Steven Spielberg is one of the best filmmakers of all time, as he is responsible for directing many cinematic classics. He reinvented the summer blockbuster with Jaws, presented audiences with a new action hero in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and brought dinosaurs to life in Jurassic Park. Spielberg hasn’t slowed down in the current era of films either, putting out directorial projects like Ready Player One, West Side Story, and The Fabelmans.
Some people may not know that Spielberg has been responsible for making other hit films, just not in the director’s chair. Throughout his accomplished career, Spielberg has obtained many producing credits. His directing filmography is already impressive, yet the films he has produced also deserve a mention. From Back to the Future to The Goonies, these are some of the best films Steven Spielberg worked on as a producer but not a director.
10 Real Steel is an Overlooked Underdog Story
Real Steel
In the near future, robot boxing is a top sport. A struggling ex-boxer feels he’s found a champion in a discarded robot.
- Release Date
- October 7, 2011
- Cast
- Hugh Jackman , Evangeline Lilly , Dakota Goyo
- Writers
- John Gatins , Dan Gilroy , Jeremy Leven
- Runtime
- 2 Hours 7 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Action
- Production Company
- Dreamworks Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Reliance Entertainment.
- IMDB Rating: 7.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
- Rent on Prime Video
Real Steel is probably the closest thing people will get to a Rock ’em, Sock ’em Robots movie. In the future, the world of boxing has changed as robots now operate in the ring instead of humans. Once a prized fighter, Charlie Kenton – played by Hugh Jackman – tries to make ends meet as a small-time promoter. When he hits rock bottom, he reconnects with his son Max, and the two build and train a robot named Atom, who becomes a popular contender for a championship.
With its fascinating concept, Real Steel became a fun sci-fi family film and one that some fans were hoping would get a sequel. Directed by Shawn Levy – who is helming the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine starring Jackman and Ryan Reynolds – Real Steel makes for an entertaining yet underappreciated project that combines robots with elements of underdog sports classics like Rocky. It made sense why Steven Spielberg chipped in to produce Real Steel, as it revolved around a family bonding with a lovable non-human character akin to E.T.
9 Twister is a Classic Disaster Film
Twister
- Director
- Jan de bont
- Release Date
- May 10, 1996
- Studio
- Warner Brothers
- Cast
- Helen Hunt , Bill Paxton , Jami Gertz , Cary Elwes , Philip Seymour Hoffman , Alan Ruck , Todd Field , Jeremy Davies
- Writers
- Michael Crichton , Anne-Marie Martin
- Runtime
- 113 minutes
- Main Genre
- Action
- Sequel
- Twisters
- Cinematographer
- Jack N. Green
- Producer
- Ian Bryce, Michael Crichton, Kathleen Kennedy
- Production Company
- Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment
- Sfx Supervisor
- John Frazier
- IMDB Rating: 6.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 63%
- Rent on Prime Video
10 Most Anticipated Thriller Movies Releasing in 2024
2023 was an abundant year for thriller movies. Fans can expect more to come in 2024; from the Joker sequel to Mickey 17, there’s a lot to anticipate.
1996’s Twister is a quintessential disaster film of its time, and it still resonates with some viewers today. Starring Helen Hunt and the late Bill Paxton, Twister follows weatherman Bill Harding and his tornado-tracking wife Jo as they attempt to finalize their divorce. However, when a series of tornadoes appear across Oklahoma, the couple and a group of storm chasers go on a mission to track down the phenomena using new technology.
Throughout its 113-minute runtime, Twister is pure chaos as the characters get thrown into one dangerous situation after another. The disaster film manages to be goofy and intense all at once, as moments of destruction are paired with ones of unintentional hilarity. Steven Spielberg is not usually associated with disaster films, which makes his involvement as a producer all the more surprising. Nevertheless, Twister‘s success earned it a loyal following, and a sequel is set to be released in July 2024.
8 First Man is a Mesmerizing Biopic About Neil Armstrong
First Man
A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
- Director
- Damien Chazelle
- Release Date
- October 12, 2018
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Cast
- Jason Clarke , Christopher Abbott , Jon Bernthal , Kyle Chandler , Brian D’Arcy James , Shea Whigham , Cory Michael Smith , Lukas Haas
- Writers
- Josh Singer , James R. Hansen
- Runtime
- 141 Minutes
- Budget
- $70 Million
- Studio(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
- Rent on Prime Video
After the Oscar-winning successes of Whiplash and La La Land, director Damien Chazelle took a huge risk when he stepped outside his comfort zone to do First Man. The biopic chronicles the life of Neil Armstrong – played by Ryan Gosling – as he trains for the Apollo 11 mission, where he becomes the first astronaut to land on the moon. Armstrong’s journey to the moon is one that captivated the world, and Chazelle brought it to life in a masterful way.
Anchored by brilliant directing, a wondrous score, and two gripping performances by Gosling and Claire Foy – who plays Neil’s wife Janet – First Man is an underappreciated biopic about one of mankind’s greatest achievements. While Steven Spielberg was a producer, First Man still feels like a Spielberg film, just by a different filmmaker. With all the build-up First Man generates, it satisfyingly pays off with its moon landing scene, which is awe-inspiring for both Neil and the audience. Furthermore, First Man took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
7 Transformers Remains a Fun Sci-Fi Action Blockbuster
Transformers
Transformers is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals.
- First Film
- Transformers
- Cast
- Peter Cullen , Wil Wheaton , Shia LaBeouf , Megan Fox , Luna Lauren Velez , Dominique Fishback
- IMDB Rating: 7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57%
- Watch on Paramount+
While the quality of the franchise’s later films is still debatable, there is no denying how impactful the first Transformers was on young viewers. Directed by Michael Bay, 2007’s Transformers was the first live-action film about the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons. When their war comes to Earth, humans like teenager Sam Witwicky are thrown into the mix, while the military must learn to trust the Autobots and their leader, Optimus Prime.
Transformers is still a nostalgic sci-fi blockbuster that people love going back to. Most particularly, the visual effects used for the giant robots and their transformations are still astounding and have aged remarkably well. While Bay’s knack for explosions and other action movie tropes is apparent, Steven Spielberg still had some input on the first film. Additionally, Spielberg has remained a producer on all the other live-action Transformers films, regardless of who is in the director’s chair. He will also produce the upcoming animated film Transformers One.
6 Poltergeist Has Terrified People For Generations
Poltergeist
A family’s home is haunted by a host of demonic ghosts.
- Director
- Tobe Hooper
- Release Date
- June 4, 1982
- Cast
- Craig T. Nelson , JoBeth Williams , Beatrice Straight , Heather O’Rourke , Oliver Robins , Dominique Dunne
- Writers
- Steven Spielberg
- Runtime
- 114 minutes
- Production Company
- MGM
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
- Rent on Prime Video
15 Best Horror Movies About Alternate Dimensions And Parallel Universes
There are a few different types of horror movies that disturb fans, though alternate dimensions and parallel universes are some of the most unnerving.
Since its release in 1982, Poltergeist has been terrifying families for decades. The horror classic follows the Freeling family, comprised of married couple Steve and Diane, as well as their kids Dana, Robbie, and Carol Anne. While living in their Southern California house, the family notices strange happenings like broken dishes and moving furniture. Then, things get more supernatural when their home gets invaded by evil spirits.
For a PG-rated film, Poltergeist is more horrifying than the rating suggests. Nevertheless, the practical effects and other filmmaking techniques used to bring the creepy horror to life are still marvelous. With iconic moments like the static television and the powerful portal to another dimension, Poltergeist became one of the best horror films of the 1980s. Steven Spielberg was in consideration to helm the project but was too focused on making E.T., which came out the same year. However, Spielberg co-wrote the screenplay and had some creative control when working with director Tobe Hooper.
5 Men in Black is Pure Sci-Fi Comedy Fun
Men In Black
A police officer joins a secret organization that polices and monitors extraterrestrial interactions on Earth.
- Director
- Barry Sonnenfeld
- Release Date
- July 2, 1997
- Cast
- Will Smith , Tommy Lee Jones , Linda Fiorentino , Vincent D’Onofrio
- Runtime
- 1 hour 38 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
- Watch on AMC+
One of the best sci-fi comedy films of all time, Men in Black follows the titular secret agency that protects Earth from alien invaders. When New York cop James Edwards encounters an extraterrestrial, he becomes the latest recruit in the organization. Now using the alias Agent J, he and seasoned veteran Agent K get partnered up and investigate a series of bizarre occurrences that lead to an intergalactic assassin’s evil plot.
Full of outrageous humor and action, Men in Black blends its two genres to become a definitive entry in the sci-fi comedy subgenre. The mismatched pairing of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as Agents J and K helps drive the film forward as their banter and line delivery make them entertaining to watch. Additionally, all the alien species are excellently brought to life with both practical effects and CGI. With its sci-fi premise, Steven Spielberg was a great choice to be a part of the project and its two sequels as a producer.
4 Gremlins Provides Creature Mayhem For All Ages
Gremlins
A young man inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
- Director
- Joe Dante
- Release Date
- June 8, 1984
- Cast
- Zach Galligan , Phoebe Cates
- Writers
- Chris Columbus
- Runtime
- 106 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.3
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%
- Watch on Tubi
Directed by Joe Dante and written by Chris Columbus, Gremlins centers on Billy Peltzer, who gets a mysterious gift for Christmas: a strange furry creature named Gizmo, who comes with three crucial rules. However, Billy grows carefree and decides to break all three rules when caring for Gizmo. Billy’s actions result in a horde of wicked gremlins being unleashed onto a small town, causing mayhem wherever they go.
Gremlins offers everything a campy horror film from the 1980s should have, including dark humor and chaotic fun with its titular monsters. It’s hard not to be entertained as the gremlins wreak havoc in people’s homes and other establishments. The practical effects on Gizmo and the evil gremlins have aged quite well since its 1984 release, with the former remaining a fan-favorite character among viewers. It’s hard to imagine a film this wild had Steven Spielberg as a producer, yet the director was involved in the production and its outlandish sequel, The New Batch.
3 The Goonies is an Iconic Staple of The 1980s
The Goonies
- Director
- Richard Donner
- Release Date
- June 7, 1985
- Studio
- Warner Brothers
- Cast
- Corey Feldman , Sean Astin , Josh Brolin , Jeff Cohen , Martha Plimpton , Ke Huy Quan
- Writers
- Chris Columbus , Steven Spielberg
- Runtime
- 114 minutes
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- IMDB Rating: 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%
- Watch on fuboTV
10 Movies That Explain The ’80s
The ’80s was a time in movie history when non-stop hits would define the tastes of not just an era, but for movies going forward.
1985’s The Goonies was one of those fantasy movies that persuaded every young kid to want to go on a treasure hunt. Directed by Richard Donner, the family-family adventure follows young teenager Mikey Walsh and his friends Data, Chunk, and Mouth as they discover an old treasure map in an attic. With their homes on the verge of being demolished, the quartet and a couple of other companions seek the treasure of pirate One-Eyed Willie.
The Goonies has a lot of elements that make it an enjoyable journey, including a likable group of young characters, great production design, memorable quotes, and an excellent sense of adventure for viewers of any age. The film has become a major staple of 1980s cinema, and it’s hard to deny how influential it was to many people’s childhoods. It was also an important film for now-famous actors like Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, and Ke Huy Quan. Plus, Steven Spielberg – who was on a hot streak with his 1980s adventure movies – left his mark on The Goonies as a producer.
2 Who Framed Roger Rabbit Brilliantly Combines Animation And Live-Action
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
A toon-hating detective is a cartoon rabbit’s only hope to prove his innocence when he is accused of murder.
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Release Date
- June 22, 1988
- Cast
- Kathleen Turner , Christopher Lloyd , Bob Hoskins , Charles Fleischer
- Runtime
- 1 hour 44 minutes
- IMDB Rating: 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%
- Watch on Disney+
When a live-action film mixes with 2-D animation, it becomes a rare experience that is always joyful to watch, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit perfected that technique. Set in a world where cartoon characters interact with real-life humans, cartoon star Roger Rabbit becomes worried that his wife Jessica is seeing someone else and hires private detective Eddie Valiant to investigate. However, after the owner of Toontown is found dead, Roger is named the prime suspect. This leads him and Eddie to go looking for the truth while evading the evil Judge Doom.
Under the direction of Robert Zemeckis, Who Framed Roger Rabbit fuses its different story elements to create something magical and never seen before back in 1988. Winning three Oscars and featuring a clever bunch of character cameos, the film combines slapstick and cartoonish comedy that appeals to kids with a noir story and old Hollywood satire that fascinates adults. It was a creative venture for Zemeckis, and it was more impressive with Steven Spielberg producing the film. Furthermore, Who Framed Roger Rabbit inspired other films that blended animation with live-action, like Space Jam and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
1 Back to the Future Left a Huge Impact on Cinema
Back to the Future
Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown.
- Director
- Robert Zemeckis
- Release Date
- July 3, 1985
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
- Cast
- Michael J. Fox , Christopher Lloyd , Lea Thompson
- Writers
- Robert Zemeckis , Bob Gale
- Runtime
- 1 Hour 56 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- Production Company
- Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, U-Drive Productions
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- Rent on Prime Video
Another collaboration between Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, Back to the Future is a beloved classic among many viewers. The film centers on teenager Marty McFly as he gets sent back from 1985 to 1955 using a DeLorean time machine created by Doctor Emmett Brown. While stuck in 1955, Marty disrupts his parents’ first meeting and must repair their romance before he fades from history.
Back to the Future is not only one of the best sci-fi and time travel films of all time, but it was hugely impactful in the 1980s and remains so today. Anyone who has seen Back to the Future has incredibly positive things to say about it. Along with the crazy time travel shenanigans, the film is endlessly quotable and charming. Meanwhile, the characters are instantly iconic, with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd being perfectly cast as Marty and Doc. Even though Zemeckis directed Back to the Future and its two sequels, Spielberg still got to be a part of the groundbreaking trilogy as a producer.
