10 Movies That Got Better With A Director’s Cut, According to Reddit

10 Movies That Got Better With A Director’s Cut, According to Reddit

With Robert Eggers recently pointing out that the theatrical cut of The Northman and his director’s cut are one and the same (via The New York Times), it’s easy to be reminded of countless films of the past that didn’t share the same fate. However, the films that released a director’s cut usually got better as a result, and Reddit users have offered some memorable examples of this.

Whether it’s Zack Snyder’s DC films, Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Kingdom of Heaven, or Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now, Reddit users have pointed out instances where a director’s cut has significantly improved a film.

Blade Runner

10 Movies That Got Better With A Director’s Cut, According to Reddit

The Ridley Scott-directed 1982 science fiction film initially underperformed, but over the years Blade Runner still holds up, and it became a cult classic that’s been improved upon due to countless re-edits and cuts. Reddit user ggroover97 mentions the 2007 Final Cut version of the film, which is the cut that “Ridley Scott had complete artistic control over”.

In comparison to the other cuts of the film, the Final Cut has the full unicorn dream sequence that Harrison Ford’s Rick Deckard experiences, restores much of the original violence, and includes the story’s ambiguous ending. While there are fans of some of the older versions of the cyberpunk neo-noir, it’s safe to say that the Final Cut is the most complete iteration of the film.

Watchmen

The main characters from Watchmen.

Zack Snyder’s 2009 film adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ 1986-1987 comic book series was initially polarizing to audiences and critics, but a director’s cut was successful in winning some of them over. Reddit user Jagermonsta indicates that the Ultimate Cut feels overly long while the “director’s cut is the way to go”.

While the theatrical cut misses some essential details and the Ultimate Cut ultimately wears thin with the Black Freighter animated sequences, the director’s cut strikes a perfect balance between the two. The additional character motivations to flesh out the film in the director’s cut does enough to keep fans of the graphic novel happy, without overstaying its welcome.

Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven poster featuring Orlando Bloom

Kingdom of Heaven is a 2005 historical epic directed by Ridley Scott, and some viewers think that it’s a prime example of a director’s cut being the best version of a film. Reddit user tobylaek says that it’s the best case they can think of “in terms of quality jump” as the director’s cut is good compared to the “unwatchable” theatrical release.

Having been highly anticipated since it was the first Scott-directed historical epic since Gladiator, the film initially received mixed reviews, but the director’s cut was seen as a vast improvement. Orlando Bloom’s Balian and Eva Green’s Sibylla were fleshed out a lot more and the pacing was improved upon heavily, which ultimately helped deem the cut as a success.

Apocalypse Now

Marlon Brando in a promotional image for Apocalypse Now.

Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now is arguably as famous for its grueling production troubles as it is for being considered among the greatest films of all time, and there are multiple cuts of the film as a result. However, Reddit user DPJ2020 indicates that “Redux is the way to go”.

While a theatrical, director’s, and final cut of the film exist as well, some viewers gravitate more towards the Redux cut as the definitive version of the film. The cut includes both extended scenes and additional scenes that aren’t present in the same way in the other versions of the film. Seeing as much of Coppola’s work on the Heart of Darkness adaptation as possible may be the least audiences can do considering what it took to get the footage in the first place.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Knightmare Batman walking through his desert base camp in Batman V Superman Dawn Of Justice

The 2016 DC superhero mashup directed by Zack Snyder was critically panned upon release, but an Ultimate Edition of the film clears up some of people’s problems with the film. Reddit user dfsmitty0711 mentions how the cut “actually gives Lois Lane something to do” and that it shows “why Superman would be blamed” for the confrontation with the mercenaries at the beginning of the film.

In addition to criticisms surrounding the tone and characterizations in the film, a lot of viewers noticed that the machinations of the plot weren’t coherent a lot of the time. With the Ultimate Edition, lots of scenes were added back into the film which got rid of most of these concerns, so audiences could find some form of solace even if some other aspects were left untouched.

Margaret

Margaret looking pensive in 2011's Margaret.

Kenneth Lonergan’s 2011 drama was moderately praised upon release, but an extended cut of the film may have cemented it as a masterwork to those who got to see it. Reddit user SpringHillFair says that while the theatrical cut left them “disappointed”, they watched the extended cut on DVD and now they “think it is a masterpiece”.

Margaret had a muddled release schedule that extended to around 6 years, partially because Lonergan was trying to find the best version of the film in the edit. However, the amount of praise that the extended cut of the film has received surely shows that the additional effort was not in vain.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Superman stops Steppenwolf's axe with his shoulder in ZSJL

After Zack Snyder had to leave the 2017 film due to a family tragedy, Joss Whedon’s original cut of Justice League was panned by both audiences and critics, but Snyder’s eventual 2021 cut was received very differently. Reddit user ggroover97 indicates that Snyder’s version of the film is the cut they “plan on rewatching in the future”.

Whedon’s cut was found to be rushed, tonally incoherent, and was criticized for its lack of characterization. However, the vocal campaign to get Snyder’s original vision to fruition proved to be at least a somewhat meaningful endeavor, as the extended runtime gave way for much-needed screen time with the Justice League characters and felt more like an overall coherent vision.

Doctor Sleep

Rose the Hat turning around in Doctor Sleep

Doctor Sleep is a 2019 horror film that is simultaneously a sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining while also being an adaptation of the original sequel novel to Stephen King’s The Shining as well. Reddit user tobylaek indicates that the director’s cut of the film is the version where it’s readily apparent that director Mike Flanagan succeeded at “fusing King’s and Kubrick’s visions together”.

Kubrick’s version was famously different from King’s novel and was more of a part of the pop culture landscape at the time, so adapting the sequel novel to the said material would have been no easy task. However, the theatrical cut was received well by critics and audiences and the director’s cut was even more so due to additional connective tissue and characterization, so it’s safe to say that Doctor Sleep is one of the best horror movie sequels.

Aliens

Ellen Ripley and the main characters from Aliens.

James Cameron’s 1986 sequel to Ridley Scott’s Alien expanded the scope of the first film and essentially made it into a franchise, and the extended cut is even better according to some viewers. Reddit user Collinisrollin07 says that it’s amazing how a mention of a daughter “can add a massive emotional weight to the story”.

Aliens was already heralded as a classic with its theatrical cut, but a few changes were made for its extended cut. The additional sentry gun scenes and Ripley’s additional characterization stand out among the differences between the cuts, however, there are still some that prefer the pacing in the original version of the film.

Daredevil

Ben Affleck in Daredevil

The 2003 Daredevil film starring Ben Affleck wasn’t received well upon its release, but a director’s cut release went a long way towards bringing the film towards respectability. Reddit user Gold_Gold indicates that the director’s cut is “still not great” but that it’s “better than the theatrical release”.

Having been released well before the popular Netflix series starring Charlie Cox started to air, the original Daredevil film attempted to bring the beloved superhero to life but was ultimately hindered by the theatrical cut. Nevertheless, the director’s cut made some much-needed improvements, such as restoring additional plot threads and grittiness to the story and increasing the focus on Matt Murdock as a character.