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Joe Dante

Joe Dante

Director, actor, producer and editor, also writer · Born November 28, 1946 (79) · Morristown, New Jersey, USA

Venice award winner

Joseph James Dante Jr. (born November 28, 1946) is an American filmmaker, producer, editor and actor. His films—notably Gremlins (1984) alongside its sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)—often mix the 1950s-style B movie genre with 1960s radicalism and cartoon comedy. Dante's output includes the films Piranha (1978), The Howling (1981), Explorers (1985), Innerspace (1987), The 'Burbs (1989), Matinee (1993), Small Soldiers (1998), and Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003). His work for television and cable include the social satire The Second Civil War (1997), episodes of the anthology series Masters of Horror ("Homecoming" and "The Screwfly Solution") and Amazing Stories, as well as Police Squad! and Hawaii Five-0. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joe Dante, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 28, 1946 (79)
From
Morristown, New Jersey, USA
Works as
Director, actor, producer and editor, also writer
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 84 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 11% in 30 days

What are Joe Dante's films like?

Across their 53 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Self.

Genres

Documentary22 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Fantasy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
28%
Self
19%
Ideas
18%
Bonds
11%
Survival
11%
Morality
8%
Power
6%
Art18 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy17 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity14 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 51 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 35 · Serious 12 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 30 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 10

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 19 · Charged 22 · Intense 10

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 27 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 9

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 16 · Funny 15

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 19 · Even-paced 23 · Relentless 9

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 25 · Engaged 24 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 44 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
23
Tense
16
Absurd
15
Contemplative
16
Thrilling
13
Other
47

How their films linger

Fun24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet20
  • Ambiguous15

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joe Dante's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joe Dante's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

84 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page; 104 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Creeps(2025)

    as Uncle John

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai(2022)

    Show 20 episodes · Consulting Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Razzennest(2022)

    as Joe Dante

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Charles Band’s Full Moon Freakshow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Host

  • Time Warp Vol. 2: Horror and Sci-Fi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Host

  • Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Host

  • Class of '79: 40 Years of Rock 'N' Roll High School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Camp Cold Brook(2018)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Nightmare Cinema(2018)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Trafficked(2017)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • MacGyver(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Legends of Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Tales of Halloween(2015)

    as Prof. Milo Gottlieb

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Eaten Alive! The Rise and Fall of the Italian Cannibal Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Dark(2015)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Burying the Ex(2014)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Witches of East End(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Destruction: Las Vegas(2013)

    as Salesman #2

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Butterfly Room(2012)

    as Cab Driver

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Flesh and the Fury: X-posing Twins of Evil(2012)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • To Be... A Film Favorite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel(2011)

    Thanks · as Self - Filmmaker

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Trail of Blood(2011)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Embryo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Thanks

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Splatter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Splatter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Hole(2009)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Screwfly Solution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Trapped Ashes(2006)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Homecoming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Masters of Horror(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy(2005)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • CSI: NY(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Welcome to Werewolfland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Looney Tunes: Back in Action(2003)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Haunted Lighthouse 4-D (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director

  • Unleashing the Beast: Making ‘The Howling’ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Night Visions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Small Soldiers(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Second Civil War(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Osiris Chronicles(1998)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Phantom(1996)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Picture Windows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Picture Windows: Lightning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Runaway Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror(1994)

    Associate Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Preshow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • Rebel Highway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Beverly Hills Cop III(1994)

    as Jailer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Silence of the Hams(1994)

    as Dying Man

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Matinee(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Sleepwalkers(1992)

    as Lab Assistant

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Eerie, Indiana(1991)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · as Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever(1991)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Oscar(1991)

    as Face on the Cutting Room Floor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Gremlins 2: The New Batch(1990)

    Director · as Grandpa Fred Director (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • The 'Burbs(1989)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Amazon Women on the Moon(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Innerspace(1987)

    Director · as Vectorscope Employee (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Explorers(1985)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Gremlins(1984)

    Director · as Mogwai / Gremlins (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Twilight Zone: The Movie(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Eating Raoul(1982)

    as Busboy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Police Squad! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Howling(1981)

    Director · Editor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Rock 'n' Roll High School(1979)

    Director · Story

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Orson Welles Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Member of Studio Audience

  • Piranha(1978)

    Director · Editor · as Scuba Diver #2 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Grand Theft Auto(1977)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Cannonball!(1976)

    as Kid

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Hollywood Boulevard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director · Editor · as Party Waiter (uncredited)

  • Tidal Wave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • The Arena(1974)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Movie Orgy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Editor

  • Fear Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

  • Labrintus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

  • Mamie Exposed! The Life and Loves of the Last Blonde Bombshell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The AckerMonster Chronicles! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer

Career shape

A full career of 82 titles, 77 of them dated from 1968 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Gremlins (1984)

$165M worldwide

Highest rated

Boorman and the Devil (2025)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Gremlins (1984)

Film career

  • 1976Screen debut· Hollywood Boulevard

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting33 of 82: 27 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdDirecting44 of 82: 34 only directing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thWriting2 of 82: 2 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing7 of 82: 5 only producing, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score32ndEditing6 of 82: 2 only editing, 4 with another roleOther crew2 of 82: 2 only other crew, 0 with another role

82 titles, 10 with more than one role — directing and acting overlap on 6 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · crew1970s8 · 5 acting · 5 crew1980s11 · 3 acting · 10 crew1990s17 · 6 acting · 13 crew2000s14 · 3 acting · 11 crew2010s18 · 7 acting · 11 crew2020s8 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 22nd · top billed in 0% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

Won a Venice award in 2009.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Joe Dante's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 43; across their 51 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 70th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 51

Approval · how many liked their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 51

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 51

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th17

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 52 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern (2026)

94th percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011)

Midcredits 93rd · 84% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 62/100 and the pacing 51/100 in their films, across 44 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Joe Dante's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore13 titles30–83 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles13–60 · median 23 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles27–49 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles26–41 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense13 titles28–86 · median 46 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Joe Dante work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joe Dante's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Landis shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles