My Favourite Steven Spielberg Movies of All-Time

Few filmmakers in Hollywood have earned recognition of Steven Spielberg. Since the 1990’s, Spielberg has become an icon. Whether it’s Holocaust survivors, dinosaurs causing danger or WWII soldiers, Spielberg has made several films in various genres. Given the sheer number of movies he has made, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies of a director that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that has fascinated my teacher. Years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. I remember a history teacher that was fascinated with mass genocide disasters that changed his life forever. During college, I attended classes taught by an inspiring professor with Holocaust knowledge. He took pride in teaching students about a genocide in which his people died. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture a grim mass genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s iconic movie has stood the test of time as a historical masterpiece. With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg did an extraordinary job of capturing a gruesome mass genocide that caused Jewish citizens to experience despair. Drawing from his own personal experience as a Jew impacted with strong ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg painted a portrait of the genocide that’s compelling. One of the most common techniques that Spielberg uses in his movies is symbolism. Throughout “Schindler’s List”, the girl in the red coat symbolizes hope amidst the gruesome genocide. For instance, the scene in which Schindler reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a mass genocide in which people died, it’s a riveting reminder of a director with pride whose films have always left audiences satisfied.

2. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones is an incredible character that shaped my grandfather’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of the whip-smart hero. I remember spending time with a grandfather that regarded Jones to be a national treasure. As someone treasuring a hero that left a lasting mark on my grandfather, I adored “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Released in 1981, Steven Spielberg’s movie did an extraordinary job of introducing a whip-smart icon in popular culture. With the most adventurous film of his career, Spielberg captured an archaeologist embarking on a journey to find artifacts that are rare. Spielberg is one of those filmmakers that has always excelled at staging thrilling action sequences in his movies, and his strengths are clearly evident in “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. For instance, the scene in which Indiana Jones is chased by a speeding boulder causing danger is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Raiders of the Lost Ark” an adventure classic is its appeal. The film tackles universal themes of identity which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a whip-smart hero seeking a lost ark, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated director that hasn’t lost spark leaving a mark.

3. Jaws

Sharks are scary creatures that have always terrified me. Ever since I was a child, I have been scared of creatures that are wild. At an early age, I became terrified of stepping foot into waters that posed damage. Swimming is one of those activities I never found appealing. My lifelong fear of sharks with sharp jaws first began when I watched “Jaws”. Released in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie forever changed the world through its depiction of jaw-dropping sharks. It was the first ever blockbuster that depicted sharks putting people’s lives in danger. With the most frightening film of his career, Spielberg used innovative cinematic techniques to capture sharks that scare. One of the most common techniques Spielberg uses is close-ups of characters’ faces. In “Jaws”, Spielberg used close-ups to capture reactions of individuals witnessing sharks. For instance, the scene in which the camera zooms on Chief Brody’s face witnessing sharks on the beach with terror is one of the greatest moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Jaws” a horror classic is its message. The film delivers a strong message about survival which would resonate with everyone. 30 years following the release of a memorable film about sharks with sharp jaws, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker that deserves a round of applause making movies without flaws.

4. Saving Private Ryan

War movies are a genre of film that my uncle has always loved dearly. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with an uncle that was fascinated with wars causing emotional damage. I remember an uncle that was interested in historical wars causing disaster. My uncle loved all types of war movies but his favourite film in the genre that he regarded with most affection was always “Saving Private Ryan”. Released in 1998, Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece aimed to educate the public about the Battle of Normandy that caused lives to deteriorate. With the most educational film of his career, Spielberg did an extraordinary job of capturing the grim realities of warfare. Before making “Saving Private Ryan”, Spielberg had never directed a war movie in his career before. Nevertheless, the filmmaker showcased strong control behind the camera. For instance, the opening scene in which soldiers face the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach is one of the best moments of the director’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Saving Private Ryan” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a profound message about the cost of war which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of hardships soldiers in the Battle of Normandy went through during WWII, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences value.

5. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Divorce is a devastating process that causes couples to face stress. At an early age, I witnessed my aunt face a deteriorating marriage that caused damage. I recall the heartbreaking night when she had a heated argument with her husband that proved to be a shocking sight. It broke my heart witnessing my aunt’s children see their parents’ marriage fall apart. Divorce is a common theme that Spielberg has often explored throughout his career in his movies. The painful consequences of divorce causing the lives of families to crumble is most evident in Spielberg’s movie “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial”. Released in 1982, Steven Spielberg’s movie captured heartbreaking divorce leading lives of families to disintegrate. The main highlight of the movie remains special effects bringing to life an alien that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Elliot tearfully bids farewell to E.T. is one of the best moments of the filmmaker’s career. Ultimately, what makes “E.T.” one of Spielberg’s greatest movies is its message. The film delivers a commemorated message about hardships experienced by children that witness heartbreaking divorce at an early age. As strong as Elliot’s bond with E.T., it’s an extraordinary reminder of a commemorated filmmaker which has created a long-lasting legacy whose movies audiences regard highly.

6. Jurassic Park

Dinosaurs are terrifying creatures which have always scared me. Ever since I was a young child, I’ve often had a lifelong fear of dinosaurs. As far back as I can remember, I’ve feared dinosaurs. My lifelong fear of dark dinosaurs with a spark began when I first watched “Jurassic Park”. Released in 1993, Spielberg’s groundbreaking movie depicted dinosaurs in theme parks causing catastrophe. With the most technically accomplished film of his career, Spielberg created frightening dinosaurs evoking fear. Spielberg has always excelled at using practical effects in his movies, and his technical strengths were evident in “Jurassic Park”. As powerful as dinosaurs’ roar, it remains a rousing reminder about the power of a filmmaker that has always poured his soul into his profession whose commemorated films audiences adore.

7. Catch Me if You Can

Few con-artists committing crimes that landed them in jail are as notorious as Frank Abagnale. During the 1960’s, Abagnale was a clever conman that engaged in felonies. Abagnale participated in criminal activities until the day that he was caught by FBI authorities. In 2002, Steven Spielberg did an excellent job of bringing the true story of the notorious con-artist with a plan to the big-screen in his film “Catch Me if You Can”. With the most playful film of his career, Spielberg captured a real-life con-artist that committed crimes causing despair. Assisted by a fantastic Leonardo DiCaprio, Spielberg honours a real-life con-artist that committed crimes years ago. 40 years after Frank Abagnale got away with crimes without facing a price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder about a filmmaker whose unforgettable movies audiences treasure today.

8. The Colour Purple

When it comes to the most powerful books ever written about African-American women, it’s worth discussing The Colour Purple.  Published by Alice Walker, the book has become iconic literature. With its larger-than-life characters, timely themes and feminist message, the book gained a huge following. In 1985, Steven Spielberg did an exceptional job of adapting the colourful book in his film “The Color Purple”. With the most colourful film of his career, Spielberg captured African-American women facing despair. It’s a movie that gave the director an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone by capturing African-American communities. A powerful adaptation of a beloved book about black women wearing the colour purple, it’s a remarkable reminder of a filmmaker whose timeless movies audiences consider to be special.

9. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is a powerful president that gave America greater direction. A president with larger-than-life personality, Lincoln guided the country during slavery. With his bold presence, wisdom and strong leadership, Lincoln guided America. In 2012, Steven Spielberg did an extraordinary job of portraying the president that gave America direction in his biopic “Lincoln”. In the most political film of his career, Spielberg honoured a real-life American president. Spielberg turned what could have been a dry history lesson into a celebration of a president. At the centre of it all is Daniel Day-Lewis, who literally transforms into Lincoln in front of your eyes. A powerful tribute towards a celebrated American president, it’s a profound reminder about a filmmaker with commitment that has become an icon in entertainment.

10. The Fabelmans

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to become a filmmaker. From an early age, I’ve been drawn towards the magic of the moving image. During my childhood, I developed a passion for writing about movies I found engaging. As someone who lives and breathes movies, I adored “The Fabelmans”. Released in 2022, Spielberg’s most personal film celebrated his legacy as a filmmaker. With the most personal film of his career, Spielberg reflected on factors in his life that inspired him to become a filmmaker. Spielberg showcased rare wisdom by sharing his intimate life story on the big-screen. As strong as Sammy Fabelman’s desire to become a filmmaker, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary director whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to achieve dreams of becoming a writer.