Del Toro Reveals His Six Essential Films He Can't Live Without
The acclaimed director opens up about his most treasured cinematic works, from gothic horror masterpieces to monster epics that define his artistic vision.
No director lives and breathes cinema quite like Guillermo del Toro. His home, dubbed Bleak House, resembles a gothic cathedral filled with movie artifacts. Frankenstein monster heads line the walls. A life-size Ray Harryhausen figure stands guard alongside Jason and the Argonauts skeletons. This isn't just decoration. It's devotion.
The Mexican filmmaker has built his career exploring fantasy worlds that collide with harsh reality. Pan's Labyrinth remains his most celebrated work, following a young girl who discovers magical creatures while escaping the brutality of war and her mother's illness. Del Toro's own house mirrors this concept. A personal labyrinth where he retreats from the outside world.
Gothic Horror Foundations
In a Deadline interview, del Toro called his fascination with monsters "my religion." This obsession shows in his film choices. Pan's Labyrinth tops his personal favorites list, joined by five other essential works that showcase his range.
The Devil's Backbone, his 2001 gothic horror film, earns a spot for good reason. Like Pan's Labyrinth, it centers on a child during Spain's Civil War aftermath. The movie walks a tightrope between heartbreak and terror. Del Toro masters this balance better than most.
Crimson Peak takes the gothic route but adds romance instead of pure horror. The Victorian setting provides visual feast. Costumes burst with drama. Colors pop with richness. Style matters as much as story.
Modern Monster Tales
His recent Frankenstein adaptation starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi represents a career-long dream fulfilled. Del Toro told Little White Lies that "the experience of making this film was as good or better than I ever imagined." The sci-fi gothic blend shows his evolution as a storyteller.
The Shape of Water claimed both Best Picture and Best Director Oscars. Sally Hawkins plays a lonely lab worker who falls for an amphibious creature. Sounds bizarre on paper. Del Toro makes it deeply moving. Connection matters more than convention in his universe.
Unexpected Masterpiece
Pacific Rim stands as his most surprising choice. Giant robots fighting massive monsters seems far from his usual gothic sensibilities. Yet del Toro claims enormous pride in this project. The film brings artistry to a genre often lacking depth. Michael Bay's Transformers series pales in comparison. When del Toro directs, even blockbusters gain soul.
These six films represent more than career highlights. They're windows into an artist's mind. Each movie reflects his belief that fantasy can illuminate truth. Monsters reveal humanity. Darkness makes light more precious.