While actors are a constant source of attention for most films, a few directors have managed to steal the spotlight due to their status as full-blown cinematic icons. Tasked with the difficult job of sharing a story with the rest of the world, directors have the responsibility of connecting with viewers of all ages and backgrounds alike.

Steven Spielberg, often seen as the best and most influential director of all time, has given audiences iconic films for decades. Ranging from action-packed movies such as “Jurassic Park” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” to more serious drama films such as “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan,” Spielberg has created decade-defining movies that have automatically become pop classics.

Quentin Tarantino has a similar ability to make movies into household names. From one of his first official films, “Reservoir Dogs,” Tarantino managed to establish himself as a paragon in the film industry.

Ever since “Reservoir Dogs,” Tarantino has been a writer and director of other highly-rated movies, such as “Pulp Fiction,” “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” “Inglourious Basterds” and “Django Unchained.” Even with a relatively small filmography, Tarantino has certainly shown that quality often trumps quantity, as he has managed to forever change the world of film.

Stanley Kubrick has similarly demonstrated that a long filmography is superfluous in some very rare cases. Having only directed 13 films, it is undeniable that Kubrick’s impact is still seen in films today.

With smash hits such as “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “The Shining,” to lesser-known gems such as “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” and “Barry Lyndon,” Kubrick has wowed audiences with his talent for storytelling and awesome attention to detail.

Kubrick had a major influence on future directors, including Francis Ford Coppola. Best known for the debatably best film of all time, “The Godfather,” Ford Coppola has been recognized by audiences and received many awards throughout his long career.

While the previously mentioned “The Godfather” is often cited as Ford Coppola’s finest work, “Apocalypse Now” and “The Godfather: Part II” certainly add to his stellar resume as a producer. Often focusing on the importance of sharing valuable and personal stories, Ford Coppola has shown the value of making movies to relate to audiences and not just for the sake of making a profit.

A friend to the aforementioned Ford Coppola, but equally if not more influential, is Martin Scorsese. He paved his way through the film industry as a leading and recognized movie maker. While often featuring foul language, drugs and violence in his films, Scorsese has consistently been noted as being the complete opposite in real life. This dichotomy comes as a big surprise for audiences, as they are often blown away by how raw his films are.

With movies such as “Taxi Driver,” “Goodfellas,” “The Departed” and “The Wolf of Wall Street,” to name a few, Scorsese has certainly proven himself a more-than-talented storyteller. With his signature use of music, unique cinematography and groundbreaking plots, Scorsese has become the paradigm director for many new and aspiring filmmakers.

Evidently, directors have the extremely important and difficult role of conveying an entire story in a span of a few hours. From Federico Fellini to the Coen Brothers, from François Truffaut to Kathryn Bigelow, and from Akira Kurosawa to Alejandro G. Iñarritu, there have been innumerable directors with immeasurable talent who have managed to transport audiences to new worlds, different time periods and even dystopian futures.

Through their massive talent, all of the filmmakers listed above have broken barriers for their fellow creators and inspired audiences for years.