Writer and director Kevin Smith has amassed one of the most dedicated fan bases in all of cult filmmaking. His films are almost like a stage play where the dialogue is the central focus. This dialogue relates to his audience, who are like him in their love of movies and pop culture entertainment. Smith has grown as a filmmaker to become a modern icon.

Starting from a convenience store in New Jersey, Smith has become the co-owner of the famous Jay and Silent Bob Secret Stash in Redbank, NJ, has starred in hit television shows such as Comic Book Men and his own acclaimed stand-up specials, and directed episodes of DC television series such as Supergirl and The Flash. Smith has also developed a cinematic universe of movies called the View Askewniverse, named after his View Askew production company.

This cinematic universe continues to grow and is made up of nine feature length films. However, movies such as Drawing Files, Scream 3, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Madness in the Method all feature cameos from the iconic duo Jay and Silent Bob, played by Jason Mewes and Smith himself. These characters are almost like Nick Fury of the MCU, tying the series together. Smith’s fanbase is massive, and he is now bringing his films back to the audience in his new movie theater in New Jersey called Smodcastle Cinemas. Each movie in his View Askewniverse tells relatable stories about love, be it platonic or romantic, culture, and movies themselves.

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9 Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie!

     Phase 4 Films

While not directed by Kevin Smith, Jay and Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie! is an animated adventure between the famous duo. Released in 2014, the film uses its silly cartoony format to tell a story fitting for the medium. Jay and Silent Bob win the lottery, literally, and become superheroes. The animated and quirky presentation is perfect to tell the story and see Bluntman and Chronic, the duo’s hero counterparts, on their adventures. This film is inspired by Smith’s comic book featuring the superheroes in action.

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8 Mallrats

     Gramercy Pictures

The second edition into the View Askewniverse is Mallrats. The film stars Jason Lee as Brodie alongside Jay and Silent Bob largely within a single mall that is hosting a dating game show. While the film features the usual banter and debates about movies and comic books, it is also a sincere love story. The film was released in 1995, just one year after the Clerks boom.

7 Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back

     Miramax

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is the first installment of the View Askewniverse to solely feature Jay and Silent Bob in their own solo adventure. While it starts in the famous convenient store, Jay and Silent Bob veer off on an adventure to seek financial retribution for the on-screen adaptation of “Bluntman and Chronic,” based on the duo’s real life counterparts. We see Jay and Silent Bob fall into a heist plot as well as a potential love interest develop for Jay. The movie has developed a cult following and proved that the duo can hold a film of their own.

6 Clerks 3

     Lionsgate

The most recent film in the View Askewniverse is Clerks 3. Dante (Brian O’Halloran) and Randall (Jeff Anderson) are back where it all started, Quick Stop Groceries. However, the film is much more layered and dramatic than the previous two installments. Taking from the real events of director Smith’s heart attack, we see how death and mortality affects these characters.

There are unexpected and emotional twists and turns, but ultimately, the film shows Randall wanting to make a name for himself by making a movie based on life in a convenience store… slightly meta and effective. This film establishes the Clerks trilogy as one of Hollywood’s most beloved, and Clerks 3 is a sweet and fitting conclusion.

5 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot

     Universal PicturesSaban Films

Jay and Silent Bob Reboot is the ultimate reunion and commentary on the age of remakes, reboots and sequels. Jay and Silent Bob go on a fairly similar adventure compared to their first, but it gets much more meta. They embark on a mission to take on Kevin Smith himself, who is making the reboot film of “Bluntman and Chronic.” Fans of the franchise got to see Kevin Smith and Silent Bob on screen at the same time, in the same room. There is also a theme of fatherhood, where Jay is made aware he had a daughter of his own who is played by Harley Quinn Smith, Smith’s actual daughter.

4 Clerks 2

Clerks 2 featured the return of fan favorites Dante and Randall, who must relocate after the Quick Stop burns down. They end up working behind the counter and the fast food restaurant Mooby’s, which has become an iconic addition to the View Askewniverse. While the original cast has returned to the film, we also are introduced to store manager Becky (Rosario Dawson) and the young Elias (Trevor Fehrman). The film uses themes and sentimental love stories to talk about belonging and breaking into the bigger world outside what is comfortable.

3 Dogma

     Lions Gate FilmsMiramax 

Dogma is perhaps the most controversial movie in Kevin Smith’s entire filmography. However, it has amassed a justifiable following despite protests by religious critics. Smith took to these protestors in a way no other filmmaker would even dare… by joining them.

2 Chasing Amy

     Miramax Films

Chasing Amy is Kevin Smith’s romantic comedy about two comic book writers Holden and Banky (Ben Affleck and Jason Lee). Holden meets and falls for Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) but love is not meant to be. The film is a love story for fans of the genre and not because Smith uses characters connected to the audience (including Jay and Silent Bob) to build a highly relatable story. A genuinely sweet and thoughtful film that’s also ribald and funny, fans often refer to the film as Smith’s best, next to the film that started it all.

1 Clerks

Clerks is Smith’s first feature length film, and its behind-the-scenes story has been endlessly inspiring to young independent filmmakers. Working around the schedule of the real life Quick Stop Groceries in New Jersey, Smith was able to make a small but impactful film that was picked up by Sundance and is now added to the Library of Congress. Its dialogue is poetic (and raunchy), its characters are iconic and the film itself is the most iconic indie made film of all time. It started Smith’s career; it did for the View Askewniverse what Iron Man did for the MCU.