Steven Spielberg is arguably the greatest director of all time. He has given audiences nearly 50 years of some of the most popular films in our cultural zeitgeist.
Creating blockbusters, war epics, historical adventures and dramatic period pieces, Spielberg has been a name brand to numerous generations.
His role as a producer has also given us Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, Back to the Future, Poltergeist and The Goonies. Spielberg is a brand everyone knows (and most people love) and I am not ashamed to admit his films, all 34, have left me happy … even if I had problems with a few of them.
Spielberg will forever live as a big kid with a great maturity, pumping out everything from joyous adventures to serious drama. So grab your fedoras, hop on the Orca and fly with me to Neverland, as I rank all 34 Steven Spielberg films. Major spoilers ahead!
- Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – 2008
Hey, everyone has a miss, and, to me, this is Spielberg’s only miss. This movie pisses so many Indy fans off so much because it’s just lazy. Harrison Ford didn’t give a crap, Shia LeBeouf is incredibly ludicrous and Cate Blanchett…well, the less I say, the better. I understand the alien motif, as this made sense for the 1950s setting, but Lord, this movie sucks visually and structurally.
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park – 1997
Okay, so, I like this movie. I really do. The reason it’s so low is because it came after the original Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List, two of Spielberg’s best. While The Lost World boasts better special effects and some awesome dinosaur destruction, the characters, led by Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm, fall flat on their face. It’s hard to care about anyone other than the giant monsters.
- The Terminal – 2004
This is a film that succeeds solely on Tom Hanks. The Terminal is a good movie but it’s a step down for Spielberg. Nothing memorable here, aside from the plot point that Hanks is stuck in JFK Airport because he can’t enter the United States or return to his native country because of a sovereign debate.
- Twilight Zone: The Movie – 1983
Yes, I’m aware he didn’t direct this whole film, and that’s what puts it so low on the list. Spielberg directed the segment “Kick the Can,” literally about the game of the same name (and a remake of an old Twilight Zone episode). This segment shows Spielberg’s whimsical attitude; his love for being a “big kid,” as he’s been called. The fact that joy and terror can be spread through generations is something that makes this segment so enjoyable.
- Amistad – 1997
One of Spielberg’s more beautiful films, the problem with Amistad is, it’s probably his least accessible. Boasting a great cast and uncomfortable look at slave trade, Amistad is a hard watch. High points include any scene with Djimon Houston, the crux of the slaves and seeing a really young Chitwetel Ejiofor.
- 1941 – 1979
It’s amazing how hated this film is; I just don’t get it. Set in Los Angeles directly following the Pearl Harbor attacks, 1941 is a comedy that goes full lunacy. Every actor goes balls out, especially John Belushi as Wild Bill Kelso. It’s hard to pinpoint why this movie is so funny and maybe that’s a good thing. Audiences and critics at the time maybe just didn’t get it but it’s just another notch on Spielberg’s belt, proving he can transcend genres and make anything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2IsaZgWwFc
- Always – 1989
I’m going to be honest; I had to rent Always before this piece, as it was the only one I hadn’t seen. Always is a different Spielberg film (you’ll be hearing that a lot), a romantic-war film that focuses on the afterlife. It’s particularly gut-wrenching when the deceased Pete, played by Richard Dreyfuss must spiritually guide a new WWII pilot on his missions, all the while watching this man fall in love with his former girlfriend. Aside from story, Always is nothing to write home about but it’s still enjoyable from beginning to end.
- The BFG – 2016
From one of Roald Dahl’s best books comes one of Spielberg’s most mediocre films. Yes, friends, The BFG is a hard film to review (which I did for this site). It blends the incredible Spielberg magic we all know and love (e.g. a child finding something magical adults don’t understand) with beautiful CGI. Mark Rylance (apparently Spielberg’s new go-to) is great as the titular character, as is Ruby Barnhill. I think the problem is, if you’ve read the book you’ve seen the movie and a lot of the books key scenes are tossed aside. (Read Pop Break’s review here.)
- War Horse – 2011
Another great war epic, this time set during World War I. War Horse again blends two different Spielberg motifs. The war vibe is enthralling, as is the boyhood story that fills up much of the film. I quite enjoy this movie, but it can be slow at points and isn’t fondly remembered like many of his other films. (Read Pop Break’s review here.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvHW3T5qoWA
- The Sugarland Express – 1974
This is Spielberg’s first feature film AND his first collaboration with John Williams. Bet you didn’t know that! Oh right, the movie! This one is a bit different, as you can see a very young director trying to find the right vibe. Spielberg makes mistakes here and yet, that’s what makes the film so interesting to watch. It has been compared to Bonnie & Clyde and is also based on real events, characterizing known people as lawless yet sympathetic.
- The Adventures of Tintin – 2011
A forgotten Spielberg film, and his only venture into directing animation, Adventures of Tintin is a really fun adventure. I grew up reading the source material and Spielberg handles it with car. It’s beautifully made, acted incredibly well (especially the motion capture of Andy Serkis) and filled with an amazing narrative. Many haven’t seen this; I think you should. (Read Pop Break’s review here.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP_B5lVlCBc
- Amblin’ (Short Film) – 1968
Some would say this is cheating; I disagree. Some may recognize the name as Spielberg’s production company. That all started here, with a 26-minute short film about two hitchhikers heading to the Pacific Coast to, well, who knows. There is no spoken dialogue, only the song that opens and ends the film. It’s really hard to get a hold of, but the first film by one of the greatest directors of all time is a must see.
- War of the Worlds – 2005
This is an AWESOME remake. I don’t care what anyone says. It looks beautiful, Tom Cruise is fantastic and it’s scary as hell. The scene where Cruise is running down a street and dodging blasts from the giant aliens is full-fledged insanity. The dynamic between father and son is beautiful (probably taken from Spielberg’s own family life, like many of his films) and the visuals are still fantastic, unlike many others from the mid-2000’s.
- The Post – 2017
Spielberg’s latest award circuit venture, The Post, chronicles The Washington Post’s handling of The Pentagon Papers. This is subject matter incredibly relevant in today’s political climate, even if it took place in the 1960’s. Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks are their usual brilliant selves and the film is shot and scored fantastically. It might be boring for some viewers, but Spielberg can make a political thriller as good as anyone, as you’ll see with this, and the next two entries. (Read Pop Break’s review here).
- Bridge of Spies – 2015
How is it possible that I had never heard of Mark Rylance before this film? He seems to be all over an Amblin productions now, and it’s well deserved. This political thriller focuses on the Red Scare of 1950s. It puts an eye on the fear America was in and how hard it was for an American lawyer (Hanks) to balance his patriotism and his duty to the law. This film is quite alarming and, at times, downright scary with the way Spielberg directs the American fear that resonates with this audience. (Read Pop Break’s review here).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUlLByD2JC8
- Lincoln – 2012
Daniel Day-Lewis. Need I say more? The man himself was so “in character,” Spielberg referred to him as Mr. President. Sally Field is fantastic as the crazy Mary Todd Lincoln. What makes this film stand apart from the others, however, is the love paid to Lincoln. He wasn’t a perfect man, as some think, and Spielberg captures that in one of his longest films that, despite a huge runtime, doesn’t feel 2 ½ hours long. (Read Pop Break’s review here).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KXG_RQ3seQ
- Duel (TV Movie) – 1971
Okay, enough political thrillers. Now, just straight thriller that is balls to the wall from the moment Dennis Weaver hits the road after a pit stop, and is terrorized by a truck driver with an unknown vendetta. The game of high-speed cat and mouse is just as intense as it sounds, culminating in an epic and violent ending. Spielberg was a made man after this, showing producers just how much potential, he had.
- A.I. Artificial Intelligence – 2001
This was originally supposed to be directed by Stanley Kubrick. I constantly wonder if it would have different, or the product Spielberg put out was the vision all along. Either way, a sci-fi drama about an android who was uniquely created to feel love and compassion is just as beautiful as it sounds. Again, the man is known for creating such wonder and beauty with his child actors and Haley Joel Osment, at just age 11, perfectly exemplifies “the Spielberg kid.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-rDxmNOYhk
- Empire of the Sun – 1987
This is one of the many cases where Spielberg combines two genres he’s great at; war and a coming of age story. A young boy (a 12-year old Christian Bale), is imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. He must grow up fast, all while seeing the horrors of war. While the ending is happy for he and his family, the world around him is different. The highpoint of the film is the Nagasaki bombing, seen from a distance but felt by those around it.
- Hook – 1991
“To live would be an awfully big adventure!” I friggin’ love the story of Peter Pan and it’s no different in Hook. This film is full on wonder, blending family drama with magic and childhood adventure. Many people hate this film on its ridiculous presence of an older Peter Pan returning to Neverland, but it makes perfect sense. Robin Williams is electric as Peter and Dustin Hoffman is in full on camp mode. To those who don’t like it, I say, grow up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZwsA3Vlqak
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – 1984
Here it is, one of the reasons we have the PG-13 rating. A lot of people hate on this one. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous. Temple of Doom is so much fun, mixing adventure, excitement (a Jedi craves not these things) and, most importantly, horror. The heart scene (everyone knows it), is horrifying, and you damn well know it! Sure, Kate Capshaw’s Willie is annoying as hell (sorry, Steve) but she’s a small price to pay.
- The Color Purple – 1985
Spielberg’s first step away from the summer blockbuster. The Color Purple is a period piece focusing on African-Americans dealing with racism, sexism, rape, amongst many other difficulties. This is a hard watch; it’s uncomfortable but with Spielberg’s fantastic direction (he gets away from all his experimental shots) and excellent acting all across the board, The Color Purple proved that Spielberg can do anything.
- Minority Report – 2002
Spielberg’s first post-9/11 film, Minority Report is a futuristic look at crime and the loss of free will. It’s a complicated story, detailing the life of “future police,” while also delving very deep into what our characteristics might look like in the future. Tom Cruise is electric here, playing too many emotions to list here. This is not only one of Spielberg’s best sci-fi films, it is one of the very best ever.
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – 1989
What a fun movie! The Last Crusade is epic and a lot of people’s favorite Indy movie (my best friend might be upset it’s so low). The father-son dynamic between Harrison Ford and Sean Connery is handled so well, you don’t look at it as a plot point; it’s real. The epic chases, the comedy, the violence, they’re all amazing. River Phoenix was the right choice for a young Indy. And this would have been a perfect ending to a near perfect trilogy.
- Ready Player One – 2018
Yes, I saw it. Yes, it’s this high up. What an amazing film, hitting every nostalgia button we have. No one could have handled this better than Spielberg, who is someone we look to when we feel nostalgic. Sure, it isn’t a great adaptation of a great book, but I’m convinced that book could not have been made properly. Ready Player One is amazing, visually stunning and the most fun you’ll have at the theater all year. (Read Pop Break’s review here).
- Munich – 2005
Whoa. Munich is brilliant, focusing on the Munich murders during the 1972 Winter Olympics. This film is gripping, slow-paced yet exhilarating. The scene where the Black September members attempt to blow up a building, then are forced to scramble to save a little girl who might be in the crosshairs in one of the most terrifying things ever put on-screen (I’ll get to another one of those later in the list).
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind – 1977
Family drama and sci-fi. It’s a beautiful thing here. What is there to say about Close Encounters that hasn’t been said before? The family drama is palpable, a true expertly told story. The revelation of being able to communicate with these aliens is astounding. The visuals, over 40 years old, still hold up to this day. As great as this film is, Spielberg did it better some five years later.
- Catch Me If You Can – 2002
The most underrated movie of all time. A crime comedy starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks? Of course, this was bound to be good. Like most Spielberg films, a family dynamic is heavily on display here, as well as some of the funniest moments of DiCaprio’s career. Though he is the villain, he still resonates with the audience; you feel bad for him. Hanks is subtle yet commanding in his role. Many people forget this film. Don’t be one of them.
- Saving Private Ryan – 1998
In my honest opinion, this is the greatest war film of all time. Ryan looks incredible, even to this day, and is one of the best sounding films of all time. You feel every bullet every time it hits a body. Who could ever forget that opening scene? It’s incredibly violent but might be the most realistic imagining of a period of war ever. The rest of the film doesn’t let up either. These men portrayed here are heroes and that comes into full view at the end, when we see a mass cemetery, lined with crosses, honoring those who have their lives.
- Jurassic Park – 1993
It shocks me that utilizes 25-year-old CGI and practical effects looks better than many films that come out today, but Jurassic Park still holds up. This is every kids dream, a theme parked filled with dinosaurs. Spielberg’s childlike wonderment comes out here, mixing fun, love and passion with terror, science and disaster. The T-Rex scene is still one of the best monster scenes of all time and this film also made everyone scared of raptors, even though they’re extinct.
- Schindler’s List – 1993
Was there anyone better to film the decimation of the Jewish community better than Spielberg? Widely believed to be his best work (I struggled where to put it), Schindler’s List is gut-wrenching. Every scene is hard to watch, because you know, with the snap of a finger, you could be witnessing the murder of an innocent, unexpecting Jew. Liam Neeson beautifully portrays this hero and you can see his transformation as a human being. The liquidation of Krakow scene is 20 minutes of fury, capped off with a girl in a red coat walking through the massacre, the only sign of color in the whole frame. This is a film they should not only show to every film student, but it should be required viewing in high school history classes.
- Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark – 1981
The most fun film on the list. Raiders proves that Indiana Jones is who every kid wanted to grow up to be. Every scene is fun, filled with adventure and danger. Indy is so damn likeable, Marion is gorgeous and Belloq is an awesome villain. The action, effects, stunts, score and design are all what made Spielberg the master of the blockbuster.
- Jaws – 1975
I had a good indication where mostly every film on this list would go until I got to the Top 4, which changed daily. I finally settled on putting America’s first blockbuster at Number 2. Jaws is hands down one of the best movies ever made, a film that made surfers like my dad afraid to go into the water. Spielberg was going to be considered a failure because of his struggles on this film. However, those struggles turned a troubled production into a perfect film. Sure, you can tell the shark is fake at some points. Sure, Robert Shaw is a little hokey, but Jaws is an amazing horror film that still resonates with audiences to this day.
- E.T.,: The Extra Terrestrial – 1982
Here it is, the number one that I’m sure is going to be controversial. Why would I choose ET over Jaws, Raiders or Schindler’s List? Simple; its pure wonder. This film perfectly encapsulates everything Spielberg is known for: science fiction, an absent father, child empowerment, coming of age, government and death. The film is written, acted and shot perfectly. The score is fantastic, something I always used to hum when I rode my bike through the neighborhood. Elliott and ET’s relationship is beautiful, their differences defining him. This film can make you feel happiness, sadness, fear and mistrust all at the same time and, to this day, still makes me cry.
