Here’s a bold statement: Ridley Scott, the legendary filmmaker behind classics like Gladiator and Blade Runner, admits he’d rather rewatch his own movies than dive into the sea of modern cinema. But here’s where it gets controversial: he’s not just being nostalgic—he’s calling out the industry’s obsession with quantity over quality. In a recent appearance at the BFI, Scott didn’t hold back, declaring that out of the millions of films produced globally today, a staggering majority are, in his words, “sht.” He estimates that only about 5% of movies truly stand out as great, while the rest drown in mediocrity. And this is the part most people miss: Scott isn’t just complaining—he’s backing it up with numbers and a lifetime of experience. He even confessed to rewatching his own films, like *Black Hawk Down, marveling at how they’ve stood the test of time. But here’s the kicker: while he’s disappointed by the current state of cinema, he’s far from giving up. At 87, Scott is still pushing boundaries, with his upcoming film The Dog Star slated for next year, which he boldly claims is one of his greatest works yet. He’s also expanding the Gladiator universe, aiming to create his own version of The Godfather trilogy. Now, here’s the question that’ll spark debate: Is Ridley Scott right about the decline in movie quality, or is he simply out of touch with modern storytelling? And more importantly, does the sheer volume of films today make it harder for truly great works to shine? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—agree or disagree, this is a conversation worth having.
