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Steven Spielberg‘s filmography is nearly unmatched in Hollywood. Even those directors who similarly have made blockbuster hits fall short. Spielberg, after all, directed such iconic movies as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and Jurassic Park. Collectively, his movies changed the way cinema was made and considered. But even Spielberg has seen a few movies flop with critics over the years.

Steven Spielberg holds his hands up while directing a scene
Steven Spielberg | Universal Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images

Steven Spielberg has made an incredible number of hits

Truly, movies such as Jaws and Jurassic Park weren’t only financial hits. Most of Spielberg’s most famous movies also won over critics as much as audiences. Oftentimes, critics might shun mainstream crowdpleasers like these movies. So the fact that critics mostly praise Spielberg’s says a lot about his reputation in the business.

Likewise, this same warm reception extends beyond the director’s more accessible popcorn movies. It also includes his more serious fare as well. Movies such as The Color Purple, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, and Munich all received awards consideration. And they helped demonstrate Spielberg as more than a purveyor of fun thrill rides and family-friendly adventure.

But a few of his movies missed the mark with critics

However, despite his mostly stellar track record, Spielberg still has an occasional off day. Over the course of his career, the director has landed in hot water with critics a few times. Still, most of his less widely beloved movies usually skate by with at least a mixed response. But according to Rotten Tomatoes, three of his films actually received a Rotten rating of less than 60 percent positive reviews from critics.

1997’s The Lost World: Jurassic Park, for example, currently has a 53 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. This sequel — which sees Jeff Goldblum return — indeed is less beloved than its predecessor. Likewise, Spielberg’s 1979 war comedy 1941 failed to win over critics, with a 42 percent rating. And 1990s kids will be saddened his Peter Pan fantasy Hook has the lowest ratings of any movie Spielberg’s directed: 29 percent.

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Will Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’ deliver?

With such a (mostly) positive success rate — at least with critics — it will be interesting to see if Spielberg’s West Side Story remake delivers. The film stars Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort, and 20th Century Studios planned to release it in 2020. But its release moved to Dec. 10, 2021, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Spielberg has long wanted to make a movie musical. And now he has his chance. Since the movie is a remake of the Oscar-winning 1961 classic, the bar has been set high. But Spielberg has proven before he can overcome the odds and make a movie everyone loves. Perhaps West Side Story will continue that trend?

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