Alongside directing some of the most successful movies of the past few years, Joe and Anthony Russo also have an extensive catalog of successful movies that they produced, which many fans might not be aware of - particularly since most of them branch away from the duo's usual superhero genre.
The Russo Brothers' newest project, a spy thriller called The Gray Man, will be hitting Netflix soon - so now is as good a time as any to take a look through the duo's extensive collection of produced movies, and hopefully unearth a few hidden gems.
A Merry Friggin' Christmas (2014) - 2.2
Directed by Tristam Shapeero, A Merry Friggin' Christmas is undeniably one of the Russo Brothers' weakest projects to date. Not only does it fail to capture that magical holiday spirit that's so necessary for a Christmas movie to succeed, but it's also a weak technical effort with some strange storytelling decisions.
But that doesn't mean the film is all bad - Robin Williams shines opposite Joel McHale in the lead role, and the two have great comedic chemistry together. They manage to keep spirits light when the film's script is lagging behind, which often saves it from disaster.
Cherry (2021) - 2.8
Probably the Russos' most polarizing and controversial movie thus far, Tom Holland's best movie performances to date, but the story often crumbles under its own unnecessary complexity.
Cherry was also the Russo Brothers' first directorial outing since their success in the MCU, and their lack of studio involvement really shows - for better or for worse. With nobody to constrain their artistic vision, the film is full of unconventional shots and weird framing decisions that give the film a very unique tone.
21 Bridges (2019) - 3.0
Brian Kirk's 21 Bridges features one of the late Chadwick Boseman's final performances on film, and it's a powerhouse role that really gives the actor plenty of material to work with. Kirk's directorial style meshes with the Russos perfectly, creating a fun little action thriller, if nothing else.
The story might be fairly formulaic and predictable, but it's pretty easy to get lost in this thrilling story for two short hours thanks to its unrelenting intensity. It boasts several memorable set pieces, all of which are brought to life by Boseman's charm and charisma.
Assassination Nation (2018) - 3.1
Although Euphoria's Sam Levinson and starring Odessa Young, Colman Domingo, and Hari Nef, the film centers around a dangerous high school scandal that puts a whole group of teenagers at risk.
Like many of the Russos' films, Assassination Nation is full of memorable moments and eccentric characters that keep it entertaining from start to finish. There isn't a boring moment in the entire piece, which is all anyone can really ask for.
Extraction (2020) - 3.1
Chris Hemsworth shines in Sam Hargrave's Extraction, which was hailed by many as one of the best action films of the past few years. It's incredibly intense, with every shot feeling as though it was hand-crafted to squeeze as much tension and emotion out of the audience as possible.
Despite the dizzying effects of its excessively dynamic cinematography, Extraction is still an extremely fun film that represents everything the Russos excel at. Great storytelling, fun character work, and plenty of exciting action sequences make one of the best Netflix Original Thrillers out there.
Relic (2020) - 3.2
Though it isn't perfect, Relic is probably one of the most underrated films in the Russo Brothers' filmography - purely because not enough people have seen (or even know about) it. This independent horror follows the story of a mother and daughter duo who discover that their mother/grandmother has been taken over by a dark force.
Alongside some genuinely frightening and haunting scenes, Relic boasts one of the darkest and most tragic horror movie endings there is. It's a story that will stick with the audience long after it finishes, leaving them to ruminate on its gothic themes and dark imagery.
Mosul (2019) - 3.3
Matthew Michael Carnahan's Mosul tells the story of a renegade police squadron who waged war on ISIS after they destroyed their hometown - and many of the people living in it. It's both a thrilling action film and an arresting human drama, blending the violence of war with the humanity of those forced to suffer through it.
Carnahan does a great job directing Mosul, truly making the audience feel as if they're right there in the middle of the carnage, which raises the stakes a great deal. It's a film that will genuinely change the viewer's perspective on war, sacrifice, and the fight for freedom.
Captive Audience: A Real American Horror Story (2022) - 3.4
One of the only documentaries under the Russo Brothers' belt, Captive Audience tells the shocking story of one 7-year-old boy's disappearance in California - and his children's mysterious discoveries fifty years later. It's one of the most thrilling true crime stories out there, brought to life by astute direction from Jessica Dimmock.
There's no denying the tragedy of this unique story, but Captive Audience also doesn't shy away from just how twisted and unbelievable many of its gory details are. It's a real deep dive into this one man's life, and the discoveries made along the way are truly unreal.
Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) - 4.5
Not only is being hailed as one of the most popular films of 2022, but Letterboxd s have also rated the multiverse comedy as the tenth best narrative feature film of all time. The buzz surrounding A24's latest flick is incredible, and it marks a huge accomplishment in the Russos' filmography.
It's truly incredible that such a niche, independent film like Everything Everywhere has managed to gather up the popularity and acclaim that it has - particularly due to the lack of marketing and overwhelming reliance on word of mouth. But if anything, that just proves that the film's popularity is based on nothing more than quality and merit.
