Steven Spielberg has directed some of the most beloved films in cinema history. In a recent feature, Guardian readers shared their personal favourites and the memories that make them unforgettable. From childhood tears to lifelong comfort, here are their stories.
ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Andrea, 51, from Manchester, UK, recalls seeing ET at Bolton Odeon when she was eight. It was her first cinema experience and the first film to make her cry. She says, 'I remember feeling completely confused by the fact that I was so happy and yet so sad at the same time.' Watching with her mother and friends from the Gingerbread Club, a single parents' organisation, she connected with the film's portrayal of a single mother. 'It felt much closer to my own reality,' she explains. More than 40 years later, hearing John Williams's score still brings tears to her eyes.
Hook (1991)
Rhea from Melbourne, Australia, defends Hook as a trusted comfort film. Despite being considered a flop by Spielberg himself, Rhea loves its warm haze and quotable dialogue. 'I can quote all the dialogue, and even use phrases from it in my day-to-day life,' she says. Robin Williams's performance as a grown-up Peter Pan resonates deeply. She returns to the film at least once a year for a dose of nostalgia.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Scott Harrison, 54, from north Wales, UK, shares a serendipitous story. At age five, his mother mistakenly took him to see Close Encounters instead of a planned double bill. Initially scared, he soon became absorbed. 'Once my tummy stopped shaking, I was absorbed by the scale, spectacle and wonder,' he remembers. That night, he asked his mother to leave the curtains open so he could see the stars, his mind opened to the magic of the universe.
Always (1989)
Karen Cusick, 61, from Devon, UK, calls Always her feelgood movie. Starring Holly Hunter, Richard Dreyfuss, and John Goodman, it blends comedy, heartbreak, and action. 'I have to watch this film every couple of years and I always laugh and always messy-cry,' she says. The chemistry between the leads and the classic dialogue make it a perfect love story, often overshadowed by Spielberg's blockbusters.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Niall Laverty from Dublin, Ireland, praises Raiders for its propulsive energy and giddy excitement. The film's choice of Nazis as villains and its homage to 1930s serials and Tintin stories make it timeless. 'Spielberg brings playfulness to the screen from the opening shot,' he notes, highlighting the chemistry between Indiana Jones and Marion as a screwball comedy element.
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Matthew Vandermeer, 50, from Brisbane, Australia, selects Empire of the Sun as his favourite. One of the first major Hollywood productions filmed in communist China, it stays faithful to JG Ballard's book. Christian Bale's performance as Jamie/Jim is unforgettable. 'The imagery is extraordinary, the acting feels real, and John Williams's score is beautiful,' Matthew says. He sees the film as about imagination, resilience, and choices, not just war.
The Fabelmans (2022)
Nathan Ossmann from Appleton, Wisconsin, US, teaches film studies and uses The Fabelmans as the capstone film. He describes it as a meditation on growing up with movies and a guide for future filmmakers. 'Watching The Fabelmans for the first time is an almost religious experience for Spielberg fans around my age,' he says. The final shot made him leap out of his seat, echoing his childhood reaction to ET.
The Color Purple (1985)
Mandy Purcell, 54, from Melbourne, Australia, loves The Color Purple for its portrayal of women supporting each other. 'It shows the strength of women to overcome their circumstances when they support each other,' she says. The gospel, jazz, and blues soundtrack, along with powerful scenes like Shug singing gospel, make it Spielberg's best film in her eyes.
Duel (1971)
Mike Abbott, 83, from London, UK, first read Duel in Playboy magazine and later saw the film on TV. He is mesmerised by the menace of the anonymous truck driver and the way Spielberg makes each encounter fresh. The cliffhanger ending, where the truck plunges over a cliff, is 'very clever for a directorial debut,' he says.
