Celebrated filmmaker Ivan Reitman tragically passed away on 12 February 2022, aged 75. Known as a director, producer and screenwriter, Reitman was involved in the creation of some absolute classic movies over the years.
So it’s only right that we honor his legacy in appropriate fashion. We’re going to take you through the 10 best movies that Reitman directed and link to where you can watch them online.
While you’re here, check out our piece ranking all of the Terminator movies.
10. Twins (1988)
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Twins is a buddy comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. It’s about a pair of unlikely fraternal twin brothers who were separated at birth: the streetwise Vincent (DeVito) and the intelligent but naive Julius (Schwarzenegger). The plot – and the majority of the laughs – focus on the very obvious contrasts between the two men.
Truth be told, Twins isn’t a great movie, but it’s entertaining enough to be fairly popular. If you’re looking for an easy watch – and if your demands aren’t all that high – it’s worth taking in, not least for DeVito’s funny performance.
9. Legal Eagles (1986)
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A legal comedy with some crime thriller elements. It’s about a New York district attorney who works and flirts with both his adversary and her kooky client, an artist who is on trial for a murder she didn’t commit.
This is a solid movie with some good acting performances and a heck of a lot crammed in – it’s pretty amazing, therefore, that so much of it is of such a high standard.
Legal Eagles stars Robert Redford and Debra Winger, alongside an impressive supporting cast that includes Daryl Hannah and Terence Stamp.
8. No Strings Attached (2011)
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A romantic comedy about two friends – Dr. Emma K. Kurtzman and Adam Franklin – who decide to make a pact to have a “no strings attached” relationship, without falling in love with each other. However, they inevitably end up doing exactly that.
No Strings Attached stars Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher with a supporting cast that includes the likes of Cary Elwes and Kevin Kline.
Portman is very good in this movie and Kutcher isn’t half bad either. It’s relatively funny and has an amusing cast of supporting characters. Definitely worth a watch if you like rom-coms.
7. Kindergarten Cop (1990)
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Kindergarten Cop is about the titular John Kimble – a tough Los Angeles police detective working undercover as a kindergarten teacher, in order to apprehend drug dealer Cullen Crisp. During his operation – and after a shaky start to his life as an educator – Kimble discovers a passion for teaching and ends up considering changing his profession permanently.
Arnie displays his comedy chops in what is a very funny movie. It also has plenty of action and lots of heart, so it’s something everyone can enjoy.
6. Ghostbusters II (1989)
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A sequel to 1984’s classic Ghostbusters, supernatural comedy Ghostbusters II sees the return of the original’s core cast, including the entire titular team of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson.
In this one, the Ghostbusters have been sued and put out of business, due to the destruction caused to New York City by their battle with Gozer in the first movie. However, when a new paranormal threat emerges in the form of Vigo the Carpathian, they must reunite to combat it and save the world once more.
While it’s not as good as its predecessor, Ghostbusters II is still a hoot. The script is sharp, the cast perform brilliantly, and it’s funny – but it’s definitely lacking the scares of the first movie.
5. Draft Day (2014)
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Draft Day is a sports drama that follows Kevin Costner’s character – the fictional general manager of the Cleveland Browns – as he decides what to do after his team acquires the number one draft pick in the upcoming National Football League draft, while Jennifer Garner plays the team’s finance manager and Costner’s love interest.
This is a sentimental movie that’s full of heart, aided by strong performances and a brilliant script. It’s entertaining in an old-fashioned way, but has been criticized by those in the know for its depiction of how an NFL team operates.
4. Meatballs (1979)
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Meatballs is a comedy starring Bill Murray in what was his first appearance in a starring role. Notably, it was also the movie that truly launched Ivan Reitman’s career in filmmaking.
It depicts the wacky hijinks of counselors and campers at Camp North Star – a cut-rate and less-than-average summer camp. Murray plays “Tripper” Harrison – the leader of a group of new camp counselors-in-training.
Seen as one of the best (possibly the best) summer camp comedies ever made, Meatballs is a lot of fun. Murray is wonderful and the whole thing is fast, funny, uncomplicated and generally a bit crazy.
3. Stripes (1981)
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Stripes is a war comedy with a truly fantastic cast that includes Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Sean Young and John Candy.
It’s about Murray’s John Winger – an immature taxi driver from Louisville, Kentucky – who after losing his job, his apartment, his car and his girlfriend, decides to enlist in the United States Army along with Ramis’ Russel Ziskey, who happens to be his best friend.
This is a raucous and anarchic movie – and, in this case, that’s a very good thing. It’s hilarious, and completely amiable – Murray, Ramis and Candy are an incredible trio.
2. Dave (1993)
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A political comedy, Dave boasts an outstanding ensemble cast of Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Frank Langella, Kevin Dunn, Ving Rhames, Charles Grodin and Ben Kingsley.
It’s about an uncanny Presidential lookalike – the titular Dave Kovic – who gets recruited by the Secret Service to become a momentary stand-in for the President of the United States, ostensibly as a security precaution, but in reality to cover up the real President’s affair with a staffer.
This is a top-class movie with great performances – Kline in particular is superb – and a well crafted script. It’s funny, earnest, intelligent and unpredictable, putting a whole new spin on the age-old “normal person thrust into a position of power” story.
1. Ghostbusters (1984)
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Did you really think any other movie would top this list?! Ghostbusters is about three eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. They’re soon joined by a fourth member, as business begins to boom when the city experiences a supernatural surge due to the coming of an ancient and evil deity called Gozer.
Ghostbusters is simply magnificent. It’s hilarious, wonderfully acted, brilliantly written and a little scary at times. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best movies of the 1980s – and rightfully one of the outright most popular movies ever made.
Starring Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, with the likes of Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis supporting.
Before you go, check out our lists of the best Martin Scorsese movies and the best M. Night Shyamalan movies.
