Directors are the foundation of a film. Without them, films would be unclear and unfocused, making it seem sloppy and unfinished. Having a good director is something that is key to making a movie great, but, more recently, this might be hard to come by. The greats like Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles, and Francis Ford Coppola have paved the way to create great cinema, but, with the modern age, new directors have come to the surface, making their own mark in the history books of entertainment. This list entails some of the best directors of this modern era of cinema, and their impact on the world today.

1. Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s films can be described in one word: quirky. Anderson has a definite style that can be seen in each of his films, which makes him one of the unique directors of the modern age of cinema. His artistry of the world can be seen through the set design, camera movements, and screenplay, which, together, creates a whole new world that has not been seen by the world. His unique outlook makes him a great, new voice to be heard in the cinematic world.

Recommended films to watch: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom

2. David Fincher

Fincher has such a unique repertoire of films, mainly because of how different each of them is when compared to each other. Whether Fincher is directing a movie about the founder of Facebook or adapting a mystery novel to the big screen, Fincher creates worlds that are strung up with tension, making his films a spectacle to watch. His intricate directing makes his films seem more real, and it shows the immense amount of effort that he puts into them to perfect his dark and haunting artwork.

Recommended films to watch: The Social Network, Gone Girl, Se7en

3. Christopher Nolan

Nolan is a new modern director and has been creating spectacular films since his first feature film, Memento. Each movie brings new thrill and suspense to audiences that have not been presented to them before, and he does this through his fantastic writing and direction. Nolan’s use of practical effects and meticulous and seamless storytelling makes him a force to be reckoned with in the coming years in cinema. His films are always full of complexity and innovation, and, with this, he repeatedly pushes the boundaries of entertainment.

Recommended films to watch: The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception

4. Steven Spielberg

Spielberg has done impeccable work in the world of cinema. Through him, the world has been able to witness the creation of beloved characters like Indiana Jones and E.T., and we have been able to view the sights of tragedy and the brutal side of war through his films like Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List. His work has created such a massive impact on the world, and he continues to enlarge his legacy with every film that he releases. Without Spielberg, the film industry just would not be the same.

Recommended films to watch: Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, E.T.

5. Quentin Tarantino

Tarantino never fails to impress audiences with his films which are filled with tragedy, humor, suspense, drama, and gore. His look on the world might always be brutal, but, with this mentality, Tarantino can create stories that reflect raw human emotion and reality on the silver screen. With this, he directs and writes films that have not been seen before, as he takes the risks that no other director wants to take. With this, he makes films that are both memorable and iconic, cementing him in the foundation of modern cinema.

Recommended films to watch: Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Django Unchained