Steven Spielberg‘s stature in the realm of blockbusters is unmatched, and his versatility as a filmmaker is second to none. While no stranger to prestige fare, across his decades-long venture in the showbiz, he did keep on returning to the realm of sci-fi, not just to craft visual spectacles, but to grapple with more human themes that have always been a silver lining in his works.
With the auteur now returning to the genre for his next release, Disclosure Day, slated for release next year, here’s an overview of all eight sci-fi movies he has helmed. The list is ranked from the very best in his filmography that have stood the test of time to the ones that didn’t quite match Steven Spielberg’s stature.
8. The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Steven Spielberg’s sequel to one of his most prominent blockbusters left a lot to be desired. It lost the original’s scientific wonder in favor of a louder and more spectacle-driven story, and the character-work itself was a notable step down from the 1993 classic.
The Lost World still has its moments, especially the San Diego sequence, but even that stretches believability.
Spielberg himself has acknowledged the shortcomings of the sequel, pinning them on his overconfidence heading into the project. As a result, it eventually translated into an inferior project, which explains why he hasn’t directed a Jurassic Park movie ever since dropping the ball with The Lost World.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterThe Lost World: Jurassic Park6.657/52%
7. Ready Player One
Ready Player One is arguably one of the most divisive movies in Spielberg’s entire filmography, often criticized for its nostalgia-driven spectacle, driven by shallow ’80s references.
While it’s well-made, which is expected from a filmmaker of Steven Spielberg’s stature, compared to his other works, it’s arguably the most shallow in terms of depth, something that has been a cornerstone in his filmography.
Moreover, it comprises one of the weakest protagonists in Spielberg’s filmography, Wade Watts, who lacks a proper character arc and doesn’t possess much agency in the story, as he reacts to the plot rather than driving it forward. It’s still enjoyable to an extent, but it fails to leave a lasting impact.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterReady Player One7.471/77%
6. War of the Worlds
War of the Worlds is one of the weaker alien movies when it comes to Spielberg’s filmography, and interestingly, it’s the lone one that explores a hostile invasion. Although the movie is still an enjoyable watch, thanks to its scale, it’s held back by its divisive protagonist, who has a pretty abrupt arc.
While he serves much of the movie as an apathetic and self-centered individual, only motivated by raw desperation to save his kids, by the third act, he transitions into a traditional action hero.
Spielberg has always excelled at depicting warmth as opposed to hostility, and War of the Worlds is arguably his weakest effort when it comes to alien-centric works, and the somewhat caricatured supporting cast doesn’t help. It’s good, but compared to his other notable entries in the genre, it falls short.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterWar of the Worlds6.676/42%
5. A.I. Artificial Intelligence
A.I. Artificial Intelligence is Spielberg’s most Kubrick-esque movie, dedicated to the legendary auteur. Originally conceived as a Kubrick project, the director later passed the reins to Spielberg before his death in 1999.
Although the movie gained momentum after the auteur’s demise, much of his original vision remains intact, and a blend of Kubrick’s cerebral detachment and Spielberg’s heartfelt warmth creates a unique tone.
The movie follows David, a Humanoid robot programmed to love, who gets abandoned by his family. While on the surface, it’s reminiscent of classic fairytale stories like Pinocchio, the movie doesn’t shy away from leaning into darker territories with its exploration of more bleak themes, contributing to a tonal whiplash.
Although this led to its mixed reception upon its release, time has been kind to this movie.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterA.I. Artificial Intelligence7.276/64%
4. Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of Spielberg’s purest expressions of cosmic wonder. Instead of villainizing alien life and depicting the fear of the unknown, the movie captures childlike awe at the face of the unknown, expressing humans’ yearning for something greater beyond the mundane.
Told through the eyes of Roy Neary, his obsession with his quest to unravel the unknown feels sacred. Even though the plot is deliberately simple, and the movie’s meditative pacing could challenge viewers’ attention span, the visual symphony, coupled with John Williams score, amounts to an almost spiritual experience.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterClose Encounters of the Third Kind7.691/85%
3. Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is the Spectacle Movie, the ultimate theme-park ride whose sense of awe is yet to be matched by the following installments in the series. The sense of wonder from his alien-driven movies is present here, and the humane figures bring a sense of groundedness.
The story also delves into themes of unchecked ambition and humanity’s illusion of control over nature.
What makes it even more impressive is that Spielberg was able to make this movie and Schindler’s List, two very tonally distinct movies, within the span of a year, another testament to how versatile the Oscar winner is.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterJurassic Park8.291/91%
2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Similar to Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial taps into Spielberg’s unparalleled knack for depicting childlike wonder and awe towards the unknown, rather than villainizing them.
The movie is arguably Spielberg’s most innocent and purest exploration of this theme, and there’s a good reason why it continues to resonate with fans to this day.
It’s the perfect four-quadrant movie, as seeing a young Elliot befriending a stranded and homesick E.T. and forming an unbreakable bond is truly special. For kids, it’s a defining, magical experience, and as for adults, it feels like a warm hug from your childhood self.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial7.999/72%
1. Minority Report
Minority Report sees Tom Cruise‘s rogue agent, who once championed the PreCrime system, racing against it after it predicts his own guilt. Set against a dystopian backdrop of Washington, D.C., the movie masterfully explores the dilemma between free will and determinism, and serves as a riveting blend of noir and sci-fi with a classic whodunit trope at the center.
The sci-fi elements, including retinal scans, personalized ads that know your name, etc, aren’t just gimmicks; they play into the movie’s worldbuilding.
Clocking at 145 minutes, the movie never wastes a moment. And given our current climate, which mirrors the movies’ tech and pervasive surveillance, Minority Report still remains highly relevant, cementing its stature as one of the best sci-fis ever made.
MovieIMDbTomatometer / PopcornmeterMinority Report7.689/80%
With the auteur now returning to this genre for his next UFO movie, it’s safe to assume he’ll once again hit it out of the park, which he often does.
What’s your favorite sci-fi movie from Steven Spielberg? Comment below!
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