Directors in Hollywood have the tendency to come and go; one minute they’re releasing box office hits and the next they’re gone with the wind. The filmmakers with a real, authentic voice and unique point-of-view are the ones that make a lasting impact. Oftentimes, celebrity entertainers decide to shift gears and put on the director’s hat, such as famed actors Ben Affleck and Rob Reiner, or funnyman Jordan Peele. There is no guarantee these ventures will be rewarding, but the bravest decide to roll the dice and embrace the odds.

While many great debuts continue to premier in the independent world, Tinsel Town is still the place where creators and exclusive minds flock to, all vying to produce the next cinematic masterpiece. With such a prestigious pool to choose from, it can be a heady task analyzing the directorial debuts of filmmakers. Some of the most profound and praised directors of all time got their start with riveting and groundbreaking debut ventures before going on to find continued success. Outside of the more obscure and decidedly artistic world of cinema, these are the best popular debut movies from first-time filmmakers.

10 The Iron Giant (Brad Bird)

Heavily regarded as a modern animated classic, 1999’s The Iron Giant may not have found financial success at the box office but it did achieve critical acclaim and a cult-like following. Brad Bird’s directorial debut takes place during the Cold War in 1957 and follows a young boy who stumbles upon a giant alien robot, ultimately befriending him. The Iron Giant was praised for its stunning animation, characters, and the voice performances of A-list names like Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., John Mahoney and Vin Diesel. The film served as a stepping stone for Bird’s directorial career, as he would go on to helm successful, big-name titles like The Incredibles and its sequel, Ratatouille, Mission Impossible–Ghost Protocol, and Tomorrowland.

9 Gone Baby Gone (Ben Affleck)

Famous for his many memorable films, actor Ben Affleck made a career pivot when he put on the director’s hat for 2007’s Gone Baby Gone. Affleck co-wrote the script in addition to directing, with the film being based on the 1998 Dennis Lehane novel of the same name. The movie follows two private investigators who are searching for a young girl abducted from her mother’s apartment in Boston, with a cast including Ben’s brother Casey Affleck, in addition to Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, and Amy Ryan. Affleck’s directorial debut was praised by critics and received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination, and the director would go on to create hits like The Town, the Oscar winning Argo, and Live by Night.

8 Get Out (Jordan Peele)

Critical darling Jordan Peele is known for his comedic skills, having been one-half of the beloved sketch comedy duo/show Key & Peele. The funnyman decided to branch out and embrace the horror genre with the release of his 2017 directorial debut Get Out. The landmark film follows a young black man who uncovers shocking realities and secrets when he meets the family of his white girlfriend. Both thought-provoking and frightening, Peele crafted a debut that tackled racism, while also paying homage to classic horror films. Get Out earned the director his first Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, which is still considered one of the best scripts of the 21st century. His new film Nope is hotly anticipated.

7 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Mike Nichols)

Adapted from the Edward Albee play of the same name, Mike Nichols’ directorial debut featured an iconic cast of Hollywood’s finest, including couple Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, whose utterly wild relationship probably helped elevate their performances here. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe? depicts the late night gathering of a college history professor (Burton) and his wife (Taylor), the daughter of the university’s president. The film was nominated for 13 Oscars and won 5, with Nichols’ debut being heralded as brilliant and poignant. The famed director didn’t slow down after his juggernaut debut, winning the Best Director Oscar the next year for The Graduate and gradually becoming one of very few entertainers who has won the EGOT: the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

6 Sixteen Candles (John Hughes)

Beloved director and coming-of-age-movie extraordinaire John Hughes ruled Hollywood in the 80s with iconic and treasured works that still remain cinema staples. He got his start with the 1984 classic Sixteen Candles, starring Hughes’ muse Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall and Michael Schoeffling. Telling the story of a girl’s less-than-sweet 16th birthday, the 80s staple helped catapult both the leads and Hughes to superstardom. Hughes would once again team up with Ringwald and Hall in his next effort, the iconic masterpiece The Breakfast Club. The director’s later works would include quintessential teen flicks like Weird Science and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, as well as classics like as Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Uncle Buck.

Related: Here's Where the Cast from The Breakfast Club Is Today

5 Night of the Living Dead (George A. Romero)

Iconic pioneer of the horror film genre, George A. Romero is considered the “Father of the Zombie Film” and has an extensive and lucrative Hollywood resume. He got his start back in 1968, with the independent horror classic Night of the Living Dead, which he wrote, directed, photographed and edited. Heavily regarded as the first modern zombie film, the movie was a critical and financial hit for Romero and kicked off a franchise that would spawn hit sequels (including an upcoming one) and inspire several remakes. The famed creature-feature director would continue his reign in Hollywood horror, helming hits like The Crazies and Creepshow.

Related: Animated Night of the Living Dead Movie Voice Cast Revealed

4 Orson Welles, Citizen Kane (1941)

Arguably one of the most talented minds to come out of the Golden Age of Hollywood, Orson Welles was a renowned director, actor, producer and screenwriter known for his innovative radio work and skills both in front of and behind the camera. His first feature film, Citizen Kane, is considered one of the greatest movies ever made, starring Welles himself in the lead role. Initially not a box office success, it found critical acclaim upon and returned to public attention when French critics praised the film, ultimately leading to its re-release. Welles only continued his directorial reign with future masterpieces like The Lady from Shanghai, Touch of Evil and Chimes at Midnight.

3 John Huston, The Maltese Falcon (1941)

Ultimate film noir classic The Maltese Falcon was the directorial debut of John Huston, a rebel in the Hollywood industry who went on to have a 46-year career. This debut graced the silver screen in 1941 and told the tale of a San Francisco private detective as he goes head-to-head with three men seeking a jewel-encrusted falcon statue. With one of Tinsel Town’s finest, Humphrey Bogart, appearing as the iconic Sam Spade, The Maltese Falcon is considered the first major film noir and skyrocketed Huston’s career, leading to acclaimed films like The Asphalt Jungle, The African Queen, and The Misfits, among a slew of others.

2 This is Spinal Tap (Rob Reiner)

Cult classic American mockumentary This is Spinal Tap was the directorial debut of Rob Reiner, an actor who first rose to prominence on the beloved sitcom show All in the Family. Reiner shifted gears when he took on directing duties for the 1984 film, which follows fictional English heavy-metal band Spinal Tap as they embark on an American tour. This is Spinal Tap satirizes the rock band persona and subsequent VH1-style documentaries, with much of the film’s dialogue humorously improvised. Upon its release, the mockumentary found critical acclaim, becoming the first of many successful Reiner films. The actor and director would go on to direct some of Hollywood’s most beloved classics, like Stand by Me, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride, proving himself as one of the most talented directors in cinema history.

1 Reservoir Dogs (Quentin Tarantino)

Considered one of the most influential directors of his generation, Quentin Tarantino is famous for his love of kung fu, stylized violence and dark humor. He made his directorial debut back in 1992 with the independent cult classic Reservoir Dogs, which featured an ensemble cast including Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn and Steve Buscemi. The crime drama follows a group of diamond thieves whose planned jewelry heist goes tragically wrong, and features many of Tarantino's favorite hallmarks: heaping amounts of profanity, pop culture references galore, and nonlinear storytelling. Reservoir Dogs was a critical success and earned numerous accolades, helping kickstart Tarantino’s directorial career and unique flair. His ever-growing and beloved film repertoire now features smash hits like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds, and Django Unchained.