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Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham

Actor, director, producer and writer · Born May 13, 1986 (40) · New York, New York, USA

Golden Globe winner · BAFTA Award winner · Primetime Emmy nominee · 3 other major award bodies

Lena Dunham (/ˈliːnə ˈdʌnəm/; born May 13, 1986) is an American writer, director, actress, and producer. She is the creator, writer, and star of the HBO television series Girls (2012–2017), for which she received several Emmy Award nominations and two Golden Globe Awards. Dunham also directed several episodes of Girls and became the first woman to win the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series. She started her career writing, directing, and starring in her semi-autobiographical independent film Tiny Furniture (2010), for which she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay. She has since written and directed the 2022 films Sharp Stick and Catherine Called Birdy. In 2013, Dunham was included in the annual Time100 list of the most influential people in the world. In 2014, Dunham released her first book, Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's "Learned". In 2015, along with Girls showrunner Jenni Konner, Dunham created the publication Lenny Letter, a feminist online newsletter. The publication ran for three years before its discontinuation in late 2018. In 2026, she released her second book Famesick, which is described as a deeply personal memoir tracking Dunham's rise to fame, health struggles, and the costs of ambition. Dunham briefly appeared in films such as Supporting Characters, This Is 40 (2012), and Happy Christmas (2014). She voiced Mary in the 2016 film My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Aside from Girls, she has played guest roles on television in Scandal and The Simpsons (both 2015). In 2017, she portrayed Valerie Solanas in American Horror Story: Cult. In 2025, her Netflix show Too Much starring Meg Stalter was released, which she co-created with husband Luis Felber. In September 2026 she welcomed a daughter via surrogacy with her husband. In October 2026 Dunham announced the return of the series Girls through a mock Zoom video call alongside original cast members Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, and Andrew Rannells. Dunham's work and her outspoken presence on social media and in interviews have attracted significant controversy, praise, criticism, and media scrutiny throughout her career.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 13, 1986 (40)
From
New York, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, director, producer and writer
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 59 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 21% in 30 days

What are Lena Dunham's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
Self
47%
Bonds
20%
Survival
10%
Power
8%
Society
6%
Morality
6%
Ideas
2%
Coming of age7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 9 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 5 · 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 9 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 4 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 4
Ally
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
10
Melancholic
8
Warm
4
Tense
4
Bittersweet
5
Other
12

How their films linger

Bittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous6

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 Lena Dunham's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lena Dunham'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

59 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page; 33 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • It Gets Worse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Choked (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Executive Producer

  • House of Criticism (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Notice Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Producer

  • I Wish You All the Best(2024)

    as Ms. Lyons

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Too Much(2025)

    Show 10 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Nora South

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Treasure(2024)

    Executive Producer · as Ruth

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Orgasm Inc: The Story of OneTaste(2022)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Catherine Called Birdy(2022)

    Director · Executive Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Sharp Stick(2022)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Heather

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Honeydew(2020)

    as Delilah

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Genera+ion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 16 episodes · Executive Producer · Writer

  • Music(2021)

    as Administrator on Phone with Zu (voice)

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Stand In(2020)

    as Lisa

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Industry(2020)

    Show 32 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Who Will You Be? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director

  • Memory Xperiment: Kathy Acker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Thanks

  • Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood(2019)

    as 'Gypsy'

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Camping (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer

  • Tokyo Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Executive Producer

  • 100 Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director · Producer · as Narrator (voice)

  • My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea(2016)

    as Mary (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • My Art(2016)

    as Meryl

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Sky(2015)

    as Billie

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Suited(2016)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • 7 Days in Hell(2015)

    as Lanny Denver

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Thank You and Sorry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • The One I Love(2014)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Happy Christmas(2014)

    as Carson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Cover Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Writer · as Self

  • Choose You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Writer

  • Best Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Writer

  • Supporting Characters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Alexa

  • This Is 40(2012)

    as Cat

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Nobody Walks(2012)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Hostess With the Leastest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Girls(2012)

    Show 62 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer · as Hannah Horvath

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Susanne Thomas

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Finding Your Roots(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Innkeepers(2011)

    as Barista

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • American Horror Story(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Valerie Solanas

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Mildred Pierce(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nurse 1

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Tiny Furniture(2010)

    Director · Writer · as Aura

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Gabi on the Roof in July(2010)

    as Colby

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The House of the Devil(2009)

    as 911 Operator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Family Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • The Viewer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as The Voice

  • Creative Nonfiction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Writer · as Ella

  • The Pleasure of Being Robbed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Thanks

  • Dealing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · as Georgia

  • Hooker on Campus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Editor · as Hooker

  • Open the Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • The Fountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Actor

  • Pressure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Writer · Actor

  • The Colbert Report (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Candace (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Going Infinite (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Writer

  • Good Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Still We Met (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Executive Producer

Career shape

A full career of 59 titles, 56 of them dated from 1989 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Treasure (2024)

$1.7M worldwide

Highest rated

Judy Blume Forever (2023)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Girls (2012)

Film career

MilestoneAward win

Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting38 of 59: 26 only acting, 12 with another role · typical Midcredits score52ndDirecting17 of 59: 2 only directing, 15 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thWriting16 of 59: 4 only writing, 12 with another role · typical Midcredits score37thProducing16 of 59: 6 only producing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score56thEditing1 of 59: 0 only editing, 1 with another roleOther crew6 of 59: 3 only other crew, 3 with another role

59 titles, 18 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 11 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · acting2000s11 · 10 acting · 7 crew2010s27 · 18 acting · 12 crew2020s17 · 9 acting · 11 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 13% of 15 roles
0914

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Golden Globe, a BAFTA Award and 3 other major awards from 18 major nominations, 2011–2023.

WinNomination
  1. 2023
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Screenplay
  2. 2015
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
  3. 2014
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
  4. 2013
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Comedy Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best International
    • +2 other major bodies · 2 wins and 1 nomination
      • Directors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
      • Writers Guild Award, won · New Series
      • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Comedy Series
  5. 2012
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Comedy Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
  6. 2011
    • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best First Screenplay
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best First Feature

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 Lena Dunham's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 30 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

Music (2021)

97th percentile spread · 67% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)

Midcredits 93rd · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

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 Lena Dunham's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles26–66 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles39–80 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 42 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian 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 Lena Dunham work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lena Dunham's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael P. Cohen shares the most, 4.

Actors

Editors

Producers