John Carpenter filmography

John Carpenter in 2010

John Carpenter is an American film director, producer, writer and composer. He has contributed to many projects as either the producer, writer, director, actor, composer or a combination of the five.

## Films

[edit]

### Feature films

[edit]

Title | Year | Credited as | Notes / Ref(s)

|
|
|

Director | Writer | Producer | Composer
Dark Star | 1974  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | [1]
Assault on Precinct 13 | 1976  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | Also editor[2][3]
Eyes of Laura Mars | 1978  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | [4]
Zuma Beach | 1978  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | Television film[5][6]
Halloween | 1978  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [7]
Someone's Watching Me! | 1978  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | No  | Television film[8][9]
Elvis | 1979  | Yes  | No  | No  | No  | Television film[10][11]
Better Late Than Never | 1979  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | Television film[12][13]
The Fog | 1980  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [14]
Escape from New York | 1981  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [15]
Halloween II | 1981  | No  | Yes  | Yes  | Yes  | [16]
The Thing | 1982  | Yes  | No  | No  | No  | [17]
Christine | 1983  | Yes  | No  | No  | Yes  | [18]
Starman | 1984  | Yes  | No  | No  | No  | [19]
Black Moon Rising | 1986  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | [20]
Big Trouble in Little China | 1986  | Yes  | No  | No  | Yes  | [21]
Prince of Darkness | 1987  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [22]
They Live | 1988  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [23]
El Diablo | 1990  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | Television film[24][25]
Blood River | 1991  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | Television film[24][26]
Memoirs of an Invisible Man | 1992  | Yes  | No  | No  | No  | [27]
Body Bags | 1993  | Yes  | No  | Executive  | Yes  | Television film[28][29]
In the Mouth of Madness | 1994  | Yes  | No  | No  | Yes  | [30][31]
Village of the Damned | 1995  | Yes  | No  | No  | Yes  | [32]
Escape from L.A. | 1996  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [33]
Vampires | 1998  | Yes  | No  | No  | Yes  | [34]
Silent Predators | 1999  | No  | Yes  | No  | No  | Television film[35][36]
Ghosts of Mars | 2001  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Yes  | [37]
The Ward | 2010  | Yes  | No  | No  | No  | [38][39]

### Producer and/or composer only

[edit]

Title | Year | Credited as | Notes / Ref(s)

|
|
|

Producer | Composer
Halloween III: Season of the Witch | 1982  | Yes  | Yes  | [40]
The Philadelphia Experiment | 1984  | Executive  | No  | [41]
Vampires: Los Muertos | 2002  | Executive  | No  | [42][43]
The Fog | 2005  | Yes  | No  | [44]
The Terror of Hallow's Eve | 2017  | No  | Yes  | [45][46][47]
Halloween | 2018  | Executive  | Yes  | [48]
Halloween Kills | 2021  | Executive  | Yes  | [49]
Studio 666 | 2022  | No  | Yes  | Opening credits theme only[50]
Firestarter | 2022  | No  | Yes  | [51]
Halloween Ends | 2022  | Executive  | Yes  | [52]
Untitled Bong Joon Ho film  | TBA  | No  | Yes  | [53]

### Editor only

[edit]

* Last Foxtrot in Burbank (1973)[54][55]

### Short films

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Director | Writer | Composer | Notes / Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|

Captain Voyeur | 1969  | Yes  | Yes  | No  | Also producer[56]
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy | 1970  | No  | Yes  | Yes  | Also editor[57]
The Puppet Man | 2016  | No  | No  | Yes  | [58]

### Acting roles

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Role  | Notes / Ref(s)

|
|
|

Dark Star | 1974  | Talby voice  |
Assault on Precinct 13 | 1976  | Gang Member  | Uncredited
Halloween | 1978  | Paul (Annie's boyfriend)  | Uncredited voice role
The Fog | 1980  | Bennett  | Uncredited
Escape from New York | 1981  | Secret Service #2, helicopter pilot, and a violin player
The Thing | 1982  | Norwegian in video footage
Starman | 1984  | Man in helicopter
Big Trouble in Little China | 1986  | Worker in Chinatown
The Boy Who Could Fly | Coupe de Villes band member
They Live | 1988  | Voice that says 'sleep'  | Uncredited voice role
Memoirs of an Invisible Man | 1992  | Helicopter pilot  |
Body Bags | 1993  | The Coroner  |
The Silence of the Hams | 1994  | Trenchcoat man and Gimp  |
Village of the Damned | 1995  | Man at gas station phone  |
The Puppet Man | 2016  | The Taxi Driver  | [58]
The Rise of the Synths | 2019  | Narrator and Synth Rider's guide  |
Studio 666 | 2022  | Engineer  | Credited as "Rip Haight"

## Reception

[edit]

This is a list of films directed by John Carpenter that grossed more than $10 million at the US box office according to Box Office Mojo. Carpenter's films have grossed domestically a total of more than $282 million, with an average of $18 million per film.

Rank  | Title  | Lifetime gross (US$)  | Rating

|
|
|

Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic
1  | Halloween | 47.0 million  | 96% (84 reviews)[59] | 87 (21 reviews)[60]
2  | Starman | 28.7 million  | 86% (36 reviews)[61] | 70 (8 reviews)[62]
3  | Escape from L.A. | 25.4 million  | 54% (59 reviews)[63] | 54 (21 reviews)[64]
4  | Escape from New York | 25.2 million  | 88% (72 reviews)[65] | 76 (12 reviews)[66]
5  | The Fog | 21.3 million  | 75% (69 reviews)[67] | 55 (11 reviews)[68]
6  | Christine | 21.0 million  | 70% (37 reviews)[69] | 57 (10 reviews)[70]
7  | Vampires | 20.3 million  | 43% (53 reviews)[71] | 42 (19 reviews)[72]
8  | The Thing | 19.6 million  | 84% (83 reviews)[73] | 57 (13 reviews)[74]
9  | Memoirs of an Invisible Man | 14.3 million  | 26% (35 reviews)[75] | 48 (19 reviews)[76]
10  | Prince of Darkness | 14.1 million  | 62% (39 reviews)[77] | 50 (10 reviews)[78]
11  | Ghosts of Mars | 14.0 million  | 23% (111 reviews)[79] | 35 (26 reviews)[80]
12  | They Live | 13.0 million  | 86% (74 reviews)[81] | 55 (22 reviews)[82]
13  | The Ward | 12.8 million  | 33% (72 reviews)[83] | 38 (18 reviews)[84]
14  | Big Trouble in Little China | 11.1 million  | 76% (66 reviews)[85] | 53 (14 reviews)[86]

## Television series

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Director  | Producer  | Composer  | Notes / Ref(s)

|
|
|
|
|

Masters of Horror | 2005–2006  | Yes  | No  | No  | Episodes "Cigarette Burns" and "Pro-Life"
Zoo | 2015–2017  | No  | No  | Yes  | Theme music only
Suburban Screams | 2023  | Yes  | Executive  | Yes  | Theme music only,
Episode "Phone Stalker"[87][88][89][90]

## Video games

[edit]

Title  | Year  | Role  | Notes / Ref(s)

|
|
|

Sentinel Returns | 1998  | —  | Composer[91]
The Thing | 2002  | Dr. Faraday  | Uncredited
F.E.A.R. 3 | 2011  | Narrator  | Also storyline consultant
Toxic Commando | TBA  | —  | Creator[92]
Halloween: The Game | TBA  | —  | Creative consultant[93]

## See also

[edit]

* John Carpenter's unrealized projects

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Dark Star (1975)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
2. ^ "Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
3. ^ Muir, John Kenneth (2000). The Films of John Carpenter. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 63–64\. ISBN 978-0-7864-2269-2.
4. ^ "Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
5. ^ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 181\. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
6. ^ "NBSeeUs". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 27, 1978. p. 7b.
7. ^ Halloween (1978). American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
8. ^ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. pp. 181–182\. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
9. ^ "This Week on Television - Wednesday". Stateville Record and Landmark. November 25, 1978.
10. ^ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. pp. 182–183\. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
11. ^ Smith, Liz (January 2, 1979). "Made-for-TV Elvis Movie Touted as Big Blockbuster". Ottawa Citizen. p. 58.
12. ^ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 182\. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
13. ^ Thomas, Kevin (October 17, 1979). "Two New Movies Premiere Tonight". Los Angeles Times. p. 21.
14. ^ "The Fog (1980)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
15. ^ "Escape From New York (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
16. ^ "Halloween II (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
17. ^ "The Thing (1982)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
18. ^ "Christine (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
19. ^ "Starman (1984)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
20. ^ "Black Moon Rising (1986)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
21. ^ "Big Trouble in Little China (1986)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
22. ^ "Prince of Darkness (1987)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
23. ^ "They Live (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
24. ^ a b Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 187\. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
25. ^ King, Susan (July 19, 1990). "Gossett Tries Comedy in a Wacky Western". The Capital Times. p. 7D.
26. ^ Miller, Ron (March 14, 1991). "'Blood River' All Downhill". The Day. p. 17.
27. ^ "Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
28. ^ Muir, John Kenneth (2002). The Films of Tobe Hooper. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 154–155\. ISBN 978-0-7864-4461-8.
29. ^ Lovece, Frank (August 6, 1993). "Showtime Gets Ghoulish with 'Body Bags'". The Tribune. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
30. ^ "In the Mouth of Madness (1995)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
31. ^ "Timetable 1994 Frankfurt - Fantasy FilmFest Archiv". f3a.net. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
32. ^ "Village of the Damned (1995)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
33. ^ "Escape from L.A. (1997)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
34. ^ "John Carpenter's Vampires (1998)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
35. ^ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 190\. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
36. ^ "'Another World' End Stuns Fans, Show's Cast". The Atlanta Journal. April 19, 1999. p. D3.
37. ^ "John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
38. ^ "John Carpenter's The Ward". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
39. ^ Harvey, Denis (September 17, 2010). "John Carpenter's The Ward". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
40. ^ "Halloween III Season of the Witch (1982)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
41. ^ "The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
42. ^ "[Back Cover]". John Carpenter Presents Vampires Los Muertos (DVD packaging). United States: Global Entertainment Productions. 2002. ISBN 0-7678-8209-1.
43. ^ Lovell, Glenn (August 20, 2002). "John Carpenter May Become one of the Ghosts of Filmmaking". The Wichita Eagle. p. 4C.
44. ^ "The Fog (2005)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
45. ^ Barkan, Jonathan (September 1, 2017). "Writer/Director Todd Tucker Discusses The Terror of Hallow's Eve". Dread Central. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
46. ^ Miska, Brad (July 17, 2017). "Practical Effects the Selling Point of 'The Terror Of Hallow's Eve' (Trailer)". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
47. ^ Miska, Brad (November 8, 2018). "'The Terror of Hallow's Eve' Gets Holiday Release on Redbox". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
48. ^ Debruge, Peter (September 9, 2018). "Film Review: 'Halloween'". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
49. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (September 8, 2021). "'Halloween Kills' Review: It Will Feed Your Nostalgia...for Mediocre Slasher Sequels". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
50. ^ Allen, Nick (February 25, 2022). "Studio 666". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
51. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (May 12, 2022). "'Firestarter' Review: They're Remaking this? Zac Efron Stars in a Stephen King Rehash That Never Catches Fire". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
52. ^ Gleiberman, Owen (October 13, 2022). "'Halloween Ends' Review: Michael Myers Gets a Disciple, and Jamie Lee Curtis Mopes, as the Series Ends...But Not Really (Rinse, Slash, Repeat)". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
53. ^ Squires, Bethy (March 23, 2025). "John Carpenter Says He'll Score Bong Joon Ho's Next Movie". Vulture. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
54. ^ "Last Foxtrot in Burbank". Los Angeles Times. October 21, 1973. Retrieved October 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. "World Premiere Engagement Starts Friday, OCtober 26"
55. ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (May 27, 2022). "John Carpenter and Charles Band Talk 'Halloween' Atari Game, Career Intersections, and More in New Chat". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on May 27, 2022.
56. ^ Barnes, Mike (October 26, 2011). "'Halloween' Director John Carpenter's First Student Film Unearthed". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
57. ^ MUBI
58. ^ a b Dempsey, Jeff (January 21, 2016). "'Puppet Man' comes to terrorize Sundance". Park Record. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
59. ^ "HALLOWEEN". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
60. ^ "Halloween 1978". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
61. ^ "STARMAN". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
62. ^ "Starman 1984". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
63. ^ "JOHN CARPENTER'S ESCAPE FROM L.A." Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
64. ^ "Escape from L.A. 1996". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
65. ^ "ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
66. ^ "Escape from New York 1981". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
67. ^ "THE FOG". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
68. ^ "The Fog 1980". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
69. ^ "CHRISTINE". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
70. ^ "Christine 1983". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
71. ^ "JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
72. ^ "Vampires 1998". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
73. ^ "THE THING". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
74. ^ "The Thing 1982". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
75. ^ "MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
76. ^ "Memoirs of an Invisible Man 1992". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
77. ^ "PRINCE OF DARKNESS". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
78. ^ "Prince of Darkness 1987". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
79. ^ "JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
80. ^ "Ghosts of Mars 2001". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
81. ^ "THEY LIVE". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
82. ^ "They Live 1988". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
83. ^ "THE WARD". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
84. ^ "The Ward 2011". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
85. ^ "BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
86. ^ "Big Trouble in Little China 1986". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
87. ^ Tallerico, Brian (October 10, 2023). "John Carpenter Returns with Peacock Project That Doesn't Deserve His Name". Roger Ebert.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
88. ^ Catt, Chris (May 29, 2023). "John Carpenter Teases 'The Thing 2' and Talks About His Latest Directing Work at Texas Frightmare Weekend". Creepy Catalog. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
89. ^ Smith, Jeremy (May 31, 2023). "The Thing 2: John Carpenter Is 'Sworn To Secrecy,' But Teases A Sequel To His Horror Classic". /Film. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
90. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (June 2, 2023). "John Carpenter Returns to Directing with TV Series He Made from His Couch". IndieWire. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
91. ^ "Sentinel Returns Soundtrack – Review". Bestwesterngamessoundtracks.com. May 14, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
92. ^ Breslin, Richard (June 9, 2023). "John Carpenter's new zombie game looks like a first-person Days Gone". Gaming Bible. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
93. ^ Wilson, Mike (August 12, 2024). "Two New 'Halloween' Video Games in the Works from 'Evil Dead: The Game' Developers!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on August 12, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2024.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* "John Carpenter Movie Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
* "John Carpenter > Filmography". AllMovie. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
* Conrich, Ian; David Woods (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter: The Technique of Terror. Wallflower Press. ISBN 1904764142.

## External links

[edit]

* John Carpenter filmography at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

John Carpenter

Filmography|

| Directed|

* Captain Voyeur (1969, short)
* Dark Star (1974)
* Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
* Halloween (1978)
* Someone's Watching Me! (1978, TV)
* Elvis (1979, TV)
* The Fog (1980)
* Escape from New York (1981)
* The Thing (1982)
* Christine (1983)
* Starman (1984)
* Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
* Prince of Darkness (1987)
* They Live (1988)
* Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)
* Body Bags (1993, TV)
* In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
* Village of the Damned (1995)
* Escape from L.A. (1996)
* Vampires (1998)
* Ghosts of Mars (2001)
* "Cigarette Burns" (2005, TV)
* "Pro-Life" (2006, TV)
* The Ward (2010)

|

Written only|

* The Resurrection of Broncho Billy (1970, short)
* Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
* Zuma Beach (1978, TV)
* Better Late Than Never (1979, TV)
* Halloween II (1981)
* Black Moon Rising (1986)
* El Diablo (1990, TV)
* Blood River (1991, TV)
* Silent Predators (1999, TV)

Produced only|

* Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
* The Fog (2005)

Discography|

| Albums|

* Lost Themes (2015)
* Lost Themes Remixed (2015)
* Lost Themes II (2016)
* Anthology: Movie Themes 1974–1998 (2017)
* Lost Themes III: Alive After Death (2021)

|

EPs|

* Classic Themes Redux EP (2016)
* Lost Cues: The Thing (2020)

Scores and
soundtracks|

* Halloween (1979)
* Dark Star (1980)
* Escape from New York (1981)
* Halloween II (1981)
* Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
* The Fog (1984)
* Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
* Prince of Darkness (1987)
* They Live (1988)
* Christine (1989)
* Body Bags (1993)
* In the Mouth of Madness (1995)
* Village of the Damned (1995)
* Escape from L.A. (1996)
* Vampires (1998)
* Ghosts of Mars (2001)
* Assault on Precinct 13 (2003)
* Halloween (2018)
* Halloween Kills (2021)
* Firestarter (2022)
* Halloween Ends (2022)

Related|

* Unrealized projects
* Cody Carpenter (son)
* Daniel Davies (godson)

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