9. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Few films capture a genuine sense of wonder and inspiration as well as Close Encounters does. These are sentiments that Spielberg became famous for, and that trademark style truly started with this film, which is arguably one of the most personal film of his entire career (it is one of the few films Spielberg has directed on which he also wrote the screenplay). Spielberg doesn't shy away from the negative implications of Roy Neary's journey to seek meaning in his life after an encounter with a UFO. Neary essentially abandons his family in order to pursue his obsession, and the ending of the film is surprisingly melancholy. It is interesting to hear Spielberg talk of the film today, as he has mentioned in interviews that now, after getting married and having children, he would have never made Close Encounters the same way. As it is, Close Encounters remains a testament to Spielberg at his prime: a young, thirsty, eager director who would stop at nothing until he fulfills his grandest, wildest dreams of seeking true meaning and inspiration. Aided by gorgeous imagery courtesy of legendary cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond and one of John Williams' many iconic Spielberg scores, Close Encounters remains a triumph of Spielberg's early career.