John Carpenter filmography explained

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

Title YearCredited as Notes
width=6% Director!width=6% Writer!width=6% Producer!width=6% Composer!width=6% Other
Last Foxtrot in Burbank 1973Film editor[1] [2]
Dark Star 1974[3]
Assault on Precinct 13 1976Also film editor[4] [5]
Eyes of Laura Mars 1978[6]
Zuma Beach1978Television film[7] [8]
Halloween1978[9]
Someone's Watching Me! 1978Television film[10] [11]
Elvis 1979Television film[12] [13]
Better Late Than Never1979Television film[14] [15]
1980[16]
Escape from New York1981[17]
Halloween II1981[18]
1982[19]
1982[20]
Christine1983[21]
1984[22]
Starman1984[23]
Black Moon Rising1986[24]
Big Trouble in Little China1986[25]
Prince of Darkness1987[26]
They Live1988[27]
1990Television film[28] [29]
Blood River1991Television film[30]
Memoirs of an Invisible Man1992[31]
Body Bags1993Television film[32] [33]
In the Mouth of Madness1994[34] [35]
Village of the Damned1995[36]
Escape from L.A.1996[37]
Vampires1998[38]
Silent Predators1999Television film[39] [40]
Ghosts of Mars2001[41]
2002[42] [43]
2005[44]
2010[45] [46]
Halloween2018[47]
Halloween Kills2021[48]
Studio 6662022[49]
Firestarter2022[50]
Halloween Ends2022[51]
Death of a UnicornTBA[52]

Short films

TitleYearDirectorWriterComposerNotes
Captain Voyeur1969Also producer
The Resurrection of Broncho Billy1970Also editor

Acting roles

TitleYearRoleNotes
Dark Star1974Talby voice
Assault on Precinct 131976Gang MemberUncredited
Halloween1978Paul (Annie's boyfriend)Uncredited voice role
The Fog1980BennettUncredited
Escape from New York1981Secret Service #2, helicopter pilot, and a violin player
The Thing1982Norwegian in video footage
Starman1984Man in helicopter
Big Trouble in Little China1986Worker in Chinatown
The Boy Who Could FlyCoupe de Villes band member
They Live1988Voice that says 'sleep'Uncredited voice role
Memoirs of an Invisible Man1992Helicopter pilot
Body Bags1993The Coroner
The Silence of the Hams1994Trenchcoat man and Gimp
Village of the Damned1995Man at gas station phone
The Rise of the Synths2019Narrator and Synth Rider's guide
Studio 6662022EngineerCredited as "Rip Haight"

Highest-grossing films

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.

RankTitleLifetime gross (US$)Rating
Rotten TomatoesMetacritic
1Halloween47.0 million96% (84 reviews)[53] 87 (21 reviews)[54]
2Starman28.7 million86% (36 reviews)[55] 70 (8 reviews)[56]
3Escape from L.A.25.4 million54% (59 reviews)[57] 54 (21 reviews)[58]
4Escape from New York25.2 million88% (72 reviews)[59] 76 (12 reviews)[60]
5The Fog21.3 million75% (69 reviews)[61] 55 (11 reviews)[62]
6Christine21.0 million70% (37 reviews)[63] 57 (10 reviews)[64]
7Vampires20.3 million43% (53 reviews)[65] 42 (19 reviews)[66]
8The Thing19.6 million84% (83 reviews)[67] 57 (13 reviews)[68]
9Memoirs of an Invisible Man14.3 million26% (35 reviews)[69] 48 (19 reviews)[70]
10Prince of Darkness14.1 million62% (39 reviews)[71] 50 (10 reviews)[72]
11Ghosts of Mars14.0 million 23% (111 reviews)[73] 35 (26 reviews)[74]
12They Live13.0 million86% (74 reviews)[75] 55 (22 reviews)[76]
13The Ward12.8 million33% (72 reviews)[77] 38 (18 reviews)[78]
14Big Trouble in Little China11.1 million76% (66 reviews)[79] 53 (14 reviews)[80]

Television series

TitleYearDirectorProducerComposerNotes
Masters of Horror2005–2006Episodes "Cigarette Burns" and "Pro-Life"
Zoo2015–2017Theme music only
Suburban Screams2023Theme music only,
Episode "Phone Stalker"[81] [82] [83] [84]

Video games

TitleYearRoleNotes
Sentinel Returns1998Composer[85]
The Thing2002Dr. FaradayUncredited
F.E.A.R. 32011NarratorAlso storyline consultant
Toxic Commando2024Creator[86]
TBACreative consultant[87]

See also

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Los Angeles Times. Last Foxtrot in Burbank. World Premiere Engagement Starts Friday, OCtober 26. October 21, 1973. October 28, 2024. Newspapers.com.
  2. Web site: John Carpenter and Charles Band Talk 'Halloween' Atari Game, Career Intersections, and More in New Chat. https://web.archive.org/web/20220527151822/https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3716819/john-carpenter-and-charles-band-talk-halloween-atari-game-career-intersections-and-more-in-new-chat/. May 27, 2022. May 27, 2022. DiVincenzo. Alex. Bloody Disgusting.
  3. Web site: Dark Star (1975). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  4. Web site: Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  5. Book: Muir, John Kenneth. The Films of John Carpenter. McFarland & Company, Inc.. 978-0-7864-2269-2. 2000. 63–64.
  6. Web site: Eyes of Laura Mars (1978). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  7. Book: The Cinema of John Carpenter. 181. Conrich. Ian. Woods. David. Wallflower Press. 2004. 1-904764-14-2.
  8. News: Fort Worth Star-Telegram. September 27, 1978. 7b. NBSeeUs.
  9. Book: Halloween (1978). American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  10. Book: The Cinema of John Carpenter. Conrich. Ian. Woods. David. Wallflower Press. 2004. 1-904764-14-2. 181–182.
  11. News: Stateville Record and Landmark. November 25, 1978. This Week on Television - Wednesday.
  12. Book: The Cinema of John Carpenter. Conrich. Ian. Woods. David. Wallflower Press. 2004. 1-904764-14-2. 182–183.
  13. News: Ottawa Citizen. January 2, 1979. Made-for-TV Elvis Movie Touted as Big Blockbuster. 58. Smith. Liz.
  14. Book: The Cinema of John Carpenter. 182. Conrich. Ian. Woods. David. Wallflower Press. 2004. 1-904764-14-2.
  15. News: Los Angeles Times. October 17, 1979. Two New Movies Premiere Tonight. 21. Thomas. Kevin.
  16. Web site: The Fog (1980). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  17. Web site: Escape From New York (1981). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  18. Web site: Halloween II (1981). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  19. Web site: The Thing (1982). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  20. Web site: Halloween III Season of the Witch (1982). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  21. Web site: Christine (1983). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  22. Web site: The Philadelphia Experiment (1984). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  23. Web site: Starman (1984). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  24. Web site: Black Moon Rising (1986). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  25. Web site: Big Trouble in Little China (1986). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  26. Web site: Prince of Darkness (1987). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  27. Web site: They Live (1988). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  28. Book: The Cinema of John Carpenter. 187. Conrich. Ian. Woods. David. Wallflower Press. 2004. 1-904764-14-2.
  29. News: The Capital Times. July 19, 1990. Gossett Tries Comedy in a Wacky Western. 7D. King. Susan.
  30. News: The Day. March 14, 1991. 'Blood River' All Downhill. 17. Miller. Ron.
  31. Web site: Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  32. Book: Muir, John Kenneth. The Films of Tobe Hooper. McFarland & Company, Inc.. 2002. 978-0-7864-4461-8. 154–155.
  33. News: The Tribune. August 6, 1993. Lovece. Frank. Showtime Gets Ghoulish with 'Body Bags'. October 28, 2024.
  34. Web site: In the Mouth of Madness (1995). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  35. Web site: Timetable 1994 Frankfurt - Fantasy FilmFest Archiv . October 28, 2024 . f3a.net.
  36. Web site: Village of the Damned (1995). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  37. Web site: Escape from L.A. (1997). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  38. Web site: John Carpenter's Vampires (1998). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  39. Book: The Cinema of John Carpenter. 190. Conrich. Ian. Woods. David. Wallflower Press. 2004. 1-904764-14-2.
  40. News: The Atlanta Journal. April 19, 1999. 'Another World' End Stuns Fans, Show's Cast. D3.
  41. Web site: John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars (2001). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  42. John Carpenter Presents Vampires Los Muertos . 2002 . [Back Cover] . DVD packaging . Global Entertainment Productions. 0-7678-8209-1 . United States .
  43. News: The Wichita Eagle. August 20, 2002. John Carpenter May Become one of the Ghosts of Filmmaking. Lovell. Glenn. 4C.
  44. Web site: The Fog (2005). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. October 28, 2024.
  45. Web site: John Carpenter's The Ward. Toronto International Film Festival. October 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20100822030815/http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiff/2010/ward. August 22, 2010.
  46. Web site: John Carpenter's The Ward. Variety. Harvey. Denis. October 28, 2024. September 17, 2010.
  47. Web site: Film Review: 'Halloween'. Variety. Debruge. Peter. October 28, 2024. September 9, 2018.
  48. Web site: 'Halloween Kills' Review: It Will Feed Your Nostalgia...for Mediocre Slasher Sequels. Variety. Gleiberman. Owen. October 28, 2024. September 8, 2021.
  49. Web site: Studio 666. Rogerebert.com. Allen. Nick. October 28, 2024. February 25, 2022.
  50. Web site: 'Firestarter' Review: They're Remaking this? Zac Efron Stars in a Stephen King Rehash That Never Catches Fire. Variety. Gleiberman. Owen. October 28, 2024. May 12, 2022.
  51. Web site: 'Halloween Ends' Review: Michael Myers Gets a Disciple, and Jamie Lee Curtis Mopes, as the Series Ends...But Not Really (Rinse, Slash, Repeat). Variety. Gleiberman. Owen. October 28, 2024. October 13, 2022.
  52. Web site: A24's 'Death of a Unicorne' Adds Richard E. Grant, Téa Leoni, Will Poulter, Anthony Carrigan, Sunita Mani & More; Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega Set to Star. Deadline Hollywood. Grobar. Matt. October 28, 2024. November 1, 2023.
  53. Web site: HALLOWEEN. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  54. Web site: Halloween 1978. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  55. Web site: STARMAN. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  56. Web site: Starman 1984. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  57. Web site: JOHN CARPENTER'S ESCAPE FROM L.A.. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  58. Web site: Escape from L.A. 1996. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  59. Web site: ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  60. Web site: Escape from New York 1981. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  61. Web site: THE FOG. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  62. Web site: The Fog 1980. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  63. Web site: CHRISTINE. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  64. Web site: Christine 1983. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  65. Web site: JOHN CARPENTER'S VAMPIRES. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  66. Web site: Vampires 1998. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  67. Web site: THE THING. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  68. Web site: The Thing 1982. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  69. Web site: MEMOIRS OF AN INVISIBLE MAN. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  70. Web site: Memoirs of an Invisible Man 1992. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  71. Web site: PRINCE OF DARKNESS. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  72. Web site: Prince of Darkness 1987. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  73. Web site: JOHN CARPENTER'S GHOSTS OF MARS. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  74. Web site: Ghosts of Mars 2001. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  75. Web site: THEY LIVE. Rotten Tomatoes. June 20, 2021.
  76. Web site: They Live 1988. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  77. Web site: THE WARD. Rotten Tomatoes. June 20, 2021.
  78. Web site: The Ward 2011. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  79. Web site: BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA. Rotten Tomatoes. May 11, 2024.
  80. Web site: Big Trouble in Little China 1986. Metacritic. June 20, 2021.
  81. Web site: John Carpenter Returns with Peacock Project That Doesn't Deserve His Name . Roger Ebert.com . Brian . Tallerico . October 10, 2023 . October 14, 2023.
  82. Web site: John Carpenter Teases 'The Thing 2' and Talks About His Latest Directing Work at Texas Frightmare Weekend . Creepy Catalog . Chris . Catt . May 29, 2023 . May 31, 2023.
  83. Web site: The Thing 2: John Carpenter Is 'Sworn To Secrecy,' But Teases A Sequel To His Horror Classic . . Smith . Jeremy . May 31, 2023 . May 31, 2023.
  84. Web site: John Carpenter Returns to Directing with TV Series He Made from His Couch . . Bergeson . Samantha . June 2, 2023 . June 3, 2023.
  85. Web site: Sentinel Returns Soundtrack – Review. May 14, 2015. Bestwesterngamessoundtracks.com. May 31, 2024.
  86. Web site: John Carpenter's new zombie game looks like a first-person Days Gone . Gaming Bible . Richard . Breslin . June 9, 2023 . June 9, 2023.
  87. Web site: Two New 'Halloween' Video Games in the Works from 'Evil Dead: The Game' Developers!. Bloody Disgusting. Mike. Wilson. August 12, 2024. August 12, 2024. August 12, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240812134902/https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3825332/two-new-halloween-video-games-in-the-works-from-evil-dead-the-game-developers/. live.

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