The Best Steven Spielberg Movies

With a career spanning more than six decades, Steven Spielberg is certainly one of the greatest filmmakers of our era. He has been active in the industry since the late 1950s and has continued to find success with his creations to this day.

Spielberg has more than 30 movies to his name, including classics such as Jaws, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler’s List. He has demonstrated versatility by soaring through various genres to massive success, cementing his legacy as a household name in the entertainment industry.

10

Bridge Of Spies

2015

2015 film Bridge of Spies is a Cold War-era drama that excels through the top-notch performances of its star-studded cast, with legends Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance stealing the spotlight.

The story centres on attorney James Donovan, whose stringent defence of an accused KGB spy, Rudolf Abel, results in derision from society. Ultimately, Donovan sticks to his guns straight to the end, and his decision to save Abel from the death penalty comes in handy for a prisoner exchange with the USSR, though negotiations grow tense on both sides. Well-paced and riveting, Bridge of Spies is an espionage thriller worth watching.

9

Empire Of The Sun

1987

One of Spielberg’s epic war dramas, Empire of the Sun, was not only a cinematographic masterpiece, but it also launched a then 14-year-old Christian Bale to stardom. The film is emotionally harrowing, captivating you with its dialogue and Bale’s excellent performance as its main character.

Based on a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, young Jim Graham’s comfortable existence ends abruptly after the Japanese invade Shanghai, and he is separated from his parents. We see the effects of war and invasion through a child’s perspective, as well as the gradual change within Jim as the war takes its toll on him.

1982

A movie that’s simply barrels full of nostalgia and fond childhood memories, E.T. The Extraterrestrial marks Spielberg’s second foray into sci-fi and proved a massive success, managing to even exceed Star Wars as the highest-grossing film of the time.

The film is responsible for some of the most iconic moments in film history, as well as being acclaimed for its emotional impact and touching performances. After encountering an alien in his family’s shed, Elliott overcomes his fears and starts building a strong friendship with the alien known as E.T. The story deals with themes of childhood and friendship, wrapping it up with a perfect, though tearjerking, ending.

7

Jurassic Park

1993

Not only did Spielberg jumpstart the Indiana Jones series, but 1993’s Jurassic Park was only the beginning of a successive string of film, television, and video game releases for the franchise. Jurassic Park was much-lauded by audiences and critics, with its special effects, choreography, and performances being the highlights of the film.

The plot revolves around Jurassic Park, an unusual addition to theme parks because it is an island filled with real, cloned dinosaurs. Things go topsy-turvy for our characters visiting the park when the security system shuts down and unleashes all the dinosaurs from their enclosures. What follows is a fight for survival, with high doses of tension and an adrenaline-rushing cat-and-mouse situation.

6

The Colour Purple

1985

Spielberg has a talent for adapting novels to the movie screen, and The Colour Purple was no exception. A beautifully touching and heart-rending story, the movie was Whoopi Goldberg’s launching pad into the mainstream, and deservedly so due to her fantastic portrayal of Celie Harris.

The story is mainly told from the perspective of Celie Harris, who is separated from her sister Nettie due to their abusive home life. As Celie grows older, she becomes beaten down due to the difficult life and continued abuse and racism she experiences. But Celie gradually goes through a metamorphosis as she encounters other strong-willed African-American women, rising above the abuse to find hope and reunite with her sister.

5

Catch Me If You Can

2002

Catch Me If You Can is inspired by the outlandish exploits of alleged conman Frank Abagnale Jr., who fleeced millions of dollars through his cons. Although most of his tales were proven as false later on, Spielberg still puts his spin on Abagnale’s tale, using the talents of Tom Hanks and Leonardo di Caprio to bring it to life.

Abagnale is portrayed by Di Caprio, whose incredible performance oozes the charisma and charm needed to orchestrate Abagnale’s schemes. As you can infer from the title, Abagnale uses his talents for disguise to escape the clutches of FBI agent Hannatty, setting an exhilarating and fun chase to watch as he does his brilliant impersonations.

4

Jaws

1975

Jaws is another classic in a long list of Spielberg classics, a gripping thriller based on a novel of the same name. At the time, Jaws was the only film to achieve $100 million at the box office, standing out due to its technical effects, relatable characters, and believable performances.

The movie’s plot is quite simple, with certain denizens of Amity Island working together to hunt down the unusually massive shark terrorising its waters and killing several of their residents. Jaws struck such a chord with audiences and the industry, becoming a large influence on future thriller films.

3

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

1981

Spielberg was responsible for bringing the adventures of archaeologist Indiana Jones to life, kickstarting it with 1981’s Raiders of the Lost Ark, one of the best action-adventure flicks of all time. The film is a winner for its choreography and well-timed humour and does an excellent job of being entertaining from start to finish.

Set before the start of World War Two, Indiana Jones is tasked with stopping the Nazis from taking the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred relic that’s purported to have supernatural powers. The film is chock-full of memorable moments, with amazing performances from Harrison Ford (who continues his stint as Indiana Jones for the next instalments) and Paul Freeman as Jones’s rival.

2

Saving Private Ryan

1998

Yet another classic by Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan is up there as one of the most impactful war epics in history. The film was applauded for sticking as close as realistically possible to the savagery of D-Day, shocking audiences with the sheer viciousness of the Second World War, especially with that masterful introduction scene.

The movie’s story follows Captain Miller, who hastily assembles a squad of men to find and save James Ryan. The squad navigates a treacherous environment, their numbers growing smaller as they travel deeper into Normandy. A tale of selfless sacrifice and brutal realism, Saving Private Ryan delivers on every aspect of what a war film should be.

1

Schindler’s List

1993

Considered one of the greatest movies ever made, Schindler’s List was – and is – Spielberg’s magnum opus. Not only is it a storytelling masterpiece with a beautiful music score, but the performances of Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler and Ralph Fiennes as the villainous Amon Goeth helped earn the film numerous awards and nominations.

The movie is based on the real-life Oskar Schindler and his crusade to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazis. Although initially happy with the Nazis, Schindler gradually becomes disillusioned and disgusted by their cruelty. Schindler’s List doesn’t hold back in depicting every ugly aspect of the Nazi’s inhumane treatment of the Jews while preserving your hope in the humanity and kindness of others.