6 Best TV Shows Produced By Steven Spielberg, Ranked

I’ve had the privilege of working in both movies and television throughout my career, and I’m proud to say that some of my productions for the small screen have been cherished and praised. As a director, Steven Spielberg’s name is synonymous with great films, and since the release of Jaws in 1975, I’ve continued to deliver hit after hit each decade. But let me clarify, while I am indeed a movie director, I also excel as a producer and executive. And when I’ve chosen to explore the world of television, I’ve found myself just as successful there. As an executive producer, I’ve built an impressive collection of TV shows that speak to my versatility and passion for storytelling.

Steven Spielberg played a significant role in establishing Amblin Entertainment and DreamWorks, which might lead you to think he started out in filmmaking. However, his early years were spent predominantly in television production. He was involved in creating animated series such as “Tiny Toon Adventures,” “Animaniacs,” “Pinky and the Brain,” and “Freakazoid!”, all under Amblin Entertainment’s umbrella. Yet, it is the TV shows he has produced more recently that truly show his impact in this medium. These six productions are considered his finest work on television, with some even making lists of the greatest TV shows ever made.

6. Smash (2012-2013)

A Musical Ode To Broadway

Smash” is a two-season musical drama television series that aired on NBC and follows a fictional New York City theater group as they prepare for a new Broadway play. Starring Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, and Christian Borle, the show delves into both the personal turmoil and bustling professional lives of its characters. The series successfully portrays the grandeur and dramatic flair of Broadway theater without becoming overwhelmed by extravagance.

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The creators devote more time to developing characters and smaller storylines, showing their genuine affection for the craft. The pilot is outstanding, even though the series occasionally strays off course as it progresses. Despite its occasional wandering, it still manages to shine with bright moments. Smash received six Emmy nominations, winning one, and it had one Golden Globe nomination.

5. Terra Nova (2011)

A Time Traveling, Dinosaur Tale

Steven Spielberg’s Terra Nova, though it ran for just one season and was eventually canceled, has continued to be remembered as a singular story and an outstanding achievement in television special effects. Special effects on television are often subpar compared to those seen in movies, but the ones in Terra Nova held their own against much of what Hollywood produced during that time. The series is set in 2149, when Earth is overpopulated. To address this crisis, scientists open a temporal rift into a parallel timestream, transporting humans to a world reminiscent of Earth during the Cretaceous Period.

A band of explorers embarks on a journey to check if life can survive there, facing challenges and terrifying dinosaurs throughout their adventure. This series could be likened to a blend of “Swiss Family Robinson” and “Jurassic Park,” as it encompasses the themes that Steven Spielberg finds most captivating. Despite concluding prematurely, the first season’s 13 episodes weave an exciting and enthralling narrative.

4. Masters Of The Air (2024)

An Old School Retelling Of The Aerial Battles Of World War II

The 2024 series titled “Masters of the Air” was a delightful surprise for fans who enjoyed Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific.” This upcoming show delves into another front of World War II, focusing on the aerial aspect. The 100th Bomb Group is portrayed as a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress that conducted missions over German-occupied Europe towards the end of the war. Similar to its two predecessors, “Masters of the Air” boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Austin Butler, Barry Keoghan, and Callum Turner.

After Steven Spielberg’s portrayal of the U.S. Marines and Army, it seemed logical for him to explore the Air Force next. The production quality is top-notch, as one would expect from a Spielberg series, and it’s just as exciting as the other shows in this unofficial trilogy. However, there’s an antiquated charm to “Masters of the Air” that feels authentic but can also seem somewhat stodgy, giving it a more Hollywood feel compared to “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific”.

3. United States Of Tara

A Dark Comedy About Mental Illness

United States of Tara,” originally inspired by Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw’s concept, is a blend of humor and drama revolving around a character named Tara (played by Toni Collette). As depicted in the New York Times, this series centers on Tara, who grapples with Dissociative Identity Disorder. In her life as a wife and mother of two, Tara has been diagnosed with this condition. When she discovers that her medication robs her of enthusiasm for the things she cherishes, Tara chooses to stop taking it, thereby allowing her various personalities to manifest.

In a remarkable display, Collette skillfully embodies each facet of Tara’s complex personalities, maintaining the individuality of each while keeping them connected. The show masterfully avoids trivializing or misrepresenting mental illness, instead finding humor in a somber subject without being insensitive. This impressive balance of comedy and sensitivity is one of the many strengths of the series, “United States of Tara”.

2. The Pacific (2010)

A Brutal And Affecting Look At The War In The Pacific

In a similar vein to “Band of Brothers,” which was co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, “The Pacific” faces the challenging task of surpassing one of the most celebrated war television series. While it almost dethrones its Europe-focused predecessor, it’s important to note that “The Pacific” is less heroic in nature. Instead, it chronicles various individuals within the 1st Marine Division during the Pacific War. This portrayal is a grueling, sweaty, and petrifying ordeal where danger lurks at every turn. Each man emerges from this conflict having given a piece of themselves.

Since each narrative thread doesn’t intertwine like the 101st Airborne Division in Band of Brothers, it can be more challenging to engage emotionally with the characters collectively. However, just because the series doesn’t offer the same sense of unity and purpose, it doesn’t diminish its impact. In fact, The Pacific is a tougher watch due to its lack of clear victory or overarching theme. The raw portrayal of young men grappling with this absence is chilling, yet as genuine as war series can get.

1. Band Of Brothers

The Pinnacle Of War Storytelling For Television

Three years after their collaboration on the critically acclaimed World War II film, “Saving Private Ryan,” Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg joined forces once again to create and produce the miniseries, “Band of Brothers.” The success of “Saving Private Ryan” likely sparked a desire in both creators to share as many authentic war stories as they could. At its release, “Band of Brothers” was incredibly intense and unsettling compared to contemporary war movies.

The intensity found in Band of Brothers is tempered somewhat by the strong camaraderie among the characters, yet it never fully disappears – that’s the essence of the show. Boasting a powerfully familiar ensemble cast, Band of Brothers is frequently listed among the greatest TV series ever made. Stephen Spielberg’s production skillfully balances tense and exhilarating scenes with exhausting and harrowing ones, setting the bar high for what a war-themed epic should achieve.

2025-06-06 02:08