1993 Steven Spielberg classic, named among his best movies, has near-perfect 98% Rotten Tomatoes score

Steven Spielberg has directed some of the most beloved films in cinema history, from Jaws and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park. But when critics and movie lovers discuss his greatest achievement, one title consistently rises to the top: 1993's Schindler's List.

Widely regarded as one of Spielberg's greatest works, the historical drama continues to earn extraordinary praise more than three decades after its release. The film is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an outstanding 98% critics score and an equally impressive 97% audience score, cementing its place among the greatest films ever made.

'Schindler's List' Became One of Spielberg's Defining Films

Based on the true story of German industrialist Oskar Schindler, the film stars Liam Neeson as the businessman who saved the lives of more than 1,000 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.

The cast also includes Ben Kingsley as Schindler's accountant Itzhak Stern and Ralph Fiennes in a chilling, Oscar-nominated performance as SS officer Amon Göth.

Shot primarily in black and white, Schindler's List was praised for its unflinching portrayal of one of history's darkest chapters while also telling an unforgettable story of courage, sacrifice, and humanity.

Critics and Audiences Continue to Celebrate the Film

Upon its release, Schindler's List became both a critical and commercial triumph. It earned 12 Academy Award nominations, winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director for Spielberg.

Its reputation has only grown in the decades since, and many critics view it as one of the more important Spielberg films, with one writing "It brought the Holocaust to a mass non-Jewish audience at a time when survivors were dying of old age, and testimony was at risk of being lost."