John Landis is an iconic filmmaker. Some even consider him a true master in the world of filmmaking! This director who created films of every type is one of the greatest!
id="a-multi-talented-filmmaker">A Multi-Talented Filmmaker:From crazy, funny comedies to the horrific and scary films of the horror genre, Landis created amazing work that became cult classics, shaping the world of film for several decades.
Landis brings these different genre worlds together, mixing humor with action and everything in between. He knows how to direct stars and made some of the most amazing Movies, but with those huge successes, he kept evolving, too! His work changed how Hollywood would make movies during the 80s and 90s, while leaving a lasting impact, even with new audiences rediscovering some of his biggest hits.
Ranking John Landis' Movies
These stories are entertaining for everyone but which one's best? That is always up for debate. It seems everyone's a bit biased!
We're going to go through 10 Movies of the greatest movies Landis made!
10: Into The Night
- Jeff Goldblum
- Michelle Pfeiffer
In this story, the main character, an insomniac who's not your normal man. This character is played by Goldblum who is thrust into some bizarre action, all stemming from a mysterious woman! What we see, is an incredibly fun, crazy and awesome night trip, which will keep audiences enthralled. The show blends funny scenes with moments of terror!
You will see "Into The Night," and this classic movie. Landis was able to take this style to the next level! This movie has moments that could leave anyone with a huge smile on their faces, especially when you see "Goldblum," who makes this really entertaining!
For anyone looking for a new thrill, or for someone who's really gotten caught up with the world of movies make sure to see how Landis brought an incredible film to life. The setting is Los Angeles and it seems like a night on the town with all the action and craziness that a super dark comedy could have.
9. Oscar
- Sylvester Stallone plays Angelo "Snaps" Provolone.
- Marisa Tomei and Tim Curry
Landis does something crazy. In "Oscar" Landis blends a bunch of funny and wild characters! Stallone is trying to go from a super, crazy gangster into a more business minded man to fulfill his dying father's request. This will throw audiences into the crazy events of his day with a story that just won't quit! There's nothing that Snaps doesn't do. With some great talent around him such as Tomei and Curry!
You won't have to miss the movie. It looks like you might just catch this in one day, where he takes you on an absolutely wild and unbelievable, yet amazing ride!
8. The Kentucky Fried Movie
- David Zucker
- Jim Abrahams
- Jerry Zucker
John Landis' film, "The Kentucky Fried Movie," gave a very impressive, entertaining and zany ride for anyone that's a fan of comedy, and what makes this more exciting? It's the collaboration between John Landis and this incredibly funny group David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker.! The combination would later lead to these comedic masterpieces like "Airplane" and "The Naked Gun." .
The crazy characters! What we see, is a bunch of sketches which spoof some iconic TV shows and movies!
id="7-spies-like-us">7: Spies Like Us
- Chevy Chase
- Dan Aykroyd
- Bob Hope
Fans know Chevy Chase as a comedic star, as does Dan Aykroyd. and it seems like these two just made magic in their collaboration with Landis. They got to be agents of the government, taking an unexpected, wild journey through the Soviet Union. This movie is one where the stars make a whole different meaning, turning them into some funny and absurdly clumsy spies.
But the show is still hilarious, and makes fans of the 80s and any time era, excited about it's "Cold War" setting.
Fans of those days know the iconic "Road To ...", and Bob Hope himself makes an appearance in "Spies Like Us," just adding a bit more flavor!
id="6-three-amigos"> 6: Three Amigos
- Steve Martin
- Chevy Chase
- Martin Short
Three Amigos takes you back in time to those awesome, classic western movies and its music! What you get is three amazing comedic talents!
What Landis is able to do is create this interesting take on these Westerns, with a special style that everyone loves to see! We get this band who's in a small, small town and are a big group of heroes! Their time is truly just starting! With an interesting baddie who's looking to make everyone uncomfortable called "El Guapo."
id="5-an-american-werewolf-in-london"> 5: An American Werewolf in London
This classic, hilarious, and truly creative horror movie came out in 1981 and if you love werewolf stories and an incredibly fun story, then, this will take you on a wild ride!
An American Werewolf in London was the perfect blend of genres and brought two iconic figures to the big screen!
- David, a traveler with a great time on his trip.
- Jack
You see, there's an event, something super creepy and a lot more intense! While they were traveling through England, it was horrific when a werewolf attacks!
David is trying to cope and heal while coming to terms that there is an intense transformation taking place.
Landis really brought the genre of horror and comedy together in a completely unforgettable way! What really makes "An American Werewolf in London" a must-watch, are those great, real special effects! This special movie won the Academy Award for Best Makeup.
id="4-national-lampoons-animal-house">4: National Lampoon’s Animal House
- John Belushi, as "Bluto."
You see, Landis knew how to direct amazing actors!
He also directed a real classic in the 80s!
Fans will know that "Animal House" was one of those hits! It was a really special film with a crazy group! A fraternity known for all its antics and breaking the rules at a school named Faber College. You get some of the craziest characters that really make this film worth watching! With a great ensemble of stars! That included a performance from John Belushi, who was one of the key players!
id="3-trading-places">3: Trading Places
- Eddie Murphy
- Dan Aykroyd
- Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche
Landis and Murphy worked together for several movies, giving audiences a few unforgettable films, such as this classic! In "Trading Places" we see how these two men trade places from rags to riches and back again in this story that takes audiences through all those unexpected and shocking twists. This satirical comedy is all about what makes things a real game!
And who will make it to the top and find that "American dream?"! It doesn't just give us some incredible laughs and those zany, outrageous characters! Trading Places was able to combine social commentary on privilege and social standings.
id="2-coming-to-america"> 2: Coming To America
- Eddie Murphy
- Arsenio Hall
It seems Landis has this talent! This is a movie with the same special elements of comedy and heart. Eddie Murphy brings a whole lot of great talent to this role, a movie with great satire. This tale takes us into "Queens, New York", and we've got this awesome Prince! It appears to be the classic, unforgettable, heartwarming romance movie of the 1980s.
id="1-the-blues-brothers">1. The Blues Brothers
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Belushi
- Aretha Franklin
- Ray Charles
- James Brown
In The Blues Brothers audiences are brought through the action of this incredible, unforgettable band, a movie that blends musical and comedic scenes with those big heart-pumping moments!
Landis takes it to an even higher level! This band, with those super fun scenes as they try to make it through this action packed movie! Aykroyd and Belushi work together in the world of comedy and music! They created an awesome performance. And you can see how iconic it's been as one of Landis's biggest accomplishments!
Who knows! You might find that Landis brought the world these great, memorable stories for decades! For the fans that have loved his work, or just started to discover him. What's so great about this director, is that the magic lives on!
