Steven Spielberg’s 3 Most Underrated Movies, Ranked

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Steven Spielberg is one of the most famous and influential directors in film history. However, his incredible success with massive hits like Jurassic Park, Jaws, E.T., Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan can unintentionally overshadow some of his other work. Movies that don’t become huge cultural events sometimes get dismissed as less important, even if they’re creatively interesting and show Spielberg taking risks he usually avoids in his blockbusters. These films may not be as widely known, but they reveal a lot about him as a filmmaker beyond just his reputation for creating blockbuster entertainment.

It’s fascinating how Steven Spielberg’s less famous films are often his most surprising. They tend to be more unusual, subtle, or less focused on mass appeal – and that’s precisely what makes them so good. Here’s our list of the 3 most underrated Spielberg movies ever made.

3) The Sugarland Express

It’s understandable why The Sugarland Express isn’t as well-known as the director’s other films – it came early in his career, before he became the household name he is today. However, dismissing it as just a practice run wouldn’t be fair. The film already showcases his talent for dynamic action, exciting chases, and creating suspense, even with limited resources. The main problem is that it hasn’t quite found its footing; it shifts between serious drama, social observations, and sometimes clumsy attempts at humor, which makes the overall experience feel a bit uneven.

The movie The Sugarland Express centers on a couple, Lou Jean and Clovis, who kidnap a police officer and embark on a cross-country chase through Texas, hoping to reclaim their son. What makes the film particularly interesting is how the public quickly begins to support the criminals, turning the situation into a form of entertainment – a commentary on our fascination with crime and how the media portrays it. Though it’s considered the least strong film in Spielberg’s early work, The Sugarland Express is often overlooked because it reveals a more experimental and unconventional side of the director – a side he didn’t often get to explore after becoming a major Hollywood figure.

2) A.I. Artificial Intelligence

As a film buff, I’ve always been fascinated by A.I. Artificial Intelligence. It’s a movie that really sticks with you, but it also seems to polarize people, and I think that’s a good thing. When it first came out, a lot of viewers didn’t know what to make of it – it wasn’t your typical action-packed sci-fi, and it wasn’t a feel-good drama either. It’s a really odd, sad movie, and Spielberg doesn’t shy away from making you a little uncomfortable. He doesn’t give you easy answers, and that frustrated some people back then. But now, looking back, I think a lot of the negativity came from people expecting something different, not from any real problems with the film itself. That’s why I believe it’s seriously underrated.

The film centers on David, a remarkably human-like robot created to experience love. After being left behind by his family, the movie follows his journey to earn their affection. While the story could easily feel overly sentimental, A.I. Artificial Intelligence takes a different approach, honestly portraying human flaws and the often-painful realities of unrequited love. Surprisingly, the film holds up well today, particularly its thoughtful look at artificial intelligence and how we project feelings onto it. Though not flawless, its unique vision, unusual elements, and daring themes make it stand out among Spielberg’s more conventional works.

1) Empire of the Sun

Despite being a highly respected film, Empire of the Sun is surprisingly often overlooked – which is odd, given its quality. It didn’t achieve blockbuster status like many of Spielberg’s more famous movies, and it’s not a typical war film, leading it to get lost in his impressive body of work. Spielberg takes a subtler approach here, focusing on showing events rather than relying on emotional speeches or contrived scenes. This makes it one of his most mature and understated films, and a must-see for those who genuinely admire his filmmaking style.

Empire of the Sun tells the story of Jim (Christian Bale), a British boy who gets separated from his parents during World War II and has to fend for himself in a chaotic and confusing world. The film’s power comes from showing the war through the eyes of a child who’s old enough to experience its impact but too young to fully grasp it. Christian Bale delivers an incredible performance, and Steven Spielberg expertly builds a realistic and compelling character journey. Many consider Empire of the Sun to be Spielberg’s most overlooked film, possibly because it’s different from his other well-known works – and that might actually be what makes it so special.

So, I was just wondering, have you checked out any of these flicks? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Head down to the comments and let’s chat about them over on the ComicBook Forum – join the discussion now!

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2025-12-19 00:13