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

Feature films

TitleYearCredited asNotesRef(s)
DirectorWriterProducerComposer
Dark Star 1974 Yes Yes Yes Yes Co-Written with Dan O'Bannon [1]
Assault on Precinct 13 1976 Yes Yes No Yes Also editor [2][3]
Halloween 1978 Yes Yes Uncredited Yes Co-Written with Debra Hill [4]
Someone's Watching Me! Yes Yes No No Television film [5][6]
Elvis 1979 Yes No No No [7][8]
The Fog 1980 Yes Yes No Yes Co-written with Debra Hill [9]
Escape from New York 1981 Yes Yes No Yes Co-written with Nick Castle [10]
The Thing 1982 Yes No No No [11]
Christine 1983 Yes No No Yes [12]
Starman 1984 Yes No No No [13]
Big Trouble in Little China 1986 Yes No No Yes [14]
Prince of Darkness 1987 Yes Yes No Yes [15]
They Live 1988 Yes Yes No Yes [16]
Memoirs of an Invisible Man 1992 Yes No No No [17]
Body Bags 1993 Yes No Executive Yes Television film [18][19]
In the Mouth of Madness 1994 Yes No No Yes [20][21]
Village of the Damned 1995 Yes No No Yes [22]
Escape from L.A. 1996 Yes Yes No Yes Co-written with Debra Hill & Kurt Russell [23]
Vampires 1998 Yes No No Yes [24]
Ghosts of Mars 2001 Yes Yes No Yes Co-written with Larry Sulkis [25]
The Ward 2010 Yes No No No [26][27]

Writer, producer and/or composer only

TitleYearCredited asNotesRef(s)
WriterProducerComposer
Eyes of Laura Mars 1978 Yes No No [28]
Zuma Beach 1978 Yes No No Television film [29][30]
Better Late Than Never 1979 Yes No No Television film [31][32]
Halloween II 1981 Yes Yes Yes Uncredited Director of Additional scenes [33]
Halloween III: Season of the Witch 1982 No Yes Yes [34]
The Philadelphia Experiment 1984 No Executive No [35]
Black Moon Rising 1986 Yes Executive No [36]
El Diablo 1990 Yes Executive No Television film [37][38]
Blood River 1991 Yes No No Television film [37][39]
Silent Predators 1999 Yes No No Television film [40][41]
Vampires: Los Muertos 2002 No Executive No [42][43]
The Fog 2005 No Yes No [44]
The Terror of Hallow's Eve 2017 No No Yes [45][46][47]
Halloween 2018 No Executive Yes [48]
Halloween Kills 2021 No Executive Yes [49]
Studio 666 2022 No No Yes Opening credits theme only [50]
Firestarter 2022 No No Yes [51]
Halloween Ends 2022 No Executive Yes [52]

Editor only

Short films

Title Year Director Writer Composer Notes Ref(s)
Captain Voyeur 1969 Yes Yes No Also producer [55]
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy 1970 No Yes Yes Also editor [56]
The Puppet Man 2016 No No Yes [57]

Acting roles

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 Credited as "Rip Haight"
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 [57]
The Rise of the Synths 2019 Narrator and Synth Rider's guide
Studio 666 2022 Engineer Credited as "Rip Haight"

Television series

Title Year Director Executive
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 Yes Yes Theme music only,
Episode: "Phone Stalker"		 [58][59][60][61]
John Carpenter Presents TBA TBA Yes TBA [62]

Podcast series

Title Year Credit Notes / Ref(s)
Roanoke Falls 2021 Executive producer [63][64][65]
Angel to Some 2022 Executive producer [64][65]
Furnace 2022 Executive producer [64][65]

Video games

Title Year Role Notes Ref(s)
Sentinel Returns 1998 N/a Composer [66]
The Thing 2002 Dr. Faraday Uncredited
F.E.A.R. 3 2011 Narrator Also storyline consultant
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando 2026 N/a Composer [67][68][69]
Halloween: The Game 2026 N/a Creative consultant and executive producer [70][71]

Bibliography

  • John Carpenter Presents Storm Kids[72][73]
  • John Carpenter's Asylum[72][73]
  • John Carpenter's Night Terrors[72][73]
  • John Carpenter's Tales for a Halloween Night[72][73]
  • John Carpenter's Tales of Science Fiction[72][73]
  • Cathedral (2026)[74]

Reception

This is a list of films directed by John Carpenter that grossed more than $8 million at the US box office according to Box Office Mojo. Carpenter's films have grossed domestically a total of more than $300 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)[75] 87 (21 reviews)[76]
2 Starman 28.7 million 86% (36 reviews)[77] 70 (8 reviews)[78]
3 Escape from L.A. 25.4 million 54% (59 reviews)[79] 54 (21 reviews)[80]
4 Escape from New York 25.2 million 88% (72 reviews)[81] 76 (12 reviews)[82]
5 The Fog 21.3 million 75% (69 reviews)[83] 55 (11 reviews)[84]
6 Christine 21.0 million 70% (37 reviews)[85] 57 (10 reviews)[86]
7 Vampires 20.3 million 43% (53 reviews)[87] 42 (19 reviews)[88]
8 The Thing 19.6 million 84% (83 reviews)[89] 57 (13 reviews)[90]
9 Memoirs of an Invisible Man 14.3 million 26% (35 reviews)[91] 48 (19 reviews)[92]
10 Prince of Darkness 14.1 million 62% (39 reviews)[93] 50 (10 reviews)[94]
11 Ghosts of Mars 14.0 million 23% (111 reviews)[95] 35 (26 reviews)[96]
12 They Live 13.0 million 86% (74 reviews)[97] 55 (22 reviews)[98]
13 The Ward 12.8 million 33% (72 reviews)[99] 38 (18 reviews)[100]
14 Big Trouble in Little China 11.1 million 76% (66 reviews)[101] 53 (14 reviews)[102]
15 Village of the Damned 9.4 million 28% (39 reviews)[103] 41 (14 reviews)[104]
16 In the Mouth of Madness 8.9 million 60% (50 reviews)[105] 53 (17 reviews)[106]
17 Assault on Precinct 13 N/A 96% (51 reviews)[107] 89 (7 reviews)[108]
18 Dark Star N/A 74% (34 reviews)[109] 66 (10 reviews)[110]

See also

References

  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. ↑ Halloween (1978). American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  5. ↑ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. pp. 181–182. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
  6. ↑ "This Week on Television - Wednesday". Stateville Record and Landmark. November 25, 1978.
  7. ↑ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. pp. 182–183. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
  8. ↑ Smith, Liz (January 2, 1979). "Made-for-TV Elvis Movie Touted as Big Blockbuster". Ottawa Citizen. p. 58.
  9. ↑ "The Fog (1980)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Escape From New York (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  11. ↑ "The Thing (1982)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Christine (1983)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Starman (1984)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  14. ↑ "Big Trouble in Little China (1986)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Prince of Darkness (1987)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  16. ↑ "They Live (1988)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  18. ↑ Muir, John Kenneth (2002). The Films of Tobe Hooper. McFarland & Company, Inc. pp. 154–155. ISBN 978-0-7864-4461-8.
  19. ↑ Lovece, Frank (August 6, 1993). "Showtime Gets Ghoulish with 'Body Bags'". The Tribune. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  20. ↑ "In the Mouth of Madness (1995)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  21. ↑ "Timetable 1994 Frankfurt - Fantasy FilmFest Archiv". f3a.net. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Village of the Damned (1995)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Escape from L.A. (1997)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  24. ↑ "John Carpenter's Vampires (1998)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  25. ↑ "John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  26. ↑ "John Carpenter's The Ward". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  27. ↑ Harvey, Denis (September 17, 2010). "John Carpenter's The Ward". Variety. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  29. ↑ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 181. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
  30. ↑ "NBSeeUs". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 27, 1978. p. 7b.
  31. ↑ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 182. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
  32. ↑ Thomas, Kevin (October 17, 1979). "Two New Movies Premiere Tonight". Los Angeles Times. p. 21.
  33. ↑ "Halloween II (1981)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Halloween III Season of the Witch (1982)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  35. ↑ "The Philadelphia Experiment (1984)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  36. ↑ "Black Moon Rising (1986)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  37. 1 2 Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 187. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
  38. ↑ King, Susan (July 19, 1990). "Gossett Tries Comedy in a Wacky Western". The Capital Times. p. 7D.
  39. ↑ Miller, Ron (March 14, 1991). "'Blood River' All Downhill". The Day. p. 17.
  40. ↑ Conrich, Ian; Woods, David, eds. (2004). The Cinema of John Carpenter. Wallflower Press. p. 190. ISBN 1-904764-14-2.
  41. ↑ "'Another World' End Stuns Fans, Show's Cast". The Atlanta Journal. April 19, 1999. p. D3.
  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. ↑ "Last Foxtrot in Burbank". Los Angeles Times. October 21, 1973. Retrieved October 28, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. World Premiere Engagement Starts Friday, OCtober 26
  54. ↑ 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.
  55. ↑ 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.
  56. ↑ MUBI
  57. 1 2 Dempsey, Jeff (January 21, 2016). "'Puppet Man' comes to terrorize Sundance". Park Record. Retrieved December 29, 2024.
  58. ↑ Tallerico, Brian (October 10, 2023). "John Carpenter Returns with Peacock Project That Doesn't Deserve His Name". Roger Ebert.com. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  59. ↑ 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.
  60. ↑ 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.
  61. ↑ Bergeson, Samantha (June 2, 2023). "John Carpenter Returns to Directing with TV Series He Made from His Couch". IndieWire. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  62. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (October 17, 2025). "John Carpenter to Exec Produce Supernatural Horror Anthology Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  63. ↑ Ritchie, Gayle (November 7, 2021). "Seances, shadows and secrets: Laura Purcell's latest gothic thriller oozes menace". The Courier. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  64. 1 2 3 White, Peter (May 11, 2021). "John Carpenter Scares Up Horror Podcasts & Tatiana Maslany Preps Dark Comedy 'Power Trip' For Realm". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  65. 1 2 3 Anderson, Derek (May 12, 2021). "John Carpenter and Sandy King Carpenter Announce New Realm Audio Shows Roanoke Falls, Angel to Some, and Furnace". Daily Dead. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  66. ↑ "Sentinel Returns Soundtrack – Review". Bestwesterngamessoundtracks.com. May 14, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  67. ↑ Nelson, Samantha (August 25, 2025). "John Carpenter's newest horror is actually a game — and I played it". Polygon. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  68. ↑ Breslin, Richard (June 9, 2023). "John Carpenter's new zombie game looks like a first-person Days Gone". Gaming Bible. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  69. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 19, 2025). "John Carpenter's Toxic Commando launches in early 2026". Gematsu. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  70. ↑ 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.
  71. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (August 20, 2025). "Halloween Revealed by Friday the 13th: The Game Developer — IGN Interviews IllFonic on the Single-Player Story Mode, Working With John Carpenter, and More". IGN. Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  72. 1 2 3 4 5 Serrano, Ricardo (September 12, 2019). "Interview: Sandy King on building the house of horrors that is Storm King Comics". The Beat. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  73. 1 2 3 4 5 "Storm King Comics signs with SCB Distributors". The Beat. March 10, 2025. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
  74. ↑ Wiese, Jason (March 20, 2026). "Halloween Legend John Carpenter Announces Very First Graphic Novel, With a Twist". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
  75. ↑ "HALLOWEEN". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  76. ↑ "Halloween 1978". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  77. ↑ "STARMAN". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  78. ↑ "Starman 1984". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  79. ↑ "JOHN CARPENTER'S ESCAPE FROM L.A." Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  80. ↑ "Escape from L.A. 1996". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  81. ↑ "ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  82. ↑ "Escape from New York 1981". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  83. ↑ "THE FOG". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  84. ↑ "The Fog 1980". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  85. ↑ "CHRISTINE". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  86. ↑ "Christine 1983". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  87. ↑ "JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  88. ↑ "Vampires 1998". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  89. ↑ "THE THING". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  90. ↑ "The Thing 1982". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  91. ↑ "MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  92. ↑ "Memoirs of an Invisible Man 1992". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  93. ↑ "PRINCE OF DARKNESS". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  94. ↑ "Prince of Darkness 1987". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  95. ↑ "JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  96. ↑ "Ghosts of Mars 2001". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  97. ↑ "THEY LIVE". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  98. ↑ "They Live 1988". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  99. ↑ "THE WARD". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  100. ↑ "The Ward 2010". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  101. ↑ "BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 11, 2024.
  102. ↑ "Big Trouble in Little China 1986". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  103. ↑ "Village of the Damned (1995)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  104. ↑ "Village of the Damned". Metacritic. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  105. ↑ "In the Mouth of Madness (1995) – Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes.com. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  106. ↑ "In the Mouth of Madness Reviews – Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Metacritic. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  107. ↑ "Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  108. ↑ "Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  109. ↑ "Dark Star". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  110. ↑ "Dark Star (1974) reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 11, 2025.

Bibliography

This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.