The ultimate ranking of Steven Spielberg's movies
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Steven Spielberg makes great movies.
Right, right, news flash. Not exactly a hot take in an age hungry for them.
But there’s also this: Steven Spielberg makes bad movies, too.
He makes a lot of movies; nobody’s perfect. And his highs are so high that sometimes the depths of the lows are surprising. Some of that inconsistency occurs in his big franchises, the "Jurassic Park" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" Indiana Jones films. But not all. When you make as many movies as Spielberg, there will be ups and downs.
Spielberg lived in Phoenix, went to Arcadia High School and made his first films here. He is by far the most successful director of all time. He’s a cinematic genius. He’s also a bit of a soft touch, occasionally diluting the impact of his best movies with a sentimental streak. (Why yes, I am talking about “Saving Private Ryan.”)
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Duel," his first feature, here's a ranking of Spielberg’s movies, all the feature films he’s directed. Not included are TV shows and compilations like “Twilight Zone: The Movie.” There’s something worthwhile in all of them, even the bad ones. Well, not “1941,” which is where we begin.
33. '1941' (1979)
Coming off of “Jaws” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Spielberg seemed invincible. He was not. John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy and more get lost in a train wreck of a movie about Californians freaking out over the possibility of a Japanese invasion at the start of World War II. An unfunny mess.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
32. 'Always' (1989)
For all of his strengths, Spielberg struggles with comedy. Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss star in this remake of “A Guy Named Joe.” Dreyfuss plays a pilot killed while flying. He comes back to help another pilot, who falls in love with Dreyfuss' girlfriend. It’s a romantic comedy with neither of those elements. Neat trick.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
31. 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' (1997)
The first “Jurassic Park” wasn’t exactly art, but it was fun and monstrously inventive. The sequel is just a tired shell of the original. Jeff Goldblum’s always fun, but not fun enough to make this worth your while. It would not be the last of the franchise — but it is the last one Spielberg stuck around for.
How to watch: Stream on HBO Max.
30. 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008)
They got greedy. Spielberg, George Lucas and Harrison Ford had revived the franchise once after a moribund sequel. They should have quit while they were ahead, or at least not too far behind. This installment, with aliens, no less, did not connect. Of course, they’re making another one, though Spielberg isn't directing. Later installments of franchises are often a matter of diminishing returns. This is a prime example.
How to watch: Showtime.
29. 'Hook' (1991)
Capt. Hook (Dustin Hoffman, overacting even by his standards) kidnaps the children of grown-up Peter (Robin Williams). Julia Roberts plays Tinkerbell. A lot of talent adds up to an overblown film that’s fun in places but not much otherwise.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
28. 'The Terminal' (2004)
Tom Hanks, one of Spielberg’s frequent collaborators, comes up empty as a man from a fictional Eastern European country stranded at and forced to live at JFK Airport for months. You could say it’s about finding the definition of “home.” Or you could say it’s just inconsequential and skip it.
How to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime.
27. 'Ready Player One' (2018)
Tye Sheridan tries to win control of a massively popular virtual world, where he and much of the future population spend a lot of time. It has its fans, but ultimately it is an excuse for admittedly jaw-dropping effects, which Spielberg tries to substitute for soul. Of note: While Spielberg waited for the effects to be finished, he made a much better movie called “The Post.”
How to watch: Stream on HBO Max.
26. 'The Adventures of Tintin' (2011)
More incredible animation, plus more heart. Based on the comics of Herge, it follows the adventures of boy reporter Tintin and his dog, Snowy, who search for treasure. It’s got some of the “Raiders of the Lost Ark” spirit, but not its magic.
How to watch: Stream on Hulu and Paramount+.
25. 'The BFG' (2016)
An orphan girl (Ruby Barnhill) and a friendly giant (a CGI Mark Rylance) try to stop man-eating giants, a plot that could hardly be more Spielbergian. But it’s actually based on Roald Dahl’s book. Like so many of his lesser films, it’s an exercise in technical mastery, but not much more.
How to watch: Stream on Netflix.
24. 'War Horse' (2011)
Spielberg’s films often fall into the fanciful category or the serious. This one bridges the gap between them. The film follows Joey, a horse raised by Albert (Jeremy Irvine), who goes through several owners and winds up in the middle of World War I. Spielberg has a weakness for the mushy, a trait on display here. But his visual gifts are also much in evidence; it’s a beautiful film, with visual quotes from such classics as “The Searchers."
How to watch: Stream on HBO Max.
23. 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' (1984)
It's neither the underrated classic nor the abomination it’s reputed to be, depending on whom you ask. This prequel is mostly just a decent adventure that unsurprisingly suffered in comparison to “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” It is violent, though, and one of two films that led to the creation of the PG-13 rating — the Spielberg-produced "Gremlins" is the other. That’s about the only memorable thing about it. Well, that and a guy getting his heart ripped out. And thus, PG-13 was born (or inspired, at least).
How to watch: Showtime.
22. 'Bridge of Spies' (2015)
Another Spielberg-Hanks collaboration, about an American lawyer (Hanks) who has to defend a Russian spy (Mark Rylance, great — and an Oscar winner for this performance). Negotiations to release captured American spy Francis Gary Powers play into the story, as well. It is 100% competent. It’s a good movie, and would be a highlight for some directors. For Spielberg, it’s middle of the pack.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
21. 'War of the Worlds' (2005)
A pretty good remake with Tom Cruise, who was for a while another one of Spielberg’s frequent collaborators. Oprah couch-jumping and Scientology spelled doom for that, but their brief run was enjoyable while it lasted. Cruise is an underrated actor, and his particular set of skills — enthusiasm chief among them — is valuable in a Spielberg sci-fi action outing. But both would do this kind of thing much better in other movies.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
20. 'The Color Purple' (1985)
A lot of people hate this movie. Like, despise it. I’m not one of them. No, it’s not as good as Alice Walker’s novel — no shame there. Famously nominated for 11 Oscars, winning … none. And Spielberg wasn’t even nominated for best director. But the acting is tremendous, especially Oprah Winfrey’s hugely affecting performance as Sofia. Why doesn’t she act more?
How to watch: Stream on HBO Max.
19. 'Empire of the Sun' (1985)
A young Christian Bale manages to still be Christian Bale, even then, as a boy growing up in Shanghai who is separated from his rich parents and winds up in a confinement camp. It’s a nice example of world-building from Spielberg — the camp is its own universe — and the cinematography is beautiful.
How to watch: Stream on HBO Max.
18. 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989)
The sequel everyone was hoping for when we got “Temple of Doom” instead. This captures the spirit of the original much more closely; casting Sean Connery as Indy’s father was a great idea. And River Phoenix plays the young Indy. No doubt it benefitted from lowered expectations, but it's a lot of fun all the way around.
How to watch: Showtime.
17. 'Jurassic Park' (1993)
Most Spielberg fans would put this much higher on their list. Sorry. A groundbreaking technical achievement, what with the dinosaurs realistically running around and all — it’s hard to describe how revolutionary that was at the time. But come on. It’s dopey. (Love Jeff Goldblum, though.) And it did inspire one of the best lines about film, from the late, at-one-time great Premiere magazine: It’s why we go to the movies — to see things we’ve never seen before. Seeing it once is enough.
How to watch: Stream on HBO Max.
16. 'West Side Story' (2021)
Spielberg's version of the classic Broadway musical features some of his best direction, whether it's creating stunning visuals or getting beautiful performances out of newcomer Rachel Zegler and the legendary Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for the 1961 film version. Not as transformative as his best, but a more-than-worthy take on an oft-told story.
How to watch: In theaters Dec. 10.
15. 'A.I.: Artificial Intelligence' (2001)
Similarly, most people would drop this further down their list. Famously developed by Stanley Kubrick but made by Spielberg, it tells the story of a child android (Haley Joel Osment) who can feel and express human love. It does have a bit of an oil-and-water feel to it, but it is ineffably sad and moving. Both directors excelled at that, in different ways.
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+.
14. 'The Sugarland Express' (1974)
Spielberg’s first feature film (“Duel” was made for TV but later shown in theaters) is somewhat dated, but also hints at the thrilling medium American film was becoming, in the hands of Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas and the rest. Goldie Hawn and William Atherton inexpertly kidnap a Texas patrolman (Michael Sacks) and lead law enforcement on a slow-speed chase across the state. Spielberg captures the shoot-first mentality of the Lone Star state that persists to the present. A pretty swell start.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
13. 'Amistad' (1997)
Definitely file under Serious Spielberg. The story of the enslaved people who revolted on the ship of the title and were then the subject of a trial in the U.S. deciding their status suffers from the White Savior complex. That’s somewhat abated by the powerfully affecting performance of Djimon Hounsou as the leader of the enslaved people who fought back. Anthony Hopkins gives a stunning speech as an aging John Quincy Adams. Beautifully, if at times harrowingly, shot, as ever.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
12. 'The Post' (2017)
This is what Spielberg made while waiting for “Ready Player One” effects to be finished. It’s the story of the Pentagon Papers from the perspective of the Washington Post, which is odd, given that the New York Times published them first. But the Post did wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court in a First Amendment fight that was crucial to press freedom. Tom Hanks is no Jason Robards as Ben Bradlee, but Meryl Streep as Katharine Graham, the paper’s publisher who comes into her own, is fascinating.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
11. 'Duel' (1971)
Dennis Weaver plays a man driving to a business meeting who gets chased by a truck. That’s all there is to the plot, based on a short story by the great Richard Matheson. But in Spielberg’s hands — and this was his first feature-length film — there’s so much more. His mastery of suspense, the framing of his shots, the tension he builds through visuals is all there, and not even in nascent form. It’s a blast. He originally made it for the “ABC Movie of the Week,” but it got an international theatrical release.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
10. 'Munich' (2005)
Spielberg’s look at the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the 1972 Munich Olympics didn’t take a side between the Israelis and Palestinians, instead focusing on the futility of revenge and violence. Of course, that made it controversial. But it’s also powerful (Eric Bana’s performance in particular) and, during the action sequences, thrilling. Which sounds weird to say, but there’s no other description — it's edge-of-your-seat stuff. Too long (as are most of Spielberg’s later films) but worth it.
How to watch: Showtime.
9. 'Catch Me If You Can' (2002)
Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the real-life Frank Abagnale Jr., who impersonated an airline pilot, a doctor and a lawyer. Tom Hanks plays the obsessed FBI agent pursuing him. Based on a true story, the film works as both a period piece set in the 1960s and as one of the more unusual mismatched buddy semi-comedies. It’s not especially flashy. It’s just … good.
How to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime, 19Showtime.
8. 'Minority Report' (2002)
It has its detractors, but the best collaboration between Spielberg and Tom Cruise is at once exciting, thoughtful and an exceptionally well-made thriller. Naturally, a lot of people hate it. Cruise plays a cop in a future where murders are predictable — and he shows up as a killer. Meanwhile, he mourns the death of his young son. Some movies just grab you; this is one of them.
How to watch: Stream on Amazon Prime.
7. 'Lincoln' (2012)
The 16th president works out how to pass the 13th Amendment during the Civil War. As he is wont to do, Spielberg makes wonky procedural work as thrilling as a courtroom drama. The incomparable Daniel Day Lewis gives the best individual performance in any Spielberg film as Abraham Lincoln, and won another Oscar for his troubles.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
6. 'Saving Private Ryan' (1998)
Everyone points to the opening 20 minutes as the greatest battle scene ever put on film, and with good reason. It is. But the climactic battle is nearly as intense, and the story in-between, with Tom Hanks leading a ragtag bunch to find Matt Damon, whose brothers have been killed in battle, is first-rate war-movie material. Giving in to his sappy tendencies really undercuts the ending, but the rest of the film is so good it overcomes it. Barely.
How to watch: Showtime.
5. 'Schindler’s List' (1993)
Spielberg gets a little soggy at the end of this film, too, but surely this is the greatest of his serious movies. Liam Neeson plays Oskar Schindler, who saved more than 1,100 Jewish people from death at Auschwitz during World War II. Ralph Fiennes is terrifying as the SS officer he must bargain with. If “whoever saves one life saves the world entire” doesn’t move you, you’re in the wrong place.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
4. 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981)
Is there a movie that is more pure fun? Spielberg and producer George Lucas pay homage to the Saturday morning serials they loved, and Harrison Ford brings just the right combination of heroism and indifference to Indiana Jones, archaeologist and profiteer. The opening scene is as good as action gets — and the parody on “The Simpsons” isn’t far behind.
How to watch: Showtime.
3. 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977)
Spielberg rarely dreamed bigger than this. He also rarely realized those dreams on-screen as completely. Richard Dreyfuss ditches his family to find a mound he sees in visions; so obsessed is he that he builds a replica with his mashed potatoes at dinner. Spielberg cast one of his heroes, François Truffaut. It’s an alien movie that never cops out, as interested in ideas as chills.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
2. 'Jaws' (1975)
The first blockbuster, it redefined summer movies. Whatever. The important thing is that it is so good, so well made (famously, Spielberg had to work around a malfunctioning mechanical shark, which only built suspense) that it retains all of its excellence. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw are perfect. Scary, exciting, funny and, oh yeah, scary again.
How to watch: Rent on Amazon Prime, iTunes, YouTube.
1. 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)
The perfect marriage of director and material, hitting all of the Spielberg themes: broken families, outsider status, government paranoia and the desperate need to belong. A stranded alien befriends a lonely young boy (Henry Thomas). The rest is simply movie magic. This is one time in which Spielberg’s sentimental streak is absolutely essential to the emotional truth of the movie. “Be good.” It’s great.
Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Twitter: @goodyk. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Steven Spielberg's movies ranked, from 'West Side Story' to 'E.T.'
