The following includes spoilers for Weapons.
Steven Spielberg was so moved by Zach Cregger’s Academy Award-winning horror film, Weapons, that it directly affected his career as a movie director.
Weapons is a 2025 horror film directed and written by Cregger. It follows the mysterious disappearance of 17 children from a small Florida town at exactly 2:17 AM. The disturbing event causes the town to panic as its residents become increasingly paranoid. And, the parents of the missing children almost immediately suspect Justine (Julia Garner), the teacher of all the kids who went missing.
The iconic filmmaker is known for directing hit films that range from family-friendly movies to intense science fiction thrillers. He explained in a recent interview with Empire that while he has considered directing a full-fledged horror movie, he really has no plans to do so right now. Despite his interest in the genre, he said that recent projects have already delivered the kind of fear and intensity he would want to achieve himself, including Weapons.
In Spielberg’s eyes, Weapons was so effective as a horror movie that it removed any urgency for him to step into that side of the entertainment industry. He said that the film left him fully satisfied as a viewer, to the point that he didn’t want to try to top it with a project of his own.
I haven’t directed a horror film yet, and I’ve always wanted to, and someday I may. But there have been some great horror films out already that satisfy that itch.
When I see a great horror film like Weapons, I don’t have an itch I need to scratch. I see Weapons, and it doesn’t make me want to make a horror film that’s as scary or scarier than Weapons. It satisfies me so completely, it actually arrests my desire to someday make a really, really scary movie.
Weapons quickly became a massive critical and commercial success. The film grossed $270 million worldwide at the box office. It also took awards season by storm with nominations and wins across several major ceremonies such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars. Amy Madigan, who portrayed the infamous Aunt Gladys, won Best Supporting Actress at the 98th Academy Awards.
The film’s impact goes beyond its box office performance and critical acclaim. It also solidified Cregger’s reputation as a major addition to the horror genre. Following the success of Weapons, audiences and reporters alike quickly speculated what he might do next, with many viewing him as a filmmaker capable of breathing new life into horror. The movie’s storytelling, unsettling environment, and emotional conclusion made it stand out from its competitors.
Spielberg’s reaction after watching Weapons highlights how even the most accomplished directors can still be influenced by the work of others. The film renewed his appreciation for the genre and the filmmakers who add to it. It’s a rare example of a movie not just entertaining audiences, but also directly influencing the industry.
Weapons can now be streamed on HBO Max.
Release Date
August 8, 2025
Runtime
128 minutes
Director
Zach Cregger