Stephen King and Steven Spielberg are two titans who reshaped entertainment in the 1970s—one as the king of horror, the other as the father of the modern blockbuster. But their connection goes beyond shared decades. Last year, King unveiled his personal top 10 favorite films (excluding adaptations of his own work), and two Spielberg classics made the cut. It's a nod to a mutual admiration that reveals how similarly these storytellers see the world.
King's Top 10: Two Spielberg Gems
In September 2025, King posted his all-time favorite movies on X. Alongside The Godfather Part II and Groundhog Day, he singled out Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind—the only director to appear twice. These were the films that launched Spielberg into Hollywood legend. Jaws redefined the summer blockbuster with its taut suspense and masterful filmmaking, while Close Encounters delivered a sci-fi vision that rivaled Kubrick and Lucas. For King, these aren't just great movies; they're mirrors of his own creative soul.
Why King and Spielberg Are Cut From the Same Cloth
Though Spielberg isn't primarily a horror director, his work shares King's DNA. Both excel at placing extraordinary events in ordinary settings. Jaws terrorizes a small beach town, not a big city—much like King's fictional Derry and Castle Rock in Maine. This grounding makes the fantastical feel personal, as if wonder or dread could lurk on your own street. They also master the child's perspective, using unfiltered emotion to deepen connection. Think of E.T.'s Elliott or King's Losers' Club in IT—both remind us to see the world with fresh eyes, even its scary parts.
Another shared trait: working-class heroes. In Close Encounters, the alien contact isn't a scientist but a blue-collar lineman, Roy Neary. King's The Dead Zone features a high school teacher, and The Green Mile centers on a prison guard. These stories reject the 'chosen one' trope, instead letting ordinary people grapple with the incomprehensible.
A 'Spiritual Connection'
Both men have acknowledged their kinship. In a 2018 Entertainment Weekly interview, Spielberg said, "I don't know how Stephen King and I aren't related by blood. I really think Stephen and I have a spiritual connection in terms of the movies and the stories we love to tell." Incredibly, they've never collaborated on a film, though Spielberg nearly had King co-write Poltergeist in 1980—a plan derailed by a "communication breakdown."
King's picks also highlight his love for films that blend tension with wonder. For fans craving more of that vibe, check out our list of Forgotten Frights: 7 Near-Perfect Horror Thrillers That Deserve a Second Look or dive into Forgotten Sci-Fi Gems: 8 Movies with Perfect Screenwriting. And if you're in the mood for more Spielberg, don't miss Forget 'Jaws': Steven Spielberg's 'Catch Me If You Can' Is a Flawless Masterpiece.
Ultimately, King's top 10 isn't just a list—it's a window into how two masters of storytelling see the same magic in the mundane. No wonder Spielberg's films feel like home to King's imagination.
