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From his crowd-pleasing blockbusters likeJurassic ParkandIndiana Jonesto critically acclaimed projects likeSchindler’s List, Steven Spielberg has delivered a few of the most popular movies of all time. Turning into a beloved American filmmaker, with three Oscars to his name, Spielberg listed his endless source of inspiration.
Speaking with different outlets, Steven Spielberg has noted being influenced by other people’s work and deriving his inspiration from them. Handing down a properly skimmed list of his favorite movies, Spielberg claimed that his filmography is a treasure trove of tributes to those great directors of the past and their works.
1Dune: Part Two
Among several cult classic movies that influencedSteven Spielbergover the years, the director found his recent favorite in Denis Villeneuve’s magnum opusDune: Part Two. During an episode of the DGA’sDirector’s Cutpodcast viaVariety, Spielberg expressed his appreciation for the film.
“Dune: Part Two’ is ‘one of the most brilliant science-fiction films I have ever seen.”
Adapted from Frank Herbert’s novels, Spielberg found an incredible source of entertainment andinspiration in Villeneuve’s recent sequel, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
2Guardians of the Galaxy
Further, on the filmmaker’s list of favorite pop culture films, there’s James Gunn’s MCU ensembleGuardians of the Galaxythat got recently added during his interview viaEW. Stating how the film is his favorite of the action subgenre, Spielberg noted being impressed by Gunn’s work.
“I really like Richard Donner’s Superman, Nolan’s Dark Knight, and the first Iron Man movie, but the superhero movie that impressed me was Guardians of the Galaxy,”
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Certainly, being a superhero movie fan, Steven Spielberg noted all the films that he enjoyed watching. But among all,Guardians of the Galaxyundoubtedly stood tall.
3The Dark Knight Trilogy
As mentioned above, Steven Spielberg noted Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knightas one of his favorite films in the superhero genre. Shifting from MCU to DC, the director toldThe New York Timeshow he admires Nolan’s take on Batman and praised the latter, saying:
“Everything Chris Nolan has touched in Batman, because of the darkness, of what would motivate a character like that, a very rich character, to do the kind of public service work he does.”
Further going through other iterations of Batman, Spielberg touched upon Tim Burton’sBatmanfilms.
4Tim Burton’sBatmanfilms
Just like he celebrated theDark Knighttrilogy, Spielberg also hailed Tim Burton’sBatmanmovies. Starring Micheal Keaton in the titular role of the caped crusader, the director noted “I love Tim Burton’s Batman films.”
5Meet Me in St. Louis
Shifting to his list of classic movies, Steven Spielberg noted Vincente Minnelli’s classic musicalMeet Me in St. Louisas one of his top choices. According toIndieWire, the director stated, “I love Meet Me in St. Louis, Judy Garland knocks me out.” Appreciating the actress who starred as a young woman who experiences love and family drama in the movie, Spielberg added the film to his list.
6The Greatest Show on Earth
Addressing Cecil B. DeMille’s 1952 spectacleThe Greatest Show on Earth, Steven Spielberg noted how it was the first movie that he ever saw. Therefore, he even admitted to taking inspiration from the very film, for several projects of his own. Hailing the 1952 movie as his introduction to cinema, Spielberg held it in high regard.
7The Godfather
Undoubtedly, the famed Francis Ford Coppola’s masterworkThe Godfatheris on every filmmaker’s list. Similarly, even Spielberg’s list holds a special position for the cult classic movie starring Marlon Brando.
“I was pulverized by the story and the effect the film had on me… I also felt that I should quit, that there was no reason I should continue directing because I would never achieve that level of confidence and ability to tell a story.” the filmmaker toldCNN.
Expressing his appreciation for the film, Spielberg even admitted feeling insecure about his work after watching the masterpiece.
8John Ford Movies
Diving into the classic tales from the 50s, the filmmaker addressed John Ford’s movies as a few of his favorites. During his 2013 interview with theAmerican Film Institute, Spielberg noted being inspired by Ford’s movies.
“I turn on a John Ford film – one or two – before every movie, simply because he inspires me. I’m very sensitive to the way he uses his camera to paint his pictures and the way he frames things… He celebrates the frame, not just what happens inside of it. I have to look at The Searchers. I have to – almost every time.”
Further, by addingStagecoachandHow Green Was My Valleyto his list of Ford’s films, Spielberg addressed how he “really admire Stagecoach” and admitted being heavily influenced by Ford’s 1941 pictureHow Green Was My Valley. Drawn into John Ford’s movies, the director claimed that he derived his inspiration from the filmmaker’s work of art.
9Steven Spielberg’s List of Films on Goop
Quite surprisingly, Spielberg has a few of his favorite films listed on Gwyneth Paltrow’sGoop. Under the travel section of the website, the filmmaker has praised Dustin Hoffman-starring 1982 comedyTootsie, from Sydney Pollack.
Further, there’s also Victor Fleming’s adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s novel,Captains Courageous,and a shout-out to William Wyler’s 1946 filmThe Best Years of Our Lives.
10Fantasia
Speaking withRolling Stone, Spielberg addressed the impact that Disney’sFantasiahad on him as a child. Therefore, being severely influenced by the 1940 movie, the filmmaker noted taking inspiration from the film for his movieE.T.
“Remember, in Fantasia, Mother Night flying over with her cape… when I was a kid, that that’s what night really looked like… I wanted the opening of E.T. to be that kind of Mother Night.”
11The Shining
Being famously close with Stanley Kubrick before his untimely death in 1999, Steven Spielberg recalled enjoyingThe Shining. Claiming to have watched the horror flick nearly 25 times, the filmmaker extended his support and appreciation for Kubrick.
“I have since seen The Shining 25 times. It’s one of my favorite pictures. Kubrick films tend to grow on you, but you have to see them more than once.” Spielberg told viaCinema Art.
12Citizen Kane
During his discussion withAFI, Steven Spielberg addressed the unparalleled 1941 Orson Welles triumphCitizen Kane. Holding the movie in the highest regard, the director noted, “It means everything to me… It is one of the great American experiences in the cinema.”
13Lawrence of Arabia
Being awestruck by the 1962 movieLawrence of Arabia, Spielberg recalled the famous mirage scene, in an essay forEmpirein 2021.
“When I was in my teens, Lawrence Of Arabia opened in Phoenix, Arizona, and I went with my parents… I sat bolt upright for the entire film.”
Mesmerized by the brilliance of the movie, Spielberg later described David Lean’s 1962 epic as“a major miracle” toAFI.
14It’s A Wonderful Life
Spielberg has often mentioned Frank Capra’sIt’s a Wonderful Lifeand cited the film as a major inspiration throughout his career. Speaking withNew York Daily News, the director stated,“I realized, like George Bailey at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life, at the end of watching [Susan Lacy’s] documentary, I realized how many friends I truly have in this world.”
Sharing a personal connection with the film’s protagonist, the filmmaker expressed his appreciation for the movie.
15Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope
Being a fan and friend of George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away, Steven Spielberg went to watch the first screening ofStar Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Totally mesmerized by the film, the director added Lucas’ iteration to his list of favorites.
According toColliderreports, even after watching the unfinished cut of the pioneering sci-fi project, Spielberg turned into the franchise’s first vocal fan.
16Viva Las Vegas
Spielberg’s love for George Sidney’s 1964 movieViva Las Vegas, holds a separate position on his list. Actress Teri Garr recalled for anAustralian Elvisfan club, how much Spielberg loved the 1964 movie.
“One day he was talking about his favorite movies. His favorite movie was Viva Las Vegas. And I was in Viva Las Vegas.” Garr shared.
That’s how we got to learn about the filmmaker’s lesser-known appreciation for George Sidney’sViva Las Vegas.
17That Man from Rio
Repeatedly cited that Steven Spielberg took inspiration fromThat Man from Rio, forIndiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark,New York Timesnoted that the filmmaker has been a fan of the movie. According to the outlet,That Man from Riohas even been considered as one of Spielberg’s favorites.
18The Seven Samurai
AlongsideLawrence Of Arabia, It’s A Wonderful LifeandThe Searchers, Steven Spielberg has often addedThe Seven Samuraias his top favorites. “Before I go off and direct a movie, I always look at four films” Spielberg hailed the four cult classics, viaFar Out Magazine.
19From Russia with Love
Finally, here’s aJames Bondmovie in Steven Spielberg’s list of favorites. The filmmaker has often revealed how he once wanted to direct a Bond movie after watchingFrom Russia with Love, which ended up being his favorite spy film of all time. Directly influenced by the movie, Spielberg has often paid tribute to theJames Bondfranchise in different ways and even hired former Bond actor Sean Connery for hisIndiana Jonessequel.
20Touch of Evil
During his discussion withEmpire, Spielberg addressed legendary filmmaker Orson Welles’s 1958 movieTouch of Evil.Taking inspiration for the 1971 TV movieDuel, the director admitted to using a scene fromTouch of Evil, while directing his film’s final scene.
“At the end of that, I said to Dennis Weaver, ‘Remember all those scenes in Touch Of Evil where you were the night watchman?’… Dennis said, ‘Say no more. I know exactly what you’re getting at.’ Then he gave me that moment at the end.”
21Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Appreciating the edited 1956 American versionGodzilla: King of the Monsters, of Ishirō Honda’s 1954 kaiju thrillerGodzilla, Spielberg noted how the film directly influenced his understanding of action and impacted his movieJurassic Park.
“The only Godzilla I saw was the one with Raymond Burr,” Spielberg told viaJapan’s Favorite Mon-Star: The Unauthorized Biography of The Big G.
222001: A Space Odyssey
Claiming to have watched2001: A Space Odysseyover 18 times, Steven Spielberg noted being a major fan of the film. During a discussion withAMCviaIndieWire, Spielberg gushed over the film as he stated, “2001’ had a profound impact on my life and my daily life”.
Having a religious experience after watching the movie multiple times at the theatres, Spielberg addressed how people were blown out by the movie, following its release, much like he was.
23The Thing from Another World
Christian Nyby’s 1951 classicThe Thing from Another Worldhas been Steven Spielberg’s favorite sci-fi movie, that has impacted generations of cosmically curious movies from Spielberg, over time. Although he has rarely mentioned this film, according toIndieWire, The Thing from Another Worldremains one of his favorite sci-fi.
24The 400 Blows
François Truffaut’s directorial debut,The 400 Blows, remains one of Spielberg’s favorites of all time. The 1959 French New Wave staple narrating the troubled coming-of-age story, has been on the director’s list for a long time, as perIndieWire.
Being a true horror fan, Spielberg’s list of favorite movies comes to an end with Alfred Hitchcock’sPsycho. According toIndieWire, the director has often added this particular movie as his inspiration and even tried meeting Hitchcock. But since the director was unimpressed withJaws, he often dodged Spielberg’s attempted encounters.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
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Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
