From Bad Boys to Transformers, Michael Bay is the director behind some of the most well-known action franchises and film series. While critics often erroneously reduce his work to little more than explosions and formulaic action heroes, Bay’s craftsmanship and technical filmmaking skills are paralleled by few in the industry. All of his films have a distinct style and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of every aspect of filmmaking, from set scenery to camera speed and angles.
For those interested in the films that best illustrate Bay’s skill as a director, this guide will explore his 10 best movies and where to watch them.
In recent years, Bay has shifted more to producing. He is the producer behind two of the year's most-anticipated movies: A Quiet Place: Day One and Transformers One. For the purposes of this article, though, we’ll be focusing on the films that gained him prominence as a director.
One of Michael Bay’s most enduring films is the one that started his career: Bad Boys. The 1995 buddy cop comedy starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence earned praise for its frantic pace, the dynamic between Smith and Lawrence, the extended action sequences, and the hilarious tale of two reckless detectives searching for missing narcotics. It was a substantial enough commercial success to earn three sequels, although Bay only returned to direct Bad Boys II, which further ramped up the action, dark humor, and stunning visual effects.
After his directorial debut, Bay followed up with arguably the best film of his career, The Rock. Boasting a stacked cast including Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery, the film tells the thrilling story of an Alcatraz break-in. It boasts some of the most extravagant action sequences of any Bay movie and runs at a pace that keeps the adrenaline pumping for every minute of its runtime.
Meanwhile, Pain & Gain and 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi are notable as Bay’s most mature and sophisticated movies. Pain & Gain, starring Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Mackie, and Dwayne Johnson, sees Bay expertly craft his filmmaking to convey the satirical and dark tone of the story, while 13 Hours thrillingly and heartbreakingly captures the 2012 Benghazi attacks.
Bay’s penchant for groundbreaking visual effects and larger-than-life action plots was also well-suited for the exhilarating and visually stunning Transformers. At the same time, his love of breakneck pacing elevated the Jake Gyllenhaal-led Ambulance to one unforgettable car chase thriller.
If you’re looking for more unforgettable action thrillers in Bay’s signature filmmaking style, read on for his ten best movies, ranked from the best.
