Director series: Steven Spielberg vs. James Cameron

One man invented the blockbuster, and the next one kept seeing how big we can go. Who is the best? Where do their films rank?

These threads are going to compare filmmakers with similar styles or histories and see who comes out on top. What are the best, which ones were done better by the other, which ones were overrated? Finally, do a top 10 of both of their films.

While Spielberg has shown so much range, Cameron has been more consistent. Of course that has led to much less films over the same amount of time, but did we really need War Horse or The BFG?

Top ten Spielberg/Cameron films:

1. Schindler's List
2. Jurassic Park
3. The Terminator
4. Terminator 2
5. Jaws
6. Aliens
7. Saving Private Ryan
8. A.I. Artificial Intelligence
9. Titanic
10. The Fabelmans

 

underrated by spielberg:
munich
the terminal
empire of the sun

bad by spielberg:
war of the worlds
lost world
crystal skull
always

 

cameron hasnt take a whole lot of shots / his filmog is pretty small

Terminator 2 is a masterpiece

Abyss is sorta like a more mid Close Encounters

 

The Abyss definitely stands out as a lower quality. Cameron takes much more time between films and it ended up creating a situation where almost every film is a statement. Other than CGI, The Abyss doesn't have much.

 

The first Terminator is a masterpiece too

 

It is fascinating that Terminator 1 vs. 2 differ in the same way that Alien vs. Aliens differs, that being straight horror and then the bombastic action follow-up.

 

ive said this here before but Aliens (as good as it is) fumbles the timeless aesthetic of Alien. comparing the set designs etc is night and day. that was early days for Cameron but im guessing hes always prided himself on being cutting edge, and Aliens hasnt aged well there imo comparitively.

 

I really enjoyed TinTin and I think that gets lost in the shuffle of all his movies.

There's a lot of surprises though in his filmography of 'I guess i knew he did that, but I never really paid attention to it' sort of thing.

 

well spielberg has produced every single film ever made

 

Wow AI is sad huh. Some real dumb shit in there but the core of it was great

 

What was dumb?

 

The flesh fair and most of the Jude Law stuff

 

I was worried you were going to say the ending. So many people misinterpret that as a happy ending.

 

No way. Ending was pretty brilliant and crushing

 

Spielberg > Cameron and it’s not even close for me

1. Jurassic Park
2. Indiana Jones Last Crusade
3. Raiders of the Lost Ark
4. Saving Private Ryan
5. Titanic
6. Terminator 2
7. Catch me If You Can
8. Jaws
9. War of the Worlds
10. Schindler’s List

 

I like a lot of Cameron, especially the Terminators and Avatars, but Spielberg is way ahead for me too.

Not sure about ranking, but Raiders, Last Crusade, War of the Worlds, Minority Report, and Bridge of Spies are all very important to me, among all the other great stuff he's made.

 

Neither, simple answer

 

Yes, simple indeed

 

Because Spielberg's films are much more family friendly and Cameron was R rated more often, I think it gives Spielberg a leg up at capturing that lifelong admiration.

 

I need a run through of the classics. I was not an Indiana Jones kid and it has been years since I’ve seen Jurassic Park, SPR, The Terminator or Aliens. I have still not seen Schindler’s List

 

You just say things to upset people.

 

Kinda seems like a movie to be in the right headspace for

 

ill raise you, have not seen Titanic, Avatar or T1