Guardian readers have shared their personal favourites from Steven Spielberg's extensive filmography, revealing deep emotional connections and cherished memories tied to his movies.
ET the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Andrea, 51, from Manchester, UK, recalls seeing ET at the age of eight in Bolton Odeon. It was the first film that made her cry, and she connected strongly with the single mother character, reflecting her own reality. The film remains her all-time favourite.
Hook (1991)
Rhea from Melbourne, Australia, defends Hook as a trusted comfort film from her 90s childhood. She quotes dialogue daily and watches it yearly for nostalgia, despite Spielberg's own regrets about the film.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Scott Harrison, 54, from north Wales, shares a serendipitous story of seeing the film by accident at age five. Initially scared, he was soon absorbed by its wonder, sparking a lifelong curiosity about the universe.
Always (1989)
Karen Cusick, 61, from Devon, praises Always as a feelgood movie with perfect chemistry between Holly Hunter and Richard Dreyfuss. She finds it reaffirms her faith in people despite being overshadowed by Spielberg's blockbusters.
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Niall Laverty from Dublin, Ireland, celebrates Raiders for its propulsive energy, timeless plot, and the chemistry between Indiana Jones and Marion. He highlights its playful adventure reminiscent of 1930s serials.
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Matthew Vandermeer, 50, from Brisbane, Australia, was captivated by the film's imagery and Christian Bale's performance. He sees it as a story about imagination and resilience rather than war.
The Fabelmans (2022)
Nathan Ossmann, a high-school teacher from Appleton, Wisconsin, US, calls The Fabelmans his all-time favourite film. He describes it as an almost religious experience that reveals the magic behind filmmaking and features a joyous final shot.
The Color Purple (1985)
Mandy Purcell, 54, from Melbourne, Australia, praises The Color Purple for showcasing the strength of women and featuring an amazing soundtrack of gospel, jazz, and blues.
Duel (1971)
Mike Abbott, 83, from London, UK, first read Duel as a short story and later saw the film on TV. He admires how Spielberg captures the menace of the anonymous truck driver and the clever cliffhanger ending.
