Roger Deakins Movies, Ranked

12 films, ranked on my own star ratings by Arwin Edward Bagaslao. Updated 2026-04-20.

Roger Deakins is one of those cinematographers whose work can make me notice the image right away. There is usually so much clarity, control, texture, and atmosphere in the way his films look, but this ranking is not me saying every film he

1. 1
   Sicario (2015)

   ★★★★★
2. 2
   The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

   ★★★★½
3. 3
   Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

   ★★★★

   Denis Villeneuve did not waste time world building on the first few frames.

4. 4
   1917 (2019)

   ★★★★
5. 5
   Skyfall (2012)

   ★★★★

   Now this is a proper opening! Controlled and allowing the action to breathe, unlike the opening of Quantum of Solace with its super shaky camera movements and fast cuts.

6. 6
   Prisoners (2013)

   ★★★★

   From the first frame, you can already feel Denis Villeneuve’s fingerprints: the cold blue palette and the lonely silhouettes.

7. 7
   In Time (2011)

   ★★★★
8. 8
   Rango (2011)

   ★★★

   An animated film with a strong western motif, elevated by Roger Deakins’ lighting, which makes it feel surprisingly cinematic.

9. 9
   No Country for Old Men (2007)

   ★★½

   The film starts off like a painting: a vast desert drenched in silence and gold.

10. 10
    Jarhead (2005)

    ★★½

    The training sequence is engaging. It almost feels like a coming of age story, pero military training version.

11. 11
    The Big Lebowski (1998)

    ★★

    Jeff Bridges here really reminds me of Joaquin Phoenix in Inherent Vice.

12. 12
    Fargo (1996)

    ★★

    It is nice to see William H. Macy taking a lead role.