<figure class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_172173" style="width: 256px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-172173">Image Source; Warner Bros</figcaption></figure>

Back in 2018 Steven Spielberg returned to sci fi action with Ready Player One a visually dazzling adventure based on the bestselling novel by Ernest Cline. The film takes place in a near future world where people escape their harsh reality by diving into a massive virtual universe known as the OASIS. When the visionary creator of the OASIS dies he leaves behind a final challenge a digital treasure hunt. Whoever uncovers his hidden Easter Egg will inherit his fortune and control of the entire virtual world.

A Nostalgic Throwback to 1980s Pop Culture

Upon release Ready Player One earned strong reviews from both critics and longtime Spielberg fans. Audiences especially embraced the movie’s love letter to 1980s pop culture packed with references to classic video games iconic music and beloved films. While this retro style aligns perfectly with Spielberg’s cinematic legacy it originates from the story’s mythology. In Ernest Cline’s novel OASIS creator James Halliday is deeply obsessed with the 1980s and Spielberg leaned into that passion revisiting an era he helped define.

Spielberg and the 1980s A Decade That Shaped the Film

At the time of the film’s release Spielberg spoke about how natural it felt to return to the decade that helped make him a household name. The 1980s are more than just a setting in Ready Player One they are part of Spielberg’s creative identity. Throughout that decade he shaped modern pop culture with classics like E.T. Indiana Jones The Goonies and even influenced beloved hits like Back to the Future which carried the spirit of the era he helped create. That influence carries directly into Ready Player One. Eagle eyed viewers can spot clever Easter eggs tied to his filmography scattered throughout the OASIS. And although Spielberg was careful not to overfill the movie with references to his own hits a few still made the cut adding a fun nostalgic layer to a story already steeped in ’80s spirit.

Click on the media bar below to hear Steven Spielberg discuss the film.

Watch the Ready Player One Trailer

Where to Watch Ready Player One

Ready Player One is now available on DVD Blu ray 4K and all major digital platforms and is currently streaming on Netflix.

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