While Steven Spielberg is not an owner or employee of Universal Studios, he has a deep, multi-decade creative partnership with the company that is unique in Hollywood. He famously maintains his Amblin Entertainment offices right on the Universal Pictures lot in Universal City. Spielberg acts as a long-term creative consultant for Universal Destinations & Experiences, having a significant hand in the "ride the movies" concept that defined Universal theme parks for years. He even received a portion of theme park ticket revenue for decades as part of a deal for his involvement. In 2026, he continues to collaborate with the studio, with his upcoming films often being distributed by Universal Pictures. His influence is everywhere in the parks, from the Jurassic Park and E.T. attractions to his public endorsement of the new Epic Universe park opening in Orlando. While he is an independent auteur, his name and creative vision are so inextricably linked to the Universal brand that many in the industry view him as the "godfather" of the modern Universal experience.