There is no denying that Steven Spielberg has made quite an impact in the cinema world. He's been a part of some of the most iconic movies of all time, filled with their share of epic stories and recognizable characters. From Indiana Jones to West Side Story, the movie legend has a track record that very few can compete with. Particularly, when it comes to the sci-fi genre, Spielberg is one of the most influential directors of all time. He's responsible for creating, directing and producing some great installments.
Triggering amazing franchises and literal out-of-this-world standalones, Spielberg's work has inspired so much of Hollywood with movies that challenged audiences and critics. Considered by many a sci-fi pioneer in cinema, his best work within science fiction brings out his different assets, impacting the world of entertainment in vastly different ways.
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7 War of the Worlds
IMdB: 6.5
As far as alien invasions go, War of the Worlds is one of the most recognizable disaster movies. It's a thrill ride that captures H.G. Wells' novel wonderfully. Even though many see this movie as a simple blockbuster, this is also the reason it thrives.
Spielberg captures fear and horror on a blockbuster scale, showcasing a devastating alien invasion that only gets more bleak by the minute. Even though it is not the director's best work, it is still an entertaining watch, especially in terms of the frightful repercussions of an alien invasion.
6 A.I. Artificial Intelligence
IMdB Score: 7.2
- Release: June 29, 2001
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Runtime: 146 minutes
It is hard to talk about sci-fi and not address the threats that artifical intelligence poses to humans. Many popular movies have addressed the concept of AI taking over the world. Yet, Spielberg's movie A.I. Artificial Intelligence took a more positive approach to it all, showcasing an AI that can love.
As one of the few sci-fi movies that demonstrate the benefits of AI, A.I. Artificial Intelligence tells a heartwarming story in a devastating context, where Earth is ruined by global warming. Framing AI as a reason for hope, this sci-fi story illustrates how broad Spielberg's grasp on the genre is.
5 Ready Player One
IMdB Score: 7.4
- Release: Mar 29, 2018
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Runtime: 140 minutes
As an already popular book, the Ready Player One movie adaptation felt like Spielberg's love letter to gamers, portraying the thin line between reality and gaming. In 2045, virtual reality becomes a popular way to escape reality, at least in this sci-fi universe.
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A race to find all the clues in a reality world, will give the winner control over this universe. It's a beautiful adaptation, and Spielberg includes plenty of Easter eggs for gamers and sci-fi fans through an epic adventure.
4 Minority Report
IMdB Score: 7.6
- Release: June 21, 2002
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Runtime: 145 minutes
Another artificial intelligence sci-fi movie by Steven Spielberg, this time he shows that the endless possibilities of AI come with many downfalls. Although the film praises the AI's ability to accurately predict crime, Minority Report also demonstrates the risk of having such a powerful machine.
As one of Tom Cruise's best sci-fi movies, the installment manages to portray the subtle line between good and bad when it comes to AI. This thriller comes charged with psychological tension and action, showcasing Spielberg's abilities at depicting complexity in sci-fi narratives.
3 Close Encounters of the Third Kind
IMdB Score: 7.6
- Release date: November 16, 1977
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Runtime: 157 minutes
Scoring Spielberg his first Oscar nomination, Close Encounters of the Third Kind deserves all the praise it gets as a classic alien movie. Exploring humankind's fascination with extraterrestrial life and the extraordinary as a whole, this film has stunning visuals and an emotional narrative that makes for a great extraterrestrial flick.
Spielberg's fixation with UFOs and aliens is at its best in this feature. It shows off his prowess at recounting alien stories about humanity like very few others could, solidifying Close Encounters of the Third Kind as a reference point in the genre.
2 E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
IMdB Score: 7.9
- Release date: June 11, 1982
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Runtime: 115 minutes
Despite being released in the 80s, there are very few people today who do not know this endearing narrative about an alien stuck on Earth. Spielberg's complex yet positive take on a topic that is usually regarded with skepticism and violence — aliens — depicts a creature that feels more human than any other.
"E.T. phone home" is not only one of the most famous catchphrases in sci-fi, but also symbolizes Spielberg's narrative ingenuity in alien portrayals. Sad, cute, heartbreaking, and emotional, E.T. The Extraterrestrial survived the time test with flying colors and a flying bike.
1 Jurassic Park
IMdB Score: 8.2
- Release date: June 11, 1993
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Runtime: 122 minutes
When it comes to dinosaur movies, Jurassic Park is the film that first comes into mind. It brought Michael Crichton's novel to life and the dinosaurs back to life in a 90s blockbuster. Mixing terrifying moments with character development, the movie not only kickstarted the dinosaur horror movie genre, but it also became a 90s sci-fi classic for a reason.
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Jurassic Park sums up Spielberg's work, which combines breathtaking visuals, a compelling narrative, and epic scenes. It might not be the most scientifically accurate, but it is an entertaining ride and overall influential movie, especially with its groundbreaking CGI and technical innovations. It not only set up sequels, but successful spin-offs as well.
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