With a Palme d’Or win for Anora in 2024 and a mounting awards season campaign that could earn him a long-overdue Oscar nomination for Best Director, Sean Baker is undeniably having his moment. The buzz surrounding Anora—a likely contender for Best Picture and a potential breakout for its lead, Mikey Madison—cements Baker’s place as one of the most vital voices in contemporary cinema. Much like Ari Aster (Hereditary, Midsommar) and Josh and Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems), Baker feels poised to join the pantheon of directors who are shaping the future of the industry.
This moment isn’t entirely new for Baker, of course. The Florida Project turned heads in 2017, bringing him indie acclaim and solidifying his reputation for empathetic, humanistic storytelling. But Anora marks his first true crossover into the mainstream, putting him on the cusp of becoming a household name. His ability to craft deeply intimate, character-driven narratives while highlighting the complexities of marginalized communities has made him one of the most exciting filmmakers working today.
With Baker’s earlier works currently available to stream on The Criterion Channel, now is the perfect time to revisit his filmography. His career is a testament to consistent growth, with each project building on the last in scope and ambition. From his scrappy indie beginnings to the richly cinematic triumphs of his recent work, Baker’s filmography offers a fascinating journey worth exploring.
So, in celebration of his well-deserved rise to prominence, here’s a ranking of Sean Baker’s movies from worst (but still remarkably good!) to best.
7. Prince of Broadway (2008)
Sean Baker’s Prince of Broadway serves as a fascinating blueprint for the themes and techniques he would later refine in his career. As Baker’s second feature, the movie provides an early look at his distinctive ability to blend chaos, intimacy, and authenticity into his storytelling. It’s a work that feels vital, a glimpse of an auteur beginning to explore the layers of the human experience through characters navigating the margins of society.
Read our review of Prince of Broadway (2008).
6. Take Out (2004)
With Take Out, Sean Baker establishes himself as a filmmaker deeply attuned to the lives of those on the fringes of society. It’s a deeply empathetic and quietly powerful film that, while not as polished as his later works, serves as a compelling introduction to his unique voice.
Read our review of Take Out (2004).
5. Tangerine (2015)
4. Red Rocket (2021)
The challenges for viewers with Red Rocket will come from the subject matter. Some might walk out within the first ten minutes, while others may be shocked but impressed as they leave the theater. I fall into the latter category. Red Rocket is entertaining, hilarious, and brilliantly crafted by a director who continues to push boundaries and create fresh, innovative art.
Read our review of Red Rocket (2021).
3. Starlet (2012)
2. Anora (2024)
Anora is a film that announces Sean Baker as one of cinema’s pinnacle filmmakers. It’s a starry movie that puts you through the ringer and makes you feel just about every emotion possible. It’s grandiose filmmaking at a very high degree of execution. Baker likes to explore similar themes and character types with each of his films, and he’s never been so clear as to why he finds these particular stories so fascinating.
Read our review of Anora (2024).
1. The Florida Project (2017)
More Director Movie Rankings from Cinephile Corner
Cinephile Corner has ranked movies from the following directors:
- Paul Thomas Anderson
- Wes Anderson
- Ari Aster
- Sean Baker
- Noah Baumbach
- Damien Chazelle
- Joel and Ethan Coen
- Gareth Edwards
- Robert Eggers
- David Fincher
- Alex Garland
- Greta Gerwig
- Jonathan Glazer
- James Gray
- Luca Guadagnino
- Joseph Kosinski
- Stanley Kubrick
- David Lynch
- Christopher Nolan
- Jordan Peele
- Riley Stearns
- Denis Villeneuve
- Edgar Wright