I have purposefully limited this poll to only the Sci-fi/Fantasy films that Stephen Spielberg has directed. I think I got them all.

So...which are the best of Spielberg's Sci-fi fantasy films? You can vote for up to two films.

IMO I think that Close Encounters is the best film he has made in this genre. It just is so well written, directed, acted et al that you come away from the film with a sense of wonder and awe. I loved it the first time I saw it and it continues to grow on me. I especially love the scene when Dreyfuss is going over the edge and starts making Devil's Mountain by bringing sand and dumping it into his living room. I also love the opening scene with all the Hindu's chanting the Close Encounters theme. The John Williams score really makes this film special.

Second, I voted for ET because it's just so wonderful. It's one film that moves me emotionally every time I see it. And every time I see it I tell myself I'm not gonna cry but I inevitably do. :wacko:

War of the Worlds and Minority report might have gotten votes from me if Tom Cruise was not in them I really do not understand Spielberg's choice in him. As far as I'm concerned the world would be better off if Cruise never makes another film.

Kevin

I'm partial to JURASSIC PARK. Probably my favorite all-time Blockbuster film.

I've loved dinosaurs since I was a wee man, and I still am fascinated by them. That films was the perfect dino flick.

I voted for Close Encounters and E.T. too. The former I didn't think much of when I first saw it but it has grown on me with subsequent viewings, I've always loved E.T. though if you were being ultra critical maybe its a bit long.

Jurassic Park (1993) is by no means perfect but worth it for the dinosaurs which are incredible, great score too. I didn't much like either Minority Report (2002) or War of the Worlds (2005) both rather overblown blockbusters. Minority Report (2002) I found overcomplicated and pretentious.Despite the impressive special effects War of the Worlds (2005) I just found dull, the 50s version was much more fun.

I have to agree with you here Derek. I also love the '50s version. Even though you can see the strings sometimes! :laugh:

Kevin

I picked Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I think that's the most well-directed and original film out of the choices. My second favorite would probably be Minority Report. The others are pretty good, too, though. . .but I don't like A.I.!

I voted for CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and ET but I did like JURASSIC too.

WAR OF THE WORLDS: BLEH

TOM CRUISE: DOUBLE BLEH

He used to be a lot better.

I voted for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Jurassic Park. Somehow, I didn't notice E.T. being there when I was voting though I should have. I'm not sure it would've affected my vote, though. I like Jurassic Park a lot and Close Encounters is my favorite Spielberg movie of this list. I do like A.I. and sometimes feel like I'm the only one who does.

E.T. of course is my first vote! I love that movie so much, and have done since I first saw it at age 8. I collect E.T. memorabilia too. :D As for the second vote... of the others, I have only seen War of the Worlds and Minority Report. I wasn't overly impressed with either (not a big Cruise fan). So I didn't use my second vote.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS got my vote, and I was torn about a second one, so I didn't choose it. I am a big fan of Spielberg's films, and "Close Encounters" was probably the one that has stuck with me ever since seeing seven straight nights when it was released. John Williams' score is second to none, and the special effects are superior to just about anything except for the Star Wars films.

I also love E.T., and A.I., but despite Tom Cruise, and I have to keep telling myself it is only a movie, I really enjoyed MINORITY REPORT and WAR OF THE WORLDS. I thought it a nice touch in WoW that Spielberg brought the original two stars of the 50's classic together for the final scenes of the movie. Dakota Fanning's screaming got on my nerves really quick, but I still enjoyed the film.

:unsure:

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS but generally I dislike Spielberg for being obvious and pretentious and derivative. I also dislike his tendency to add schmucky cutesy moments to most of his films.

BUT........ I do like CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and saw it when it first came out.... is sparked a lot of debate back then about the possibilities of extraterrestrial beings and how we would react in reality if it happened.......

Flawed they may be, but both CLOSE ENCOUNTERS and E.T. are charming, and have their big and little moments to savor. And although Spielberg does have a tendency to be cloying and obvious--and his direction, at times, self-conscious and pretentious--he always had a heart, and liked telling modern fairytales of sorts. Don't watch either much these days, but the memories are fond....

ED B)

I voted for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Jurassic Park (1993).

Close Encounters is just timeless and Jurassic Park still leaves me in awe as to the graphics and such. Definately one of the best films of 1993. ;)

I voted for E.T. My second vote is for close encounters of the third kind.
Richard Dreyfess excuse the spelling!... is awesome should have won a
oscar for this performance! I'll be arguing that til the end of time ;)
I agree that War of the Worlds was ok but i prefer the 50's version better.
The Jurassic Park movies were awesome for their dinosaur gender and
who can do it better than Stephen Spielberg!... But if i had to choose
between a dinosaur and a shark that somtimes didn't work on cue i would
choose Mr. Jaws hands down!... what can i say love Martha's Vineyard in
summertime.

These aren't his best, but you can't forget his other fantasy films:

Night Gallery segment
Amazing Stories segments
Always
and
Hook


Of course one could also make an argument for the Indiana Jones movies which depart into fantasy at time (particularly the new one ... so I have heard on the grapevine).

If so, I would rate Raiders of the Lost Ark ahead of them all.