Ranking 20 Steven Spielberg films by how much money they made

Steven Spielberg's biggest box office hits, ranked

Steven Spielberg is one of the world’s most talented and versatile directors, having tackled genres ranging from blockbuster adventure franchises such as Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park to historical dramas like Lincoln and Schindler’s List.

Spielberg has directed over 30 feature films, and his movies have collectively grossed more than $10.7 billion (£8.1bn) at the worldwide box office, making him one of the most commercially successful filmmakers of all time.

But which Spielberg films have made the most money? Click or scroll on as we count down the top 20, ranked by their lifetime global box office gross – a few entries might even surprise you. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

How does Spielberg make his money?

Before we begin our countdown, it's worth noting that Spielberg's estimated $7.1 billion (£5.3bn) fortune doesn't solely come from directing. In addition to filmmaking, he has executive-produced some of the world’s most beloved movies, including Back to the Future and Gremlins, which have significantly bolstered his wealth.

Incredibly, Spielberg also earns $2.38 (£1.79) from every Universal theme park ticket sold, thanks to attractions based on his films such as Jurassic Park. The deal nets him around $50 million (£38m) annually.

Surprisingly, he also profited from Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), despite having no involvement in the film. In a friendly wager, a nervous George Lucas swapped 2.5% of Star Wars profits with Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. When Star Wars became a global phenomenon, Spielberg walked away with an estimated $40 million (£30m).

Now, without further ado, let’s count down to his top-grossing movie…

20. A.I. Artificial Intelligence: $236 million (£178m)

Kicking off our round-up is the sci-fi drama A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) starring Haley Joel Osment as David, a childlike robot who embarks on a journey to become "real" and earn the love of his human mother.

While AI and its rapid advancement are hot topics today, the film was well ahead of its time upon release, exploring themes of consciousness, humanity and the ethical boundaries of technology.

A critical and commercial hit, it scored two Academy Award nominations and has a lifetime global gross of $236 million (£178m).

19. Disclosure Day: $240 million (£181m)

Crashing into the top 20 is Spielberg’s latest offering. Sci-fi thriller Disclosure Day returns to some of the themes explored in his early movies and has so far grossed $240 million (£181m) and counting worldwide against a budget of $115 million (£86.5m).

The movie has received largely positive reviews, although it remains to be seen if this will translate to awards success. Its box office performance has been strong but not spectacular compared to previous Spielberg sci-fi outings, but it does rank as his highest-grossing movie since 2018’s Ready Player One.

18. Lincoln: $275 million (£207m)

The historical drama Lincoln (2012) stars Daniel Day-Lewis in an Oscar-winning performance as US President Abraham Lincoln during the final months of the Civil War.

A critical gem, the biopic won two Academy Awards and earned 12 nominations overall, including a Best Director nod for Spielberg. At the global box office, it boasts a lifetime gross of $275 million (£207m). 

17. Hook: $300 million (£226m)

There have been many adaptations of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan over the years, but arguably none as unique or treasured as Spielberg’s Hook (1991).

The star-studded film features Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan who returns to Neverland, with Dustin Hoffman portraying the villainous Captain Hook and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell.

Hook earned an impressive five Academy Award nominations. A commercial success too, it has a lifetime gross of $300 million (£226m).

16. Close Encounters of the Third Kind: $307 million (£231m)

The alien flick Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) marked Spielberg’s first foray into the sci-fi genre.

Lauded by critics, particularly for its groundbreaking visuals, the film won two Academy Awards: Best Cinematography and a Special Achievement Award for Sound Effects Editing. It also earned seven additional nominations, including Best Director and Best Visual Effects.

Regarded today as a sci-fi classic, it holds a lifetime gross of $307 million (£231m).

15. Schindler’s List: $322 million (£242m)

Starring Liam Neeson in an Academy Award–nominated performance, Schindler’s List (1993) chronicles the harrowing true story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who saved the lives of more than a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.

A tour de force of cinema, the film received a staggering 12 Academy Award nominations and won seven, including Best Picture and Spielberg’s first Oscar for Best Director.

At the worldwide box office, it boasts a lifetime gross of $322 million (£242m).

14. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: $333 million (£251m)

One of the things Spielberg is best known for is the blockbuster Indiana Jones franchise. He directed the first four films in the series and served as an executive producer on all five.

The second movie, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), saw Harrison Ford return as the whip-wielding archaeologist, with Kate Capshaw starring as his love interest, Willie Scott. Capshaw went on to become Spielberg’s wife – the couple met on the Temple of Doom set and have been married since 1991.

The film, which earned an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, currently registers a lifetime gross of $333 million (£251m).

13. Catch Me If You Can: $352 million (£265m)

The dramedy Catch Me If You Can (2002) stars Leonardo DiCaprio and is loosely based on the real-life exploits of Frank Abagnale Jr, a teen con artist who impersonated a pilot, doctor and lawyer – all before his 21st birthday.

Yet another critical and commercial success for Spielberg, the film received two Academy Award nominations and boasts a lifetime gross of $352 million (£265m) globally.

12. Minority Report: $358 million (£269m)

Starring Tom Cruise, the sci-fi flick Minority Report (2002) stands as one of Spielberg’s most ambitious releases to date.

The futuristic thriller was praised for its visuals and its exploration of themes such as free will and surveillance. It earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Editing and has a lifetime gross of $358 million (£269m) worldwide.

11. The Adventures of Tintin: $374 million (£281m)

Showcasing his diverse talents, Steven Spielberg ventured into the animation genre with The Adventures of Tintin (2011), based on the beloved Belgian comic series by Hergé.

While Spielberg has produced many beloved animated films, including The Land Before Time and An American Tail, The Adventures of Tintin marks the only time he has directed a fully animated feature.

The Academy Award–nominated adventure saga holds a lifetime global gross of $374 million (£281m). 

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10. Raiders of the Lost Ark: $390 million (£293m)

The money-spinning Indiana Jones franchise kicked off with Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).

The inaugural film in the action-adventure series got off to an epic start, winning five Academy Awards and receiving nine nominations in total.

It holds a lifetime gross of $390 million (£293m), bolstered by several successful re-releases. However, it’s not the top-grossing entry in the franchise. More on that soon...

9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: $474 million (£357m)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) marks the third entry in the adventure franchise. Harrison Ford's Indy teams up with his father, Professor Henry Jones Sr, played by Sean Connery, resulting in plenty of hilarious on-screen hijinks.

In addition to winning an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing, the film boasts an impressive worldwide lifetime gross of $474 million (£357m).

Despite those strong numbers, it’s still not the highest-grossing Indy flick. Stay tuned…

8. Saving Private Ryan: $482 million (£363m)

The World War II epic Saving Private Ryan (1998) boasts a star-studded cast, featuring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon and Vin Diesel.

A critical darling, the film received 11 Academy Award nominations and won five, including Best Director. It was the second and, so far, last film for which Spielberg won the Best Director award, though he's been nominated four more times since then.

As for its box office performance, the movie holds a lifetime global gross of $482 million (£363m). 

7. Jaws: $490 million (£369m)

Swimming in open water was never the same after the release of Spielberg's Jaws (1975). The chilling creature feature stars Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw, but stealing the show was the giant mechanical shark – nicknamed Bruce – that terrorised the fictional town of Amity Island.

The film remains a pop culture sensation. Decades on, audiences remain wary of what lurks in the water, a testament to its lasting impact.

Jaws won three Academy Awards and is widely credited with inventing the summer blockbuster. Its lifetime global gross stands at $490 million (£369m).

6. War of the Worlds: $604 million (£454m)

Spielberg once again collaborated with Tom Cruise for War of the Worlds (2005), based on the classic sci-fi novel by H.G. Wells.

Despite receiving a mixed critical reception, the alien disaster epic scored three Academy Award nominations: Best Achievement in Sound Mixing, Best Achievement in Sound Editing and Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

It holds a lifetime global gross of $604 million (£454m).

5. Ready Player One: $608 million (£457m)

Spielberg's sci-fi blockbuster Ready Player One (2018) is based on the best-selling novel by Ernest Cline.

The high-tech, coming-of-age adventure stars Tye Sheridan as Wade Watts, a poor teenager living in a dystopian future who seeks to change his fortunes by entering a high-stakes contest in a virtual reality world.

Praised for its cutting-edge visuals and CGI, the film received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects. It also performed well at the box office, with a lifetime gross of $608 million (£457m) worldwide.

4. The Lost World: Jurassic Park: $618 million (£465m)

While Spielberg has served as an executive producer on every film in the juggernaut Jurassic Park franchise, he only directed the first two movies. The second entry, the Oscar-nominated The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), stands as his fourth highest-grossing film, with a lifetime global gross of $618 million (£465m).

Spielberg is pictured here on the set of the movie.

3. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull​: $786 million (£591m)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull​ (2008) is the fourth film in the Indiana Jones franchise and the final entry directed by Steven Spielberg.

Harrison Ford, of course, returned as the beloved adventurer, while Shia LaBeouf joined the cast as Mutt Williams, Indy's rebellious son.

The film was panned by critics and even received a Razzie Award – a parody award that 'honours' the worst films of the year – for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel. Despite the negative reviews, it stands as the highest-grossing film in the franchise, with a lifetime global gross of $786 million (£591m).

2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: $797 million (£600m)

The sci-fi classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is one of Spielberg’s most iconic and enduring films.

The four-time Academy Award–winning movie was the top-performing film of the 1980s and is Spielberg’s second-highest-grossing film, with a lifetime global gross of $797 million (£600m).

Read on to discover which film defeated this beloved classic to claim the top spot…

1. Jurassic Park: $1.1 billion (£828m)

The adventure epic Jurassic Park (1993) claims the title of Spielberg’s highest-grossing film, with a staggering lifetime global gross of $1.1 billion (£828m).

The three-time Oscar-winning blockbuster features a star-studded cast including Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, and remains one of the most beloved and influential movies of all time.

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