2. Blade Runner (1982)/Blade Runner: The Final Cut (2007)

It’s almost unfathomable that Blade Runner was overlooked at the box office in 1982, only to later become one of the most influential films of all time. A mesmerizing blend of detective noir and speculative science fiction, Blade Runner delves deep into themes of identity, purpose, and memory. The film follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), an ex-cop turned bounty hunter tasked with retiring lifelike androids known as “replicants,” including a particularly dangerous one (Rutger Hauer) leading an outlaw gang.

Its impact on the sci-fi genre cannot be overstated; nearly every piece of sci-fi media since owes something to Blade Runner. What holds it back from the absolute top tier of Scott’s filmography is the existence of seven different versions of the film, each offering a slightly different vision. For first-time viewers, seek out the 2007 Final Cut—the only version where Scott had complete creative control.