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Adam Shankman

Adam Shankman

Producer, director and actor · Born November 27, 1964 (61) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Primetime Emmy nominee

Adam Michael Shankman (born November 27, 1964) is an American film director, producer, writer, dancer, author, actor, and choreographer. He was a permanent judge on seasons 6–7 of  So You Think You Can Dance. He began his professional career in musical theatre. He was a dancer in music videos for Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. Shankman has choreographed dozens of films and directed several feature-length films, including A Walk to Remember, Bringing Down the House, The Pacifier, and the musicals Hairspray, Rock of Ages and Disenchanted. His company, Offspring Entertainment (which he co-owns with his sister), produces films and television for various studios and networks. Shankman is also co-writing young adult novels for Simon & Schuster imprint Atheneum Books for Young Readers. The books, co-written with author Laura Lee Sullivan, follow the story of rags to riches Lucille O'Malley as she becomes Hollywood's "it girl", navigating a murder mystery and meeting her match, Frederick van der Waals. Description above from the Wikipedia article Adam Shankman, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 27, 1964 (61)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Producer, director and actor
Titles
68 on MovieCove · 76 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 34% in 30 days

What are Adam Shankman's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Adventure 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
41%
Self
33%
Society
15%
Morality
6%
Survival
5%
Romantic love10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 22 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 9 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 15 · Intense 2

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

Steady 15 · 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 5 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 12

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 22 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 23 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
12
Romantic
14
Hopeful
10
Absurd
5
Triumphant
7
Other
25

How their films linger

Feel-good18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet5
  • Cyclical1

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 Adam Shankman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 49 of their 68 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Adam Shankman'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

76 credits, 68 with a MovieCove page; 15 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Man with the Bag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Director

  • Stop! That! Train!(2026)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Disenchanted(2022)

    Director · Choreographer · Executive Producer · as Grump Vendor / Kip / Skip

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Hocus Pocus 2(2022)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Dear Evan Hansen(2021)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Only Murders in the Building(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • AJ and the Queen(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Step Up China(2019)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • After(2019)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • What Men Want(2019)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Status Update(2018)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Step Up: High Water(2018)

    Show 30 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Step Up All In(2014)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Dragula (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Choreographer · Executive Producer · Producer

  • Step Up: Revolution(2012)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Rock of Ages(2012)

    Director · Choreographer · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Going the Distance(2010)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Step Up 3D(2010)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Last Song(2010)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Modern Family(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Glee(2009)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Zac Efron's Pool Party(2009)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • 17 Again(2009)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Bedtime Stories(2008)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Prop 8: The Musical (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Producer

  • Step Up 2: The Streets(2008)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Hairspray(2007)

    Director · Choreographer · Executive Producer · as Talent Agent

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Premonition(2007)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Step Up(2006)

    Producer · as Nightclub Dancer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Cheaper by the Dozen 2(2005)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Clam Bake Chef

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Pacifier(2005)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Driving Instructor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed(2004)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Stuck on You(2003)

    Choreographer · as Choreographer / Waiter

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Bringing Down the House(2003)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Scooby-Doo(2002)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • A Walk to Remember(2002)

    Director · as Medical Assistant

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Wedding Planner(2001)

    Director · Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Mission to Mars(2000)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Isn't She Great(2000)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Dudley Do-Right(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Inspector Gadget(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Out-of-Towners(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Forces of Nature(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Blast from the Past(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • She's All That(1999)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Antz(1998)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Almost Heroes(1998)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Cosmo's Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director · Writer

  • Scream 2(1997)

    Choreographer · as Ghost Dancer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • A Life Less Ordinary(1997)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Boogie Nights(1997)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • George of the Jungle(1997)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Traveller(1997)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Relic(1997)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mrs. Winterbourne(1996)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Monster Mash: The Movie(1995)

    Choreographer · as Wolfie

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Congo(1995)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Casper(1995)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Tank Girl(1995)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Miami Rhapsody(1995)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Don Juan DeMarco(1994)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Friends(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Milk Money(1994)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Flintstones(1994)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Addams Family Values(1993)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Heart and Souls(1993)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Weekend at Bernie's II(1993)

    Choreographer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag(1992)

    Choreographer · as Timid Man

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Roundhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 52 episodes · Choreographer

  • Rockula(1990)

    as Driver

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Midnight Cabaret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Waiter

  • The Red Shoes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Shoeshoppe Customers

Career shape

A full career of 77 titles, 76 of them dated from 1983 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Bedtime Stories (2008)

$213M worldwide

Highest rated

A Walk to Remember (2002)

Midcredits 86th

Most popular right now

Bedtime Stories (2008)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting14 of 77: 4 only acting, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score30thDirecting22 of 77: 8 only directing, 14 with another role · typical Midcredits score43rdWriting1 of 77: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing25 of 77: 12 only producing, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score46thOther crew42 of 77: 33 only other crew, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score36th

77 titles, 20 with more than one role — other crew and producing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s34 · 5 acting · 32 crew2000s23 · 7 acting · 22 crew2010s12 · crew2020s6 · 1 acting · 6 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.

Awards

3 major nominations and no wins, 2010–2023.

  1. 2023
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Television Movie
  2. 2010
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Choreography
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Special Class Programs

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 Adam Shankman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 60; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

97thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 68 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th30
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 68 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned2
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed30

Most divisive · director, producer

Zac Efron's Pool Party (2009)

93rd percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Modern Family (2009)

Midcredits 96th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 56/100 and the pacing 47/100 in their films, across 23 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 Adam Shankman's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore17 titles13–37 · median 29 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles19–61 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity17 titles19–64 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles10–63 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense15 titles9–37 · median 28 · mildlighter than most 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 Adam Shankman work with?

People who share at least 2 of Adam Shankman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jennifer Gibgot shares the most, 17.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles