Best Second Films: 30 Directors Who Beat the Sophomore Slump

[Editor’s note: The following list was originally published in June 2019 but has been updated accordingly.]

A great first feature is instrumental in putting a director on the map, but a second film is more important in determining whether or not said director is the real deal or just a one-hit wonder. Perfecting the art of the second feature isn’t easy, and not every great director has succeeded. Recently, a string of promising breakout directors have returned with knockout follow-up projects that prove they are among the most exciting filmmakers working today, from Jordan Peele’s “Us” to Ari Aster’s “Midsommar,” Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse,” and Shaka King’s “Judas and the Black Messiah,” the latter of which just picked up six Oscar nominations.

More from IndieWire

• Christopher Nolan One of the First Ticket Buyers as AMC Theaters Re-Open in Los Angeles

• 'Nomadland' DP Calls Out Quentin Tarantino for Slamming Digital Cinematography

• Scorsese Helped Curate Edgar Wright and Quentin Tarantino's Movie Club with These British Films

Our list below spotlights 30 great filmmakers working today who succeeded in shattering the sophomore slump. Any list of the best second films ever made should definitely consider the titles below.

Best of IndieWire

• New Movies: Release Calendar for March 26, Plus Where to Watch the Latest Films

• Martin Scorsese's Favorite Movies: 40 Films the Director Wants You to See

• The 20 Highest Grossing Indies of 2021 (A Running List)

Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.