My Favourite David Fincher Movies of All-Time

Few filmmakers attract audiences to the theatre like David Fincher. Since the 1990’s, Fincher has become an icon. Whether it’s detectives solving murders, social network founders or serial killers, Fincher has created many characters. Given the number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest movies of a director that deserves to be celebrated.

1. The Social Network

Friendships are relationships that often face hardships. I vividly remember developing friendships with a kid in school that I grew up to treasure. We enjoyed playing soccer creating bonds with each other. However, all of a sudden our bond came to a closure. No longer the friend that I had grown up to adore, he became a stranger I didn’t recognize anymore. Years later, I lost touch with a friend that I once used to treasure. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured my struggle forming friendships on social networks as powerfully as “The Social Network”. Ever since its release in 2010, David Fincher’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. In arguably the greatest film of his career, Fincher captured the formation of a famous social networking company about which people deeply care. Fincher has always had flair for evoking emotions through lighting, and “The Social Network” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Fincher effectively used low-key lighting to capture a friendship deteriorating. For instance, the scene in which Eduardo Saverin throws a temper tantrum breaking Mark’s laptop is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Jesse Eisenberg, who embodies the personality of an iconic social network founder. Ultimately, what makes “The Social Network” Fincher’s greatest movie is its message. Unlike most movies the filmmaker has made which are targeted towards a certain audience, the film tackles themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a strong message about friendships that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of a famous social network organization, it’s a fantastic reminder about a filmmaker whose movies are deserving of celebration.

2. Fight Club

Anxiety has shaped my personality. I remember facing pressure to succeed in school that changed my life forever. This anxiety first began in high school when I faced pressure to succeed in a class that was cruel. Unable to cope with tense studies, I faced nervous breakdowns impacting my mental health adversely. As someone impacted by mental illness that has blown up, I adored “Fight Club”. Released in 1999, David Fincher’s film has stood the test of time as a cult classic about mental illness. With the most thought-provoking film of his career, Fincher created a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book. Fincher has always excelled at evoking emotions through voice-over narration, and “Fight Club” showcased his strengths as a storyteller. For instance, the scene in which Tyler Durden introduces the fight club is one of the best moments of the director’s career. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Edward Norton, who embodies an insomniac narrator. Ultimately, what makes “Fight Club” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mental health which would resonate with everyone. 30 years following the release of a film about men forming fight clubs to battle mental illnesses that are frightening, it’s a remarkable reminder about a filmmaker whose timeless movies are worth celebrating.

3. Se7en

Serial killers are frightening figures that have always terrified me. At an early age, I developed fear of serial killers when my housemaid was murdered causing damage. Stabbed to death by her lover, my housekeeper faced psychotic murder. Left devastated, my family never recovered from the murder of a housemaid that wasn’t investigated. Few films I’ve seen have captured serial killers causing destruction as powerfully as “Se7en”. Since its release in 1995, David Fincher’s film remains one of the greatest movies ever made about serial killers. With the most terrifying film of his career, Fincher captured the lives of serial killers committing gruesome murders evoking fear. Fincher has always excelled at staging intricate plot twists in his movies, and “Se7en” showcased his strengths as a storyteller. For instance, the final ending scene in which detective Mills and Somerset discover the shocking contents of the box is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Se7en” a classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about serial killers that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of detectives investigating murders seven deadly sins killers have committed, it’s a riveting reminder of a director that hasn’t lost abilities to leave audiences captivated crafting characters that are conflicted.

4. Gone Girl

It’s challenging to face end of a marriage. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a broken marriage. I recall the tense night when she had a heated argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. In a sad incident, my aunt had tense arguments with husbands causing resentment. As someone haunted by memories of a marriage gone wrong, I loved “Gone Girl”. Released in 2014, David Fincher’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a book about marriages facing tragedy. With the most complex film of his career, Fincher captures a marriage between a couple that faces despair. One of the common trademarks that Fincher often uses in his films is non-linear storytelling. Fincher deftly uses non-linear storytelling in “Gone Girl” to capture marriages declining. At the centre of it all is a superb performance from Rosamund Pike, who embodies a woman in a broken marriage. For instance, the cool girl monologue in which Amy reveals her master plan in one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Gone Girl” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a strong message about marriage that would resonate with everyone. A brilliant adaptation of a beloved book about a disappearance, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated filmmaker with intelligence whose movies always attract an audience.

5. Zodiac

The Zodiac is a notorious serial killer that has always fascinated my brother. I remember bonding with a brother that was interested in a serial killer committing murder. He would often enjoy watching documentaries that captured a notorious serial killer committing atrocities. In 2007, David Fincher did an extraordinary job of depicting a serial killer whose case detectives couldn’t crack in his film “Zodiac”. With the most obsessive film of his career, Fincher captured detectives seeking to solve murder committed by a serial killer evoking fear. Fincher is one of those filmmakers that has always explored themes of obsession in his movies, and “Zodiac” is no exception. Fincher uses low-key lighting to capture a serial killer that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Robert investigates a basement is the most intense work of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Zodiac” a great movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about obsession which would resonate with everyone. 60 years after the Zodiac serial killer got away with painful murders in the San Francisco Bay Area without a price to pay, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a filmmaker whose timeless movies deserve to be celebrated today.

6. Panic Room

Isolation is a strong emotion impacting individuals’ mental condition. Several years ago, I was locked up in rooms for injuring my cousin in fights causing sorrow. In a situation filled with doom and gloom, I recall feeling loneliness thinking it was unlikely I would escape my room. As someone haunted by memories of being locked up in an isolated room, I loved “Panic Room”. Released in 2002, David Fincher’s movie depicted the dangers of isolation. With the most claustrophobic film of his career, Fincher captured a mother and daughter trapped in an isolated room facing fear. Fincher effectively used confined settings to build tension that’s nerve-wracking. A phenomenal portrait of tragic hardships experienced by families in isolated rooms causing panic, it’s a powerful reminder of a filmmaker that has built a legacy that’s iconic.

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a book that my mother has grown to value.  I remember a mother that came to adore a book series that changed her life forever. She would speak fondly about a book impacting her identity. In 2011, David Fincher did an exceptional job adapting the beloved book about girls with a dragon tattoo in his film “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. With the most feminist film of his career, Fincher celebrated a book about detectives facing despair. Fincher showcased his strength for building tension through visuals. At the centre of it all is an amazing performance from Rooney Mara, who embodies a legendary feminist character. A breathtaking adaptation of a book about girls with a dragon tattoo, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated filmmaker whose memorable movies audiences value.

8. The Game

One of the common themes that David Fincher has often explored in movies is loneliness. Fincher’s movies often focus on lonely characters struggling to find meaning in a hopeless world facing adversities. Fincher’s strength for telling stories about lonely characters facing shame is clearly evident in his film “The Game”. Released in 1997, Fincher’s movie captured a lonely investment banker that becomes part of an elaborate game causing tragedy. Fincher showcased his strength for building suspense through stunning visuals in one of his most underrated movies. Although it may not rank among Fincher’s best work, “The Game” remains a hidden gem in the filmmaker’s career. As strong as Nick’s desire to end the game, it’s a riveting reminder of a filmmaker that has made unforgettable movies achieving worldwide fame.

9. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Aging is a painful process causing stress. At an early age, I formed bonds with a grandfather that I grew up to treasure. However, aging brought our bond to closure. After reaching retirement, he lost his interest in entertainment. As someone treasuring a curious grandfather that faced age deterioration, I loved “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Released in 2008, David Fincher’s movie depicted a man aging backwards. With the most unusual film of his career, Fincher captured aging. Fincher is known for his dark thrillers about killers. With “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, however, the filmmaker took a step out of his comfort zone by making a quiet movie about aging. A captivating portrait of the curious case of aging people face, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated filmmaker whose movies audiences embrace.

10. The Killer

David Fincher is one of those directors that hasn’t always made movies which audiences treasure. While most movies Fincher has directed have proven successful, some have faced failure. Unfortunately, “The Killer” falls into the latter category of movies. Released in 2023, Fincher’s most recent movie captured a contract killer facing a catastrophe. Fincher’s decision to focus on style over substance falls flat. Despite a terrific performance from Michael Fassbender, “The Killer” remains the worst movie made by the filmmaker. Nevertheless, the film remains a remarkable reminder of Fincher’s legacy as a director. As memorable as murders the killer seeks to commit, it’s a remarkable reminder of a great director whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong habit of writing about films I will never quit.