What Film Would Steven Spielberg Show to Aliens Visiting Earth?

In this bonus scene from Stephen Colbert’s interview with Steven Spielberg, the director thinks long and hard about which film he would choose to show extraterrestrials to give them the best introduction to how human beings live on Earth.

---

Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert weeknights at 11:35 PM ET/10:35 PM CT. Only on CBS.

---
Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology and more. Featuring bandleader Louis Cato and “THE LATE SHOW band,” the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert took over as host, executive producer and writer of THE LATE SHOW on Sept. 8, 2015.

[milosterwheeler]

I wish these snippets were available as one continuous interview.

[solidsnake]

I loved that Spielberg said he loved NOPE. I also can’t believe he took my pick. I was immediately thinking “It’s a Wonderful Life” because it was the first thing that I could think of that paints the joys and sadness, the virtues and vices, of humanity and society. I didn’t get what all the fuss was about and then I turned 40 and that movie made a lot more sense.

[justinwinick]

My thought immediately was It’s A Wonderful Life!! Always nice to agree with your hero

[dylanberryxo]

he couldn’t have said a better movie, “it’s a wonderful life” never fails to make me cry

[milesnapue]

Spielberg just casually shouts out "Nope" as something he loves. Damn.

[MrJohnnagethebrave]

I’d show them Contact. It conveys so much about who we are, what we yearn for and the divides between us that could be reconciled with their appearance

[beemini]

He'd never say this for obvious reasons but I immediately thought ET. The way the children love ET and the adults are frightened and respond with violence. Humanity in a nutshell.

[potatomatop]

He needs to show Morbius to the invaders to save humanity.

[rustyy]

I would show them Modern Times by the legend Charlie Chaplin. It not only isn't very much talkative, since I'm guessing they don't speak english (you can never know ;D), but also because it shows the last 100 years and how the industrial revolution and the constant usage of machines (which is relevant now more than ever with how affective AI has become) affects our lives.
Also because it's a classic and funny!

[nickthomas]

There's a recording of Paul Newman starring in Our Town on Broadway which is probably the version of it to show to the aliens.

[CruzR]

Oh my gosh my immediate thought was “It’s a wonderful life” if ever I feel insignificant or what I’m doing isn’t making enough of a difference it shows me that we all matter snd even the smallest actions can make a difference in the world.

[randolphpinkle]

It really depends on how intelligent this alien visitor truly is, but KOYAANISQATSI is one film that comes to mind.

[NewMessage]

History of the World part 1, of course.

[christophersantiago]

I'm dying to know Spielberg's "glib" answers to the question 😆

[SusanBame]

"Our Town" came to mind for me first, too. "It's A Wonderful Life" is also a great answer.

[fejamolonblun]

Steven Spielberg and Kenneth Branagh are my two favorite movie directors. They're awesome I really like both of them.

[teresatroutman]

Two movies come to mind. “Ghost” and “Contact” as they show our myths about life, death and alien contact.

[roxydejaneiro]

Forrest Gump. Has every element of life and humanity narrated by an honest observer.

[GRAHFMETAL]

Show them Koyaanisqatsi (1983) or the more contemporary Samsara (2011)

[RoshanRavi]

Baraka or Samsara - those are not movies in traditional sense. But, shows both the good and bad of humanity using beautiful imagery and breathtaking music.