The life and work of Francis Ford Coppola: every film in order, from The Godfather to Megalopolis
Who is Francis Ford Coppola? His life and essential films in order, from The Godfather and Apocalypse Now to Bram Stoker's Dracula and Megalopolis, with his Oscars, his style and where to start.
Francis Ford Coppola is an American director, screenwriter and producer, born on April 7, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. He made The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now, one of the most remarkable runs in film history, and founded the studio American Zoetrope. This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
Francis Ford Coppola at a glance
- Born: April 7, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, United States
- Known for: The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Conversation, Apocalypse Now and Bram Stoker's Dracula
- Signature: epic family sagas, lavish productions pushed to the edge, moral decay in the shadows and chiaroscuro lighting
- Honors: the Oscar for Best Director for The Godfather Part II, the Best Picture Oscar as a producer of The Godfather Part II and the Palme d'Or at Cannes for The Conversation and Apocalypse Now
Early life and career
Coppola studied film at UCLA and began in low-budget horror produced by Roger Corman. He won an Oscar for co-writing Patton (1970) before directing The Godfather. In 1969 he founded American Zoetrope with George Lucas, a studio meant to give directors more freedom. His family is full of film talent: his daughter Sofia Coppola is an Oscar-winning writer and director, and actors Talia Shire and Nicolas Cage are his sister and nephew.
The films, era by era
The Godfather (1972)
The Corleone family, patriarch Vito and his youngest son Michael, rule a New York crime empire. One of the most acclaimed films ever made, it won three Oscars including Best Picture.
The Conversation (1974)
A surveillance expert, played by Gene Hackman, grows paranoid about a recording he made. It won the Palme d'Or and is a landmark of 1970s paranoia thrillers.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
It follows young Vito Corleone's rise in New York while Michael tightens his grip. It won six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Coppola.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Captain Willard travels upriver in Vietnam to find the renegade Colonel Kurtz, with Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando. A famously troubled production that won the Palme d'Or.
The Outsiders (1983)
Teenage gangs of Tulsa in the 1960s, adapted from the S. E. Hinton novel. It launched many young stars, including Matt Dillon, Tom Cruise and Patrick Swayze.
Rumble Fish (1983)
A former gang leader in a decaying town and his younger brother, shot in black and white. A moody companion piece to The Outsiders, filmed at the same time.
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
Kathleen Turner plays a woman who faints at a reunion and wakes up in 1960. A warm time-travel comedy with Nicolas Cage in an early role.
The Godfather Part III (1990)
Michael Corleone tries to make his empire legitimate in the 1970s and cannot escape his past. It closes the trilogy and earned seven Oscar nominations.
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
A lavish, romantic vision of the vampire legend, with Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder and Anthony Hopkins. It won three Oscars for costumes, makeup and sound editing.
Megalopolis (2024)
A visionary architect tries to rebuild a futuristic New York, with Adam Driver. Coppola's personal passion project, which he spent decades developing and premiered at Cannes in 2024.
Francis Ford Coppola movies in order
- The Godfather (1972)
- The Conversation (1974)
- The Godfather Part II (1974)
- Apocalypse Now (1979)
- The Outsiders (1983)
- Rumble Fish (1983)
- Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
- The Godfather Part III (1990)
- Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
- Megalopolis (2024)
What defines a Francis Ford Coppola film?
- Epic family stories. Power, loyalty and betrayal inside families, from the Corleones to Dracula.
- Ambition at any cost. Huge shoots, risky budgets and a willingness to bet his own money on the film.
- Light and shadow. Warm, dark interiors and heavy contrasts, created with cinematographer Gordon Willis.
Frequently asked questions about Francis Ford Coppola
Who is Francis Ford Coppola?
Francis Ford Coppola is an American director, screenwriter and producer, born on April 7, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan. He made The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Conversation and Apocalypse Now, one of the most remarkable runs in film history, and founded the studio American Zoetrope. This guide follows his career film by film, with posters, so you can see where to start.
When and where was Francis Ford Coppola born?
Francis Ford Coppola was born on April 7, 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up near New York City.
What is Francis Ford Coppola's best movie?
Most critics and fans choose The Godfather or The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now has its own devoted following. There is no single answer, so rate them on Rankiew and build your own ranking.
Which Francis Ford Coppola movie should I watch first?
Start with The Godfather and watch Part II right after it. Then try Apocalypse Now for war, The Conversation for a tight thriller and Bram Stoker's Dracula for a gothic romance.
Did Francis Ford Coppola win the Oscar for Best Director?
Yes, once as director, for The Godfather Part II (1974). He has also won Oscars for writing Patton and The Godfather, and The Godfather and Part II won Best Picture.
Rate every Francis Ford Coppola movie
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own list of Francis Ford Coppola movies.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
