Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the upcoming release of the latest version of West Side Story, we’re counting down our favorite Steven Spielberg movies! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
What kind of talent does it take to make a thrilling film based on releasing a newspaper? Well, just ask Steven Spielberg… because he would know! One of Spielberg’s most recent films, The Post is a thrilling drama about journalistic integrity and the soul of American journalism. When there are major leaks from the Nixon Administration about the Vietnam War, The Post must decide if they will take the risk of publishing these leaks. Do they protect the secrets of the government or do they make enemies and do the right thing? Spielberg shows his fantastic directorial abilities combined with thrilling John Williams to make a memorable drama. Oh, and THIS CAST though. Streep, Hanks, Paulson, Odenkirk, Letts, Whitford, Greenwood, Rhys, Brie, Coon, Plemons, Cross, and Woods… OH MY. You can just write this off. This is a fantastic film. (Shane Conto)
I’m not here to waste anybody’s time expounding about how Steven Spielberg’s catalog is filled top to bottom with hit after hit. What I’m here to do is tell you just how far you can go with nothing but some smooth talk, a pendant necklace, and being Leonardo DiCaprio. Catch Me If You Can follows the journey of young Frank Abagnale as he cons his way through life as an airline pilot, a very nauseous doctor, and even an attorney. All the while, hot on his heels is the gung-ho FBI agent Carl Hanratty, who is played by the excellent-as-always Tom Hanks. Along for this ride is a cast list that will keep you saying, “Wait, they were in this too!” and it’s honestly a crime that John Williams was only nominated at the Academy Awards for delivering a stellar score. This film is easily one of my absolute favorites to introduce people to! (Matt Lawson)
Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise working together on a science fiction action movie. Need I say more? Okay fine, I will. Part of the majesty that is Spielberg has always been his ability to deftly maneuver between making a specific genre movie and making a movie anybody can enjoy. A vast majority of his films strike that balance extremely well, and Minority Report is no different. While it is considered a bit of a harder-edged movie in Spielberg’s filmography, balancing the science fiction and action with tech-noir and a mystery thriller, it still manages to remain accessible to just about anybody who would care to watch it. It presents complex ideas in understandable ways and rewards audiences for watching carefully while not punishing those who might not be paying as close attention. That’s a testament of Spielberg understanding all aspects of the filmmaking experience. Cruise gives an underrated and strong performance, and Max von Sydow and Colin Farrell are great as always. Minority Report remains one of Spielberg’s best films of the 21st century and has a message that will stay with you long after the credits roll. (Nashua Doll)
I don’t remember the first time I watched E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,but one thing I do remember is the happiness I felt from it. It’s a story about a boy named Elliot (Henry Thomas), who is just trying to find his place in the world after the loss of his father, and he finds an unlikely bond with an alien that got left behind on Earth. It’s a coming-of-age story, in some ways, where Elliot needed someone who always is there for him and he found it in E.T. Elliot never cared about E.T. being an alien. He saw him as a friend, a protector. Steven Spielberg made one of the best films for the entire family. E.T. gave us a heartfelt story about family, along with adventure, suspense, and of course, science. It also gave one of the magical moments in movie history: Elliot and E.T.’s flight to the forest. At its time, the visual effects were believable and still hold well after almost 40 years. It’s definitely a classic and most would have to agree. This is one everyone should at least watch once (or twice) before they die. Trust me; it’s worth it. (Chantal Ashford)
In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg takes the familiar tropes of your typical “alien invasion” movie and puts his trademark optimistic spin on it. While most alien movies are about the fear of the unknown, this film is about the wonder of the unknown. Instead of humans finding out about alien life being suspicious, the characters of Close Encounters are entranced and drawn to it. The alien encounters in this film are portrayed like religious enlightenment in which the people of the world are in awe of the higher power they’ve encountered and strive for a closer connection with it. In a genre that is so often about conflict and mass destruction, Close Encounters is a breath of fresh breath air. From the solid leading performance of Richard Dreyfuss to the absolutely stunning visual effects (especially considering this movie came out in 1977!), Spielberg manages to craft a nigh-perfect film that paints a more idealistic picture of what it might be like to encounter extraterrestrial life. Although it was only his third theatrical film in a vast 33-movie-long filmography, it remains one of his best. (Jeffery Rahming)
When we talk about classics we often talk about movies that stand the test of time, which is something that we’ve often commented on when talking about movies that increasingly rely on special effects of many types. Jurassic Park is often talked about as one of those movies that pioneered the use of CG creatures in a way that still definitely holds up. It’s the sparse use of those effects together with the practical props that provide physicality on set that really makes it one of those effects-driven blockbusters that will likely be celebrated forever. The real strength of the film is in Spielberg’s almost trademark use of its child characters mixed in with the adults in the movie, shaping an adventurous story in a fantastical environment full of wonder and possibility. There’s not a single false step made by this movie, and almost 30 years after its release, it still beats any other installment in the franchise for a good time. That’s the kind of pedigree you can really only ascribe to a master of the craft like Steven Spielberg. (Chris Bakker)
Legend has it that Jaws is the movie that created the term ‘blockbuster’ as the lines to get into see it were so long they travelled across streets and metaphorically busted city blocks. Some say Jaws might be the greatest film ever made, and in my opinion, it is hard to argue against that. A director’s job is largely a problem solving one, and faced with issues from the get go with his mechanical shark, Steven Spielberg was able to re-map the script to avoid having to use the troublesome animatronic for extended periods. It may be luck or it may be genius, but as necessity is the mother of invention, Spielberg managed to create a suspense masterpiece that rivals the greatest work of the master Alfred Hitchcock himself. With a minimalistic, but insanely effective storytelling score from John Williams, Jaws is less a Hollywood classic, but more a cultural icon now that 46 years have passed since it was released upon the world. Many have tried to emulate it, but so few have come even close to matching it. (Adam Ritchie)
If Jaws was the film that made Steven known to everybody, then Raiders of the Lost Ark has to be the movie that cemented his status as “the next big thing.” But I’d be surprised if even Spielberg himself suspected how big he would become, and how relevant he will be for the decades to come. Not to mention the fact that his last name alone will forever be a mark of great films for one entire generation of movie lovers, such as myself, who grew up during that era. Raiders of the Lost Ark might still be his greatest achievement and one of the few movies you can genuinely pop in at any time. This film has aged well; it’s still as thrilling as it was back in 1981 (40 years ago!), and it doesn’t matter who you are, this film has something for everyone. I remember seeing it for the first time 20 or so years ago now, and being scared by the “melting faces” sequence towards the end. But even that didn’t stop me from wanting to rewatch this movie again and again. Because that is what this film is, in its core: a perfect adventure that doesn’t have a weak spot. And even if some sequences might scare you, you are oddly drawn to the film. And once you grow up, you appreciate everything else, from the legendary score, to the perfect blend of humor, adventure, and romance. It’s tough to argue against Spielberg and Harrison Ford in their prime. How tough? Let me ask you a question — what is the best adventure movie of the last 20 years? And is that movie in any way, shape, or form comparable to Raiders? Exactly. There aren’t many “reviews” where you can write “often imitated, never duplicated,” and it would fit as well as with Raiders of the Lost Ark. (Luke Burian)
This is an epic to end all war epics. Full scale, grandiose, powerful, and sweeping, Spielberg knew what he was doing when he directed Saving Private Ryan. Although it’s been a couple of decades since its release, this film also manages to hold up in quality and effectiveness even today. The combat scenes are still nail-biting, the character beats are still touching, and the performances are top notch (Tom Hanks was robbed!). Honestly, when I say that Spielberg was on his game here, I’m not being kind; I’m being truthful. If war films like Dunkirk or 1917 satisfy you, but you haven’t yet seen this one, you’re missing out on what is probably the inspiration for most movies of this genre today. So definitely track down a copy and pop it in immediately! (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
Sometimes the best movies to watch are the ones that make you cry the hardest. That is what you get with the 1993 epic Schindler’s List, a movie that tells the story of one man in one of the darkest moments in the history of the world, and how he proved to be the light so many needed to survive. The story of Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a war profiteer-turned-savior, and of the Holocaust is a profoundly deep subject to begin with, one that Steven Spielberg managed to handle it to perfection. You have a story that is definitely hard to watch, and at many moments is profoundly heartbreaking, and with an artistic direction that’s perfectly fitting for the subject being shown where only the color red is not shown in black and white. This, coupled with a cast that can and does show both the best and worst in humanity, sometimes to a scary degree, elevates this movie to an artistic form few will ever belong to. This movie truly is a staple of Spielberg’s filmography, and does a brilliant job at showing how even when times are at their darkest that there can be a light. (Joseph Davis)
The Adventures of Tintin
While not usually counted among Spielberg’s best, The Adventures of Tintin is an underrated masterclass in using revolutionary technology to adapt a classic story. With a world created entirely through 3D animation and motion capture, Tintin follows the titular journalist (Jamie Bell) as he travels the world searching for the missing connection between three boat models. On the surface, it may not sound that engaging, but Tintin is a richly exciting adventure that puts its animation to good use, crafting death-defying situations that wouldn’t work in a live-action film. Unfortunately, a sequel has not yet come to fruition, but as a fan of the Tintin books, producer Peter Jackson, writers Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish, and of course director Steven Spielberg, The Adventures of Tintin scratches every itch! (Rowan Wood)
Lincoln
More modern Steven Spielberg films can get a bit of a bad rap when compared to all the classics in his catalogue, but Lincoln is a great Spielberg film. While it is a biopic, the film makes the great decision to focus on President Abraham Lincoln’s efforts to pass the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery. Trying to cover the entire span of one of America’s most influential presidents would have been a mistake. By focusing on an important moment in time, the film both managed to teach me something about how hard the amendment’s passage was, and humanized an icon. The film looks spectacular and is full of fantastic performances. Daniel Day-Lewis manages to become Lincoln in what may be a career-best performance. Quite the accomplishment, considering his resume. (Jake Bourgeois)
Amistad
While Steven Spielberg is known most notably for his lighthearted films, he doesn’t shy away from tackling heavier material. Such is the case with 1997’s Amistad. The film portrays the 1839 revolt of the enslaved Mende Tribe against their Spaniard captures. When the ship is discovered off the coast of Long Island, it is in the hands of the court to decide whether the Mende are slaves or legally free. The heart of this story is Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the revolt aboard the Amistad and a man who simply wants to rightfully return home to his family. Through his translated testimony, the viewer is shown the brutal and inhumane conditions his people were put through on their unwilling voyage. It is difficult to fathom that people could treat one another in this manner, but that is the harsh reality of this story. The film takes you on a roller coaster of emotions showcasing both the cruelty of humans, but in the same token the great bonds that we can build with one another despite trivial differences. Amistad is an important film that provides glimpses of hope and the pursuit of justice in an unjust world. (Joe Vargas)
Ready Player One
Steven Spielberg has directed a lot of my favorite movies, and none more so than Ready Player One. For years it was thought to be unfilmable, and fans of the book written by Ernest Cline long thought they would never get to see a live action adaptation. The film tells the story of a future where James Halliday (Mark Rylance) creates a virtual reality world known as the Oasis, which becomes so popular that everything is done inside it (work, school, social life, etc.). When Halliday dies, he leaves behind an Easter Egg that if found gives the winner the Oasis and all of Halliday’s money. Gunters (egg hunters) Parzival (Tye Sheridan), Art3mis (Olivia Cooke), Aech (Lena Waithe), Daito (Win Morisaki), and Sho (Philip Zhao) clan up to save the Oasis from Nolan Sorrento (Ben Mendelsohn). Spielberg does deviate from the book, but he still delivers an excellent adaptation. This is one movie that probably would have served better as a streaming miniseries, but it’s still an enjoyable two hours and 20 minutes. As me and my friend said after seeing this movie, if you played a drinking game every time you caught a pop culture reference on screen, you would die of alcohol poisoning by act two. The references are great, but the use of CGI to put us into the virtual world is just absolutely phenomenal and shows how technology has advanced over the years. As with all of my favorite Spielberg films, this is a great one to watch over and over and catch new and exciting details. If you haven’t seen this one, I recommend it, as well as the book. (Austen Terry)
The Terminal
The Terminal is Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ third collaboration. It’s about a man from the country of Krakozhia, a fictional eastern European country. With the government in flux, Viktor (Hanks) is stuck at JFK Airport until Krakozhia’s government is stabilized and recognized once again. There’s a diverse cast of people at JFK Airport that endears themselves to Viktor as they all learn from each other about kindness, decency, and the human spirit. Yes, this may be on the lower end of Spielberg’s catalog, but it’s one is the most down-to-Earth movies that will put a smile on your face. I do like this more than most and it’s definitely worth another watch if it’s been a minute since you’ve last scene it. (Mike Hilty)
War of the Worlds
You may remember a time when Tom Cruise started jumping on couches and calling Matt Lauer glib, but what you probably don’t remember was those events were during the press tour Cruise was doing for one of Spielberg’s often forgotten films, War of the Worlds. Most people have to be reminded that this mid-aughts movie even exists, and that is a shame. The action in this movie is nothing short of brilliant. The first major action when the tripod rises from the ground and vaporizes people is, to this day, one of the most terrifying images ever put on screen. The aliens in this movie are literally unbeatable by anything man-made, and finally get taken down by the common cold. And if the aliens are not scary enough for you, maybe the fact that a third of this movie is spent fighting off other humans who refuse to work together and instead selfishly go after others if it means it gives themselves a better chance for survival will scare you. I also love that Ray Ferrier (Cruise) is just a guy with no military training or armed forces history. He is just a man who wants his son’s approval and is trying to keep everyone alive. Cruise really brings his desperation out and shines with some real wonderful pieces of acting as his son hits him with truth bombs Ray is not ready to hear. This is, by movie’s end, just a character drama with an apocalyptic backdrop. The final aspect of this movie that needs to be touched on is the set pieces. Every scene serves its purpose to show just how large the aliens are compared to the claustrophobic nature of having to hide in a cramped basement. This movie has Spielberg all over it; in between talking about Jaws and Saving Private Ryan, don’t forget War of the Worlds. (Scott Batchelor)
Hook
Whenever I’m feeling a bit down and I’m looking for a bit of a cinematic pick-me-up I’m quick to turn to the second star to the right, and fly straight on till morning. Neverland is the perfect form of escapism where I can relive elements of my childhood and remind myself that life is a great game. Although the film has its issues, Steven Spielberg’s Hook has become a defining film in my life. It ingeniously expands upon the lore of Peter Pan by asking what the world would be like if Peter grew up, had kids, and forgot all about Captain Hook and Neverland. Beyond the engaging premise, this movie is full of laughter, and heart. It has some of the best production and set design you could dream of, because seriously the Lost Boys’ island treehouse and buccaneer cove town are incredible. As well, John Williams’s score is magnificent, and can often bring a tear to my eye. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the joy and wonders of flight and sword fighting, then just think happy thoughts and you can have yourself a great adventure with Hook. (Heath Lynch)
Also See: Firelight, 1941, The Color Purple, Empire of the Sun, Always, AI: Artificial Intelligence, War Horse, The BFG, Bridge of Spies, Munich
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