Steven Spielberg's Ten Best-Directed Films

We take a look at Spielberg's best critical and commercial successes.

Steven Spielberg is a living legend, and here's why: The man gave birth to the modern blockbuster (with his seminal Jaws), co-founded two studios (DreamWorks SKG and Amblin Entertainment), earned Oscar-nominations twelve times, and gave the world E.T. It's no wonder he was Dawson Leery's favorite director of all time.

With a nod to his impressive producing efforts in film (like The Goonies, Back to the Future, Flags of Our Fathers, Transformers, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?) and television (Tiny Toons Adventures, seaQuest DSV, Band of Brothers), we take a look at the ten best-reviewed films directed by Steven Spielberg, arguably the most influential filmmaker alive today.

Read on for our Tomatometer countdown of Steven Spielberg's ten best-reviewed films of all time (outside the Indiana Jones series). Check in with our Indiana Jonesin' series for retrospectives on Harrison Ford and George Lucas.







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10. The Color Purple
Tomatometer: 84%

In 1985, after striking earlier success with thrillers (Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) and family-oriented adventures (Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial), Spielberg made his first foray into the field of drama. The result -- an adaptation of Alice Walker's novel about poor African-American women in the South -- garnered eleven Academy Award nominations, including nods for lead Whoopi Goldberg, first-time actress Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery. Notoriously, however, the pic came away with no wins; snubbed, perhaps, along with its not-nominated director?



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9. Jurassic Park
Tomatometer: 86%

Spielberg's trademark sense of wonder came thrillingly to life in the box office blockbuster Jurassic Park. He called the best in the business to work on the project: writer Michael Crichton to adapt his own novel, John Williams to provide a signature sweeping score, and Phil Tippett and Stan Winston to create some of the most memorable visuals of modern cinema. Jurassic Park became the highest-grossing film of its time, earning more than $914 million worldwide and spawning two sequels. More importantly, it taught us that playing God can be dangerous -- because Velociraptors can open doors.


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8. The Sugarland Express
Tomatometer: 92%

Spielberg's first theatrically released feature rode the popular genre of on-the-lam pics of the 1970s, but it bears the marks of his later cinematic signatures just the same. Cleverly-plotted visuals and a particularly humanizing turn by Goldie Hawn help distance this "based on a true story" crime drama from less successful road flicks. The film, in which a young couple holds a cop hostage while leading a low-speed caravan of police cars to retrieve their child (the titular "Sugarland Express"), was also scored by future Spielberg collaborator John Williams.



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Comments

tempest3991

Nick Sansone

If your gonna make a top ten list you should probably have 10 items in it. Just a hint.

May 16 - 07:51 PM

maxxbero

Maxx Bero

yeah where's number 3?

May 16 - 10:01 PM

Filmaniac79

Michael Pierce

Hey tard, you gotta click "next page" to see the rest. Just a hint.

May 17 - 12:57 AM

andrewh817

Andrew Highland

If your gonna read a top ten list you should probably check for a page 2. Just a hint.

May 17 - 01:18 AM

kgochs

Kev Gary

Try clicking "Next Page", dummy.

May 17 - 06:40 AM

kurt wagner

Mustan Dawood

hey tempest,
perhaps you should have clicked the "next page" link to view the rest of the top 10 list.

May 17 - 08:03 AM

RobotWookie

Jeremiah Leathart

You must understand how to navigate a web page my friend

May 17 - 10:45 AM

thestorm529

Sean Grant

check out page two. just a hint.

May 17 - 10:50 AM

onepiece226

Eric Cormier

Yeah um stupid much? how about you flip through the pages to get the rest of the movies!!!!

Steven Speilberg is one of the best directors of all time, hands down

May 17 - 11:23 AM

one_guey

Antonio Hernandez

Wow your dumb tempest3991! Click on Next Page. Just a hint.

May 17 - 11:35 AM

mrshock13

Mr Shock

Um, there are ten...

May 17 - 11:48 AM

emma12589

Emma Heil

There is 10 genius! Did you happen to see the three pages?

May 17 - 11:53 AM

Warheart1188

Tim Higginbotham

Uh, there are 10 items. Learn to how to browse a website

May 17 - 12:03 PM

bloop777

Justin Herlick

There are check again

May 17 - 12:55 PM

garcher84

Graham Archer

Hey it's that guy who doesn't know how to click "next"...

May 17 - 12:57 PM

nadroj69

Jordan Nope

tempest3991 - Here's a thought, use the next button. Everyone thinks this guy was smart enough to notice the two number fours, but judging by his blind sarcasm, I think he didn't know that these posts were on multiple pages. "Just a hint." What a jerk, going through life calling out people's mistake when he's too dumb to realize that they didn't make one.

Applause to RT for making this awesome list! Thought separating it onto 3 pages for more ad revenue IS pretty weak.

May 17 - 02:02 PM

movie critic galore

chris henderson

Heres a hint maybe you should learn how to count

May 17 - 02:23 PM

hasbun3

Joel Hasbun

There are ten items...you should scroll down and check to see if there is more than one page. Just a hint.

May 17 - 02:26 PM

happyicecream

Dave B

...I count ten. ?

May 17 - 02:45 PM

RiseofFoo

Trevor Larsen

you might want to go click on the link that says "page|1 2 3 4" before critizing an article, just a hint.

May 17 - 05:38 PM

Some guy you dont know

Bruce Campbell

You're not funny.

May 17 - 05:46 PM

rgallitan

robin thompson

Bruce Campbell-

They may not get it, but I have been laughing my *** off. Thanks for trying.

May 17 - 06:47 PM

UltimateHigh

adam why?

Click on Next Page, you dunce.

May 17 - 07:53 PM

Daniel27182

daniel briscoe

If your gonna make a top ten list you should probably have 10 items in it. Just a hint.

This and similar comments imply a lack of reading comprehension that is stunning. good work.

May 17 - 09:20 PM

Superman4ever

Omar El

Idiot! Try going to page 2 and 3 for 6-1. Dip****!

May 17 - 10:29 PM

atothec

Andrew Costello

There are 10.

May 18 - 12:29 AM

Assjackery

Tom Hale

If you're going to make a sarcastic comment, at least make sure you're right(There's more than one page involved for this list, genius - learn how to count). Just a hint.

May 18 - 12:50 AM

thirteen13

j h


If you're gonna make a sarcastic comment, you should probably look at all 3 pages. Just a hint.

May 18 - 02:16 AM

thirteen13

j h


If you're gonna make a sarcastic comment, you should probably look at all 3 pages. Just a hint.

May 18 - 02:17 AM

thirteen13

j h

by the way, i read all the posts. i was just being dumb and adding to the pile!

May 18 - 02:21 AM

kgochs

Kev Gary

Try clicking "Next Page", dummy.

May 18 - 08:35 AM

Viala

Jim Brown

Wow. What an incredibly stupid comment. The worst part of it is that you think you're being clever.

May 18 - 03:57 PM

theZproject

Geoff Alleger

if youre gonna post comments you should learn to work the Internet .... Try the NEXT PAGE next time flyboy.

May 18 - 06:26 PM

joviwan88

Joseph Villarin

If you're gonna be sarcastic, you should probably check to make sure you didn't overlook the next *two pages* of the article. Just a hint.

May 18 - 10:44 PM

wyan

Ryan Adams

If you are gonna complain about a top 10 list not having 10 items the you may wanna click the "Next Page" link to get to the rest first. Just a hint.

May 19 - 07:18 AM

pt1andonly

Paris Crayton

Or maybe you should press the page number at the bottom and read the rest.

May 19 - 10:06 AM

pt1andonly

Paris Crayton

Or maybe you should press the page number at the bottom and read the rest.

May 19 - 10:06 AM

azielinsky

Alejandro Zielinsky

Next time when you are checking a top ten list and you see just a few of them, yo shuold check for a NEXT PAGE button. Just a hint.....

May 19 - 10:55 AM

LpoolFC

Wesley Barker

If you're gonna have a brain, you should try and use more than 10 percent of it, just a hint. There are 3 pages...

May 19 - 06:03 PM

PeterHoff

Peter Olthoff

ummm....maybe if you took the time to look at all three pages you would see that there are ten...just a hint...

May 19 - 07:33 PM

Just Give'r

Tron Funkin-Blow

there's a next page link, einstein.

May 19 - 09:10 PM

brandofo

Brandon Fox

i counted 10

May 19 - 10:05 PM

kinqcuonq

cuong nguyen

If you're going to take the time to comment, then take the time to go to the next pages to see the 10 items. Just a hint.

May 20 - 12:16 PM

Video Gamer

Eli Newberg

...Dude, there's 10. You just have to go through all the pages...

May 20 - 01:57 PM

Video Gamer

Eli Newberg

...Dude, there's 10. You just have to go through all the pages...

May 20 - 01:57 PM

epharv001

Ethan Harvey

3 on the first page, 4 on the second, and 3 on the last, Maybe you should learn how to count!

May 20 - 04:27 PM

amiabilita

Jamison Kay

-> to tempest3991:
click "page 1" or "2" or "3"...etc??

May 20 - 08:33 PM

Demmi

Edward Hutchinson

I think tempest3991 has got the point, what is that... Like the thirtieth post on it so far? He's probably been shaking his head in embarrassment since.

May 21 - 01:09 AM

aretelio

Aretelio Merthorion

What several people are doing is clicking where it says "Next Page."

May 21 - 09:52 AM

cantspellgoode

Tim Martens

or you could learn how to go to the next page... just a hint

May 21 - 03:22 PM

MadMonkey572

Joel McDonald

Um... turn the page, dip*****.

May 21 - 04:32 PM

rgallitan

robin thompson

...aaaannd that brings us to an even 50. Le sigh.

May 21 - 08:47 PM

wumanchoo

Ben Wu

Hint: try clicking "Next Page."

May 22 - 06:45 AM

Bluufalkon

Freddy Huntsman

306548
tempest3991 writes:
on May 16 2008 07:51 PM

If your gonna make a top ten list you should probably have 10 items in it. Just a hint.


There are pages 1 2 3, meaning different movies on each page. Try looking around a bit, r-tard. "Just a hint."

May 22 - 06:52 AM

smalltalkdan

Dan Goldman

If you're going to make a wiseass comment, you should first learn what the "next page" button means. Just a hint.

May 22 - 12:14 PM

wfoddis

Walter Foddis

Umm...this only page 1? (Click on Next Page and learn to navigate web pages)

May 22 - 05:55 PM

tuswraith

Andrew Brown

AND, tempest3991, if you're going to READ a top ten list, you should probably learn to use the "next page" button. Dumbass.

May 22 - 07:06 PM

Crabs619

Michael Severance

Hey Tempest3991 there is 10 items u should check that there are more than one page just a hint

May 23 - 12:07 AM

machabeez

macha beez

wanna say something smart tempest3991, next time check the links first...

May 23 - 07:30 AM

jjerry76

Jesus Montoya

Um, dhu!! dude!

May 23 - 10:41 AM

jjerry76

Jesus Montoya

Um, dhu!! dude!

May 23 - 10:43 AM

jjerry76

Jesus Montoya

Um, dhu!! dude!

May 23 - 10:52 AM

soulzhard

Chris McManaway

There is ten in the list... Did you notice the little numbers down the bottom that indicate there are multiple pages in this entry? A little hint; try clicking on those numbers to see more entries.

May 25 - 01:22 AM

moviejunkie80

JON RANDALL

if you are going to say something "smart", you should try clicking on the other pages to SEE all 10 movies on the list. just a hint.

May 27 - 02:44 AM

Wisenheimer

Joshua Dinsmore

Don't listen to these people tempest3991, even though they are right. The fact of the matter is that you made a mistake, but there's nothing you can do about it. Forgive and forget, ladies and gentleman.

Dec 29 - 01:55 AM

Wisenheimer

Joshua Dinsmore

If Spielberg isn't the best film director that ever lived (which is quite possible), then he sure is one of the best. I like most of his films and have seen all of them. Im just glad that he's still making them, and I hope he never stops (or at least continues until he can't do his job). Great list overall.

Dec 29 - 02:00 AM

Jeremy Leung

Jeremy Leung

lol tempest, so temped

Jan 8 - 04:10 AM

The Federal Farmer

Guy Burnett

Spielberg is the best director in film history. And I don't say that lightly.

So glad I'm living in the Era of Spielberg!

May 16 - 07:53 PM

Caboose323

Gavin Barker

Theres something about a Spielberg movie...christ knows what it is but I dont think ive ever seen one that made me want to gouge my eyes out with pencils. most directors have that 1 film that you wish they hadnt made, but this guy knows how to make a freakin awesome flick. Cinema will suck a little bit more ball hang once this guy decides to put his feet up. Good list

May 16 - 07:54 PM

chewie louie

L B

Hook?

May 16 - 09:13 PM

noir62

Frank Mendez

Not one? How about "Always"? Yuck.

May 22 - 08:41 AM

lavatory love machine

juan carlos petruchi

su, the sugarland express is better directed that munich and raiders?

May 16 - 08:08 PM

mjprogue

Mike PArker

They specified the Indiana Movies weren't on the list...
and they said it was a best reviewed list...Munich is only 77%...so it obviously can't be on this list.

May 16 - 08:28 PM

mjprogue

Mike PArker

They specified the Indiana Movies weren't on the list...
and they said it was a best reviewed list...Munich is only 77%...so it obviously can't be on this list.

May 16 - 08:29 PM

southparkfanciz

Colin Cieslak

It said outside of Indiana Jones movies so Raiders is out, but I agree Mucich is much better than the Sugarland Express.

May 21 - 03:45 PM

Crusader07

Josh Giuliano

What about Duel? He made it in ten days on a poor man's budget and it is one of the more intense movies he's made.

May 16 - 08:22 PM

arendr

Arend Anton

Duel was a made for TV movie.

May 16 - 11:59 PM

ron_boise

ron mcc

It's not a list for his most efficiently made movies... what the heck -- do you know the shooting days for every movie? Probably not -- it is not an issue for this list. I'm embarrassed for you.

May 19 - 11:58 AM

yahdeeblah

David A Demaret

Duel was a made for TV movie.

May 21 - 07:17 AM

Mr. & Mrs. B

Kevan and April Brenay

The best director of all time (I know sounds cliched, but who doesn't love Spielberg). No other director comes close to the comercial and critical success this guy has on almost all his films. Every time he is about to come out with a movie, I can't wait to go see it. This list is great and includes all my favorites (minus of course the Indy films). Indy 4 is going to be great. Here's to hoping his midas touch never leaves and we will still have many more great films coming.

May 16 - 08:28 PM

thesimulacra

Gabriel Kabik

I'm sorry but anyone who says Spielberg is the "best director of all time" has never seen a Kurosawa film. That might sound like art school snobbery, but Spielberg himself will be the first to tell you he doesn't hold a candle to Kurosawa's masterpieces.

May 18 - 06:52 AM

kaike_67

Carlos Balbás Espín

"The Color Purple" is one of the best films ever made, and it's completely and vary much unfairly underrated.

May 16 - 09:30 PM

noir62

Frank Mendez

I agree "Color Purple" is a great film but I understand (not agree)what the naysayers mean...that it's too "directed". He's a master story teller who, especially early in his career, used all the film gimmicks that had been used since the silent era to tell those stories and manipulated them superbly...you almost didn't need the words. After being snubbed I could see him backing off a bit with "Empire of the Sun". Guess he thought he'd be taken more seriously. Anyway, as much as I love his earlier films I also love the filmmaker he has grown into. Viva Spielberg!

May 22 - 09:14 AM

rgallitan

robin thompson

I've always felt E.T. gets overrated. I don't mean to be too down on it, but I'd be happier if it was switched with Schindler (which is not only amazing in its own right, but gets bonus points for being such a stylistic departure).

Jaws definitely belongs in the top spot, though. Good call there.

May 16 - 09:57 PM

rgallitan

robin thompson

...except I missed that this was a "best-reviewed" list, so it wasn't actually a good or bad call. Whatever - it's deserved.

May 16 - 10:00 PM

kpdyer12

Kelsey Paige

There *are* ten items. Schindler's is number 4 and Catch Me number 3, but they labeled them both 4.

May 16 - 10:16 PM

nyr148699

Alex L

There were ten movies on the list they are just numbered incorrectly.

May 16 - 10:17 PM

nyr148699

Alex L

and Saving Private Ryan should be 6 instead of 8.

May 16 - 10:19 PM

Basilides in Alexandria

Ken Verybigliar

Unfortunately he made 1941, one of the worst movies I've seen in my life...

May 16 - 10:27 PM

driftwood

Steven Skimbo

I almost didn't make it thru that one (& I'm still not sure where the discipline came from). Definitely one of the worst movies I've ever seen. I'd only watch it again if it had commentary consisting of Spielberg groaning in disgust & repeatedly apologizing. However, other than "1941", his work is pretty outstanding.

May 17 - 07:37 PM

Jen Yamato

Jen Yamato

I need to stop staying late to post these things. Numbering fixed.

May 16 - 10:54 PM

Thundaar

Paul Fairbrother

not quite - still problems with the numbers.

May 16 - 11:10 PM

Bloody Mathias

Mathias N/A

Steven Spielberg is a living legend. When he retires, he will join Hitchcock and Kubrick to complete the holy filmmaking trifecta. All his films are must-see films. If you even in passing tell anyone, or remotely think of yourself as a movie lover, then you owe it to yourself to sit your *** and watch all his remaining films in theaters while you can.

Jaws, Jurassic Park, ET, Shindler's List, 3 Indiana Jones films, Minority Report, Close Encounters and Saving Private Ryan. If you have not seen any of these 10 historic films, stop reading this and rent it already!

BTW, can't wait to see what he has in store for us May 22nd. :D

May 16 - 10:59 PM

thug4life1979

jamie boot

how can you compare Hithcock and Kubrick to this Hollywood hack?

May 17 - 08:39 PM

rgallitan

robin thompson

Well, Kubrick anyway. Hitchcock was also a Hollywood hack - in the sense that he never made a movie with a higher purpose than entertaining people. And he never even won an Oscar, poor talentless poser...

Seriously, I was a film student, so I know how difficult and un-cool it is to admit that Spielberg is a filmmaker of extraordinary talent and importance. Snooty Julliard students go through the same thing with John Williams. Back in the day it was Hitchcock taking all the flak. Now, you don't have to admit that Spielberg is THE best ever. He's not. But he is ONE OF the best ever (top dozen?), and anybody who says differently is fooling themselves. ...Possibly to get a date with one of their snooty fellow film students.

May 17 - 09:39 PM

Some guy you dont know

Bruce Campbell

I guess you didn't have enough balls to reply to my other comment. Troll.

May 17 - 10:40 PM

EmmG389

First Last

Where is Munich? Munich, is no Amistad. And Catch Me If You Can sucked. Also where is AI.

My list
1. Jaws
2. Raiders of the Lost Ark
3. Munich
4. Schindler's List
5. Saving Private Ryan

May 17 - 12:42 AM

jacketman

Brian Thatcher

Do people not understand that this list is just showing the top rated films when it comes to percentage? Seriously?? AI?? Munich?? Amistad???

Ummmm. The RT meter isn't high enough when it comes to those movies. Ummmmm.

Seriously????

No.

Really?

May 17 - 12:48 AM

jasperoosterveld

Jasper Oosterveld

I still can't believe Saving Privat didnt got an oscar for best movie but that piece of **** Shakespeare movie did, what a disgrace for all the people who died in WO2. Unbelievable.

May 17 - 01:00 AM

spitting into the wind

ciaran kelly

WO2???
Whats the O stand for?
Insult to those who died in World War 2?
Don't be pathetic.

May 22 - 04:13 PM

smi1ey

Matt Dunn

poor jen... who needs editors when you have commenters?

i haven't seen jaws for a long time... probably for good reason. still getting over my fear of water from the first time i saw it! i also feel that ET was a bit overrated, but dang close encounters scared the crap outta me when i first saw it! good list.

May 17 - 01:48 AM

jasper de large

jasper de large

i say empire of the sun is his most unsung picture. i know it didn't get the critical approval to make this top 10, but still worth mentioning.

May 17 - 03:24 AM

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