At the time of its release, Joseph Kosinski’s “Tron: Legacy” was the most expensive feature film directorial debut of all time, surpassing the record set by J.J. Abrams’ “Mission: Impossible III.” While placing the reins of such a lucrative franchise in the hands of a relative novice may have been perceived as either a potential blunder or a gross example of privilege, Kosinski has consistently proven to be at peace with the moving parts needed to make a modern blockbuster.
A former video game graphics artist and architecture student, Kosinski certainly has benefited from his ability to make eye-popping, visually dynamic set pieces that are grounded in enough practicality to invoke a personal connection. However, Kosinski also has an eye for emotion that many of his contemporaries lack. While other modern blockbuster directors like Jon M. Chu, the Russo Brothers, Zack Snyder, Colin Trevorrow, and Shawn Levy have proven incapable of wrestling with complex character dynamics, Kosinski has gotten a surprising amount of depth from his ambitious premises. His track record consists of both modern masterpieces and a few underrated gems. A new film from Kosinski is always an event, as he is among the rare directors who seem to be pushing the medium forward in a progressive direction. Here is every Joseph Kosinski film, ranked.
6. Spiderhead (2022)
After sitting on the shelf for over two years, only to be dumped on Netflix with little fanfare a month after Kosinski’s groundbreaking success with “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Spiderhead” is much better than it had any right to be. Loosely based on a high-concept short story and penned by “Deadpool” writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, “Spiderhead” is an intriguing work of speculative science fiction that merges interesting ethical quandaries with dynamic performances from actors cast against type.
Although Miles Teller has often been cast as a headstrong young hothead (a role he played in two other Kosinski films), he’s given a more nuanced role as an inmate in shame after a tragic accident. It’s a unique audience avatar for “Spiderhead,” as the film’s debate about psychological testing is more interesting when it is applied to a character that may not have initially warranted any sympathy. “Spiderhead” steadily becomes more conventional as it goes along, but Kosinski’s unparalleled creativity with set pieces never leaves a dull moment. While Netflix Original genre films often feel like half-hearted pastiches of trends that have fallen out of style, Kosinski was admirably able to use the studio’s budget to make something that may not have been otherwise financed.
5. Oblivion (2013)
Tom Cruise’s interest in science fiction has been one of the most intriguing components of his career, as he has used his star power to make techno-noir thrillers (“Minority Report”), existentialist mysteries (“Vanilla Sky”), end-of-world disaster flicks (“War of the Worlds”), and old-fashioned crowd pleasers (“Edge of Tomorrow”). With “Oblivion,” Cruise was given the opportunity to merge these influences into a unique, unusual work of speculative futurism. “Oblivion” deals with some disturbing concepts about the sacrifices humanity needs to make in order to preserve itself, but it’s also an effective piece of worldbuilding where Kosinski’s visual flair is at its most impressive.
“Oblivion” is a tad too withholding in its first act, making it clear when the eventual pulling of the rug will occur, but it’s also an example of how creative Kosinski can be when asked to revamp a familiar genre. His barren, mysterious depiction of an Earth devoid of humans is somehow distinct from the many other post-apocalyptic stories that have been told. Cruise is given the chance to play a more vulnerable, emotionally stunted character, as Kosinski reminded audiences that the movie star of a generation was also an accomplished actor who only pursued making projects with legendary auteurs.
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4. Tron: Legacy (2010)
“Tron: Legacy” is a film that was subjected to rumors, false starts, and an extended period of development hell for so long that it seems improbable that it had actually been completed. Although a similar period of stagnation occurred for films within the “Indiana Jones” and “Ghostbusters” franchises, the difference was that “Tron” was already a pretty niche property to begin with. The relative simplicity of the source material allowed Kosinski to develop a visually astounding, didactic take on immersive gameplay that combined the best of retro-futurism with some of the most creative digital effects in Hollywood history at the time.
Despite being pitched as a “legacy sequel” designed to connect with both original fans and younger viewers, “Tron: Legacy” wasn’t as reliant on nostalgia as more transparently cynical studio ventures like “Jurassic World,” “Terminator: Genisys,” or “Independence Day: Resurgence” were. While it’s content to be its own thing, “Tron: Legacy” also modernizes the original film’s themes with its examination of creative ownership, humankind’s capacity to create, and the comparative ethics of a digital world. Perhaps the performances by Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde leave a little to be desired, but Kosinski succeeded in giving Jeff Bridges one of the more engaging roles of his late-stage career.
3. F1: The Movie (2025)
While “F1: The Movie” features some of the most immersive IMAX visuals and cutting-edge racing footage in recent history, it’s grounded in the glossy, relentless aesthetic of the 1990s era of Jerry Bruckheimer films. Kosinski knows that he’s not reinventing the wheel, and the film is better for it. The notion of a legendary racer getting one last chance to save his legacy is certainly not original. However, “F1” is admirably committed to depicting its characters as outsider daredevils who can’t be content with compromises.
There’s certainly messiness in the construction, as there are many instances of repetitive sequences, underdeveloped side characters, and odd structural errors (including multiple “all is lost” moments undercut by simplistic tension breakers). Moreover, it’s clear that Kosinski was given strict parameters on what he could show, based on the sponsorships involved. Nonetheless, “F1” hits all the right notes when it comes to adrenaline, as it’s rare to see a blockbuster over 150 minutes that has so little fat. Brad Pitt’s performance is tough, cheeky, and at times hostile, which puts Damon Idris’ spunky rising star even more dynamic. Few filmmakers have the ambition to do what Kosinski has attempted with the technical components of “F1,” and it’s to his credit that the spectacle is not the only thing that the film has to offer.
2. Only the Brave (2017)
“Only the Brave” is the only entry in Kosinski’s resume that couldn’t broadly be described as a “genre film,” as it was based on the harrowing true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. The specialized team of firefighters was trained to deal with the most dangerous forest fires in Arizona, and the team was responsible for saving countless lives during a tragic incident in 2013. Although there’s a level of respect and admiration that Kosinski needed to have in order to stake himself in this story, “Only the Brave” isn’t entirely centered around its final set piece. It’s a surprisingly earnest character drama about the culture of men dedicated to saving others, and why their personal brotherhood has allowed them to venture fearlessly into their potential doom.
Character development never feels like filler for Kosinski, as each of the performances is singular. While Josh Brolin is given the powerful role of the group’s tough, but fair leader, Teller gives another strong performance as a wounded young man in need of a redemptive arc. The tragic nature of the conclusion may not do for firefighting what “Top Gun” did for military aviation, but it’s hard to imagine even the most steel-hearted viewer completing “Only the Brave” without tears in their eyes.
1. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
“Top Gun: Maverick” belongs on the rare list of sequels like “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” “Aliens,” and “Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior” that are better than their predecessor. What’s even more impressive is that Kosinski’s film topped the original’s cultural impact. “Top Gun” was among the most iconic films of the 1980s, as the convergence of hotshot heartthrobs, sincere character work, groundbreaking aerial photography, and a killer soundtrack served as a pillar that summer movies would be compared to for decades. However, “Top Gun: Maverick” managed to do the same for a new generation with its simple message about the importance of old-fashioned chivalry.
As easy as it would be to dismiss the workmanlike writing of “Top Gun: Maverick” as nothing but pure escapism, there’s a brilliance in how Kosinski pulls at viewers’ emotions without any hint of cynicism or irony. Cruise has rarely been more compelling as a movie star, but the combined charisma of Teller and Glen Powell serves as a firm indication of what the next generation of Hollywood should look like. The unique nature of its box office run made “Top Gun: Maverick” into the film that “saved Hollywood” in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but based on merit alone, it’s what studio projects should aspire to be.
