Some of the most phenomenal and visionary directors have continued dominating the silver screen well into their 80s, proving age is just a number. With many of these filmmakers having careers spanning upwards of six decades, it is both admirable and inspiring to witness such creators remain powerful presences in cinema. These exceptional minds have spoiled audiences with their imagination and innovation, further establishing their reign as Hollywood icons and royalty. From revered film titans like John Huston and Ridley Scott toactor-turned-director icon Clint Eastwood, there have been countless directors who have refused to slow down despite their older age.
Animation legend and beloved storyteller Hayao Miyazaki is famous for his brilliantmovies with Studio Ghibli, touching the hearts of viewers across the world with his cherished pictures likeCastle in the Sky, My Neighbor TotoroandKiki’s Delivery Service.Woody Allen remains a major player in the film industry despite all the allegations against him, and has constantly released award-winning works; his most recent project,Rifkin’s Festival, debuted in 2020 when he was 84. Here are some directors who have made movie masterpieces even in their 80s.
Clint Eastwood
Cinema legend andcultural iconClint Eastwoodis a renowned actor and filmmaker who has not only starred in lauded classics likeDirty Harry, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,andThe Unforgivenbut also successfully transitioned to work behind the camera, having helmed numerous revered pictures.
Eastwood made his directorial debut with the 1971 psychological thrillerPlay Misty for Meand has subsequently directed films likeThe Outlaw Josey Wales, In the Line of Fire,andMillion Dollar Baby.In recent years, the silver screen staple has spearheaded the war dramaAmerican Sniperand crime dramaThe Mulein his 80s, with his most recent 2021 projectCry Machohaving been released when Eastwood was 91-years-old.
Hayao Miyazaki
Animation mastermind andlauded storytellerHayao Miyazakiis the co-founder of Studio Ghibli and has created some of the most beloved animated films of all time. Having launched the renowned Japanese studio in 1985, Miyazaki is famous for directing visually stunning cinematic treasures such asCastle in the Sky, Spirited AwayandMy Neighbor Totoro,with his highly-anticipated upcoming projectHow Do You Live?bringing him out of retirement.
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Admired for his reoccurring themes of love, family, and environmentalism, the now 81-year-old filmmaker was inspired to create the animated picture for his grandson ashis way of saying, “Grandpa is moving onto the next world soon, but he is leaving behind this film."
Sidney Lumet
Regarded as one of the most prolific filmmakers of the modern era,the greatSidney Lumetwas heavily considered an actor’s director due to his ability to produce stellar performances from his dazzling stars. Having first made a splash in Tinseltown with the esteemed 1958 Henry Fonda-led courtroom drama12 Angry Men,Lumet would continue to demonstrate his technical talent and flair for social realism with outstanding pictures likeSerpicoandPrince of the City.
The brilliant director released the final masterpiece of his career with 2007’s acclaimed crime dramaBefore the Devil Knows You’re Dead,which appeared on countless critics’ top ten lists of the year and was called “superb”by Roger Ebertwith Lumet being declared a “living treasure.” The decorated visionary passed away in 2011 at 86.
Woody Allen
With an illustrious career spanning more than six decades,Woody Allenwas among the talented rising directors to emerge in theNew Hollywood waveof filmmakers of the ‘60s and ‘70s, having established his prowess with beloved classics such asManhattan, Annie HallandCrimes and Misdemeanors.The filmmaker was a constant silver screen force throughout the latter part of the twentieth century, earning numerous accolades and praise for his experimentation, humor and unique cinematic vision. Allen has remained a presence in Hollywood and in recent years has helmed award-winning pictures likeMidnight in ParisandBlue Jasmine,with his latest project being the 2020 comedyRifkin’s Festival.
Robert Bresson
Hailed for his exceptional minimalistic approach to storytelling, famed French film directorRobert Bressonwas the genius mind behind lauded pictures likeA Man Escaped, The Trial of Joan of Arc,andThe Devil Probablyand was the recipient of multiple prestigious honors including Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival and the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin Film Festival. Noted for his disciplined style, ellipses, and inclusion of non-professional actors, Bresson was praised byfellow director Jean-Luc Godardas “the French cinema, as Dostoevsky is the Russian novel and Mozart is German music.” His final film endeavor was the 1983 dramaL’Argent, which garnered widespread acclaim for the then 82-year-old who later passed away in 1999.
John Huston
Respected and celebrated as a titan in the Hollywood film industry, silver screen directing legendJohn Hustonis the man behind cinematic classics likeThe Maltese Falcon, The African Queen,andThe Misfitsand went on to have a profound career spanning 46 years. A talented filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter, Huston worked with some of the finest performers of the twentieth century includingthe great Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, and went on to receive 15 Oscar nominations with two wins.
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Huston was also a wonderfully distinctive actor, known for his roles inChinatown, The Cardinal, andThe Other Side of the Wind. His last completed project was the 1987 dramaThe Deadstarring his daughter Anjelica, which was released posthumously shortly after his death at 81; the picture earned him the Independent Spirit Award for Best Director.
Jean-Luc Godard
A trailblazer of the 1960s French New Wave film movement,the brilliantJean-Luc Godardis the visionary mind behind cinematic greats such asBreathless, Contempt,andA Woman Is a Woman,with the pioneer director having challenged the code of both French films and the Hollywood industry. His contributions to the cinema arelauded for having“revolutionized the motion picture form” with his experimentation and innovation in regard to concepts like camerawork and narrative, and his career has spanned over 60 years.
Godard has not slowed down a bit despite being 91, creating numerous short and feature length films in recent years; his 2018 avant-garde essay dramaThe Image Bookwas chosen to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, instead winning the first and only ‘Special Palme dOr’ in history.
Ridley Scott
Revered for his sci-fi masterpieces likeAlienandBlade Runneras well as notable Oscar-winning picturesGladiatorandBlack Hawk Down,Ridley Scotthas made tremendous contributions to cinema with his innovative vision. The director has consistently helmed acclaimed pictures since his debut with the 1977 historical dramaThe Duelists,with some of his most lauded works premiering in the last decade.
Scott has continued to enthrall audiences with riveting films likeThe Martian, All the Money in the World,andThe Last Duel,with 2021’sHouse of Guccibeing his latest cinematic achievement. At 84, the director continues to add to his already spectacular resume, with the upcomingepic historical dramaNapoleonset to make its premiere on Apple TV+.
