One Of Stephen King's Favorite Movies Is A '70s Sci-Fi Classic

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When it comes to sci-fi, people might expect Stephen King to pick alien invasion movies as his favorites. After all, he is the author of some of the scariest stories ever told, and films about hostile extraterrestrials are terrifying in their own right. With that said, King is a bigger fan of one of the more optimistic alien flicks — Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."

Released in 1977, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" follows Roy (Richard Dreyfuss), an everyday guy whose life changes after encountering UFOs. However, these visitors genuinely do come in peace, so there's nothing to fear. Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), King listed Spielberg's must-see '70s sci-fi film as one of his all-time favorite films of any genre — alongside classics like "Casablanca," "Jaws," and "The Godfather Part II."

King didn't reveal why he loves "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," but does he have to? The film currently boasts a 91% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating that it's regarded as one of the most acclaimed sci-fi movies of all time. But what makes critics and fans feel so enamored by Spielberg's masterpiece?

Critics praised "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" for its wondrous and optimistic qualities. Like many of Steven Spielberg's movies, it's a grandiose blockbuster that strives for crowd-pleasing entertainment — and it delivers it in spades. Throw in some awe-inspiring special effects, and what's not to love?

"[It is] an astonishing achievement, capturing the feeling of awe and wonder we have when considering the likelihood of life beyond the Earth," Roger Ebert wrote while giving the film a perfect score. Pauline Kael also praised the movie. Writing in her book "For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies," she praised it for not boasting a cynical worldview regarding technological advancement, saying, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind is the most innocent of all technological-marvel movies, and one of the most satisfying."

Any movie that impresses Stephen King and two of the world's most legendary film critics is definitely worth its salt. Spielberg is known for making great alien movies in general, and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" ranks among the best of them.