeless situation. Ultimately, what makes “Cast Away” a classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival resonating with everyone. A captivating portrait of men surviving on islands that are cast away. it’s a riveting reminder of a director whose movies are beloved today.

4. Contact

Alien invasions are frightening disasters that have always fascinated my mother. At an early age, I developed a bond with a mother that had fear of alien invasions causing damage. She would often fear the day that the Earth would be invaded by aliens with a price to pay. As someone treasuring fond memories of a mother afraid of extra-terrestrial contact, I loved “Contact”. Released in 1997, Robert Zemeckis’ movie captured astronomers seeking to make contact with extra-terrestrial aliens. With the most scientific film of his career, Zemeckis used innovative techniques to capture astronomers seeking to investigate alien invasions causing despair. Zemeckis has always been one of those filmmakers that has thrived at creating spectacle, and his strengths are evident in “Contact”. For instance, the scene in which Ellie is excited to discover radio signals of extra-terrestrial contact is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Contact” a sci-fi classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about communication which resonates with everyone. A captivating portrait of astronomers seeking to make extra-terrestrial contact, it’s a compelling reminder about a filmmaker whose movies have had a massive impact.

5. Flight

Alcohol addiction is a painful process putting people under stress. Several years ago, I witnessed a close companion endure alcohol addiction. An alcoholic, he loved heavy drinking without concern for effects that could be tragic. Our friendship ended when I decided I could no longer bear seeing him getting wasted. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured barriers alcohol addicts fight as powerfully as “Flight”.  Released in 2012, Robert Zemeckis’ movie did an extraordinary job of capturing harsh realities posed by alcohol addiction. With the most emotional film of his career, Zemeckis captured the hardships faced by alcoholic pilots. With “Flight”, the director showcased bravery making a movie about an alcoholic pilot that faces vulnerability. For instance, the scene in which Whip Whitaker breaks down in tears admitting that he is an alcoholic during a hearing is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Denzel Washington, who embodies alcohol addiction. Ultimately, what makes “Flight”” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about addiction which would resonate with everyone. A fantastic portrait of the frightening barriers that alcoholic pilots fight, it’s a fabulous reminder about a filmmaker whose movies have fulfilled audiences’ appetite.

6. Who Framed Roger Rabbit

When it comes to the greatest animated movies ever made about a rabbit, it’s worth discussing “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”. Ever since its release in 1988, Robert Zemeckis’ groundbreaking movie has stood the test of time as an animated classic audiences appreciate. With the most colourful film of his career, Zemeckis showcased his strength for creating awe-inspiring animation about which children care. Zemeckis showcased his technical skills at blending live-action with animation in one of his most universally loved movies. Unlike most comedies made during the 1980’s, it has aged beautifully with a meaningful message that remains relevant today. An awe-inspiring animated achievement, it’s an amazing reminder of a commemorated filmmaker with strong commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.

7. The Walk

When it comes to inspiring athletes that achieved a great feat, it’s worth discussing Philippe Petit. In 1974, Petit stunned the world when he walked across the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre. Petit’s strong drive to complete the walk even when it put his life in grave danger has made him an inspirational figure. In 2015, Robert Zemeckis celebrated the athlete that completed the walk in his film “The Walk. With the most visually stunning film of his career, Zemeckis honours an athlete that achieved a tricky stunt without fear. Zemeckis showcased his strength for spectacle by recreating an iconic walk through special effects. 40 years after an athlete put his life in danger walking across the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, it’s a riveting reminder of a courageous filmmaker whose commemorated movies audiences treasure.

8. Romancing the Stone

One of the most common themes that Robert Zemeckis has often explored in his movies is adventure. The filmmaker has always been drawn towards stories of heroes embarking on a magical adventure that changes their lives forever. Zemeckis’ strength for creating adventure movies for which he has become well-known is clearly evident in his film “Romancing the Stone”. In the most adventurous film of his career, Zemeckis captures a female writer embarking on an adventure to save her sister from grave danger. It’s a movie that gave Zemeckis the opportunities to showcase his strengths for telling compelling adventure stories as a filmmaker. As strong as Joan’s love for going on adventures alone, it’s an awe-inspiring reminder about a well-known filmmaker whose movies have always stood in a league of their own.

9. The Polar Express

Robert Zemeckis is one of those filmmakers that has always loved motion-capture. Zemeckis is a director that has always thrived at using motion-capture in his movies to create compelling animated characters. Zemeckis’ strength for creating awe-inspiring animation through motion-capture with success is clearly evident in his movie “The Polar Express”. Released in 2004, Zemeckis’ movie celebrated a classic children’s book that readers adore. Zemeckis showcased his strength for creating awe-inspiring animation through stunning motion-capture effects. Unlike most animated films, “The Polar Express” is one of those rare movies both adults and kids can enjoy. As powerful as the Polar Express train, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated filmmaker that has managed to gain a huge fan following by producing movies that entertain.

10. A Christmas Carol

Few books about Christmas are as successful as “A Christmas Carol”. Since it was published in 1843, Charles Dickens’ book has become literature readers have cherished. In 2009, Robert Zemeckis did an amazing job adapting the Christmas story in his film “A Christmas Carol”. In the most festive film of his career, Zemeckis honoured a book about a holiday. Zemeckis showcased his aptitude for motion-capture. Although it can’t reach heights of his greatest movies, “A Christmas Carol” remains a commendable reminder of Zemeckis’ legacy as a filmmaker. As powerful as Scrooge’s desire to hear a Christmas carol, it’s a captivating reminder of a successful filmmaker that hasn’t lost his abilities to marvel whose powerful movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to believe my film criticism dreams are attainable.