Steven Spielberg Sets One Firm Condition for Working With Netflix, Reveals What It Would Take for a Collaboration

Steven Spielberg has made his stance on streaming platforms like Netflix very clear over the years, but he now says he would consider working with the company under one specific condition.

The legendary filmmaker, known for shaping modern cinema with films such as Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, and Saving Private Ryan, has long spoken about the importance of the theatrical experience. In earlier comments reported by Variety in 2018, Spielberg argued that films made primarily for streaming should not compete for Oscars in the same way as traditional theatrical releases.

“Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie,” he said at the time. He added, “If it’s a good show, you deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar. I don’t believe films that are just given token qualifications in a couple of theaters for less than a week should qualify for the Academy Award nomination.”

He has repeatedly emphasized that movies are meant to be experienced in cinemas with audiences. In a separate comment, he said, “There’s nothing like going to a big dark theater with people you’ve never met before and having the experience wash over you,” also adding, “I’m a firm believer that movie theaters need to be around forever.”

Because of this strong position, Spielberg has often been seen as critical of streaming-first releases. However, in a more recent interview while promoting his film Disclosure Day, he suggested there could be an exception when it comes to Netflix.

According to his comments shared in an interview with ITV News, Spielberg said he would be open to working with Netflix, but only if the project was designed specifically for home viewing from the start. He made it clear that his conditions are tied to how the film is meant to be experienced.

“So, the idea of sending little cassettes, little DVDs, you know, to individuals to watch a movie, if I did that, I would be happy to work for Netflix and make a movie for Netflix, knowing that it’s only going to be seen by millions of people on their home screens,” he explained.

At the same time, he reinforced that his main passion remains the cinema experience. “But I’m a moviemaker and I believe in big motion picture, 70-millimeter theatrical experiences,” he said, highlighting his preference for large-format theatrical releases.

Spielberg also spoke briefly about his filmmaking approach in general, noting that he prefers practical and traditional methods in his work. In the same discussion, he mentioned avoiding artificial intelligence for certain creative decisions, such as alien sound effects, choosing instead to rely on real-world recordings and modified natural sounds.

The director’s career spans more than four decades and includes some of the most influential films in cinema history. He has directed over 30 feature films and earned major awards across the industry, including Academy Awards, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Emmys, and a Grammy. He is also among the rare group of artists to have achieved EGOT status.

Even with the rise of streaming platforms changing how audiences watch films, Spielberg’s comments show he still strongly values the traditional cinema experience, while leaving a narrow door open for collaboration under the right conditions.

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