Guardians of the Galaxy is Steve Spielberg's favorite superhero movie. The James Gunn-directed film was seen as a sort of underdog ahead of its debut in 2014. The largely unknown group of heroes was untested with audiences and the $200 million picture was a huge risk for the MCU at the time. Marvel was still perfecting their formula at this point after Thor: The Dark World represented a major stumble for the studio the year before. When Guardians of the Galaxy was released, though, those fears evaporated.

The film was released to critical acclaim, with many praising Guardians of the Galaxy's balance of humor and action centered around the ragtag group of characters. The film went on to earn more than $770 million at the box office and prompted Marvel to quickly put a sequel into production after studio heads sensed the franchise potential of the first film. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was released to similar acclaim and also became a hit at the box office.

Related: Every Unmade Steven Spielberg Sci-Fi Movie (& Why They Didn't Happen)

Gunn took to Twitter to reveal that he has heard Spielberg considers Guardians of the Galaxy his favorite superhero film. Gunn says he was in the editing room when he found out this was the case and promptly cried upon hearing this. The director cites both Jaws and Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark as the reason he's making movies.

Spielberg's stamp of approval is no small feat. One of the most commercially successful directors in history, Spielberg made a name for himself with his adventurous and heartfelt films, some of which fall into the sci-fi category and others that encompass various genres. The director has mastered everything from war films with Saving Private Ryan to his Academy Award-winning historical epic Schindler's List. It's safe to say Spielberg has influenced an entire generation of filmmakers, Gunn being one of those.

With no small amount of superhero films to choose from, Guardians of the Galaxy standing out as Spielberg's top pick is certainly quite the honorific and it's easy to see why. Gunn took the unknown group at the film's center and imbued them with humor, heart, and personality. The Guardians have become central figures in the MCU, playing a pivotal role in Avengers two-parter Infinity War and Endgame, and it's safe to say their journey is just beginning. Phase 4 of the MCU will usher in a new era for the Guardians of the Galaxy and with Gunn back at the helm of the franchise, things are only looking up for the cosmic adventurers.

More: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 Already Revealed Who Its Real Hero Is

Source: James Gunn