10 Greatest Steven Spielberg Movies Of All Time

2 days ago 13

Published Jun 12, 2026, 2:30 PM EDT

Angela Davis is a freelance movies writer for Screen Rant. She specializes in English with concentrations in media analysis and grammar. She's watched a movie every day for the past eight years and learned some of the best ways to write stories during her time at college.

Director Steven Spielberg has given audiences some of the greatest movies of all time. Originally making his directing debut in 1971 with Duel, Spielberg has since become one of the most well-regarded directors in the industry.

The 1970s saw Spielberg's rise to fame with nonstop hits coming to theaters across genres. Whether it was a thriller like Jaws or a sci-fi film like Close Encounters of the Third Kind, fans were quick to see just how unique Spielberg's whimsical vision could be.

During the 1980s, Spielberg excelled in genre filmmaking with some of the biggest films to release in that decade, which have since become classics. E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, and his segment in Twilight Zone: The Movie defined many childhoods at the time. In fact, they still hold up today as perfect watches for the family.

While he would continue to delve into varying genres in the future, Spielberg also found a home in dramatic storytelling, especially in the 2010s. In fact, 1993's Schindler's List saw him receive his first of two Oscars for Best Directing.

Now, Spielberg continues to release a new film every few years. In fact, his latest movie, Disclosure Day, is officially releasing this weekend. With a lifelong career that has given audiences countless classics, Spielberg has left a legacy of great movies, and his best films deserve to continue being treasured for generations.

10 The Adventures Of Tintin (2011)

Based on the classic comic series by Hergé, The Adventures of Tintin does a phenomenal job of bringing the spirit of the source material to life. Everything that Spielberg brought to the iconic Indiana Jones movies is on full display here. It moves at a breakneck pace with a fascinating mystery and exhilarating action sequences.

Plus, the film is easily one of the greatest animated movies to use motion capture. Tintin, Captain Haddock, and the other characters from the comics feel like they've been brought to the real world, yet they maintain their defining characteristics and designs. They're just as silly as their comic counterparts, yet they feel at home in a world with a more realistic feel.

9 Catch Me If You Can (2002)

Steven Spielberg's take on Frank Abagnale Jr.'s novel of the same name is such a fun crime caper that continues to be a delight. The cat-and-mouse dynamic between Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks is the main draw of the film as the former continues to outwit the latter. It's a film that thrives on the close calls of Abagnale almost being caught by the FBI.

The film also shows just how talented Leonardo DiCaprio was as an actor long before he earned his first Oscar. He plays the sly and quick-witted Abagnale perfectly, always prepared for any possibility. With Spielberg at the helm, he was able to give one of his best performances that launched a decade-long campaign for him to finally win an Academy Award.

8 Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)

Indiana Jones: The Last Crusade is often regarded by some fans as the best movie in the Indiana Jones series. It features an exciting worldwide hunt for the legendary Holy Grail, while also hosting Sean Connery as Indy's father.

Connery proves to be a worthy counterpart to Harrison Ford as the two squabble while trying to escape any situation they land in. The motorcycle chase in particular features the two at their absolute best, outrunning the Nazis and using what weapons they can to lose them.

The film also features more comedy than any Indiana Jones film that came before it, which proved to be divisive among fans during its original release. However, as years have gone by, the movie's sense of humor has proven to be charming, giving it a unique identity compared to the franchise's other installments.

7 Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977)

Spielberg's first of many alien films, not counting his lost first movie Firelight, is easily one of his greatest. The film chooses to focus far more on the human angle of alien discovery, rather than centering entirely on the aliens themselves. It's a movie all about trying to make first contact as more UFO sightings begin to appear in a small town.

Close Encounters stands out as a great piece of sci-fi cinema because of its slow pace. The story has a slow burn to it as the humans attempt to figure out how to contact the aliens while dealing with disappearances in their town. It all leads to one of the most iconic climaxes in sci-fi history as humanity plays a series of tones to speak with the extraterrestrials, which highlights just how talented Spielberg is at employing whimsy into his work.

6 Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, Raiders of the Lost Ark not only introduced the world to a cinematic icon, but also revitalized the adventure film. The way the action sequences blend together with John Williams' iconic score is what has made this film an action classic. There are non-stop thrills around every corner as Indy races against time to find the Ark of the Covenant.

What this film also succeeds at is its special effects work. There are so many mind-boggling visuals layered throughout the film that feature some of the greatest practical effects in movie history. Whether it's the giant boulder rolling toward Indy or the nightmare-fueled destruction of the Nazis at the end, this is a movie that thrives on giving audiences something they had never seen before in 1981.

5 Jurassic Park (1993)

One of two Spielberg films released in 1993, Jurassic Park has become one of the director's most beloved works for over 30 years. This mammoth-sized blockbuster brings dinosaurs to life in such a visually-pleasing way. Spielberg masterfully uses both practical effects and CGI to bring these long-extinct creatures back to life, making them feel more real than any film featuring the ancient animals before it.

Jurassic Park also features phenomenal camera work that turns this into the perfect sci-fi horror film. He manages to turn velociraptors into some of the scariest monsters to ever hit the silver-screen. The way Spielberg shows just how cunning these antagonists can be makes them a highlight of the story, in a film that's already populated with impactful characters that give the movie enormous layers of depth.

This iconic family film features one of the best aliens ever put on film. E.T. himself is a technical marvel. The puppetry at play to bring him to life is on an entirely different level. The way he moves around and interacts with the child actors is unlike anything moviegoers had ever seen at the time, and it still holds up today.

Plus, E.T. has one of Spielberg's most heartwarming stories. The friendship between E.T. and Elliott is beautifully built up throughout the film. The chemistry between them shows just how pure childhood friendship can be, even if it's between a human and an alien.

3 Jaws (1975)

Credited as the very first summer blockbuster, Jaws is often seen one of the greatest horror movies ever made. The film features masterful suspense as Spielberg intentionally doesn't show the shark until the final act. Instead, audiences can only imagine where the shark could be as the iconic theme by John Williams builds up its arrival.

Jaws also features a perfect trio of performances by Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, and Roy Scheider. Every moment with them on the Orca is incredibly compelling, making every time the shark shows up absolutely shocking as it cuts into valuable character dynamics.

2 Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Spielberg's take on the war epic is arguably the definitive film in the genre. Set during World War II, the movie follows a band of American soldiers as they trudge through the French battlefield to locate Private Ryan after he's been declared missing. What follows is a harsh and graphic depiction of war that has shown just how horrific it can be.

The D-Day scene at the start of the film alone shows just how well-versed Spielberg is at showing the harsh realities of war. Seeing a man pick up his own arm and carry on across the battlefield is one of the most haunting images ever put to film. Saving Private Ryan absolutely deserves to be held up as one of the greatest war movies ever made because of Spielberg's keen eye at showing war's biggest atrocities, regardless of sides.

1 Schindler's List (1993)

Currently Spielberg's only film to ever win Best Picture, Schindler's List is a haunting glimpse into Nazi Germany and its horrific role in the Holocaust. However, it also documents the life of Oskar Schindler, a man who worked against his country to save Jewish people from genocide.

Spielberg's decision to have the film shot entirely in black and white, save for one little girl's red coat, is what really helps this film succeed. It sets the dark mood of the film's story for the audience as they witness one of the darkest moments in world history. This is Steven Spielberg's masterpiece, and it will forever be well-regarded as his greatest film to date.