Marcel ranks Steven Spielberg’s five greatest films — Schindler’s List is No. 1

Writer Marcel published a list on Jan. 28, 2026, ranking what he calls the five greatest Steven Spielberg movie masterpieces, placing Schindler’s List at No. 1. At No. 1, Schindler’s List is described as Spielberg’s most mature and personal project, a black-and-white dramatization of Oskar Schindler’s rescue of more than a thousand Polish Jews.

Marcel notes the film won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and remains a seminal work of war cinema. No. 2 is Raiders of the Lost Ark, which introduced Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and, co-created with George Lucas, revitalized the adventure genre. Marcel highlights the film’s iconic set pieces, John Williams’ theme, practical effects, and its lasting influence and sequels.

Sitting at No. 3, Saving Private Ryan is praised for its groundbreaking realism and emotional depth, especially the D-Day sequence. Marcel notes the film won five Academy Awards and earned Spielberg the Best Director Oscar, though it lost Best Picture to Shakespeare in Love. No. 4 is Jurassic Park, credited with pioneering realistic CGI and becoming the highest-grossing film of its time.

Marcel emphasizes Industrial Light & Magic’s effects, the film’s genre-defining spectacle, and that it spawned a major franchise of six sequels. At No.

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