After building a strong career for the last couple of decades, James Mangold is quickly becoming one of the most celebrated filmmakers working right now. Thanks to a recent string of solid hits, he now finds himself attached as the director of the next Indiana Jones film.

Though it’s not easy to step into Steven Spielberg’s shoes, Mangold feels like a solid pick. He has proved himself versatile in a number of different genres and seems to know how to tell stories that thrill audiences.

10 Knight And Day (2010) – 6.3

The though of Mangold teaming with Tom Cruise for an action movie sounds like a great team-up. Unfortunately, Knight and Day was Mangold’s least successful film according to IMDb users.

Cruise plays a disgraced spy who is trying to clear his name and is forced to bring a civilian woman (Cameron Diaz) along on his dangerous adventure. While the comedic elements of the film don’t always land, Mangold delivers some fun action, and Cruise gets to have fun with a lighter role.

9 Kate & Leopold (2001) – 6.4

Given some of his later work, it’s surprising to see Mangold at the helm of a romantic comedy. Kate & Leopold stars Hugh Jackman as an English Duke from the 1800s who finds himself transported to modern-day New York where he falls for a woman played by Meg Ryan.

Despite the goofy premise, it is a decent rom-com thanks largely to the two leads. Jackman makes for a charismatic and funny leading man and Ryan is the queen of rom-coms. Their chemistry elevates the movie above some more forgettable genre entries.

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8 The Wolverine (2013) – 6.7

Teaming up with Jackman again, Mangold took his first stab at the iconic character of Wolverine. This second solo adventure was a vast improvement on X-Men Origins: Wolverine but still felt like it was not using the character or Jackman to their full potential.

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The film follows the mutant hero as he travels to Japan to reconnect with an old friend. Soon, he finds himself in the midst of a gang war and the target of some dangerous enemies. Though not a huge success, it hinted at the interesting ways Mangold and Jackman would explore the character in the future.

7 Cop Land (1997) – 6.9

 

Mangold came to Hollywood’s attention with the star-studded modern noir film Cop Land. Sylvester Stallone stars as a small-town sheriff of a community filled with police officers. While he likes to keep his head down, he soon discovers deep corruption among the cops and is forced to act.

Stallone gives one of his most reserved performances and he is backed by the likes of Harvey Keitel and Robert De Niro. It is a gritty, smart, and thrilling crime story which showcases Mangold’s excellent grasp of the noir genre.

6 Identity (2003) – 7.3

Identity is an underrated mystery thriller that boasts another impressive ensemble from Mangold. The film stars John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta, and other great actors as strangers who find themselves stuck in a secluded motel during a storm. Gradually, someone begins killing off the others.

Mangold does a great job of maintaining the dark and tense tone of the film from beginning to end. Though some viewers didn’t care for the final twist, it is a compelling mystery that keeps viewers guessing.

5 Girl, Interrupted (1999) – 7.3

Angelina Jolie won her first Oscar for her scene-stealing supporting role in Mangold’s drama Girl, Interrupted. Based on the real experiences of writer Susanna Kaysen, Winona Ryder stars as a young woman who is committed to a mental hospital where she meets an unpredictable and exciting patient, played by Jolie.

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The film is a stirring drama held together by some wonderful performances. The characters are interesting and Mangold avoids getting too melodramatic with the story and its setting.

4 3:10 To Yuma (2007) – 7.7

Mangold adapted the Elmore Leonard short story 3:10 to Yuma into a thrilling Western adventure. The film stars Christian Bale as a family man and struggling rancher who agrees to help transport an outlaw (Russell Crowe) to prison while his partners in crime seek to free him.

Bale and Crowe are fantastic in the lead roles, adding depth to the hero and villain of the story. The action is also thrilling as Mangold helps deliver one of the most enjoyable Western adventures of the 21st century.

3 Walk The Line (2005) – 7.8

The life of legendary country singer Johnny Cash was brought to life in Mangold’s Oscar-winning biopic Walk the Line. Joaquin Phoenix plays Cash in this look at his early life, his career in music, his drug use, and most importantly, his relationship with fellow singer June Carter, played by Reese Witherspoon.

The two leads are extraordinary in bringing these beloved artists and their complicated love story to life. Though much of it seems cliché thanks to the abundance of musical biopics that followed, it is an entertaining story.

2 Logan (2017) – 8.1

The character of Wolverine finally had the chance to embrace his brutality in the R-rated Logan. Jackman reprised his most famous role one last time. The story finds Logan near the of his life when he becomes the reluctant protector of a young mutant.

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The movie is a violent and dark take on the character which feels fitting. Jackman has never been better and newcomer Daphne Keen gives a star-making turn as well. It is a completely satisfying and emotional final chapter.

1 Ford V Ferrari (2019) – 8.1

Even folks who don’t have any interest in car racing are likely to have a ball with Ford V Ferrari. The film is based on a true story about Ford’s attempts to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Christian Bale and Matt Damon star as the two headstrong men hired to fulfill this impossible dream.

Mangold does an incredible job with the racing sequences, but it is the characters that make the film really shine. Bale and Damon are spectacular and the movie mixes humor, excitement, and heart into this hugely entertaining sports drama.

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About The Author


Colin McCormick
(2030 Articles Published)

Colin McCormick is a Senior Writer with Screen Rant and has been a proud member of the team since 2019. In addition to his work as Screen Rant, Colin is also a writer of News, Feature and Review pieces at Game Rant. Colin has had a long passion and obsession with movies going back to the first time he saw The Lion King in theaters. Along with movies, Colin stays up-to-date on the latest must-see TV shows. While he loves to find interesting projects in any kind of genre, he has a special movie of crime stories that are infused with a little dark humor much like the work of his favorite author, Elmore Leonard.

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