Albert and Allen Hughes are among the best filmmaking sibling duos in the history of Hollywood. After sharpening their skills by directing music videos for such artists as 2Pac in the 90s, the Hughes Brothers made their feature film debut with the gritty crime film Menace II Society in 1993.
In the interim, the siblings co-directed four more feature films together before going their separate ways to begin their solo careers in 2010. In total, ten films comprise their joint filmography, including two documentaries and one made-for-television movie.
10 New York, I Love You (2008) 6.2
While Albert and Allen would direct one more feature together in 2010, the latter began his solo career by helming a short segment of the anthology film New York, I Love You.
Hughes’ segment features Bradley Cooper and Drea de Matteo as Gus and Lydia, a pair of strangers in New York City who share a random romantic encounter one night and cannot stop thinking about the chemistry they shared. Although the movie didn’t receive the same plaudits as its predecessor Paris Je T’aime, Hughes’ segment was hailed as one of the better chapters of the film.
9 Broken City (2013) 6.2
In continuing his solo career as a director, Allen Hughes helmed the crime film Broken City in 2013. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe in a tale of rampant corruption and political intrigue.
When police officer Billy Taggert (Wahlberg) is put on trial for the murder of a rapist, the key evidence in the case is buried by powerful NYC Mayor Nicholas Hostetler (Crowe). Taggert gets off, but leaves the police force and becomes a private detective. Years later when Hostetler is up for reelection, Taggert is drawn into a web of murder and coverups and double-crossings that he must get to the bottom of before it’s too late.
8 We The Economy (2014) 6.3
Much like his brother Allen did the decade prior with New York, I Love You, Albert Hughes participated in a short-film anthology entitled We The Economy: 20 Films You Can’t Afford to Miss.
Hughes joins a large international collection of directors that includes Bob Balaban, Jessica Yu, Mary Harron, Catherine Hardwicke, Morgan Spurlock, Adam McKay, and more. Hughes’ segment is a black-and-white account of the city of Detroit, called City on the Rise, which documents the heyday of the automotive industry that has since waned dramatically.
7 American Pimp (1999) 6.7
In unison, the Hughes Bros. directed the 1999 documentary American Pimp, an unflinching look at African-American street hustlers and the eccentric personalities of various pimps across the country.
In addition to the colorful characters and their backstories, the film explores the codes and unspoken laws of pimping female prostitutes in America. The film was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize in the Documentary category at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
6 Alpha (2018) 6.7
The most recent big-screen release from either brother is Alpha, Albert Hughes’ big-budget action-adventure film starring Kodi Smit-McPhee and narrated by Morgan Freeman.
In the prehistoric era, the film revolves around the epic journey of Keda (Smit-McPhee), a young man who gets separated from his tribe during the Ice Age. As he makes a pilgrimage towards home, Keda forges an unlikely bond with an alpha dog lone wolf who helps the boy find his way. The film charts the early relation between man and man’s best friend.
5 Knights Of The South Bronx (2005) 6.8
The only made-for-television film of the Hughes Brothers to date belongs to Allen’s 2005 film Knights of the South Bronx, in which the real-life story of educator David MacEnulty is chronicled.
Ted Danson stars in the film as Richard Mason (based on MacEnulty), a dedicated Bronx elementary teacher who instructs his students to play chess at the highest level of competition. Mason not only teaches disadvantaged black students how to play chess, but he also makes a profound personal connection with them in the process.
4 From Hell (2001) 6.8
Infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper is the subject of the Hughes Brothers’ From Hell, in which the bright but drug-addled Police Inspector Frederick Abberline (Johnny Depp) slowly works to uncover the killer’s identity.
Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, the film is set in 1888 London as Jack the Ripper continues to kidnap women and mount a grisly body count. As Abberline uses eccentric methods to establish the Ripper’s murderous M.O., he is able to close in on the notorious killer in ways previous authorities could not.
3 Dead Presidents (1995) 6.9
The Hughes Brothers’ sophomore effort Dead Presidents reunites the filmmakers with Menace II Society star Larenz Tate. In the film, Tate plays a Vietnam War vet who returns home from battle to find very little opportunity for success.
As a result of his dire situation, Anthony (Tate) participates in the heist of an armored-car carrying old dollar bills taken out of circulation by the U.S. government. Along with his friends Skip (Chris Tucker), Jose (Freddy Rodriguez), Kirby (Keith David), Cleon (Bokeem Woodbine), and Juanita (Rose Jackson), the crew attempts a daring robbery that does not end well for all.
2 The Book Of Eli (2010) 6.9
The last movie Allen and Albert Hughes directed together was The Book of Eli, a post-apocalyptic action-adventure film starring Denzel Washington.
Set in a futuristic wasteland, Washington plays Eli, a blind nomadic warrior who has been traveling across the U.S. for three decades. When Eli’s sacred bible-like book that chronicles everything he’s encountered on his journey is stolen by violent mercenaries led by Carnegie (Gary Oldman), he sets out on a bloody warpath to get it back.
1 Menace II Society (1993) 7.5
The Hughes Brothers’ feature debut still ranks as their highest-rated movie to date. The story of young street criminals struggling to survive everyday life in gang-ridden Watts, California instantly put the filmmaking siblings on the Hollywood map.
Menace II Society follows Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner) and his crew over the course of a few days following his high-school graduation. With lethal violence, and drug and alcohol abuse around every corner, Caine and his fellow friends O-Dog (Larenz Tate), Ronnie (Jada Pinkett Smith), and others do everything in their power to remain alive.
