Film has often been seen as a way for adults and children alike to immerse themselves into a world far away from their reality. Movies spark creativity and are one of the best things to do whenever you have some free time. 

Many well-known and beloved films are all directed, produced, or even written by some noteworthy names. For example, movie lovers all around know and appreciate the work of Guillermo Del Toro for bringing dark and eerie twists into the world of cinematography. 

He’s won an incredible amount of awards, and we are sure he will continue to come out on top. 

Here are five must-watch movies to become an expert in all things Guillermo del Toro. 

‘Cronos’

To start the spooky season on the right foot, ‘Cronos’ is a must-watch movie this weekend. Guillermo del Toro’s first feature film, this movie is about none other than vampires. However, he didn’t want to bring viewers the typical vampire narrative. In a 2018 interview with Screen Anarchy, Del Toro said he wanted this film “to be ‘counter’ to every vampire film” he had ever seen.  

The Cronos is a device that grants immortality alongside a thirst for blood. Spooky, right? This was one of the world’s first looks at the underlying theme and style behind Guillermo del Toro — fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. 

‘Pacific Rim’

‘Pacific Rim’ is a movie in which a large-scale battle ensues between humankind and monstrous sea creatures called Kaiju. For those that love a good sci-fi film, look no further. 

A classic example of Del Toro’s style, this film has action, adventure, and all the apocalyptic feel we can’t get enough of. It was released in 2013 and has since won many awards. It continues to be a fan favorite

Monsters and end-of-the-world vibes? Sign us up! 

‘Nightmare Alley’

‘Nightmare Alley’ is a remake of the 1947 film of the same name. It was released just last year, and was co-written and directed by Del Toro. It is a psychological thriller about a “grifter working his way up from low-ranking carnival worker to lauded psychic medium matches wits with a psychiatrist bent on exposing him.” Talk about a plot filled with many twists and turns. 

This film shows just how much Del Toro likes to delve into different genres and add his touch of fantasy. When asked about this project, Del Toro told the LA Times, “to abandon the whimsy and trying to preserve the beauty was a new exercise for me.” 

You can watch the film now on Hulu and HBO Max. 

‘Pan’s Labyrinth’

A personal favorite, ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ is another movie that truly captures Del Toro’s style. It is a film about a young girl who encounters a mystical maze and finds herself in a fantasy world. 

A perfect mix of horror and fantasy, this movie gives all the spooky fairytale vibes needed for the month of October. 

‘Hellboy’

For those of you that love superhero/supervillain movies but can also appreciate a good horror film, then look no further. ‘Hellboy’ is based on the graphic novel Hellboy: Seed of Destruction by Mike Mignola. The first film adaptation came to life all thanks to Guillermo del Toro. The movie is about a demon that is raised by Nazis after they opened a portal to a paranormal dimension, all in hopes of creating the “perfect weapon.”

Guillermo del Toro really can do it all. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next.