Guillermo del Toro’s Six Unmissable Films for Every Fan

Few directors throw themselves into their craft quite like Guillermo del Toro. His passion for film and art is obvious the moment you step into his home, which is packed to the rafters with paintings, sculptures, posters, and all sorts of memorabilia. From Frankenstein’s monster heads to a life-sized Ray Harryhausen and his Jason and the Argonauts skeletons, del Toro’s place—fittingly called Bleak House—looks like a gothic mansion straight out of a storybook. But inside, you’ll find not a bloodthirsty beast, but a bloke who’s mad about cinema, especially anything to do with horror and fantasy.

Del Toro’s work often blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Pan’s Labyrinth is a prime example, following a young girl who escapes the grim world around her by venturing into a magical realm filled with strange creatures. The film is a testament to del Toro’s fascination with escapism, and his own home seems just as much a labyrinth, offering a retreat from the outside world.

Monsters, Magic, and the Art of Escapism

It’s clear that del Toro’s obsession with fantasy and the supernatural runs deep. In an interview, he described his love for monsters as

“my religion”

. So it’s no shock that Pan’s Labyrinth is one of his all-time favourites. But it’s not alone—del Toro has a shortlist of six films he reckons are essential viewing, each offering a different slice of his unique vision. If you’re new to his work, these six are a cracking place to start.

The Devil’s Backbone, his 2001 gothic horror, also makes the cut. Like Pan’s Labyrinth, it centres on a child caught up in the chaos of the Spanish Civil War. The film is both moving and unsettling, with del Toro expertly balancing emotion and suspense. Crimson Peak, another gothic entry, takes a more romantic turn. Set in the Victorian era, it’s a visual feast, with dramatic costumes and lush colours that make every frame pop.

Reimagining Classics and Winning Big

Del Toro’s love for the gothic doesn’t stop there. He’s recently tackled Frankenstein, putting his own spin on Mary Shelley’s classic tale. Starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi, this project was a dream come true for the director. As he put it,

“the experience of making this film was as good or better than I ever imagined.”

Monsters are never far from del Toro’s mind, and The Shape of Water is proof. The film, which took home Best Picture and Best Director at the Oscars, tells the story of a lonely cleaner who falls for an amphibious creature. While the premise might sound odd, del Toro brings real heart to the story, exploring the need for connection in a world that can feel pretty isolating.

Blockbusters with Heart

Rounding out his top six is Pacific Rim, perhaps his most unexpected pick. It’s another monster flick, but this time with a sci-fi twist that’s more in line with Transformers than Frankenstein. Still, del Toro manages to inject artistry and depth into a genre that often gets written off as shallow. When he’s at the helm, even a blockbuster about giant robots and monsters packs a punch.