Columbus Day: Chris Columbus’s Ten Best Movies

Director Chris Columbus (who once upon a time did go by Christopher, I swear I remember it) has no doubt been dodging Christopher Columbus jokes his whole life, although he’s embraced it somewhat with his 1492 Pictures banner.As a writer and director, though, he’s made a name for himself (pun intended) with a lot of middle-of-the-road fare that you might not even know any of the names behind, but it’s a nice little film that you would stop on if you saw it while channel surfing.Presented in chronological order, the ten best movies from the mind of director Chris Columbus:

The first of two films on this list where Columbus is only a screenwriter and didn’t actually direct the film by himself, Gremlins is what put him on the map in Hollywood–and for good reason. Paired with the next item on the list, just about anybody could write their ticket for a few years.

One of a small handful of feature-film musicals made in the last 20 years that actually managed to make money. I don’t get it myself, but my ex-girlfriend watched this flick at least once a week.