Every Steven Spielberg Movie Ranked From Worst To Best

19. The Color Purple (1985)

The Color Purple Whoopi Goldberg
Warner Bros.

Based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple is probably Spielberg's most outwardly "Oscar-baiting" film, but it mostly earns its plaudits - including ten Oscar nominations - thanks to stirring performances from Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover and Margaret Avery.

Though heavy-handed and bloated, Spielberg's first "worthy" drama can't help but mine the emotional devastation of Walker's source material, creating a visceral, deeply upsetting work that successfully conveys the turmoil of oppressed black women in the early 20th century.

Was Spielberg the most inspired choice to make a movie like this? Probably not, but it's early-ish proof that he was a firm hand for serious drama as well as more effervescent fare

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.