These are Spielberg's very best films...
Bridge of Spies sees Spielberg return to Cold War history with a character-driven thriller. Tom Hanks plays an American lawyer who becomes involved in negotiating a prisoner exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union. It's not as flashy as some of Spielberg's other films, but its performances and atmosphere make it a compelling watch. | © Amblin Entertainment/20th Century Fox
Spielberg's 2021 remake of West Side Story proved that the director could still deliver a spectacular musical decades into his career. The film looks remarkably gorgeous, and the choreography is very impressive. It may not have achieved the commercial success of some of his earlier movies, but it doesn't change the fact that it's quite a solid musical drama. | © Amblin Entertainment/20th Century Fox
The Fabelmans is perhaps Spielberg's most personal film. Loosely inspired by his own childhood and early experiences with filmmaking, it follows a young boy whose passion for movies grows as he experiences major changes within his family. It's a warm film that offers a rather intimate look at the filmmaker's inner feelings. | © Amblin Entertainment/Universal Pictures
Daniel Day-Lewis gives one of the most defining performances of his career as Abraham Lincoln in Spielberg's historical drama. Lincoln focuses on the intense political maneuvering surrounding the abolition of slavery and his bid to reunite the country during the Civil War. It's genuinely a gripping story from beginning to end. | © Amblin Entertainment/20th Century Fox
The Color Purple is one of Spielberg's most powerful dramas. Adapted from Alice Walker's acclaimed 1982 novel, it follows Celie as she struggles through years of abuse and hardship while searching for independence. The performances, particularly from Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, give the film enormous emotional weight. | © Amblin Entertainment/Warner Bros.
On the surface, Minority Report is an exciting sci-fi thriller, but underneath all that, it's a surprisingly in-depth exploration of free will. Tom Cruise stars as a police officer in a future where crimes can be predicted before they happen. Spielberg's ability to build an immersive futuristic world and pose moral questions are only a handful of reasons why this action film is such an engaging watch. | © Amblin Entertainment/20th Century Fox
Rather than treating alien contact solely as an invasion, Close Encounters of the Third Kind approaches it with a sense of intrigue and mystery. Richard Dreyfuss gives the movie his all in a role that sees him play an ordinary man who becomes obsessed with a strange extraterrestrial phenomenon. The tension the film builds between humans and aliens is immense, and this makes the story so gripping. | © Columbia Pictures
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade may be the most entertaining Indiana Jones sequel. It brings Sean Connery into the story as Indy's father, and his presence gives the movie an extra layer of humor and heart. On top of that, the action continues to be every bit as exciting. The film also gives Harrison Ford one of his most memorable performances as the legendary archaeologist who's on the hunt for the Holy Grail. | © Lucasfilm Ltd./Paramount Pictures
Catch Me If You Can shows Spielberg working with a lighter and more playful story. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Frank Abagnale Jr., a young con artist who is a very successful impersonator. Tom Hanks plays FBI agent Carl Hanratty, who attempts to capture him for his many crimes. The result is an entertaining cat-and-mouse movie with plenty of charm and humor. | © DreamWorks Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
Jurassic Park broke records when it was released in 1993 — and for good reason. Spielberg perfectly balances awe and terror as dinosaurs are brought back to life. Meanwhile, the practical effects and groundbreaking visual effects still hold up remarkably well even today. The T. rex attack alone is enough to explain why the movie has a special place in many people's hearts. | © Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
Few movies capture Spielberg's ability to create wonder out of thin air quite like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The story of a young boy who befriends a stranded alien is charming, funny, and surprisingly emotional. The film does a great job of humanizing E.T. when, at the time of its release in 1982, aliens were usually depicted as dangerous and horrifying creatures. Altogether, it's a timeless masterpiece that teaches the magic of friendship. | © Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
Spielberg's World War II epic is one of the most visceral war movies ever made. The opening D-Day sequence of Saving Private Ryan is legendary, but the film is more than its spectacular depiction of combat. Tom Hanks leads a terrific ensemble alongside the likes of Matt Damon and Tom Sizemore in a deeply moving story about brotherhood and the needless human cost of war. | © Amblin Entertainment/DreamWorks Pictures/Paramount Pictures
Jaws invented the idea of a modern summer blockbuster, so naturally it deserves a spot near the very top of the list. The thriller film follows the story of a small seaside town that is terrorized by a great white shark. It sounds like a simple premise, but it works so well because Spielberg focuses just as much on the characters as the creature. The decision to keep the shark largely hidden for much of the movie only makes the final reveal so much better. | © Zanuck/Brown Company/Universal Pictures
Raiders of the Lost Ark is the most perfect adventure movie from Spielberg. Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones is an iconic protagonist, and his performance is elevated by the film's spectacular action, humor, romance, and supernatural thrills. From its opening sequence to its unforgettable finale, it remains one of the greatest movies ever made and has set the bar for every other adventure film that has come after it. | © Lucasfilm Ltd./Paramount Pictures
Schindler's List is arguably Spielberg's best film. The harrowing story of Oskar Schindler and the Jewish people he attempted to save during the Holocaust is devastating, and it never loses sight of its humanity. Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley also deliver phenomenal performances, which, under Spielberg's direction, make the film extraordinarily memorable. | © Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment
Few directors have left a mark on Hollywood quite like Steven Spielberg. He has defined modern blockbusters with films like Jaws and Jurassic Park, as well as delivered acclaimed dramas such as Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg has truly proven himself across almost every genre. With decades of iconic movies to choose from, we're ranking Spielberg's best movies from best to worst.
