8. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

Based on the 60’s television series, the film follows Henry Cavill’s Napoleon Solo and Armie Hammer’s Illya Kuryakin, two agents from the United States and Russia who have to work together at the height of the Cold War to face a greater threat. The film is the classic example of style over substance and is a huge disappointment for what could’ve been accomplished. Ritchie’s directing seems off from the opening moments. His quick pace usually adds to the excitement of the film and characters but here it just trudges along on auto mode. He speeds past interesting scenarios and misses the chance to fully transport the viewer. While there are some beautiful locations and costumes, the film gets pretty repetitive and boring as it moves on.

7. Revolver (2005)

After the terrible 'Swept Away', Ritchie returned to his crime films with Jason Statham and his full set of hair in a revenge thriller that’s more mature and ambiguous than his earlier classics. While serving a seven year sentence for a crime he didn’t commit for crime boss Macha, played by Ray Liotta, Jake Green, played by Statham, acquires an unbeatable formula which he uses successfully to get wealthy once he gets out. Going into this film one expects the return to the witty black comedy and all out craziness of 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch' but what we get is a more meditative film that’s less engaging and tough to understand. There isn’t as much violence or action as those two or any memorable characters aside from Mark Strong’s scene stealing performance.

6. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Ritchie’s latest film in another studio attempt at launching a new franchise didn’t go so well. On screen and at the box office, 'King Arthur' sees the director’s energetic style get the best of him at times but is still an entertaining yarn. A new incarnation of the classic legend, Charlie Hunnam plays the titular hero who’s unaware of his legacy until fate leads him to Excalibur, which he draws from the stone. Ritchie’s fast-paced action style may have worked well with 'Sherlock Holmes', but with 'King Arthur' it becomes a little too much. The film barely takes a second to breathe or to indulge in its characters, which mostly end up being stereotypes or caricatures. Some of the action scenes fly by so fast you can barely keep up or know what’s going on.

5. Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Taking a more Hollywood approach, Ritchie’s 'Sherlock Holmes' takes the classic character and turns him into an action hero who’s as skilful with his wit as he is with his hands. As Sherlock Holmes, played by Robert Downey Jr., and Dr. John Watson, played by Jude Law, wrap up their last case together. While true fans may not care for this blockbuster retelling, Ritchie is perfectly matched with the script that updates the story for modern audiences with a period setting. You can sense everyone having a blast, especially Ritchie who utilizes all his trademarks with well-thought-out camerawork, precise editing, and a quick pace that moves things along swiftly. And the 1890 London backdrop looks exquisite.

4. RocknRolla (2005)

Returning to what he does best, 'RocknRolla' sees Ritchie incorporating an ensemble cast with shady characters, fast dialogue, double crossings and a London setting in the criminal underworld. It’s set in the then-global crisis where there’s money to be made. Featuring a powerful cast that includes Tom Wilkinson, Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Jimi Mistry, Toby Kebbell and Mark Strong, 'RocknRolla' is a true return to form after some misses. Ritchie serves up the same cast of lowlifes where nothing ever goes according to plan. A much more mature and darker film than 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' and 'Snatch', the film still possesses Ritchie’s sense of black comedy and violence.

3. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Doubling up on the action, wittiness and fun, 'A Game of Shadows' embraces its predecessor’s eccentricity tenfold and is all the better for it. Improving on its flaws and raising the stakes, Ritchie delivers one of the most enjoyable sequels. Teaming up with a gypsy, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson chase their cunning archnemesis Professor Moriarty across Europe to foil his intricate plans to start the next world war. Set up in the previous film with some foreshadowing just to show what a genius Moriarty is, Holmes meets his match in a game of wit and physicality. Most critics thought the first film was stronger and to be frank, they’re wrong. 'A Game of Shadows' makes for a better film with the chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law flowing more smoothly. The humour is a perfect balance of wit and silliness.

2. Snatch (2000)

After the success of his debut-feature, 'Snatch' sees Ritchie getting a bigger budget and returning to the London criminal world with a bigger ensemble cast where violence and idiocy are all in a day’s work. Two unlicensed boxing promoters get forced into organising a rigged bare-knuckle fight for kingpin. Everything goes wrong when One Punch Mickey O’Neal starts playing by his own rules. WIth a big cast, including Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Benicio Del Toro, Stephen Graham and Alan Ford, 'Snatch' is a complete blast with Pitt giving one of his best performances as a fast-talking Irish Gypsy boxer who basically speaks in tongues. While 'Snatch' is very similar to 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' with a lot of that cast returning to play similar characters, it never feels like a rehash. It deserves to be up there with some of the best British crime films and showcases what an excellent writer and director Ritchie can be.

1. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Introducing the world to Guy Ritchie, Jason Statham, a former diver; Vinnie Jones, a former international soccer player; and produced by producer/director Matthew Vaughn, for better or for worse 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' is Ritchie’s best film. Impressing investors with his short film, Ritchie got the necessary funds to make his first feature. With a gritty colour palette that highlights the reality of the London underworld, some people have found it off-putting but that only robs them of a truly unique film. Sure, we’ve seen this before but not quite like this. The script roars with witty dialogue, monologues and comebacks with a spectacular ensemble cast. With all the imitators of the 90s, 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' never feels like it’s copying anything, but is more influenced, becoming its own beast in the process. Low-budget indie filmmaking at its best, it’s a true classic.