Best Directors Of New Hollywood
Credit: Gage Skidmore / Wiki Commons

New Hollywood is one of the most important eras in cinema history, happening between the end of the 60s and throughout the 70s.

During this period, some of the most important filmmakers of the last 60 years were given opportunities, the likes of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford-Coppola, Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma, etc.

Each of whom flourished to become icons (and the topics of film school semesters everywhere). These are the best directors of the New Hollywood era and their top-grossing movies.

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Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street, $392 million

Unlike his colleagues further down this list, Martin Scorsese found his best box office results in (relatively) recent memory. Despite a very long playing time of about 180 minutes, the 2013 “The Wolf of Wall Street” managed to conquer the general public.

And despite being ranked bottom on this list due to box office gross revenue, he is one of the all-time best directors! From “Taxi Driver” to “Raging Bull”, from “Goodfellas” to “Cape Fear”. His filmography really is classic after classic.

“The Wolf of Wall Street” cost $100 million and grossed $392 million worldwide.

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Francis Ford Coppola, The Godfather, $430 million

It is ironic that Francis Ford Coppola tops Scorsese on this list, they both made great gangster movies – but we’re counting the Godfather trilogy as one…

Coppola’s most important work at the box office was the first chapter of “The Godfather”: It was released in 1972, and at the time it created unrest – even amongst the Mafia.

However, the movie romanticized criminals, which made audiences fall in love with the lifestyle and characters. The movie cost only $6 million to make, and yet “The Godfather” grossed $246 million worldwide on its release, with the Godfather trilogy making $430 million total.

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Brian De Palma, Mission Impossible, $457 million

Brian De Palma is one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most passionate fans and he always finds an opportunity to honor him or to take inspiration from him in his works.

De Palma belongs in that class of filmmakers who over time has been forgotten because of decreasing production of movies. However, it is important to remember that he was the author of many cult movies of the past, from “Carrie” to “Scarface”, from “The Untouchables” to “Carlito’s way”.

As can be expected, his highest box office comes from one of his most recent words, “Mission Impossible” starring Tom Cruise. It was released in 1996, and the movie grossed $457 million worldwide against a budget of $80 million.

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Steven Spielberg, Jurassic Park, $1 billion

No one can dispute the fact, Steven Spielberg is a legend. From “Jaws” to “ET” and beyond. His movies have captivated audiences for decades. And in 1993, one of the most iconic movie makers created one of the world’s most iconic movies – “Jurassic Park”.

Cinematic monsters have always grabbed attention, and through award-winning visual effects, “Jurassic Park” made dinosaurs come to life (again). Costing around $63 million, “Jurassic Park” went on to gross $1 billion, to becomes Spielberg’s most lucrative movie (not factoring in inflation).