Christopher Nolan Reveals the Spielberg Movies That Inspire Him Most

Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer has been hailed as a cinematic milestone, blending intense storytelling with jaw-dropping practical effects. The way Nolan recreated the Trinity Test felt almost real, pulling audiences deep into J. Robert Oppenheimer’s mind.

Critics have noted that this mix of emotional weight and massive spectacle reflects a style Nolan learned from one of his biggest influences: Steven Spielberg. Nolan has often spoken about how Spielberg shaped his approach to filmmaking.

Both directors love original stories, big budgets, and characters you can connect with. In a discussion with film critics, Nolan highlighted two Spielberg movies that had a huge impact on him: Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Saving Private Ryan.

Released in 1977, Close Encounters combines intimate family drama with the thrill of first contact with aliens. Nolan has said it inspired him in how he balances emotional depth with epic scope, much like in Interstellar.

The practical effects and lighting in Spielberg’s film set a standard for creating believable, immersive worlds—something Nolan has carried through all his work. The second film, Saving Private Ryan from 1998, is another favorite of Nolan’s.

He admires how Spielberg shows the chaos of war while keeping the focus on individual soldiers’ experiences. The intense opening on Omaha Beach and the emotional ending made it a new benchmark for war films.

Nolan’s Dunkirk clearly drew on this approach, telling a massive story while keeping the audience immersed in the characters’ immediate struggles. Nolan has also praised Spielberg’s support over the years.

Spielberg even championed The Dark Knight during awards season, showing mutual respect between the two filmmakers. Their influence on each other is clear: Nolan borrows Spielberg’s immersive techniques, while Spielberg continues to admire Nolan’s mastery of large-scale storytelling.

This year, both directors are working on highly anticipated projects. Nolan is finishing his adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, which hits IMAX screens on July 17. The $250 million epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as Penelope.

The ensemble also includes Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron. Spielberg, meanwhile, is returning to sci-fi with Disclosure Day, set to release on June 12. This UFO-focused story reunites him with Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp and stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, and Colin Firth.

The film promises a grounded yet spectacular exploration of humanity discovering they are not alone. Christopher Nolan has clearly built on the lessons of Spielberg, taking the same dedication to emotional storytelling and immersive spectacle to new heights.

Have something to add? Share your thoughts in the comments.