Steven Spielberg is arguably one of the most famous directors of all time, rising to popularity in the 70s and 80s for his revitalization of the summer blockbuster. His films are all vastly different and fit into various genres, all connected by astute direction and fascinating stories.
Spielberg is also one of Hollywood’s longest-working directors, with a career that’s hugely successful even today. He released his first film in 1963 and he’s still going strong, with his latest movie-musical West Side Story receiving a Best Picture nomination at this year’s Academy Awards.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Cited by many as one of Spielberg’s best films from the 21st Century, Catch Me If You Can is a hugely entertaining crime thriller that boasts two fantastic performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The film also integrates elements of comedy into its story to bring it an extra layer of engagement and personality.
The film is based on the (allegedly) true story of Frank Abagnale, who performed cons worth millions of dollars before he was even 19. DiCaprio plays him in the film, and he brings the character to life with his hilarious eccentric performance.
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (1977)
Close Encounters was one of Spielberg’s first entries into the sci-fi genre, and it’s still hailed by many to be one of the best alien stories ever put to screen. It takes place in a world where the government continues to deny the existence of aliens, despite increasingly frequent sightings and attempts at communication.
Not only does the film present an incredibly entertaining and engaging story, but it also asks plenty of interesting questions about how humans would theoretically react to extraterrestrial contact. It remains one of the most innovative films in the genre, even 45 years after its release.
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984)
When the widely-regarded worst entry in the Indiana Jones trilogy is still this popular and beloved, you know you’ve got yourself a winning franchise. Although it never quite lives up to the highs of the other two films in the original trilogy, Temple of Doom remains an incredibly fun action/adventure movie for all audiences.
Indiana Jones has become one of the most famous movie characters of all time over the years, and Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the archaeologist is arguably at its best in Temple of Doom. The film also has the added bonus of introducing giving Indy a little more backstory, which makes his adventures all the more compelling.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
E.T. is one of the most popular family movies of all time, and it also marked a clear turning point in Spielberg’s career where he became much more comfortable with these kinds of charming timeless stories. It follows the relationship between a young boy named Elliot and a lost alien that he names E.T., who soon becomes pursued by the government.
Even four decades later, E.T. remains one of Spielberg’s most popular and famous movies thanks to its sweet story and compelling characters. It has an important and timeless message at its heart and has become a kind of cinematic fairytale that several generations have grown up with.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989)
Although none of Indy’s sequels have quite been able to capture the magic of the original, The Last Crusade definitely comes the closest. It features one of the character’s most exciting adventures to date, introducing Jones’ father and exploring their entertaining dynamic. The Last Crusade is also full of some of the best action sequences and set pieces in the entire series.
The Last Crusade was a perfect conclusion to the franchise’s original trilogy, and although the long-awaited fourth installment is regarded as a pretty severe disappointment by many, fans are still looking forward to seeing the character return next year in the yet-untitled Indiana Jones 5.
Schindler’s List (1993)
Often described as Spielberg’s objective masterpiece, Schindler’s List was a hugely different project for the director. It marked a departure from his charming family movies and a progression into more mature, artistic movies that kept his work relevant and fresh.
Spielberg has been nominated for a Best Director Oscar 8 times over the years, but Schindler’s List marked the first time he was awarded the win – with a Best Picture victory for the film too. It’s one of the most effective and impactful films the director has ever released, and it will remain his crowning achievement for a long time.
Jurassic Park (1993)
Jurassic Park may be Spielberg’s most famous and well-known film of them all, and it’s for great reason. It’s an extremely exciting and engaging adventure that mixes epic writing with intricate, effective character work and atmospheric filmmaking.
In fact, Jurassic Park was such a momentous achievement that the franchise is still thriving today, with the upcoming sequel Jurassic World: Dominion promising plenty of new dinosaurs and familiar returning faces.
Jaws (1975)
Jaws is cited by many as the first-ever summer blockbuster. It’s a film that completely revolutionized what a film could be, blending plenty of different genres with a timeless story that remains just as exciting today as it was almost fifty years ago.
Despite relying entirely on practical effects and camera tricks, the film managed to make the most of its relatively low budget and captivate audiences unlike any other film like it. It’s the first film that really put Spielberg on the map as one of Hollywood’s top directors – a position that he’s held securely ever since.
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Spielberg’s sweeping anti-war epic Saving Private Ryan was a huge filmmaking achievement, immersing the audience in the Second World War and telling a fresh and compelling story that not many war films had explored before that point.
The film also features one of Tom Hanks’ most impressive performances to date, as he plays the captain of a squadron that is tasked with finding and retrieving another team’s soldier to send him home. He perfectly captures the fatigue and emotional exhaustion that so many soldiers faced during battle, whilst remaining an extremely intriguing and compelling character to watch.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Ark was one of the first films to ever blend adventurous, action-heavy filmmaking with tropes from the classic American Western, and the result was one of the most successful family blockbusters of all time. The film features a career-best Harrison Ford in the lead role, as he attempts to fight off the Nazis in his pursuit of the elusive Ark of the Covenant.
There are so many iconic scenes from Raiders of the Lost Ark that remain thrilling to watch, and its exciting story is one that every generation since its release has been able to enjoy. It’s one of those films that will forever stand the test of time and remain a cinematic classic.
