Which Kubrick film was the first to use the Steadicam?

The Shining was the first Stanley Kubrick film to use the Steadicam.

The Steadicam was a newly developed camera support that separated the operator's movement from the camera, allowing smooth tracking shots across uneven ground and through confined spaces. Kubrick used it extensively in The Shining, especially for the long, gliding movements through the Overlook Hotel and the hedge maze.

The film's Steadicam operator and inventor, Garrett Brown, worked closely with Kubrick during production. Kubrick even helped modify the system's video transmission technology so the operator could see the camera's view while moving. Brown used an 18mm Cooke lens for shots that passed extremely close to walls and doorways.

A frequent confusion is that The Shining was not the first film ever to use a Steadicam. That distinction belongs to earlier productions, including Bound for Glory, Marathon Man, and Rocky, all released in 1976. The Shining premiered in 1980 and was among the early major films to exploit the equipment creatively. It also prompted the development of “low mode,” which allowed the camera to operate close to floor level.