When Steven Spielberg shares his favorite films, it’s essential to take note. The iconic director’s movie preferences span from grand epic narratives to intimate character explorations, yet they all possess an enduring quality that resonates. Each of these films has played a significant role in shaping Spielberg’s worldview and his directorial style, offering a unique glimpse into the creative mind of a cinematic visionary.

These selected films showcase masterful storytelling in diverse forms—some generate intense suspense, while others evoke profound empathy. They range from hidden treasures to monumental classics in the film industry. Importantly, all ten films carry an emotional weight that endures long after the final credits roll. Therefore, to truly grasp Spielberg as a filmmaker—and perhaps even as a person—exploring this list of his ten favorite films serves as a compelling starting point.

10
‘A Guy Named Joe’ (1943)

Experience the Vision of Director Victor Fleming

“You’re not going to die. You’re just going to fly so high nobody can see you.” This largely overlooked World War II fantasy-romance made such a lasting impact on Spielberg that he chose to remake it years later as Always. In A Guy Named Joe, Spencer Tracy portrays a fearless pilot who meets his fate in combat, only to return as a ghostly guide to a younger aviator (Van Johnson), who inevitably falls in love with the pilot’s former partner (Irene Dunne). While the storyline may seem melodramatic, its emotional core is profound.

Watching this film today, one can sense Spielberg absorbing its emotional essence: themes of romantic sacrifice, enduring love beyond death, and the intricate ties that bind the living to the departed. The film’s themes revolve significantly around redemption and duty, infused with a wartime urgency that suggests death isn’t an absolute end. Although it carries a sentimentality typical of its era, for those open to its charms, it proves to be an enjoyable experience.

9
‘Fantasia’ (1940)

Explore the Innovative Direction by James Algar and Others

“Congratulations to you, Mickey!” This groundbreaking feature from Disney’s golden era uniquely pairs classical music with imaginative, abstract, and mythological imagery. Beginning with Bach‘s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,” where colors and shapes transform into pure movement, and concluding with Mussorgsky‘s “Night on Bald Mountain,” which depicts a nightmarish vision dispelled by dawn, the film thrives without dialogue, yet conveys vast narratives. Many scenes and visuals are strikingly serious and impactful, setting it apart from typical children’s films.

These attributes made the film revolutionary in 1940, and it remains a visionary masterpiece today. This is animation redefined as symphony and cinema transformed into a sensory journey. This formula resonated widely: Fantasia generated over $76 million at the box office—a remarkable figure for its time—and has enchanted audiences across multiple generations. In Spielberg’s oeuvre, the influence of Fantasia can be traced in films such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T., where sound, light, and wonder supersede mere exposition.

8
‘Captains Courageous’ (1937)

Discover the Masterful Direction of Victor Fleming

“A man’s not a man until he’s been a little bit scared.” This coming-of-age maritime adventure tells the story of a spoiled rich boy (Freddie Bartholomew) who accidentally falls overboard and is rescued by fishermen aboard a sailing vessel. Compelled to coexist and labor among them, he gradually sheds his entitlement and integrates into their crew. Spencer Tracy‘s portrayal of Manuel, the compassionate yet pragmatic fisherman who mentors the boy, earned him an Academy Award.

There are no fantastical elements or massive spectacles in the narrative—just the transformative power of character and moral evolution. Spielberg has always gravitated towards narratives of mentorship and redemption, and this film encapsulates both themes beautifully. The bond between Manuel and the boy is genuinely developed, and its poignant conclusion hits harder than anticipated. Their relationship embodies a father-son dynamic, a recurring motif in Spielberg’s storytelling. Overall, Captains Courageous is undoubtedly sentimental, yet it never feels cheap or forced.

7
‘The Searchers’ (1956)

Delve into the Masterful Direction by John Ford

“That’ll be the day.” Considered one of the most intricate and haunting Westerns ever crafted, The Searchers stands as a crucial reference point for Spielberg and nearly every influential filmmaker of his generation. John Wayne delivers one of his most memorable performances as Ethan Edwards, a bitter Civil War veteran who dedicates years to searching for his abducted niece, but this narrative is not merely a heroic rescue tale. Ethan is propelled as much by his racism and desire for vengeance as by love, creating a constant interrogation of his motives.

Spielberg has frequently lauded John Ford‘s visual storytelling techniques, including his iconic use of Monument Valley and the signature doorway framing, which are both prominently showcased in this film (even Game of Thrones would take cues from it). However, it’s the film’s moral complexities that linger in one’s mind. Ethan’s obsessive pursuit is steeped in darkness, and Ford never shies away from depicting it. Through Wayne’s character, The Searchers evolves into a commentary on the ease with which violence and righteousness intertwine; a daringly edgy exploration for a late ’50s Western.

6
‘The 400 Blows’ (1959)

Uncover the Creative Genius of François Truffaut

“Honest work may be hard to find for kids like us, but it’s not impossible.” Truffaut‘s semi-autobiographical debut, centered around a neglected Parisian youth spiraling into delinquency, revolutionized cinematic storytelling and had a profound influence on Spielberg as well. The 400 Blows is both raw and lyrical, employing handheld cameras to chronicle Antoine Doinel’s (Jean-Pierre Léaud) journey from innocence to alienation. Its iconic freeze-frame ending, capturing Antoine’s gaze towards the camera, is regarded as one of the most emotionally impactful conclusions in cinematic history.

Spielberg has remarked, “He loves movies more than anybody I’ve ever met in my life,” in reference to Truffaut. Their eventual collaboration on Close Encounters of the Third Kind adds to the poignancy of this connection; in that film, Truffaut portrays a French scientist facilitating communication between humanity and extraterrestrials. However, even prior to that collaboration, the essence of The 400 Blows can be traced through Spielberg’s narratives featuring lonely boys, fractured families, and the desire for escape. Antoine Doinel’s journey paved the way for Elliott and Jim from Empire of the Sun to soar.

5
‘Day for Night’ (1973)

Examine the Masterful Direction of François Truffaut

“I’d drop a project at any moment for a cat that needs me.” Another gem from Truffaut that Spielberg admires, Day for Night serves as a heartfelt tribute to the art of filmmaking itself, capturing the chaotic blend of personal turmoil, production disorder, and creative passion that unfolds on a film set. Truffaut stars as the director managing this chaos with a calm demeanor, while those around him grapple with their own crises. It’s a wonderfully meta experience that remains engaging.

It is easy to understand why Spielberg holds this film in high regard: Day for Night represents a tribute to storytelling that does not shy away from the heartbreak inherent in the process. It is both affectionate and forthright, romanticizing the filmmaking journey while recognizing its challenges. Within its narrative lies the belief that movies are created not despite human fragility but because of it. Spielberg, who has spent a lifetime navigating the demands of large-scale productions and the complexities of fragile egos, likely sees in Day for Night a reflection of his own experiences (and perhaps even a masterclass).

4
‘The Best Years of Our Lives’ (1946)

Explore the Brilliant Direction of William Wyler

“I was just a guy who could fly a B-17 and dropped bombs. But I had never done anything really important.” Few films addressing the aftermath of war resonate as profoundly as The Best Years of Our Lives. This film follows three veterans (Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and Harold Russell) as they return home from World War II, struggling to adjust to civilian life. One has lost his hands, another has lost his marriage, and the third grapples with a loss of purpose. William Wyler‘s direction is patient and incisive, allowing the characters to breathe and emotions to unfold authentically without resorting to melodrama.

For Spielberg, whose war-themed films often delve into the dichotomy between valor and trauma, this movie likely served as a profound source of inspiration. By portraying the human toll of conflict, The Best Years of Our Lives communicates more powerfully than any depiction of heroism on the battlefield. It emphasizes the challenges of reintegrating into normalcy rather than glorifying heroism in combat. Numerous films about veterans returning from war have been influenced by its themes.

3
‘Psycho’ (1960)

Analyze the Genius of Alfred Hitchcock’s Direction

“We all go a little mad sometimes.” Although it may seem predictable to include Psycho, its influence is undeniable—on Spielberg, on the thriller genre, and on the entire framework of suspense. Hitchcock‘s mid-film twists, voyeuristic camera work, and audience manipulation have completely redefined the rules of storytelling. These combined elements leave viewers feeling unsettled, deceived, and complicit in the narrative’s unfolding. It’s no surprise that the film caused such a stir upon its release in 1960.

Psycho is not just lean and terrifying; it also explores themes of isolation and yearning. Like Spielberg’s most notable works, it invites viewers to perceive the humanity beneath the monstrous exterior, and occasionally reveals the monstrous nature within humanity. Technically, Spielberg’s thrillers, including Jaws, Minority Report, and Munich, owe a significant debt to Hitchcock’s precise framing and psychological depth. In particular, Spielberg appears to have learned from Hitchcock’s adeptness at evoking audience emotions, skillfully cultivating suspense through mere glances, a shower curtain, or a staircase.

2
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)

Experience the Vision of Director Frank Capra

“Remember, George: no man is a failure who has friends.” Frank Capra‘s holiday classic transcends mere nostalgia, revealing a surprisingly dark narrative that explores despair, sacrifice, and the delicate framework of a single life. George Bailey’s (James Stewart) gradual descent into hopelessness—and his miraculous rediscovery of purpose—serves as an emotional blueprint for numerous Spielberg protagonists. This film has likely shaped Spielberg’s ethical perspective more than any other.

Indeed, the director has been candid about its emotional impact. The themes of small-town America, family dynamics, and the interplay between fate and individual choices are quintessentially Spielbergian. The enduring quality of It’s a Wonderful Life lies in its authentic depiction of the sacrifices made in pursuit of dreams and the quiet realization that one’s existence holds significance. It’s magic grounded in the ordinary. Surprisingly, upon its initial release, the film underperformed at the box office and received mixed reviews, but it eventually became a classic, largely due to its frequent television broadcasts after entering the public domain.

1
‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

Discover the Landmark Direction of Akira Kurosawa

“This is the nature of war: by protecting others, you save yourself.” Akira Kurosawa‘s Seven Samurai stands as one of the most influential action films in cinematic history, and Spielberg acknowledges its profound impact. Every sequence involving team-building montages, climactic battles, and heroic sacrifices can trace their roots back to this cinematic masterpiece. The narrative is straightforward—seven warriors enlisted to defend a village—but the execution is nothing short of monumental. The character development, pacing, and action choreography remain subjects of study in film schools around the globe.

Spielberg has consistently commended Kurosawa’s visual storytelling, emotional depth, and skill in balancing spectacle with introspection. The influence of Seven Samurai can be seen in Saving Private Ryan and War Horse, where makeshift teams emerge under pressure, and ordinary individuals evolve into heroes through their actions. Nonetheless, the film also addresses themes of futility and loss, as only three samurai survive, and even they feel as though they have paid a heavy price for victory. In Seven Samurai, heroism comes at a cost, a lesson Spielberg has internalized and one that resonates deeply with audiences.

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