Summary
FromJawstoJurassic Park, Steven Spielberg has directed countless movies that have entertained and inspired moviegoers, and he shows no signs of slowing down. In May 2024,Varietyreported thathis next film will come out in the summer of 2026, and it looks like it will be about UFOs. Given hisstrong work in the sci-fi genre, there are a lot of reasons to be excited about this.
Considering his influence in the movie industry, fans are always eager to hear what Spielberg thinks of the industry, and he sometimes shares his thoughts on his favorite movies. The director recentlycalled one popular movie “the greatest American film ever made.“Which movie was he talking about, and where can fans stream it?
Here’s Where You Can Stream The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola’s Iconic Movie That Steven Spielberg Praised
In late April 2025, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were onstage presenters whenFrancis Ford Coppola received the AFI Life Achievement Award. According toVariety, Spielberg talked aboutThe Godfatherand its impact on him and popular culture. The filmmaker said:
“TheGodfather,for me, is the greatest American film ever made.”
Spielberg continued:
“You have taken what came before and redefined the canon of American film, and in so doing, you’ve inspired a generation of storytellers who want to make you proud of their work, proud of our work, and I always want to make you proud of my work.”
Fans canstreamThe Godfatheron Paramount+. It’s hard to overstate how influentialThe Godfather, which wasreleased in 1972, has been for filmmakers and audiences alike. Co-written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, the movie has an incredibly high Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% on the Tomatometer and 98% on the Popcornmeter. Unsurprisingly, two sequels followed the successful first film.The Godfather: Part II, which was released in 1974, andThe Godfather Part III, which was released in 1990, are also available on Paramount+. Over the years,fans have debated the quality ofThe Godfather 3, but many consider itone of the greatest movie trilogies. Coppola co-wrote the three movies with Mario Puzo, who wrote the crime novelThe Godfather, which was published in 1969.
The GodfatherfollowsVito Corleone (Marlon Brando) and his sons Sonny (James Caan) and Michael (Al Pacino). Diane Keaton also played Michael’s wife Kay Adams-Corleone. While the cast is iconic, it’s interesting to hear that Robert De Niro didn’t get a part in the first movie. According toToday.com, De Niro auditioned for the part of Sonny, which Pacino got. At the AFI Film Awards in April 2025, De Niro talked about how that ended up being a good thing for his acting career. While he didn’t star inThe Godfather,De Niro played Vito Corleone inThe Godfather: Part IIand won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. As reported byDeadline, De Niro praised Coppola and said:
“Francis, thank you for not casting me inThe Godfather. It was the best job I ever, never got. And it meant I was available forThe Godfather Part II. Francis, you changed my career, you changed my life.”
What are some other well-known movies directed by Francis Ford Coppola?
Considering how manybeloved sci-fi movies Spielberg has made, along with dramas such asThe Fabelmansand the iconic horror movieJaws, it’s interesting to hear what movies and TV shows have influenced him. BesidesThe Godfather, he’s also a fan ofThe Last of Us. In 2023,Spielberg wrote a letter to Craig Mazin, the co-creator ofthe HBO series, aboutseason 1, episode 3, “Long, Long Time.”
Will The Godfather 4 Be Made?
SinceThe Godfather 4didn’t end up happening, fans have wondered for years if the fourth film could still be made. According toIndieWire, when Mario Puzo passed away in 1999, Francis Ford Coppola decided not to make the fourth film.
In 2020,Paramount saidThe Godfather 4is a “possibility.“The studio said:
“While there are no imminent plans for another film in the ‘Godfather’ saga, given the enduring power of its legacy it remains a possibility if the right story emerges.”
There hasn’t been any update since then, and many feel it’s unlikely that the fourth movie is going to become a reality. In January 2025, fans noticed a trailer online, and according toThe New York Post, Sylvester Stallone posted on social media that it wasn’t real.