Every Steven Spielberg Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

23. The Sugarland Express (1974)

The filmmaker's first ever full-fat theatrical release, The Sugarland Express doesn't really feel like any other Spielberg film.

A stripped-down tale of a couple (Goldie Hawn and William Atherton) desperately attempting to rescue their son in perhaps the worst way possible - by kidnapping a cop - if you saw this movie sans credits or any prior knowledge, you'd assume it was helmed by just about any other on-the-rise director from the 1970s.

The dynamic between the three central characters is what really makes this one work, with a memorable performance from Goldie Hawn in the bargain. It's also much funnier than you might be expecting from the above image, with Spielberg demonstrating an expert handle on tone in what's perhaps his most underrated feature to date.