“Truthfully, I couldn’t care less what the rest of my list looks like from 2 to 35... nothing beats (spoiler)”
I think it’s safe to say no matter who you are, in one way or another, we’ve all grown up with Steven Spielberg because he’s just... been around forever. The man is a master, and while not every single film of his is perfect, even some of his worst stuff is still technically pretty good compared to people who are, well, NOT Steven Spielberg. As much as I’d love to sit here and tell you everything the man means to me, this ranking is bound to be long enough as is as I go through every last Spielberg movie out there and rank them from worst to best. Fair warning, there will be some hot takes in this list that people will disagree pretty heavily with, and that’s okay. We all have different tastes, but I think we can all collectively celebrate Spielberg as a whole.
35. 1941 (1979) - 27%
This 1979 film is pretty rough all around. It’s a mess and the only real comedy Spielberg ever made. Apart from the first scene where Spielberg makes fun of his own movie, Jaws, alongside John Williams making fun of his own soundtrack and the actress making fun of her own skinny dipping scene... the rest of the movie is all over the place, unfunny, and just misses the mark entirely. Funny enough, every single comment on my YouTube video covering 1941 was actually sticking up for it, making me think my opinion, and apparently the rest of the world’s opinion, might actually be wrong.
34. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) - 51%
I know a lot of people look at this movie with a soft spot, and there are indeed moments that I think are memorable, absolutely. It’s just when it comes down to being an Indy film, it feels like a parody... George Lucas clearly got his hands dirty with unneeded CGI moments. The swinging on the vines, the nuking of the fridge, and the alien story just feel like missed potential. I feel like my score for this movie would have been significantly higher if it wasn’t called Indiana Jones.
33. The Adventures of Tintin (2011) - 60%
Originally, Spielberg wanted this to be live-action, but was convinced otherwise by Peter Jackson, who said you will not be able to do it justice without it being animated. Over the years, even when Spielberg is only a producer, I’ve learned you don’t veto ideas that Spielberg has. They are usually better than yours, including you, Peter Jackson. This film would have benefited from a live-action retelling, as I feel like the animation here only really works if you’re already familiar with the source material and can appreciate it... plus it sometimes looks weird. The story is fine, the treasure hunting stuff is fine, but I just didn’t care much past that.
32. The Fabelmans (2022) - 62%
This is going to be the first hot take of the ranking. A lot of people hold this film in high regard, and I do understand why. When I split the score between my unbiased and biased scores, you can see that. My unbiased technical score was 41 out of 50, or 82%, because it IS a well-made, well-rounded film with great performances and a decent coming-of-age narrative. It’s my biased score, or entertainment score, that dragged that down. My biased score ended up being 21 out of 50, or 42%, because a lot of the movie just didn’t interest me all that much, and entertainment value is very big with film. So, when the two scores come together, that’s how you get the 62%. It is what it is.
31. THE BFG (2016) - 62%
Even though I gave this and The Fabelmans the same exact end score, the biased score, or the entertainment score, was slightly higher for The BFG, while I think The Fabelmans is technically made better. But with a tie, the entertainment score always beats the technical because it’s what you’d rather watch between the two... but that doesn’t make this movie very good. The BFG is a story I grew up with and loved to death, but the adaptation is... not really that interesting. People call it live-action, but it’s like 80% animation and the narrative does almost nothing for 70% of the thing. Some call it boring and I kinda have to agree, and the girl is annoying.
30. Lincoln (2012) - 63%
If ever you wanted to see a movie that is the golden standard of Oscar bait, it would be this film... a film that is technically VERY well done, and very much deserving of its Oscar win, but also endlessly boring in the same breath. Guys, my technical score for the film was 44 out of 50, 88%. That’s SOLID... but my biased score was 19 out of 50 because I just couldn’t care. Seriously great performance from Daniel Day-Lewis, who disappears in his role, but this is literally the movie I always use as an example of why my rubric is important, and why entertainment matters at the end of the day. You can have the best movie ever made, a technical masterpiece, but if nobody cares, then nobody cares.
29. Bridge of Spies (2015) - 64%
This section of Spielberg movies are all very similar in that when you watch them, you can tell they were all graced with Spielberg’s masterful eye and are put together with such grace and beauty... but they all kind of feel similar in the fact that they are... well... boring. I do prefer Bridge of Spies over the last couple of films because there’s a courtroom drama aspect of the film, which I’m biased for and love when stuff like that happens, and the real Cold War spy stuff was indeed intriguing, but it’s still a film that’s met with a groan from me whenever I hear I should probably rewatch it.
28. The Sugarland Express (1974) - 67%
Spielberg considers this his true directorial debut. It was actually his second film overall, but the first released theatrically. This movie is fine. There’s nothing outlandishly terrible about it. It’s a true story about a woman that defies all logic by kidnapping a cop in order to get to her child who is about to be taken away into the foster system. My main issue with the film comes down to how... normal it is. This is a film that not only was directed by Spielberg, but also had the first collaboration with John Williams... but... you can’t really tell. For the most part, I can’t sense Spielberg’s work here, nor can I sense Williams’ score. It’s just an average movie.
27. Disclosure Day (2026) - 67%
I found this film to be one of his better and more entertaining films of the last decade for him, but it’s hard to compare it to everything else he’s ever done and not see how weak it is compared to his classic alien films. It just doesn’t compare and feels more average than it probably should.
26. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) - 68%
This movie is often compared to The Last Jedi of the Star Wars films, in that a lot of people either seem to love it or hate it. While I don’t hate it, it’s definitely nowhere near the first and third Indy films. Short Round is annoying, and the narrative doesn’t seem very similar to what I personally expect out of Indiana Jones. It’s fine, it has some really fantastic moments overall, but it’s not my Indiana Jones.
25. Empire of the Sun (1987) - 70%
Another movie I’d mostly consider fine, but it has a lot of fantastic visuals, particularly the fact that it focuses on a boy in the middle of war, going from place to place after being separated from his parents, and everywhere he goes, he ends up bringing a little bit of joy to everyone he meets. Along the way, there are these shots of this little child next to something much bigger and imposing, something that could technically kill him, like a soldier on a hill, or a plane, as he aspires to be a pilot one day. Not a bad film, but not one I need to revisit.
24. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) - 71%
This movie I remember watching as a kid and loving, but I think the most memorable aspect of it was always the final fifteen minutes or so, which wasn’t even really Jurassic Park, but rather Godzilla... just with a T-Rex roaming around California. Fun scene, and I will admit having Jeff Goldblum as the star of this film was a nice add. However, the film lacks significant logic between characters, the narrative has a weak foundation, and the girl defeating the raptor by using her gymnastics skills feels like a precursor to Shia LaBeouf swinging on vines in Crystal Skull... it’s just a weird movie. Spielberg himself said he felt like he made a silent film with this movie. Instead of music, you just get a lot of dinos roaring and little else: little substance, little character development, and he was right. Still a fun movie in a certain light.
23. War Horse (2011) - 72%
This film feels kind of, sort of, like Empire of the Sun, only instead of a child going from place to place in the middle of war, you have a horse. I personally prefer War Horse as it does a better job of unifying and humanizing all of the players of war. This is something Spielberg is actually really good at in multiple films. In War Horse, this horse ends up going from one side to the other in war, and everybody treats the horse the same, because horses don’t have a political affiliation. They don’t have a country to call home technically, so when the enemy sees a horse, they don’t think enemy. They see a majestic creature that they can comfort and love, and this horse becomes a unifying element of the film that shows we all bleed the same, and war, well... sucks. For everyone. I did like that about the movie, but let’s be honest... it’s a horse movie... and it can get a little boring sometimes.
22. Duel (1971) - 72%
Duel is Spielberg’s first true film. It is his directorial debut, no matter how he personally feels about it. It was made for TV and is ultimately about a killer semi-truck. This movie is great. It’s a lot of fun, and very clearly a blueprint for what we would later see in Jaws. There are visual storytelling tricks Spielberg uses to emphasize fear, anxiety, and claustrophobia, all while clearly showcasing this truck as a terrifying monster. It’s great. The only reason why it’s not higher on the list is because it’s also a bit empty and shallow. The characters are relatively empty, there isn’t much character development, and the story is pretty repetitive, which knocks down the overall score at the end of the day.
21. JAWS (1975) - 77%
This is going to be a massive hot take, probably the biggest of the ranking. Alright, hear me out. I’ve always had a bias against movies that take place in and around the water. Sometimes they can impress me, but for whatever reason, a lot of them... I don’t care for. Jaws is no different. It’s still a great film. It’s still probably the best shark movie in existence, but I am not as allured with the story as everyone else seems to be. Also... what is up with that one guy’s thick accent that nobody can understand?
20. Always (1989) - 80%
Apparently, this is a movie that some refer to as “bad” Spielberg. I do not agree. Now, I don’t exactly have the best excuse to enjoy Always other than to say this is one of those random movies my mother recorded on VHS and I grew up enjoying the idea of a ghost of Richard Dreyfuss whispering into the ear of a young pilot and convincing him to do certain things. It’s a film I have a fondness and warm place in my heart for, but sure, it’s not exactly top-tier Spielberg. It’s not Top 10 and its barely even Top 20, but I do like this movie for what it’s worth. It’s got heart.
19. The Post (2017) - 83%
In terms of true story Spielberg movies, this is certainly one of the more surprising entries on the list, which I only saw for the first time this year. It tells the story of the Pentagon Papers that were leaked to the press, exposing the fact that we were in the Vietnam War for, eh, no reason... and we stayed there for as long as we did to save face because the US are sore losers. It’s a fascinating journalistic thriller that tells the precursor story to the Watergate scandal that would break not too long after by the same newspaper and journalists. It’s a solid film all around, but still not exactly the example I give out for what makes Spielberg... Spielberg.
18. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - 84%
This is a movie that I think a lot of people are split on. Some love it, some hate it, but it’s certainly an interesting entry that plays out like a tragic, dark fairy tale of a boy seeking to become a real boy, not unlike Pinocchio, in order to gain his mother’s love, who is just incapable of loving a machine. The film plays out lighthearted at times, through the perspective of a child, with innocence and awe and wonder, in the middle of an ugly world filled with contempt, hatred, and vile, despicable people. If you haven’t seen it, it’s one I definitely suggest you check out.
17. The Terminal (2004) - 84%
This scored the same as A.I., but out of the two, this is the one I definitely prefer to watch. It was one of my earliest physical media purchases when I was younger and I remember playing it a lot. You have Tom Hanks, who finds his new home in an airport terminal when the war breaking out in the real world strips him of a home to return to. It’s light. It’s funny. It’s charming. Tom Hanks does a very good accent. The characters have great chemistry, and the soundtrack actually stands out as pretty darn memorable. I personally love The Terminal. Actually... from this point on, I love every movie on this list.
16. Ready Player One (2018) - 86%
I really like this movie because of the sheer amount of pop culture references and IP in the film. It’s legitimately impressive. There are so many things going on in this film that even if you paused it and played it frame by frame, I’m pretty sure you’d still miss something. There are hundreds of pop culture references throughout the film and it really felt like the screenwriting was in love with those references, honoring them instead of just using them for fan service. This was based off of a book by Ernest Cline which I did read, as well as the sequel book, by the way. This is a fun movie.
15. Munich (2005) - 87%
If you’ve seen the movie September 5, then you are already familiar with what Munich is about, as they are both about the same thing: the terrorist attack at the Summer Olympics. This film is about the aftermath, where a group of assassins were tasked with tracking down and eliminating those terrorists. This... happened in real life. But what Spielberg is able to do, once again, is humanize both sides and ask multiple questions about humanity and morality: if what they’re doing was the right thing or not, or if it’s mostly decided with emotion rather than intellect. It’s a great, tense thriller and is easily one of Spielberg’s better films.
14. Amistad (1997) - 88%
Amistad was a story centering on African slaves that were apprehended and taken through a ruthless court trial where Americans had to either prove or disprove the slaves as legal or illegal property. It’s a pretty different kind of legal drama, but it was a good example of how the rich use their money and influence to be absolutely trash, garbage human beings.
13. Minority Report (2002) - 88%
Definitely one of my favorite Spielberg films all around. This is a movie I’ve seen many times over. Along with The Terminal, this was another one of the earliest films I ever bought on physical media. It’s a strong Tom Cruise individual film on its own, with a very unique narrative that is written extremely well from start to finish. It’s not a perfect film, but it’s an endlessly entertaining one.
12. War of the Worlds (2005) - 88%
Tom Cruise’s other Spielberg film, back to back with the same score if you believe it or not... but ultimately the movie I prefer out of all three 88%-scored films. It’s just a great, thrilling, scary at times alien film. It looks great, the pacing is wild, and it’s the best iteration of the story that I’ve personally seen. It’s just an iconic film and once again, one of Tom Cruise’s best standalone films.
11. Catch Me If You Can (2002) - 91%
This film is yet another one of the physical media movies I bought when I was younger. I guess I was just really into this era of Spielberg, but this is the craziest true story ever told, crazier still to learn it’s all made up and not actually a true story... but that doesn’t stop it from being a really great, well-put-together, exciting, funny, thrilling, sexy at times drama. I love the music here, and the performances from DiCaprio and Hanks. It’s just a diamond of a film.
On to the TOP 10
10. The Color Purple (1985) - 91%
This movie is a masterpiece, it really is. It’s emotional, it has weight. It was nominated for 11 awards at the Oscars, and it was unheard of, but won absolutely none of them. Talk about snubbed. Whoopi Goldberg puts on a performance of her life, and I definitely got misty-eyed a few times on this one. It’s a solid film.
9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - 92%
I think a lot of people can agree that Raiders and The Last Crusade are very worthy films that deserve to be in the Top 10, but the two are often interchangeable as to which one is better than the last. I do love this movie, especially the final part of the film, and of course Indy’s relationship with Sean Connery.
8. Hook (1991) - 92%
From what I understand, this might actually be a hot take. It blew my mind only a couple months ago when I first heard this isn’t supposed to be considered a good movie. I just can’t fathom why. Hook is the embodiment of who I was as a child: someone who didn’t want to grow up. But instead of it being a cartoon, which we all knew was fun, but fake... Robin Williams as an adult Peter Pan was just unique enough, and fun enough, and brought just enough magic and wonder and awe to the screen, as well as the soundtrack... that I just can’t dislike it. This movie is literal magic.
7. West Side Story (2021) - 93%
I’m as surprised as you are. Look, there’s just something so lively and engaging about West Side Story. Spielberg was able to take something so beloved and respected and pay tribute to it in a way no other filmmaker would be able to other than Spielberg. Not only did the set designs, costumes, hair and makeup, and the way the camera moved match the look and vibe of authentic 60s films, but the music was on point, the singing was perfect, and the dance choreography was out of this world. It is very easily one of Spielberg’s best.
6. Jurassic Park (1993) - 94%
Please, I beg of you to remember, most movies on this entire list are rated on average 9 out of 10. So is Jurassic Park. Just because it’s not number one on my list doesn’t mean I don’t love it. I do. I adore Jurassic Park. This is the golden standard of dinosaur cinema. The excitement, the score, the visuals, the magnetic chemistry between the heroes. It is everything you want out of a Spielberg movie and more.
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - 94%
Here we are with the final Spielberg-directed Indiana Jones movie on the list, the OG. This is pretty much as perfect of an adventure film as you can get. Indiana Jones is one of the most iconic film characters of all time, and the story of tracking down the biblical Ark of the Covenant is so unique, so original, and so much fun.
4. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - 95%
Spielberg is no stranger to alien films and even TV series. It’s one of his best expertise in film. E.T. is such a fantastic family film specifically, a perfect blend of lighthearted, comedic, cute moments as well as dark, somber, and even scary moments that kids will appreciate for the rest of their lives.
3. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - 96%
Once again, we are dealing with Spielberg’s obsession with what is found beyond the veil of outer space with what I consider to be the golden standard of alien films. This is what everyone has been trying to emulate for decades and never ever really succeeded with.
2. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - 97%
This film is undoubtedly the best war film I’ve ever seen. Period. It’s hard to watch. It’s brutal. It’s realistic. Gritty. Raw, and honest. It shows the worst parts of war alongside some of the best displays of humanity that separate us... from them. It shows how we are willing to risk 8 soldiers for 1 man. It’s a beautiful, destructive piece of art and film.
1. Schindler’s List (1993) - 98%
This is definitively the best Spielberg movie ever made, period. I don’t care if it’s hard to watch. Rewatchability is only one factor in a film. That doesn’t change how relevant and important this film is to both art and history. It’s less of a film and more of a special look into the past. A horrific but integral reminder of where we once were, and are always possible of returning to if we aren’t careful. But in true Spielberg fashion, it’s also a delicate balance between the atrocities you can hardly watch through the fingers on your face... and how powerful humanity can be, and how much of a difference one person can make. Truthfully, I couldn’t care less what the rest of my list looks like from 2 to 35. Just because Spielberg is as good of a filmmaker as he is. But nothing beats Schindler’s List.
Alright guys. That’s it. That’s the list. Leave your thoughts in the comments down below on how you rank these films.
Seen almost all except Disclosure Day and Always. But my favorite of his is Minority Report and his worst is 1941.