Steven Spielberg’s Favorite Superhero Movie? He Was Blown Away by This Surprising Marvel Hit

From the jaw-dropping T-Rex reveal in Jurassic Park to the breathtaking highway chase in War of the Worlds, and the pulse-pounding one-shots in The Adventures of Tintin, Steven Spielberg has shaped the modern blockbuster like few others. After all, Jaws — released in 1975 — is widely credited with launching the blockbuster era as we know it.

But what happens when the ultimate blockbuster director becomes a spectator? Which superhero film stands out to Spielberg the viewer?

Marvel Studios

A Surprising Favorite

In a 2016 interview with Brazilian outlet Omelete, Spielberg was asked to name his favorite superhero films. He gave expected nods to Richard Donner’s Superman and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. But then came a surprise:

“I really liked Superman, The Dark Knight, and the first Iron Man,” he said,
“But the superhero movie that impressed me the most was Guardians of the Galaxy.”

Yes, the quirky, space-faring Marvel film directed by James Gunn in 2014 — featuring a talking raccoon, a walking tree, and a vintage mixtape — left one of cinema’s greatest minds completely floored.

“Something New” in the Genre

Spielberg explained his admiration for the film by highlighting its originality and emotional depth:

“When the film ended, I left the theater with the feeling I had seen something truly new — free of cynicism, and unafraid to be dark when needed.”

At a time when superhero films were becoming increasingly formulaic, Guardians of the Galaxy brought a bold, playful energy to the genre. With its offbeat humor, stylized visuals, and unexpected emotional resonance, it helped redefine the Marvel Cinematic Universe — and clearly caught Spielberg’s attention.

The film earned $772 million worldwide, scored 4.2/5 on AlloCiné, and helped elevate James Gunn to A-list director status.

Blockbuster Legend Meets Marvel’s Cosmic Rebels

For Spielberg — the filmmaker who helped invent the blockbuster — to single out Guardians of the Galaxy as the most impressive superhero movie says a lot. It’s not the most iconic or “serious” superhero film, but in his eyes, it was the most refreshing, inventive, and sincere.

What about you? Which superhero movie left you with that same feeling of awe?

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