The Best Movies Directed By Michael Bay, Ranked
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- 1Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage, Ed HarrisIn the thrilling action-adventure The Rock, hardened FBI chemical weapons expert Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) is paired with the only man to have ever escaped Alcatraz, former British spy John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery). Their mission? To thwart a rogue group of US Marines, led by disillusioned General Francis Hummel (Ed Harris), who've seized control of Alcatraz Island and threatened San Francisco with deadly nerve gas. Directed by Michael Bay, this high-stakes thriller combines an intriguing plot with intense action sequences, making it a notable entry in the 90s action cinema.More The Rock
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- 2Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Liv TylerIn Armageddon, a NASA executive (Billy Bob Thornton) recruits a ragtag team of drillers, led by Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis), to save the world from an approaching asteroid. Meanwhile, Grace Stamper (Liv Tyler), Harry's daughter, is romantically involved with A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck), one of the team members. This action-packed sci-fi thriller, directed by Michael Bay, intertwines elements of suspense and drama as humanity's last hope embarks on a high-stakes space mission. The film won multiple awards for its visual effects and original song I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith.More Armageddon
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- 3Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Téa LeoniIn the explosive action-comedy Bad Boys, Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) form an unlikely duo. The pair are tasked with recovering stolen drugs from their precinct's secure vault, navigating a world of deadly cartels and internal corruption. Amidst high-speed car chases and intense shootouts, their distinct personalities clash, adding a layer of humor to the suspenseful narrative. Directed by Michael Bay, this film successfully merges crime drama with comedy, making it a unique entry in its genre. Despite the danger, their loyalty to each other remains unshakeable, underpinning the core theme of brotherhood.More Bad Boys
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- 4Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh DuhamelIn Transformers, an epic battle ensues between two alien races, Autobots and Decepticons, on Earth. The fate of humanity lies in the hands of a teen, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). He unwittingly becomes involved in the conflict after purchasing a car which is actually an Autobot named Bumblebee. Aided by Mikaela Banes (Megan Fox), he finds himself at the center of this intergalactic war. Directed by Michael Bay, this action-packed sci-fi adventure won a Saturn Award for Best Special Effects.More Transformers
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- 5Martin Lawrence, Will Smith, Jordi MollÃIn Bad Boys II, Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) return to the streets of Miami. This time, they're tackling the city's drug trade, infiltrating a Cuban cartel led by Johnny Tapia (Jordi Mollà ). The plot thickens when Syd (Gabrielle Union), Marcus's sister, gets entangled in their operation. Amidst high-speed car chases and explosive gunfights, the duo must navigate their personal dynamics while upholding the law. This action-packed sequel, directed by Michael Bay, heightens its predecessor's adrenaline-fueled thrills and comedic banter, earning it a place among memorable buddy cop films.More Bad Boys II
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- 6James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, Max Martini13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, directed by Michael Bay and released in 2016, dramatizes the real-life events of the 2012 Benghazi attack on a US diplomatic compound in Libya. The film focuses on a small team of CIA contractors - former military personnel who take it upon themselves to mount a desperate defense when militants assault the compound. With intense action sequences, the narrative explores themes of bravery, duty, and the chaotic nature of modern warfare. The cast includes James Badge Dale, John Krasinski, and Max Martini, who shoulder their roles with a gritty realism that underscores the harrowing ordeal faced by those involved during the siege.
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- 7Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate BeckinsalePearl Harbor (2001) is an epic war film that masterfully blends romance and action. Rafe McCawley (Ben Affleck) and Danny Walker (Josh Hartnett), are childhood friends turned Army Air Corps pilots, who find themselves in a love triangle with the beautiful nurse Evelyn Johnson (Kate Beckinsale). As their personal drama unfolds, the harrowing events of December 7, 1941 - the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor - catapult our protagonists into the throes of World War II. Directed by Michael Bay, this film won an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.More Pearl Harbor
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- 8Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon HounsouIn The Island, Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson), reside in a controlled, utopian society of the mid-21st century. Life seems idyllic until Lincoln begins questioning their existence, uncovering a disturbing truth about their purpose. They escape this fabricated paradise to seek answers in the real world, pursued relentlessly by the authorities. Directed by Michael Bay, this sci-fi thriller delves into concepts of humanity and identity, presenting a future that is as captivating as it is terrifying. The film was nominated for Best Single Visual Effect of the Year at the VES Awards.More The Island
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- 9Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John TurturroIn the third installment of the Transformers series, Transformers: Dark of the Moon is a sci-fi action spectacle. The plot centers around the Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen), as they discover a hidden spacecraft on the moon and race against time to reach it before their archenemies, the Decepticons. With humanity's fate hanging in the balance, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) joins forces with the Autobots once again. This cinematic extravaganza, directed by Michael Bay, showcases stunning visual effects and high-octane action sequences that won it an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.
- 10Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson, Ed HarrisDanny Lupo (Mark Wahlberg), manager of the Sun Gym in 1990s Miami, decides that there is only one way to achieve his version of the American dream: extortion. To achieve his goal, he recruits musclemen Paul (Dwayne Johnson) and Adrian (Anthony Mackie) as accomplices. After several failed attempts, they abduct rich businessman Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub) and convince him to sign over all his assets to them. But when Kershaw makes it out alive, authorities are reluctant to believe his story.More Pain & Gain
- 11
Ambulance
Jake Gyllenhaal, Yahya Abdul-Mateen, Eiza GonzálezNeeding money to cover his wife's medical bills, a decorated veteran teams up with his adoptive brother to steal $32 million from a Los Angeles bank. However, when their getaway goes spectacularly wrong, the desperate thieves hijack an ambulance that's carrying a severely wounded cop and an EMT worker. Caught in a high-speed chase, the two siblings must figure out a way to outrun the law while keeping their hostages alive. - 12Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Mélanie LaurentSix individuals from all around the globe, each the very best at what they do, have been chosen not only for their skill, but for a unique desire to delete their pasts to change the future.
- 13Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh DuhamelIn Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons escalates, threatening the very fabric of human civilization. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), a young man entangled in their cosmic conflict, finds himself at the epicenter once again. With Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) leading the valiant Autobots, they join forces with humans to prevent the resurrection of an ancient Decepticon named The Fallen (voiced by Tony Todd). This science-fiction action blockbuster, directed by Michael Bay, intricately weaves explosive spectacle with a tale of heroism and destiny.
- 14Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Li BingbingAfter an epic battle, a great city lies in ruins, but the Earth itself is saved. As humanity begins to pick up the pieces, a shadowy group emerges to try to take control of history. Meanwhile, an ancient and powerful new menace sets its sights on Earth. A new group of humans, led by Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg), helps Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and the Autobots rise up to meet their most fearsome challenge yet: a worldwide war of good versus evil.
- 15
Transformers: The Ride - 3D
Hugo Weaving, Tom Kenny, James RemarTransformers: The Ride - 3D is a 2012 action film directed by Michael Bay. - 16
Transformers: The Last Knight
Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh DuhamelHumans are at war with the Transformers, and Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving the future lies buried in the secrets of the past and the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Now, it's up to the unlikely alliance of inventor Cade Yeager, Bumblebee, an English lord and an Oxford professor to save the world.
