Although he may not be a household name, Richard Donner is responsible for directing some of the most popular movies ever made. After spending roughly two decades perfecting his trade on television, Donner rose to cinematic prominence upon helming the classic horror movie The Omen, in 1976. Two years later, he directed Superman: The Movie, before going on to helm the entire Lethal Weapon franchise in the 80s and 90s.
In the interim, Donner turned in such classic movies as The Goonies, Scrooged, Radio Flyer, Maverick, and many more. Unfortunately, the 90-year-old Donner appears to be retired, as his final film, 16 Blocks, came out in 2006.
Conspiracy Theory (1997) 57%
One year before drawing the Lethal Weapon franchise to a close, Donner and Mel Gibson reunited for the tinfoil-hat thriller, Conspiracy Theory. Gibson plays a paranoid cab-driver prone to vast conspiratorial thinking, who often is dismissed by anyone who'll listen.
However, when one of his crazy theories comes true, Jerry (Gibson) becomes the target of a shadowy government plot. Along the way, Jerry enlists the help of Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), a woman he adores from afar.
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) 60%
Mega blockbuster Hollywood franchises are rarely directed by a single person, but that's precisely the case with Donner and the Lethal Weapon saga. The third chapter of the popular buddy-cop action series finds Riggs (Mel Gibson) and Murtaugh (Danny Glover) working to expose a shady former cop profiting off an illegal arms deal.
While Joe Pesci reprises his role as the fast-talking Leo Getz, the film also introduces Lorna Cole (Rene Russo), a gorgeous take-no-lip police officer who proves to be Riggs' mirror match.
Maverick (1994) 66%
Another beloved non-Lethal Weapon movie Donner made with Mel Gibson includes Maverick, the screwball western comedy adapted from the popular 1950s TV show of the same name.
Gibson stars as Bret Maverick, a cocksure gambler, and boozy grifter who enters a high-stakes poker game when in desperate need of quick cash. Maverick teams up with con-woman, Annabelle (Jodie Foster), to cheat the tournament without a trace. However, a slew of mishaps and unforeseen obstacles stand in their way.
Ladyhawke (1985) 67%
Matthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer, and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Ladyhawke, Donner's medieval adventure film released the same years as The Goonies in 1985.
The film centers on the widespread manhunt of Gaston (Broderick), a cunning thief who manages to flee a dungeon through the bathroom. When Gaston is rescued and befriended by Navarre (Hauer), the thief vows to repay the deed by helping Navarre assassinate the Bishop of Aquila.
Scrooged (1988) 71%
In the classic Christmas comedy Scrooged, Donner retells the story of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Story. Bill Murray is perfectly cast as Frank Cross, a deeply cynical TV executive who needs a harsh reminder of what the holiday spirit means.
Frank is the definition of a holiday Scrooge. He hates Christmas, treats his employees terribly, and only cares about his high television ratings. But when Frank is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas' past, present, and future, he's forced to remember what yuletide cheer can do for everyone.
The Goonies (1985) 76%
For many who grew up in the 80s, few films mean more to the memory of childhood than The Goonies, the highly-entertaining action-adventure film about a band of misfits on a quest to find a trove of buried pirate treasure.
When The Goonies find an ancient treasure map, they follow it through an underground labyrinth of caves, tunnels, boobytraps, waterslides, and more, while being pursued by the criminal Fratelli family. When they finally come across One-Eyed Willie's pirate ship filled with riches, they must grab as much loot as possible and escape safely before the Fratellis close in.
Lethal Weapon (1987) 81%
Scripted by Shane Black, Lethal Weapon all but redefined the 80s buddy-cop formula. The film stars the unlikely partnering of odd couple Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), a suicidal maniac, and Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover), a staid family man on the brink of retirement.
As the two constantly quibble, their main mission is to bring down a gang of ruthless drug dealers responsible for unthinkable violence in Los Angeles. After busting a bunch of minions, Riggs and Murtaugh must bring down the sadistic Joshua (Gary Busey).
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) 82%
According to Rotten Tomatoes, Lethal Weapon 2 bests its predecessor by a single percentage point. The big-budget sequel ups the ante in every regard as it pits Riggs and Murtaugh against South African diplomats moonlighting as drug smugglers.
When Riggs and Murtaugh as assigned to protect Leo Getz (Joe Pesci), a key witness to a high-profile criminal case, they do all they can to keep him alive. However, Getz is targeted by a well-funded political group using their diplomatic immunity to disburse drugs in the community.
The Omen (1976) 86%
Although Donner directed three movies between 1961 and 1970, none rose to the level of success and notoriety as his classic horror film The Omen, in 1976.
The Omen follows Robert Thorne (Gregory Peck), an American ambassador sent to Rome following the stillborn death of their child. Along with his wife, Katherine (Lee Remick), Robert adopts a healthy newborn son named Damien. As time unfolds, Damien's sinister behavior becomes linked to a rash of mysterious deaths around the family, prompting Robert and Katherine to believe Damien is the spawn of Satan.
Superman: The Movie (1978) 96%
Before DC and Marvel ruled the cinematic universe, Richard Donner assembled a stellar cast for the 1978 comic book film, Superman: The Movie. The film won an Academy Award for Special Achievements in Visual Effects.
Starring Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent, aka Kal-El, the film tells the origin story of the alien superhero who leaves a decaying Earth to develop uncanny abilities on planet Krypton. As Superman hones his powers and finds his mission, he's antagonized by Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman), while Clark Kent is beguiled by his coworker, Lois Lane (Margot Kidder).
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