Remembered for his crime movies, particularly those that focus on heists, Steven Soderbergh has been directing modern crime classics since the late 1990s. Since, he’s built a devoted stable of actors that frequently appear in his films. And although some of the following titles may be less recognizable than others, you’ll undoubtedly know the actors that starred in them.
While some of his films of late like Logan Lucky (2017) and No Sudden Move (2021) are among the best of his filmography, they didn’t exactly resonate with audiences. Films on this list will balance quality and popularity, based on critical acclaim, box office numbers, or even how well the film has aged and is looked back on today. These are the movies Steven Soderbergh is best known for.
7/7 Magic Mike (2012)
The first two films on the list showcase the longevity of Steven Soderbergh’s career, as he had long-established himself as a powerhouse director before these movies ever hit theaters. First up is Magic Mike (2012), which made $167.2 million on a $7 million budget. That’s a fairly miniscule budget, as far Soderbergh projects are typically concerned.
And although it wasn’t directed by Soderbergh, the film did spawn a sequel: Magic Mike XXL (2015). Its critical response and receipts at the box office weren’t quite as impressive as the original, but XXL existing in general solidified Magic Mike as a staple of Soderbergh’s cinematic collection.
6/7 Contagion (2011)
With a star-studded cast and an involved plot that would take far too long to detail, Contagion (2011) is perhaps Soderbergh’s most ambitious film to date. From a narrative perspective, it definitely takes its risks, and for what’s classified as a medical thriller, it’s scientifically accurate.
The movie’s became even more relevant in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, HBO even revealed at one point, nearly a decade after release, that Contagion had been, for two weeks straight, the most watched movie on the streaming service. What’s more is that later that year, a “philosophical sequel” was announced by Soderbergh. Its popularity may not have peaked even yet.
5/7 Out of Sight (1998)
The first of six collaborations between Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney, Out of Sight (1998) is still the duo’s most underrated project. Oddly enough, this was also Soderbergh’s first of six collaborations with Don Cheadle. Both actors would work on screen together multiple times after this, but more on that in a few entries.
Based on a novel by Elmore Leonard, Out of Sight follows bank robber Jack Foley (Clooney) who quickly gets arrested and begins planning his escape from prison. This was the first in a string of top-tier crime films from Soderbergh, and it will always be remembered as such.
4/7 Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)
Off the bat with his directorial debut, Soderbergh made waves when award season rolled around. Granted, most were nominations, but still — it was his first film. Best Original Screenplay nominations at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes is nothing to hang one’s head about. Plus, it won Best Film at the Independent Spirit Awards…
Its legacy has since been cemented by being inducted into the National Film Registry. That’s a tremendous accomplishment, but the biggest story to write home about regarding Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989) is that it won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and rendered Soderbergh the youngest recipient thereof. Enough said.
3/7 Erin Brockovich (2000)
Granted, this was more of a coming-out party for Julia Roberts than Soderbergh, necessarily. She won the Best Actress Academy Award for Erin Brockovich, and really solidified herself as a powerhouse of modern thespians. But still, with all the attention Roberts garnered, it’s not like Soderbergh was left out in the cold.
He was also recognized at the Academy Awards for Erin Brockovich — for Best Director, though. Not Best Actress. He wouldn’t win the award, but not because he wasn’t worthy of it that year. That’s far from the case, actually.
2/7 Traffic (2000)
Released the same year as Erin Brockovich, this is the most critically acclaimed film of Soderbergh’s career. It did win him the highly coveted Best Director honor at the Academy Awards, which remains the only one of his career. Plus, Traffic currently holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and, well — Benicio Del Toro impressed everyone. It’s widely regarded as his best role, and even the Academy agreed, honoring him with the Award for Best Supporting Actor.
It was praised by critics like Roger Ebert, and even filmmakers like Ingmar Bergman. It could very well go down as his best film from a critical standpoint, no matter what he releases next. But that doesn’t necessarily make it the definitive Soderbergh film.
1/7 Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
There was never really a question. Regular Soderbergh collaborators appeared in the star-studded cast: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle. But Ocean’s Eleven (2001) also featured the likes of Bernie Mac, Julia Roberts, Elliot Gould, and Casey Affleck.
The film spawned two direct sequels, one spin-off, and it garnered $450 million worldwide on an $85 million budget. It’s the highest-grossing movie of Soderbergh’s career, it’s likely the title that readers are most familiar with, and with all of his regular collaborators in play, Ocean’s Eleven will go down as the quintessential Steven Soderbergh film.
