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Best Film Editor

44 ranked ·

Top-rated film editor ranked by our AI-powered scoring system.

The consensus #1 Film Editor in 2026 is Thelma Schoonmaker with a score of 9.72/10, based on Lunoo's consensus ranking of 44 entries in the Film Editor category. Walter Murch (9.65) and Michael Kahn (9.50) complete the top three.

· Re-ranked 3 days ago
#2
Walter Murch

Walter Murch

Walter Murch is a highly respected American film editor known for his meticulous approach to both visual storytelling and sound design. He significantly influen...

9.65 Brilliant
emoji_events #1
Thelma Schoonmaker

Thelma Schoonmaker

Thelma Schoonmaker is a highly respected figure in film editing, known primarily for her decades-long collaboration with Martin Scorsese. Her work has consisten...

9.72 Brilliant
#3
Michael Kahn

Michael Kahn

Michael Kahn is a highly respected American film editor known primarily for his long-standing collaboration with Steven Spielberg. His meticulous work has shape...

9.50 Brilliant
44 Items Ranked
8.4 Avg Score
8 Rated Excellent
9.7 Top Ranked Score
Summary: The best film editor in 2026 is Thelma Schoonmaker with a score of 9.72/10, followed by Walter Murch (9.65) and Michael Kahn (9.50). This ranking is based on Lunoo's AI-powered scoring system which evaluates 44 film editor across category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value. Rankings were last refreshed on Jul 4, 2026.

table_chart Top 5 at a Glance

# Name Score Price Best For
#1 Thelma Schoonmaker Thelma Schoonmaker 9.72 - -
#2 Walter Murch Walter Murch 9.65 - -
#3 Michael Kahn Michael Kahn 9.50 - -
#4 Anne V. Coates Anne V. Coates 9.45 - -
#5 Dede Allen Dede Allen 9.38 - -

leaderboard Full Film Editor Rankings

Best 1 Thelma Schoonmaker

Thelma Schoonmaker is a highly respected figure in film editing, known primarily for her decades-long collaboration with Martin Scorsese. Her work has consistently elevated the emotional and narrative impact of Scorsese’s films, earning her critical acclaim and three Academy Awards – notably for her...

2 Walter Murch

Walter Murch is a highly respected American film editor known for his meticulous approach to both visual storytelling and sound design. He significantly influenced cinematic technique with the “rule of six,” a guideline promoting rapid scene transitions in narrative filmmaking. His work on iconic fi...

3 Michael Kahn

Michael Kahn is a highly respected American film editor known primarily for his long-standing collaboration with Steven Spielberg. His meticulous work has shaped iconic cinematic moments across numerous dramas, including award-winning films like *Schindler’s List* and *Saving Private Ryan*. Kahn's e...

4 Anne V. Coates

Anne V. Coates was a highly respected British film editor recognized for her innovative work on major cinematic productions. She achieved international acclaim with her editing of David Lean’s *Lawrence of Arabia*, specifically noted for its groundbreaking match cut sequence. Coates' meticulous appr...

5 Dede Allen
Dede Allen

Dede Allen was a pioneering American film editor whose innovative rhythmic approaches significantly impacted New Hollywood cinema. She notably shaped the pacing and style of iconic films like “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Dog Day Afternoon,” earning her recognition as an influential figure within the indu...

6 Verna Fields

Verna Fields was an American film editor recognized for her pivotal work in shaping cinematic narratives. Her groundbreaking editing of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ earned her an Academy Award, establishing her as a pioneer within the industry. Fields later transitioned into executive roles at Universa...

7 Margaret Sixel

Margaret Sixel is a film editor recognized globally for her exceptional work on ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Her meticulous and innovative editing techniques significantly shaped the film’s visceral action sequences and immersive narrative. She collaborated closely with George Miller, earning an Academy Aw...

8 Nino Baragli

Nino Baragli was an Italian film editor renowned for his collaborations with Sergio Leone during the director’s iconic Western era. He significantly shaped the pacing and visual impact of landmark films such as *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* and *Once Upon a Time in the West*. His expertise made h...

9 Angus Wall
Angus Wall

Angus Wall is an American film editor who won consecutive Academy Awards for editing David Fincher's The Social Network and the 2011 film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

10 Terry Rawlings

British film editor known for Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982), both directed by Ridley Scott, and for Chariots of Fire (1981).

11 Lee Smith
Lee Smith

Australian film editor and frequent Christopher Nolan collaborator, known for The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception (2010), and Interstellar (2014).

12 Ruggero Mastroianni

Italian film editor and brother of actor Marcello Mastroianni, prolific in European cinema through long collaborations with directors Marco Ferreri and Federico Fellini.

13 Tom Cross
Tom Cross

Tom Cross is an American film editor who won the Academy Award for his dynamic work on Damien Chazelle's 2014 acclaimed drama Whiplash.

14 Arthur Schmidt

American editor Arthur Schmidt won Academy Awards for editing Robert Zemeckis's 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988) and 'Forrest Gump' (1994).

15 Sam O'Steen

American editor Sam O'Steen is known for his collaborations with Mike Nichols, including 'The Graduate' (1967) and 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1966), as well as 'Chinatown' (1974).

16 Marcia Lucas

American editor Marcia Lucas shared the Academy Award for editing 'Star Wars' (1977) with Paul Hirsch and Richard Chew, having shaped the film's pacing during post-production.

17 Gerry Hambling

British film editor who collaborated extensively with director Alan Parker, earning BAFTA recognition for work on films including Midnight Express (1978) and The Commitments (1991).

18 Gabriella Cristiani

Gabriella Cristiani is an Italian film editor who won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for Bernardo Bertolucci's 1987 epic The Last Emperor.

19 Peter Zinner

Peter Zinner was an Austrian-American film editor who won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for the 1978 Vietnam War drama The Deer Hunter.

20 Bob Murawski

American film editor who won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for Kathryn Bigelow's 'The Hurt Locker' (2009) and has frequently collaborated with director Sam Raimi.

21 Claudine Bouché

French film editor of the New Wave era who collaborated with François Truffaut on key early works including Shoot the Piano Player (1960) and Jules and Jim (1962).

22 Franco Arcalli

Franco Arcalli was an Italian film editor and screenwriter renowned for editing iconic works like Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 film Last Tango in Paris.

23 Jamie Selkirk

Jamie Selkirk is a New Zealand film editor who won the Academy Award for his work on Peter Jackson's epic 2003 fantasy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

24 William Goldenberg

William Goldenberg is an American film editor who won the Academy Award for his work on Ben Affleck's 2012 historical thriller Argo.

25 Reginald Mills

Reginald Mills was a British film editor best known for his acclaimed work on Jack Clayton's 1961 psychological horror film The Innocents.

26 Joel Cox
Joel Cox

American film editor and longtime Clint Eastwood collaborator who won the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for Unforgiven (1992).

27 Dylan Tichenor

American film editor and longtime Paul Thomas Anderson collaborator, known for Boogie Nights (1997), Magnolia (1999), and There Will Be Blood (2007).

28 Pietro Scalia

American editor Pietro Scalia won Academy Awards for editing Oliver Stone's 'JFK' (1991) and Ridley Scott's 'Black Hawk Down' (2001).

29 Paul Hirsch

American editor Paul Hirsch shared the Academy Award for editing 'Star Wars' (1977) and later cut 'Empire Strikes Back' (1980) and 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' (1986).

30 Cécile Decugis

French film editor and early New Wave figure who worked with Éric Rohmer and Jean-Luc Godard in the late 1950s and is among the first prominent female editors of that movement.

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help Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Film Editor in 2026?
According to our AI-powered rankings, Thelma Schoonmaker is currently rated as the best Film Editor with a score of 9.7/10. Other top-rated options include Thelma Schoonmaker, Walter Murch, Michael Kahn.
How are these Film Editor ranked?
Our rankings use an AI-powered scoring system that analyzes category fit, feature coverage, pricing signals, public reception, recency, and value for money. Each Film Editor receives a 0 to 10 Lunoo score.
How often are the rankings updated?
Our rankings are updated continuously as new data becomes available. Scores are recalculated regularly to ensure you always see the most current and accurate ratings.
What are the top 5 Film Editor in 2026?
The top 5 Film Editor in 2026 are: Thelma Schoonmaker, Walter Murch, Michael Kahn, Anne V. Coates, Dede Allen. These are ranked by our AI-powered scoring system based on category fit, features, pricing signals, public reception, and recency.
How many Film Editor are ranked on Lunoo?
Lunoo currently ranks 44 Film Editor, of which 8 have earned a Brilliant rating (9.0+). New options are added and scored regularly.
Which Film Editor is ranked first?
Thelma Schoonmaker is currently ranked #1 with a Lunoo score of 9.7/10 in our Film Editor rankings.
Is Thelma Schoonmaker worth it?
Thelma Schoonmaker scores 9.7/10, making it one of the highest-rated Film Editor available. Its strong rating reflects excellent performance across our evaluation criteria.
What should I look for when choosing a Film Editor?
Key factors include your specific use case, budget, features offered, ease of use, and long-term value. Our scoring system evaluates these factors objectively. Compare the top options above to find the best fit.
Are there any free Film Editor options?
Some Film Editor offer free plans or trials. Check each option's website for current pricing. Our rankings focus on overall quality regardless of price point.
What is the difference between top-rated Film Editor?
While Thelma Schoonmaker and Walter Murch are both highly rated, they differ in features, pricing, and target audience. Use our comparison tool to see detailed side-by-side differences.
Can I compare Film Editor on Lunoo?
Yes! Lunoo offers a detailed comparison tool. Click the compare icon on any two items to see a side-by-side analysis of scores, features, pros, and cons.
How accurate are Lunoo's Film Editor rankings?
Our AI-powered scoring system is calibrated against established ground truth sources and continuously improved. We analyze features, expert reviews, user feedback, and market data to provide the most objective rankings possible.

science How We Rank

Every film editor is scored across 12 weighted criteria from hundreds of verified sources:

  • Features & Capabilities - Comprehensive analysis of what each option offers
  • User Reviews - Aggregated feedback from real users across platforms
  • Expert Opinions - Professional reviews and industry recognition
  • Value for Money - Cost-effectiveness relative to features
  • Reliability & Support - Track record and customer service quality

Rankings are updated continuously as new information becomes available.

Disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings - all scores are determined by our independent AI-powered evaluation system.

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