On December 10, 2021, the Steven Spielberg-directed adaptation of West Side Story will release in the United States. A period piece taking place in New York City in the 1950s, the film is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year. Spielberg is also no stranger to period pieces, having directed several in his career up to this point.
IMDb users have rated the director's previous works, many of which take place in different eras throughout history. Before viewers watch the upcoming rendition of the musical sensation, they may want to check out some of Steven Spielberg's best period films.
Munich (2005) - 7.5
Munich is a film that takes place after the real-life events of the 1972 massacre of eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team by the terrorist group Black September. The Israeli government chooses a group to find and assassinate people who are suspected of having been involved.
The movie addresses questions of the morality of the mission and features compelling performances from the entire cast. Dramatic and gripping, Munich offers a fascinating but somber glimpse into the secret operation through its excellent writing and direction.
Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (1984) - 7.5
Steven Spielberg's iconic film series has lived on in the public consciousness for decades, and it has led to many movies being inspired by the Indiana Jones franchise. While it may not be as renowned as the first or third entry in the series, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is still a highly regarded addition.
The movie takes place in 1935, before the events of the first film, and centers on the titular archeologist as he tries to find a mystical stone and rescue children from a cult. While the film features intense action scenes, great acting, and some genuine scares, it should be noted that it has also had some controversy surrounding it regarding stereotypes and cultural depictions.
Bridge Of Spies (2015) - 7.6
Focusing on the real-life lawyer James B. Donovan in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Bridge of Spies is about his journey as he is appointed as a defense attorney for a Soviet spy and seeks to orchestrate the exchange of the spy for a United States Air Force pilot who has been captured by the Soviet Union.
Tom Hanks is fantastic in the lead role, and the film concisely and interestingly communicates the complexities of the situation. Spielberg does an excellent job at demonstrating tension and keeps the film engrossing for its entire runtime.
Empire Of The Sun (1987) - 7.7
Based on a semi-autobiographical novel by J. G. Ballard, Empire of the Sun is about a young British boy who lives in the Shanghai International Settlement during the Japanese military's invasion of China during World War II. When he is separated from his family, he tries to survive on his own.
The film is gripping in its depiction of the chaos of the time, and the excellent cinematography helps to propel the movie to a much higher level. Empire of the Sun served as Christian Bale's breakthrough film for his role as the young Jamie, and the rest of the cast excels in their performances as well.
The Color Purple (1985) - 7.8
The 1985 film The Color Purple, adapted from Alice Walker's novel of the same name, is often considered one of Steven Spielberg's best historical epics. The movie takes place in the early 1900s and focuses on the character of Celie Harris, who has had many traumatic experiences and learns to find more value in herself through her relationships with some of the women around her.
The Color Purple explores sexism, racism, domestic violence, and many other serious themes. With outstanding performances from the entire cast, especially Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Margaret Avery, the film has a well-deserved enduring legacy.
Catch Me If You Can (2002) - 8.1
Catch Me if You Can is a biographical film about the career of con artist Frank Abagnale, who was able to acquire millions of dollars through a variety of scams. An FBI agent attempts to track him down, leading to one of the best chase movies ever made.
Despite being a film surrounding crimes, Catch Me If You Can is a genuinely fun and sometimes comedic journey that takes its characters to many interesting locations. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks are excellent in their roles, and they have fantastic chemistry with each other and their fellow actors in the film.
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (1989) - 8.2
When Indiana Jones's father goes missing in pursuit of the Holy Grail, the archeologist must track him down while stopping the Nazis from using the Holy Grail for their own benefits. Continuing with similar adventurous aspects from the past two films but keeping them fresh with new storylines and characters, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is a fitting entry to the beloved franchise.
Delving more into Jones's past and his relationship with his father, the film offers audiences a chance to understand the character better and thus connect with him more.
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (1981) - 8.4
Set in the year 1936, Raiders of the Lost Ark follows Indiana Jones as he is tasked with finding the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can acquire it and potentially gain supernatural powers.
Filled with adventure, romance, and action, the first film in the franchise is still perhaps the most highly regarded. Along with stellar performances that have spawned some of the most iconic film characters of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark also features one of the most recognizable soundtracks ever produced.
Saving Private Ryan (1998) - 8.6
Not only is Saving Private Ryan one of Steven Spielberg's best period pieces, but many also believe it to be one of the best movies of all time. The film, though fictional, is iconic partly because of its depiction of the real-life storming of Omaha Beach during the Battle of Normandy. The rest of the movie is about a group of soldiers attempting to locate Private James Ryan.
The soldiers have orders to send Ryan home because his brothers have died in the war, leaving him as the last surviving son his family has. The combat scenes are brutal and heart-wrenching, and the story is incredibly captivating, which is part of what makes Saving Private Ryan worthy of its reputation.
Schindler's List (1993) - 8.9
Many cinema fans regard Schindler's List as the pinnacle of filmmaking. Phenomenal performances, exceptional writing, brilliant direction, and various other beautifully done elements make the movie a must-watch for fans of history and fans of the director. The story, which takes place in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II, is about the real-life figure of Oskar Schindler who, over time, uses his business as a means to employ Jewish people to keep them from being sent to concentration camps.
Few viewers complain about the over three-hour runtime because of the gripping, heartbreaking, and heartwarming aspects that keep audiences invested. The movie does not hold back in some of the more brutal elements of certain characters, making some parts difficult to watch but adding more of a sense of realism.