Movies with one outstanding strength: 8 films great in one category
Eight movies excellent in one area, from The Fall, Marie Antoinette and Speed Racer to Avatar, Tron: Legacy, The Great Gatsby, Valerian and Ghost in the Shell, with directors and strengths.
Some films shine in one category even when the whole is uneven. This list gathers eight movies praised for visuals, costumes, music or effects, in release order, with posters, the directors and their standout strength.
How we chose
We chose films whose single strongest element, such as cinematography, costumes, score or visual effects, drew wide praise even though the overall reception was mixed. This is not a numbered ranking, and opinions differ.
The Fall (2006)
Directed by Tarsem Singh. Standout strength: visual design.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Directed by Sofia Coppola. Standout strength: costumes.
Speed Racer (2008)
Directed by Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski. Standout strength: visual design.
Avatar (2009)
Directed by James Cameron. Standout strength: visual effects.
Tron: Legacy (2010)
Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Standout strength: soundtrack.
The Great Gatsby (2013)
Directed by Baz Luhrmann. Standout strength: production design.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
Directed by Luc Besson. Standout strength: visual effects.
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Directed by Rupert Sanders. Standout strength: visual design.
Use the posters above to decide what to watch first, and come back to rate the ones you have already seen. Share this list with friends and compare which films each of you would put first.
Frequently asked questions
What are movies that are great in only one category?
Examples include Avatar for visual effects, Tron: Legacy for its Daft Punk score, The Fall for its visuals and Marie Antoinette for its costumes.
Can a movie be worth watching for just one thing?
Yes. Many viewers watch for the craft alone, such as stunning design or music, even if the story is less convincing.
Which one has the best visuals?
The Fall and Avatar are often named for their visuals and effects, while Speed Racer is known for its bold color.
Rate these movies
Which one is your favorite? On Rankiew you can rate every film, write reviews and build your own lists.
Sources: official studio releases, filmographies and public records.
