Steven Spielberghas been directing movies for fifty years, with standout works that have brought him numerous awards, including three Oscars. After directing TV episodes and films, he made his major directorial debut withThe Sugarland Expressin 1974. Just a year later, the 1975 movieJawsmade him a household name, launching a strong career that continues to this day. With such a long career, and timeless themes like friendship and love present in his works, he has had successful, beloved movies in many genres. Here’s our list of Spielberg’s best movie in each genre.
9Action: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Raiders of the Lost Arkmarks the debut of Harrison Ford as archeologist Indiana Jones, on a mission to stop the Nazis from finding the powerful Ark of the Covenant. Ford is charming and funny, as Indiana goes through non-stop action and thrills, right from the movie’s opening scene of him running from a giant ball trap. It re-birthed the classic treasure hunt/adventure film and created its own successful franchise.
Related:Steven Spielberg’s Best Movies From the 80s, Ranked
8Adventure: Jurassic Park (1993)
Based on the novel by Michael Crichton,Jurassic Parkexplores a theme park full of real dinosaurs. John Hammond (Richard Attenborough), the man behind the park, invites several experts and his grandchildren to visit the park. Predictably, disaster ensues, and the movie becomes a survival adventure for Alan Grant (Sam Neill), who must get himself and the kids to safety. Upon its release, the movie broke Spielberg’s own record – forE.T. the Extraterrestrial– as the highest-grossing film of all time, and led to numerous sequels. The characters’ adventure to escape from awe-inspiring dinosaurs is still an amazing movie that remains thebest in the franchise.
7Comedy: Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Based on a (supposedly) true story,Catch Me If You Canstars Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Abagnale Jr., who ran cons worth millions of dollars posing in various jobs, with Tom Hanks as the FBI agent pursuing him. The movie doesn’t take itself too seriously, relishing in its ridiculous premise. It’s fun and clever, and was a big hit with audiences. DiCaprio and Hanks are great in this cat-and-mouse chase, bringing sly humor to their roles.
6Drama: Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s Liststars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler, a German who hires Jewish workers to work in his factory during World War II. When more and more Jewish people are being killed, Schindler has them protected as workers, saving their lives in the process. It’s an excellent, universally-acclaimed drama that captures the raw horrors and heartbreaking emotions of the time, forcing the world toreally acknowledge what happenedduring the Holocaust.
5Family: E.T. the Extraterrestrial (1982)
E.T. the Extraterrestrialtells the story of Elliott (Henry Thomas), a young boy who befriends E.T., an alien trying to return home. After their initial fear, Elliot and his siblings embrace E.T. with warmth, dressing him up, taking him trick-or-treating, and even rescuing him from the government. Elliott saying goodbye to his friend is one ofSpielberg’s most emotional momentsever. A huge financial and critical success, this timeless tale of friendship is perfect for all ages and remains one of the best family films of all time.
4Horror: Jaws (1975)
Based on the novel by Peter Benchley,Jawsfocuses on the quaint Amity Island beach town, which falls into chaos after several people die in shark attacks. The attacks forced police chief Brody, marine biologist Hooper, and fisherman Quint to hunt the shark in a tense, bloody battle of man and nature.Jawswas thefirst film to make over $235 millionat the box office, and essentially created the summer blockbuster as we know it. With suspenseful music and heart-pounding danger until the last second, this classic is a great work of horror that still scares no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Related:The Best Jaws Rip-Off Films, Ranked
3Musical: West Side Story (2021)
The originalWest Side Storyremains a classic, but Spielberg brings a fresh take in his adaptation. This version’s strength lies in whatSpielberg adds to it– accurately-casted actors; an important role for original actress Rita Moreno; and more characterization and interaction between the leads, which gives their romance more depth. The performances and costumes still dazzle, and this version pays its respects to the original while bringing something new to the classic tale in a way that only Spielberg can.
2Romance: Always (1989)
In the romantic fantasyAlways, Pete (Richard Dreyfuss) is a pilot who dies after a mission and serves as a guide to new pilots. One of the pilots is Ted (Brad Johnson), who falls in love with Pete’s widow, Dorinda (Holly Hunter). Spielberg blends Pete’s lingering love for his wife with the new feelings between Dorinda and Ted, creating a tender romance of telling people how we feel and learning to move on after grief.
1Science Fiction: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Close Encounters of the Third Kindis a sci-fi classic that brought Spielberg his first Oscar nomination for Best Director. In a small town, several people become obsessed with UFOs after encountering them. After the government learns the aliens will be landing in Wyoming, Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) goes to the landing and is invited by the aliens to travel with them in an action-packed finale. It’s agreat work of science fictionthat retains a human center.
