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Michael Schultz

Michael Schultz

Director, also producer · Born November 10, 1938 (87) · Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Schultz was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Katherine Frances (née Leslie), a factory worker, and German American Leo Schultz, an insurance salesman. After his undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Marquette University, he attended Princeton University, where in 1966 he directed his first play, a production of Waiting for Godot. He joined the Negro Ensemble Company in 1968, which brought him to Broadway in 1969. His breakthrough was directing Lorraine Hansberry's To Be Young, Gifted and Black, which he restaged for television in 1972. Schultz' earliest film projects combined low comedy with profound social comment (Honeybaby, Honeybaby and Cooley High), reaching a peak with the ensemble comedy Car Wash (1976) and Which Way Is Up? (1977), starring Richard Pryor. In 1978, Schultz took the reins of the musical Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band with the largest budget ever entrusted to an African-American film director to that date. However, upon its release, the project was a commercial and critical failure. Schultz would go on to make prominent films such as Scavenger Hunt (1979), Carbon Copy (1981), and Disorderlies (1987). More recently, Schultz has worked in television, piloting episodes of such style-conscious series as The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and Picket Fences, as well as an abundance of made-for-TV movies. In 1991, Schultz was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 10, 1938 (87)
From
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Works as
Director, also producer
Titles
60 on MovieCove · 96 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 26Down 29% in 30 days

What are Michael Schultz's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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
Bonds
25%
Self
24%
Society
17%
Morality
16%
Survival
8%
Power
7%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 15 · Serious 3 · Dark 2

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 4

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 10 · Charged 9 · Intense 1

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

A split, not a type: Steady 10 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

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 3 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 10

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 14 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
9
Hopeful
8
Warm
7
Absurd
7
Melancholic
6
Other
20

How their films linger

Fun11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

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 Michael Schultz's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 47 of their 60 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Schultz'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

96 credits, 60 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Found(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • All American: Homecoming(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • The Wonder Years(2021)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • All American(2018)

    Show 14 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Black Lightning(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • No Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Dead of Summer(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Recovery Road(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Crazy Ex-Girlfriend(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Awake: The Life of Yogananda(2014)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Tomorrow People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Arrow(2012)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Once Upon a Time(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Hart of Dixie(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • New Girl(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Switched at Birth(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Drop Dead Diva(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Privileged(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Eli Stone(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Women's Murder Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Dirty Sexy Money(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Chuck(2007)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • October Road(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Lincoln Heights(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Brothers & Sisters(2006)

    Show 14 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Pepper Dennis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Woman Thou Art Loosed(2004)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Jack & Bobby(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The O.C.(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 16 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law: The Movie(2002)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Philly(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Education of Max Bickford (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Boston Public (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Winds of Change (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: My First Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • City of Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Tales of Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Wasteland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • My Last Love(1999)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Killers in the House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director

  • Charmed(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Felicity(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Promised Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Phat Beach(1996)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with Father(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Hollywood Follies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Day-O (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Livin' Large! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Hammer, Slammer, & Slade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Jury Duty: The Comedy(1990)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Tarzan in Manhattan(1989)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Rock 'N Roll Mom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Disorderlies(1987)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Spirit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Timestalkers(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Krush Groove(1985)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Last Dragon(1985)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Jerk, Too (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • For Us, the Living: The Story of Medgar Evers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Earth, Wind & Fire in Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • Benny's Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Carbon Copy(1981)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Bustin' Loose(1981)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Scavenger Hunt(1979)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Which Way Is Up?(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Greased Lightning(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Car Wash(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Starsky and Hutch(1975)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Cooley High(1975)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Baretta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Bee Gees: Live in Melbourne 1974 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • Honeybaby, Honeybaby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Movin' On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Together for Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • To Be Young, Gifted and Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • Shock Treatment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 94 titles, 93 of them dated from 1972 to 2023.

Biggest box office

Bustin' Loose (1981)

$31M worldwide

Highest rated

The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993)

Midcredits 90th

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing93 of 94: 90 only directing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score61stWriting1 of 94: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing3 of 94: 1 only producing, 2 with another role

94 titles, 3 with more than one role — directing and producing overlap on 2 of them.

By decade

1970s15 · crew1980s14 · crew1990s24 · crew2000s24 · crew2010s13 · crew2020s3 · crew

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.

How do Michael Schultz's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 20; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 60 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

33 of their 60 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser33
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · director

The Wonder Years (2021)

93rd percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Rockford Files (1974)

Midcredits 93rd · 91% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 59/100 and the pacing 45/100 in their films, across 18 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 Michael Schultz's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Michael Schultz work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Schultz's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Christopher Holmes shares the most, 6.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles