My Favourite Ron Howard Films

Not many filmmakers in Hollywood are as treasured as Ron Howard. Since the 1990’s, Howard has become an American icon. Whether it’s race car drivers, mathematicians with disorders or space scavengers, Howard has created several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films made by a director that deserves to be appreciated.

1. A Beautiful Mind

Schizophrenia is a disorder that often fascinated my teacher. I fondly recall with nostalgia fond memories of a teacher that was fascinated with the grim disorder of Schizophrenia. In high school, I formed strong bonds with a psychology professor that was interested in disorders that were cruel. He often sought to educate students about illness causing minds of people to deteriorate. Fascinated with a grim disorder affecting the mind, my teacher was determined to leave a lasting legacy behind. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured how a mental disorder can impact the mind as powerfully as “A Beautiful Mind”. Released in 2001, Ron Howard’s best movie captured the life of a mathematician with Schizophrenia facing adversity. This is the director unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, committed and passionate in his most memorable movie. Howard has spent most of his career making movies about challenges of parenting. With “A Beautiful Mind”, however, the director took a huge step out of his comfort zone making a movie about a mathematician that’s well-known. Working alongside Russell Crowe who is also amazing, Howard honoured a mathematician that’s inspiring. For instance, the scene in which John Nash experiences a nervous breakdown when he realizes that his roommate Charles Herman is a figment of his imagination causing despair is one of the finest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “A Beautiful Mind” Ron Howard’s best movie is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with John Nash’s commemorated theories to appreciate it. The film delivers a commemorated message about mental illness which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a classic film about a brilliant mathematician with a beautiful mind, it’s a bold reminder about a one-of-a-kind director that has manufactured great movies about talented geniuses leaving a lasting legacy commonly behind. 

2. Apollo 13

The moon landing is an event in American history my grandfather always found fascinating. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a grandpa acknowledging NASA. I remember my grandfather was fascinated with efforts it took to get the first man to land on the moon. In 1995, Ron Howard  honoured astronauts that achieved moon landings on the big-screen in his movie “Apollo 13”. With the most technically impressive film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to capture astronauts on space missions facing despair. It’s a film that gave the director a chance to showcase his talent for telling real-life stories about inspirational figures in American history. Working alongside Tom Hanks who is also outstanding, Howard honoured astronauts that are inspiring. For instance, the scene in which Jim first becomes aware that his space mission is facing a technical problem causing despair is one of the finest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Apollo 13” a space masterpiece is its appeal. Unlike most space movies, it tackles themes that would resonate with everyone. It delivers a bold message about teamwork which would resonate with everyone. A powerful tribute to moon landings in space, it’s a soaring reminder of a director manufacturing commemorated movies that audiences embrace.

3. Cinderella Man

Poverty is a terrible situation that shaped my father’s identity. Years ago, my father struggled to find a stable job causing sorrow. His inability to find stable employment affected his abilities to take care of my family. As someone treasuring a father that faced poverty as a man, I adored “Cinderella Man”. Released in 2005, Ron Howard’s movie honoured a real-life boxer that overcame poverty. With the most emotional film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the life of a boxer that experienced poverty causing despair. It gave the director a rare chance to step out of his comfort zone by making his first sports movie about a boxer that’s well-known. Howard showcased his talents for staging breathtaking boxing scenes that showcase hardships poverty-stricken men are facing. For instance, the scene in which Mae becomes aware that her husband is facing poverty causing despair is one of the finest moments of the director’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Cinderella Man” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a heartbreaking message about poverty which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of boxing to appreciate it. A breathtaking tribute towards a figure in boxing, it’s a riveting reminder of a director that has manufactured commemorated movies which are worth absolutely celebrating.

4. Rush

Race car driving is an activity I’ve never found engaging. At an early age, I became afraid of go karting causing emotional damage. I would experience a sense of terror whenever I had to get behind the wheel. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t understand appeal of an activity in which drivers died. As someone that’s never taken an interest in race cars with a rush, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed “Rush”. Released in 2013, Ron Howard’s movie captured the real-life rivalry between race car drivers facing catastrophe. With the most entertaining film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to capture rivalries between race car drivers facing despair. It gave the director a chance to showcase rare talent for staging racing sequences he hadn’t shown before in his career. Howard staged captivating racing sequences capturing the enduring appeal of Formula 1. For instance, the scene in which James Hunt first meets Niki Lauda sparking their lifelong rivalry causing despair is one of the finest moments of the director’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Rush” a classic is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be fans of Formula 1 to appreciate it. The film delivers a meaningful message about competition which would resonate with everyone. As strong as James Hunt’s desire to win Formula 1, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated director that has manufactured unforgettable movies which definitely deserve immense appreciation.

5. Solo: A Star Wars Story

Star Wars is a spectacular science-fiction franchise that shaped my teacher’s identity. A long time ago, my teacher loved a franchise about galaxies far far away that changed his life in a huge way. Star Wars was a franchise my English teacher came to cherish. In 2018, Ron Howard honoured the legendary science-fiction franchise in his movie “Solo: A Star Wars Story”. With the most enjoyable film of his career, Howard used innovative cinematic techniques to honour a space scavenger soaring in the air. It gave the director a chance to step out of his comfort zone by making his first ever big-budget Star Wars blockbuster. Howard showcased talent for staging action he hadn’t shown before in his career. For instance, the scene in which Han Solo becomes aware that his team is in grave danger causing despair is one of the finest moments of the director’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Solo: A Star Wars Story” a sci-fi classic is its appeal. Unlike most Star Wars movies, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. A bold tribute to Han Solo, it’s a sensational reminder of a director manufacturing great films giving big dreams to follow.

6. Willow

Ron Howard has often excelled at making movies about heroes that are burdened. Howard has built an image of being a director that thrives at making movies about heroes with courage. Howard’s strength for making movies about heroes facing sorrow is clearly evident in his movie “Willow”. Released in 1988, Howard’s fantasy film showcased the filmmaker at his best. With the most fantastical film of his career, Howard used innovative special effects to build a world causing despair. It gave the director a chance to showcase his talent for building compelling worlds in movies. Working alongside Warwick Davis who is also outstanding, Howard created a fantasy world that’s compelling. As strong as Willow’s desire to defeat the queen, it’s a dazzling reminder of a talented director that has made great movies that demand to be commonly seen.

7. Parenthood

Being an effective parent is challenging. Whether it’s taking care of children, managing household finances or maintaining stable employment, parents face barriers that affect abilities to be caregivers. A challenging process, parenting can cause families to experience stress. In 1989, Ron Howard captured the challenges of parenthood in his movie “Parenthood”. With the most personal film of his career, Howard used innovative techniques to capture parents facing despair. It gave the director a chance to draw from his personal experiences as a parent to create a compelling portrait of parenting. Working alongside Steve Martin who is also amazing, Howard created a captivating portrait of parenting. A powerful portrait of parenthood, it’s a riveting reminder of a director that has stood the test of time as a commemorated icon in Hollywood.

8. Frost/Nixon

When it comes to the most iconic presidents in American history that deserve recognition, it’s worth discussing Richard Nixon. With his charisma, strong presence and ideology, Nixon changed America as a country. An awe-inspiring president, Nixon has often been depicted in entertainment. In 2008, Ron Howard honoured the iconic president earning recognition in his movie “Frost/Nixon”. With the most political film of his career, Howard used inventive cinematic techniques to capture a president that guided his nation during a time of despair. Assisted by Michael Sheen who is amazing in the lead role, Howard honoured a president that’s inspiring. As strong as David Frost’s desire to interview, it’s a dazzling reminder of a commemorated filmmaker that has manufactured unforgettable movies that audiences commonly value.

9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Santa Claus is an iconic figure that is beloved in America. A captivating symbol of Christmas, Santa has always held a place in hearts of American people that’s precious. In 2000, Ron Howard honoured the precious figure of Christmas in his movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. With the most family-friendly film of his career, Howard used inventive special effects to capture the burden that a Grinch must bear. It gave the filmmaker a chance to showcase talent for comedic timing he hadn’t shown before in his career. Working alongside Jim Carrey who is extraordinary in the lead role, Howard created a portrait of Christmas that’s compelling. A captivating tribute towards Christmas, it’s a compelling reminder of a commemorated director that has made memorable movies throughout his career which audiences consider precious.

10. Hillbilly Elegy

Ron Howard hasn’t always made great movies that are treasured. While most movies the director has made are appreciated, a few have often left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Hillbilly Elegy” falls into the latter category. Released in 2020, Howard’s worst movie captured a dysfunctional family. With the worst movie of his career, Howard used cinematic techniques to capture a downtrodden American family facing despair. Howard brought technical skill to the movie, making a drama that’s entertaining. Although “Hillbilly Elegy” is a disastrous movie, it honoured Howard’s legacy. As strong as J.D.’s love for America, it’s a riveting reminder about a talented filmmaker with charisma that has manufactured memorable movies throughout his impressive career which I will forever treasure for inspiring my lifelong love of modern Cinema.