Summary

• Steven Spielberg is a prolific producer, not just director, behind some iconic films like Poltergeist and Gremlins.
• His involvement in Twister and Men in Black led to enduring franchises and box office successes.
• Back to the Future, a timeless classic, was championed by Spielberg and remains a fan favorite today.

Steven Spielberg's filmography is immense, and while it is full of film that he has directed and written, there is also a large number of works that he produced and executive produced. Spielberg has been producing movies for decades now, and these 10 are the best ones that he produced while another filmmaker directed.

Steven Spielberg has directed dozens of feature-length films, with him getting his start in the 1960s and continuing to make movies well into the 2020s, with his most recently-released work being 2022's The Fablemans. Movies and franchises like Jaws, Indiana Jones, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial defined the director's early career, with him going on to direct movies like Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, and the West Side Story remake. During his time directing films, he has amassed a number of producing credits, with these 10 being his best.

10 Twister

Directed By Jan de Bont

Directed by Jan de Bont, 1996's Twisters is one of the most well-known disaster movies in recent decades, with it being so popular that it even got a sequel in the form of 2024's Twisters. Since its release, Twister has been praised as an outstanding work from its genre, with its cutting-edge special effects and tense action scenes bringing the horror of the titular weather event to the big screen.

Interestingly, Steven Spielberg was originally meant to direct Twister, although he ended up leaving the project for unknown reasons. Despite Jan de Bont stepping up to replace him, Steven Spielberg stayed on as an executive producer, with Amblin Entertainment being one of the film's production companies. Spielberg even returned to produce 2024's Twisters, highlighting his importance to the franchise.

9 Arachnophobia

Directed By Frank Marshall

Although Arachnophobia may not be as well-known as some of the other horror classics of the 1990s, its fantastic critical reception has caused it to continue being relevant decades after it was initially released. Arachnophobia attempted to do for spiders what Spielberg's Jaws did for sharks, with the film following a California town as they deal with an infestation of deadly spiders from Venezuela.

Interestingly, Arachnophobia director Frank Marshall actually started out as a producer for Steven Spielberg, with the duo working together on Spielberg-directed films like Raiders of the Lost Ark. However, Arachnophobia was Frank Marshall's first time directing a feature film, with Spielberg deciding to become a producer in order to swap positions with his longtime partner. While Marshall did direct more films, he more frequently continued to produce Spielberg's later movies like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The BFG.

8 Poltergeist

Directed By Tobe Hooper

One of the movies that Steven Spielberg is more famous for producing is Poltergeist, with many fans having the misconception that he actually directed the film. Poltergeist is a classic 1982 horror film directed by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre legend Tobe Hooper, with it following a normal California family who discovers that ghosts are communicating with them through their television.

Steven Spielberg didn't direct the film, and while he wasn't an executive producer this time, he is credited as a producer on the film. Spielberg also came up with the story for Poltergeist and wrote the screenplay along with Michael Grais and Mark Victor. Spielberg's involvement in Poltergeist undoubtedly had a huge hand in leading to it being held up as one of the greatest and most iconic horror movies of all time.

7 The Mask Of Zorro

Directed By Martin Campbell

Steven Spielberg also had a massive involvement in the Antonio Banderas Zorro franchise, with him being the executive producer of The Mask of Zorro. Directed by Martin Campbell, the 1998 action film is often considered to be the definitive incarnation of the titular character, with Antonio Banderas' version of the character being the one that comes to the minds of many when they hear the name "Zorro." The film was a massive critical and commercial success, with it even getting a sequel in 2005.

Spielberg was involved in the development of a Zorro movie way back in 1992, with him working on the iconic film throughout its development. Spielberg recommended several actors who ended up appearing in the final film, and there was even a point where he considered directing the film. Spielberg came back on as an executive producer for the 2005 sequel The Legend of Zorro, continuing his involvement in the franchise.

6 First Man

Directed By Damien Chazelle

One of the most recent movies that Steven Spielberg has produced is also one of the best, with this being 2018's First Man. Directed by La La Land and Whiplash legend Damien Chazelle, First Man chronicles the story of astronaut Neil Armstrong, with Ryan Gosling playing the titular first man to land on the moon. First Man was critically acclaimed upon its release, with it getting nominated for four Academy Awards. First Man is often considered to be an underappreciated film in Chazelle's filmography, despite it being a critical darling.

Although Steven Spielberg did executive produce the film, very little is known about his involvement with First Man. However, his massive role in the film means that the movie would undoubtedly not have taken off if it weren't for his involvement, with it being one of the best movies that he has ever produced.

5 Men In Black

Directed By Barry Sonnenfeld

It seems as if anything that Steven Spielberg touches turns into franchise gold, as he was also the producer behind the first Men in Black movie. The iconic 1997 Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones movie was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, with it following Will Smith's Agent J as he s the titular organization and learns about the government's secret task force that tackles alien encounters. Men in Black was a huge critical and box office success, with it spawning sequels and spinoffs that have continued into 2021 with Men in Black: International.

Steven Spielberg was not only a producer on the first Men in Black, but also a producer on the film's two sequels and its Men in Black: International spinoff. Spielberg was the one who was able to convince Tommy Lee Jones to sign onto the film, leading to one of his most iconic roles.

4 Gremlins

Directed By Joe Dante

Directed by Joe Dante, 1984's Gremlins is another film that was graced by Steven Spielberg's producing skills, with it leading to the massive franchise that was spawned from the movie. Gremlins tells the story of a kid who gets a mogwai named Gizmo for Christmas, but after disobeying the strict rules that were laid out, Gizmo spawns a massive army of gremlins that violently overrun the town. Gremlins is one of the most beloved movies of the 1980s, with it being cited as one of the best dark comedies, Christmas movies, and intro to horror films of all time.

Steven Spielberg was an executive producer on Gremlins, with him being one of the driving forces behind the film getting made. The director was in love with the concept, and, after Steven Spielberg made some changes to Gremlins' story, he decided to find a director to make it. Spielberg even cameos in the film, showing how heavily involved he was.

3 True Grit

Directed By The Coen Brothers

Steven Spielberg doesn't just produce original properties, as he was also involved with the 2010 True Grit remake. True Grit is one of the most acclaimed films directed by the Coen Brothers, with it being considered one of the best Westerns of the modern day. Many have even claimed that the True Grit remake is far better than the original film, highlighting how highly regarded the iconic movie is.

Steven Spielberg was an executive producer on True Grit, with one of the film's production companies being the studio that Spielberg helped found: DreamWorks Pictures. Although Steven Spielberg still hasn't directed a Western movie, he seems to have always been interested in the genre, possibly explaining his role in True Grit.

2 Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Directed By Robert Zemeckis

Steven Spielberg has collaborated with Robert Zemeckis several times throughout his career, with him being the executive producer on the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Zemeckis directed the beloved 1988 mixed-genre film that tells the story of a gritty noir detective who lives in a world where cartoon characters are real. Alongside the titular murder suspect, Who Framed Roger Rabbit features Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and a variety of other icons that have never appeared on screen together since.

Steven Spielberg's involvement in Who Framed Roger Rabbit meant that the film was a rare collaboration between Disney and Amblin, with this being one of the reasons that the movie was so great. Steven Spielberg had an immense amount of creative control over the project, with his prestigious reputation allowing him to convince all kinds of different animation studios to collaborate on the project.

1 Back To The Future

Directed By Robert Zemeckis

Of all the films that Steven Spielberg has produced but not directed, there is none better than the masterpiece that is Back to the Future. Robert Zemeckis' classic 1985 film is often considered to be one of the best movies ever made, with it being held up as the definitive time travel movie. Back to the Future is still watched by tons of viewers today, with its critical reception only getting better and better as time goes on.

At the time of Back to the Future's development, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis were coming off of a string of flops, with only one man having enough confidence to get the movie made: Steven Spielberg. Steven Spielberg defended Back to the Future from changes throughout its development, with his role in the iconic film leading to him coming back on as an executive producer for both sequels.