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Robert Zemeckis

Highest Rated: 100% Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer (2016)

Lowest Rated: 0% Ritual (2001)

Birthday: May 14, 1952

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis created popular fare, frequently using the latest technology, that left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. A native of Chicago, he attended the famed film program at the University of Southern California. He teamed with fellow USC alum Bob Gale for the script for his feature directorial debut, the Beatlesmania comedy, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" (1978). His work in college had brought him to the attention of director Steven Spielberg, who took Zemeckis under his wing. Working with Gale again, who would become his frequent partner, he provided the script for Spielberg's World War II comedy, "1941" (1979). He directed another comedy, the Kurt Russell vehicle "Used Cars" (1980), before finding significant commercial success with "Romancing the Stone" (1984), starring Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. His next effort, "Back to the Future" (1985), moved Zemeckis into the blockbuster territory. The story of a time-traveling teenager played by Michael J. Fox became a phenomenon and spawned a pair of sequels. He blended live action and animation, he created another cultural touchstone with "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), a film that brought together the characters from both the vaunted Warner Bros. and Disney cartoon canon. After a decade dominated by the "Back to the Future" franchise, Zemeckis managed to hit upon a film that was technologically innovative and had critically appeal. "Forrest Gump" (1994), starring Tom Hanks, went on to claim Oscars for both its director and star. While largely working in film, the director did make occasional forays into television, most notably directing multiple episodes of the popular horror anthology, "Tales From the Crypt" (HBO, 1989-96). He continued to work with some of Hollywood's biggest names, directing Jodie Foster in "Contact" (1997) and Harrison Ford in "What Lies Beneath" (2000). He circled back to reteam with Hanks on "Cast Away" (2000), in addition to the motion-capture holiday film "The Polar Express" (2004). That particular technology became an obsession for the director as he formed the production company ImageMovers and struck a deal with Disney. He used it exclusively for his next two features, "Beowulf" (2007) and "A Christmas Carol" (2009). He moved back into the live action world, albeit with some showy special effects, for "Flight" (2012) starring Denzel Washington. He never stopped going for stunning visuals, which continued with "The Walk" (2015), about Phillipe Petit's high-wire cross of the World Trade Center, and "Allied" (2016) with Brad Pitt. Zemeckis returned to motion-capture, this time mixing it with live action, when he directed Steve Carell in "Welcome to Marwen" (2018), about the victim of a brutal attack who uses a fantasy world to deal with his PTSD.

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Highest rated movies

100% Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer Watchlist 96% 85% Who Framed Roger Rabbit Watchlist 93% 95% Back to the Future Watchlist
93% 55% Bound by Flesh
Watchlist
92% 72% Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan
Watchlist
90% 75% I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Watchlist
89% 84% Cast Away Watchlist
86% 69% Romancing the Stone
Watchlist
83% 74% Matchstick Men
Watchlist
83% 77% The Walk Watchlist

Filmography

Movies

Credit
35% 59% Here Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
$4.8M 2024
27% 27% Pinocchio Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
- 2022
74% 68% Finch Executive Producer - 2021
50% 32% Roald Dahl's The Witches Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
- 2020
33% 48% Welcome to Marwen Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
$10.7M 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Women of Marwen Director - 2018
100% No Score Yet Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer Executive Producer - 2016
60% 64% Allied Director,
Producer
$39.8M 2016
No Score Yet 47% Back in Time Self - 2015
83% 77% The Walk Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
$10.1M 2015
93% 55% Bound by Flesh Executive Producer - 2012
77% 75% Flight Director,
Producer
$93.7M 2012
92% 72% Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan Unknown (Character) - 2011
60% 73% Real Steel Executive Producer $85.5M 2011
35% 40% Mars Needs Moms Producer $21.4M 2011
No Score Yet No Score Yet Milo und Mars IMAX 3D Experience Producer - 2011
77% 64% Behind the Burly Q Executive Producer $23.9K 2010
52% 58% Disney's A Christmas Carol Director,
Screenwriter,
Producer
$137.9M 2009
71% 50% Beowulf Director,
Producer
$82.2M 2007
7% 49% The Reaping Producer $25.1M 2007
74% 64% Monster House Executive Producer $73.7M 2006
59% 74% The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio Producer $626.3K 2005
28% 44% House of Wax Producer $32.0M 2005
56% 64% The Polar Express Director,
Screenwriter
$125.9M 2004
15% 45% Gothika Producer $59.6M 2003
83% 74% Matchstick Men Executive Producer $36.9M 2003
14% 37% Ghost Ship Producer $30.1M 2002
0% 28% Ritual Producer - 2001
19% 49% Thirteen Ghosts Executive Producer $41.9M 2001
89% 84% Cast Away Director,
Producer
$233.6M 2000
47% 58% What Lies Beneath Director $155.4M 2000
31% 42% House on Haunted Hill Producer $40.8M 1999
68% 79% Contact Director,
Producer
$100.9M 1997
66% 71% The Frighteners Executive Producer $16.5M 1996
14% 31% Tales From the Crypt Presents Bordello of Blood Writer,
Executive Producer
$5.6M 1996
42% 65% Tales From the Crypt Presents Demon Knight Executive Producer $20.9M 1995
75% 95% Forrest Gump Director $330.3M 1994
57% 62% Death Becomes Her Director,
Producer
$58.4M 1992
No Score Yet No Score Yet Two-Fisted Tales Director - 1992
81% 78% Back to the Future Part III Director - 1990
63% 86% Back to the Future Part II Director $116.4M 1989
No Score Yet No Score Yet Amazing Stories: The Movie Director - 1989
96% 85% Who Framed Roger Rabbit Director $152.8M 1988
93% 95% Back to the Future Director,
Screenwriter
$247.0K 1985
No Score Yet No Score Yet Amazing Stories: The Movie II Director - 1985
86% 69% Romancing the Stone Director - 1984
77% 69% Used Cars Director - 1980
39% 48% 1941 Writer,
Screenwriter
- 1979
90% 75% I Wanna Hold Your Hand Director - 1978
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Lift Director - 1972

TV

Credit
No Score Yet 50% The Late Show With Stephen Colbert Guest 2024
72% 68% Manifest Executive Producer 2018-2023
67% 92% Project Blue Book Executive Producer 2019-2020
44% 57% What/If Executive Producer 2019
No Score Yet 89% Medal of Honor Executive Producer 2018
No Score Yet No Score Yet Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Guest 2012
82% 90% Tales From the Crypt Director 1989 1991 1995
No Score Yet 82% Amazing Stories Director 1986