His first movie was 2007s Shotgun Stories, about a feud between two families of half-brothers in rural Arkansas, and he then followed up with 2011s Take Shelter, a story about a young father whose visions of an apocalyptic terror could either be prophetic, or delusional. Most recently though, he made Mud, a coming of age story in which two teenage boys encounter a mysterious fugitive. Jeff Nichols work possesses all the heart of Spielberg, all the psychological depth of Fincher, and all the Coens love an admiration for classic Americana. Hes a rock-solid storyteller, and when it comes to directing, he's incredibly talented. In 2016, Nichols is once again teaming up with actor Michael Shannon to make Midnight Special, a movie about a father who becomes a fugitive in order to protect his superpowered young son. If youre a fan of E.T., Superman, Michael Shannon, or sci-fi films in general, you should absolutely be looking forward to it. Are there any other directors you think deserve to be on this list? Comment below and let me know.