The greatSteven Spielbergis one of the most prolific filmmakers of all time. He’s certainly one of the most successful and beloved, delivering classic after classic that both changed the film industry and the lives of many young viewers. The latter is due in no small part to his output throughout the1980s. These are the live-action entries on Spielberg’s filmography that came from the decade, both those he directed and the many he either produced or executive produced. Many of those are the films of his protégés: Matthew Robbins (co-writer ofClose Encounters of the Third Kind), Frank Marshall,The Polar Express' Robert Zemeckis, the first twoHarry Potterfilms' Chris Columbus, andPiranha’s Joe Dante.
Note that animated films and projects on which he went uncredited as producer were excluded from inclusion. In other words, noAn American TailorHarry and the Hendersonshere.
20The Money Pit (1986) — Co-Executive Producer
Richard Benjamin has had an expansive career as an actor, particularly in the 1970s with roles in films likeCatch-22andWestworld. But he’s also directed quite a few films, none of which have really taken off.
This includesThe Money Pitwhich, even with Tom Hanks and Shelley Long leading and Spielberg involved as a producer, fails to really work, either as a remake of the Cary Grant classicMr. Blandings Builds His Dream Houseor as the type of comedy where things go wrong to increasingly drastic degrees. All that said, as co-executive producer, Spielberg’s involvement was limited (in the industry, in order of decreasing importance, it would be producer then executive producer, so being a co-executive producer isn’t indicative of much sway over the production).
19Continental Divide (1981) — Executive Producer
From 1975 to 1979, John Belushi dominatedSaturday Night Live’s iconic “First Five Years.” And, from 1978 to 1981, he showed much promise on the big screen, but his limited seven-movie career was a mixed bag.National Lampoon’s Animal Houseis a classic even if poorly aged in spots. His limited role inGoin' Southis also poorly aged in that it’s mostly fueled by cultural appropriation.Old Boyfriendswas another smaller role, but then he essentially fronted Spielberg’s failed ensemble comedy1941in 1979 before leadingThe Blues Brothersto almostAnimal Houselevels of success the next year.
His penultimate filmContinental Dividesaw him reteam with Spielberg, and sobriety, as well. The failure ofContinental Divide, which has its heart in the right place but is ultimately slow and uneventful, supposedly hurt him, and he relapsed. Unfortunately, Belushi would pass away less than six months later, and his final film,Neighbors, is most fans' pick for his weakest. This in spite of the factNeighborsagain paired him withSNLand1941’s Dan Aykroyd, but in reverse casting.
18Innerspace (1987) — Executive Producer
While frequent Spielberg collaborator Joe Dante’sInnerspaceis admirable in being acomedy movie ahead of its time, time hasn’t been very kind to it. And, as a follow-up to fellow Dante-Spielberg collaborationGremlins, it’s a big disappointment.
Spielberg initially learned of Dante via the latter’sPiranha, which was a rip-off of the former’sJawsbut, unlike the remainder, was actually a functioning and fun (and funny) film. After Dante’sThe Howling, Spielberg enlisted him forGremlins, and whileInnerspaceis creative the way that horror comedy was, it’s not filled with memorable characters, particularly strong acting, or well-aged effects.
17Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) — Director (Segment Two)
A film with a production marred by tragedy,Twilight Zone: The Movieis a movie that never should have been made. On one hand, there’s the helicopter crash that occurred during John Landis' segment, which claimed the lives of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors who weren’t even supposed to be on set anyway.
And, like Landis' segment, Spielberg’s is retirement home-set story is overly-saccharine and doesn’t quite stick the landing, even with a lead performance fromThe Shining’s Scatman Crothers.Twilight Zone: The Movieis skippable, but the final two segments (both remakes of revered episodes) are solid enough.
16Always (1989) — Director
Spielberg reteamed with one of his threeJawsleads forAlways, and while it’s neither one of the director’s nor one ofRichard Dreyfuss' best films, there are elements that are commendable. The cinematography is pretty and the cast’s hearts seem to be in the right place, but like the Robin Williams-ledWhat Dreams May Comeor the Brad Pitt-ledMeet Joe Black,Alwayskind of just comes and goes, having made many attempts to tug on heartstrings but having failed pretty much across the board.
Yet, as a diversion, the story of a deceased pilot who guides a younger, living one through the steps is a sweet one. Furthermore, any movie that gives Holly Hunter a leading role is a worthy one.
15Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) — Director
There are quite a few factors holdingIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doomback from being as successful as its immediate predecessor. Well, technically, its sequel, consideringTemple of Doomis actually a prequel.
One problem is the cultural appropriation and depictions, which proved problematic at the time and have only grown more so. Furthermore, while Ke Huy Quan is a wonderful presence, his Short Round is written to be a repetitive irritant. Not to mention, the less said about Kate Capshaw’s Willie Scott the better.
13 Creepiest, Crawliest Movies About Bugs
Welcome our insect overlords, with these films portraying bugs in some of the most memorable and sometimes gross ways. Call the exterminator!
A forgettable bit of fluff, Gary David Goldberg’sDadmay have come equipped with Spielberg’s Amblin logo, and a poster with Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson, and Ethan Hawke, but it still failed to generate much interest at the box office. And, as a whole, it did comparably with critics.
That said, it has an amazing cast, with the aforementioned trio (particularly Lemmon) all knocking their roles out of the park. But there’s also J. T. Walsh, Kathy Baker, and Olympia Dukakis.
13*batteries not included (1987) — Executive Producer
Director Matthew Robbins didn’t release much of note afterbatteries not included, and it’s easy to see how that would come to be considering his subsequent directorial output also lacked Spielberg’s specific heartwarming touch. But he was still one of Spielberg’s six protégés, andbatteries not includedhas its fans.
The plot follows the residents of an apartment block that find their lives turned around by a few little spaceships. Interestingly enough,*batteries not includedmarked the screenwriting debut of Pixar favorite Brad Bird.
12Empire of the Sun (1987) — Director
Anunderrated Christian Bale movie,Empire of the Sunnonetheless doesn’t work quite well enough to be one of Spielberg’s best of the decade. Pacing is an issue, as is the runtime, but there’s little doubt the director (and all involved) had passion for the material.
The plot follows Bale’s Jim Graham, who starts off affluent but finds his world shattered by World War II. Specifically, he becomes a POW in a Japanese internment camp. In other words, it’s a movie that put young Bale through his paces as an actor, as it would have done even if he was an adult at the time.
11Used Cars (1980) — Executive Producer
Spielberg’s second Executive Produced film,Used Cars, also saw him reteam with director Robert Zemeckis. And, fortunately, it was as critically praised as their debut,I Wanna Hold Your Hand.
Unfortunately, also likeI Wanna Hold Your Hand, it wasn’t financial success. But the irreverent dark comedy has since built up a solid audience, and were one to give it a chance they’d probably see why. It was Kurt Russell’s first adult-skewing theatrical film after years of leading Disney live-action charmers (and a five-year gap in between) and clearly the transition was a smooth one for him because he carries Zemeckis' comedy incredibly.
