3. Nicolas Winding Refn
While not exactly a new director, Refn is only just coming to the attention of many moviegoers thanks to his 2011 film Drive. Refn's first film was the acclaimed 1996 film Pusher, which later became a trilogy. He made several more films in the late '90s and early '00s but his 2008 film Bronson, while not exactly a great movie, helped him gain more recognition. His 2009 film Valhalla Rising was a visually astonishing, thematically powerful work that unfortunately was seen by seemingly no one. In 2011, Refn finally broke out with Drive, starring Ryan Gosling as a get away driver. One of the most acclaimed films of 2011, Drive performed fairly well financially and cemented Refn as one of the best directors out there. Refn's 2013 follow-up film, Only God Forgives, reunites him with Gosling and is one of the years most anticipated movies.
Filmography: Pusher (1996), Bleeder (1999), Fear X (2003), Pusher II (2004), Pusher III (2005), Bronson (2008), Valhalla Rising (2009), Drive (2011), Only God Forgives (2013)