The best John Carpenter-movies (full list)
by KnatLouie | created - 10 Aug 2016 | updated - 10 Aug 2016 | PublicAll of John Carpenter's movies, ranked by my personal preference. Haven't seen "Someone Watching Me", "Pro-Life", or his early short films, and I've left out some of his writing-only credits, but otherwise a complete list.
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1. The Thing (1982)
R | 109 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Masur
Votes: 465,810 | Gross: $13.78M
One of the best sci-fi horror-movies of all-time! Everything about this movie is perfect! The 2011 prequel is also decent, if you wanna check that one out. And don't forget Howard Hawks' version too. 11/10.
2. Halloween (1978)
R | 91 min | Horror, Thriller
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes
Votes: 306,450 | Gross: $47.00M
One of the first true serial-killer horror-movies, and still one of the most creepy! The music is (as always) fantastic, and Mike Myers (not the actor) still holds op as being one of the most icon movie-killers of all-time! Only some of the sequels are worth watching though. 10/10.
3. Escape from New York (1981)
R | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence
Votes: 157,211 | Gross: $25.24M
Kurt Russell again stars, and this time he's playing one of the most iconic action-heroes of all-time, as Snake Plissken, a one-eyed mercenary who needs to save the president of the USA from an island full of violent criminals. Great fun all the way. 10/10.
4. Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
R | 91 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A Highway Patrol Officer, two criminals and a station secretary defend a defunct Los Angeles precinct office against a siege by a bloodthirsty street gang.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston, Laurie Zimmer, Martin West
Votes: 55,489
One of the best "under siege"-movies of all-time. Made with a relatively low budget, but manages to get the best out of it, by ensuring great dialogue, good performances from all, and a fantastic soundtrack! The remake was so-so, but not very much related. 9/10.
5. Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
PG-13 | 99 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
A rough-and-tumble trucker and his side kick face off with an ancient sorcerer in a supernatural battle beneath Chinatown.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun, James Hong
Votes: 153,647 | Gross: $11.10M
Kurt Russell is hilarious as a redneck trucker, who suddenly gets involved in a black magic mystery thriller, and has to use his wits to fight pure evil. One of Carpenter's funniest movies, this one can't be missed! Also, Carpenter SINGS the title-melody as well. 9/10.
6. Christine (1983)
R | 110 min | Horror, Thriller
A nerdish boy buys a strange car with an evil mind of its own and his nature starts to change to reflect it.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Keith Gordon, John Stockwell, Alexandra Paul, Robert Prosky
Votes: 92,302 | Gross: $21.20M
Fascinating story about a young man, who gets addicted to a gorgeous killer car who he names "Christine". Based on a Stephen King-novel, it doesn't fail to live up to its horror origins, and actually has a quite decent ending as well (very abnormal for King-adaptations). 8/10.
7. They Live (1988)
R | 94 min | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
They influence our decisions without us knowing it. They numb our senses without us feeling it. They control our lives without us realizing it. They live.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower
Votes: 145,191 | Gross: $13.01M
OBEY! CONSUME! This is one of the most influential "body snatcher"-type of movies of all-time, with Rowdy Roddy Piper and Keith David fighting (also literally with each other) against a horde of aliens that have overtaken the human race. The ending is a bit "meh", but until then, it's a fun ride! 8/10.
8. Starman (1984)
PG | 115 min | Romance, Sci-Fi
An alien takes the form of a young Wisconsin widow's husband and makes her drive him to his departure point in Arizona. Distrustful government agents, along with a more ambivalent scientist, give pursuit in hopes of intercepting them.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel
Votes: 51,950 | Gross: $28.70M
Jeff Bridges plays an alien who comes to earth and discovers what life on earth is like. Cute, funny drama, which also got Bridges nominated for an Oscar! 8/10.
9. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
R | 98 min | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Kids all over America want Silver Shamrock masks for Halloween. Doctor Daniel Challis seeks to uncover a plot by Silver Shamrock owner Conal Cochran.
Director: Tommy Lee Wallace | Stars: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O'Herlihy, Michael Currie
Votes: 60,925 | Gross: $14.40M
Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. Unlike all the other Halloween-movies, this one doesn't feature Mike Myers, and is a departure from the regular "serial-killer" theme, much to many people's disdain. However, I find it refreshingly nasty and gory, with a catchy theme-song and great performances as well. 8/10.
10. The Fog (1980)
R | 89 min | Horror, Thriller
An unearthly fog rolls into a small coastal town exactly 100 years after a ship mysteriously sank in its waters.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Adrienne Barbeau, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, John Houseman
Votes: 82,863 | Gross: $21.38M
An ancient evil fog sweeps over a small coastal town, and inside the fog are undead pirates who only want to kill people. Interesting mystery-horror with many memorable sequences, but not exactly a masterpiece though. Also, be sure to avoid the remake at all costs. 7/10.
11. Prince of Darkness (1987)
R | 102 min | Horror
A group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church, but when they open the container, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all humanity.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Donald Pleasence, Lisa Blount, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong
Votes: 49,877 | Gross: $14.18M
Underrated supernatural thriller, about a group of scientists who are attacked by an evil green substance, when they are investigating its origins inside an abandoned church downtown. Great no-name cast does the best they can, and it's fairly entertaining throughout. 7/10.
12. Vampires (1998)
R | 108 min | Action, Horror, Thriller
Recovering from an ambush that killed his entire team, a vengeful vampire slayer must retrieve an ancient Catholic relic that, should it be acquired by vampires, will allow them to walk in sunlight.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: James Woods, Daniel Baldwin, Sheryl Lee, Thomas Ian Griffith
Votes: 63,688 | Gross: $20.24M
James Woods plays a serious vampire-killer, who goes out into the desert with his squad to try and avenge the killings of another squad which was eradicated by an evil vampire and his gang. Much more action and entertainment than anticipated. Good stuff. 7/10.
13. In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
R | 95 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
An insurance investigator begins discovering that the impact a horror writer's books have on his fans is more than inspirational.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Sam Neill, Jürgen Prochnow, Julie Carmen, David Warner
Votes: 79,208 | Gross: $8.95M
Sam Neill plays the lead in this horror-thriller about a man who battles evil in the shape of a notorious writer, Sutter Kane (Jürgen Prochnow) who wants to take over the world. But he's unsure if it's real or if he's going insane. Pretty entertaining, but very grim story. 7/10.
14. Body Bags (1993 TV Movie)
R | 94 min | Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi
Three short stories in the horror genre: the first about a serial killer, the second about a hair transplant gone wrong, and the third about a baseball player.
Directors: John Carpenter, Tobe Hooper, Larry Sulkis | Stars: John Carpenter, Tom Arnold, Tobe Hooper, Robert Carradine
Votes: 12,581
Pretty cool horror-anthology, with Carpenter himself playing the narrating coroner. Tobe Hooper directed the other half of the film. My personal favorite storyline was about Stacy Keach's character getting a hair-transplant and turning into a hairy beast. Great fun. 7/10.
15. Halloween II (1981)
R | 92 min | Horror
While Dr. Loomis hunts for Michael Myers, a traumatized Laurie is rushed to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, and The Shape is not far behind her.
Director: Rick Rosenthal | Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Charles Cyphers, Jeffrey Kramer
Votes: 101,596 | Gross: $25.53M
Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. It's a direct sequel to the first one, taking place in a hospital late at night. Highly entertaining, with many gruesome kills. 7/10.
16. Elvis (I) (1979 TV Movie)
168 min | Biography, Drama, Music
Biographical movie about the famous rock singer Elvis Presley.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Shelley Winters, Bing Russell, Robert Gray
Votes: 5,125
Kurt Russell passionately portrays Elvis Presley in this rather decent biopic, even though it's very different from pretty much every other Carpenter-flick. 7/10.
17. Memoirs of an Invisible Man (1992)
PG-13 | 99 min | Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi
After a freak accident, a company executive turns completely invisible, goes on the run and becomes hunted by a treacherous CIA official, whilst trying to cope with his new reality.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Chevy Chase, Daryl Hannah, Sam Neill, Michael McKean
Votes: 26,929 | Gross: $14.36M
Haven't seen this in a while, but as I recall, it was pretty funny. 7/10.
18. Village of the Damned (1995)
R | 98 min | Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
A small town's women give birth to unfriendly alien children posing as humans.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda Kozlowski, Michael Paré
Votes: 34,208 | Gross: $9.42M
Haven't seen this in a while, but as I recall, it was pretty scary. 7/10.
19. Escape from L.A. (1996)
R | 101 min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Snake Plissken is once again called in by the United States government to recover a potential doomsday device from Los Angeles, now an autonomous island where undesirables are deported.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Kurt Russell, Steve Buscemi, Stacy Keach, A.J. Langer
Votes: 80,465 | Gross: $25.48M
Snake Plissken returns again, but this time he's switched cities... otherwise it's pretty much just a remake of the original, but a little more cheesy and silly. 7/10.
20. Black Moon Rising (1986)
R | 100 min | Action, Crime, Thriller
A thief, Quint, is hired by the Justice Department to steal incriminating tapes from a corrupt corporation. The tapes vanish when Quint hides them in the back of a hydrodynamic powered racing car that is stolen by a hot car ring.
Director: Harley Cokeliss | Stars: Tommy Lee Jones, Linda Hamilton, Robert Vaughn, Richard Jaeckel
Votes: 6,609 | Gross: $6.64M
Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. An action-packed thriller about a professional thief who steals a super-car. 6/10.
21. Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
R | 86 min | Horror, Thriller
Laurie Strode, now the dean of a Northern California private school with an assumed name, must battle the Shape one last time, as the life of her own son hangs in the balance.
Director: Steve Miner | Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams
Votes: 81,969 | Gross: $55.04M
Although he didn't direct this film, he still had a lot to do with it's production, so I'm including it on the list. The true "sequel" to Halloween 1+2, this time Mike Myers returns to try and kill the surviving Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), and also takes a bunch of others down along the way. Decent, but not spectacular. 6/10.
22. Ghosts of Mars (2001)
R | 98 min | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
In 2176, a Martian police unit is sent to pick up a highly dangerous criminal at a remote mining post. Upon arrival, the cops find that the post has become a charnel house.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Natasha Henstridge, Ice Cube, Pam Grier, Jason Statham
Votes: 57,923 | Gross: $8.43M
Jason Statham and Ice Cube go to Mars to battle zombie-like creatures. It's plain silly nonsense, but slightly entertaining. 6/10.
23. Dark Star (1974)
G | 83 min | Comedy, Sci-Fi
In the far reaches of space, a small crew, 20 years into their solitary mission, find things beginning to go hilariously wrong.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Dan O'Bannon, Dre Pahich, Brian Narelle, Cal Kuniholm
Votes: 27,184
Carpenter's first "big" movie, although it's basically an expanded school-project. Has a lot of dark humour, and is the precursor for Dan O'Bannon's future screenplay for "Alien", which makes it historically very interesting. But a bit too silly and amateurish for my taste. 5/10.
24.
Masters of Horror (2005–2007)
Episode:
John Carpenter's Cigarette Burns
(2005)
TV-MA | 59 min | Horror
With a torrid past that haunts him, a movie theatre owner is hired to search for the only existing print of a film so notorious that its single screening caused the viewers to become homicidally insane.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Norman Reedus, Colin Foo, Udo Kier, Christopher Redman
Votes: 9,794
Half-decent tv-movie, but nothing spectacular. 5/10.
25. The Ward (2010)
R | 89 min | Horror, Mystery, Thriller
An institutionalized young woman becomes terrorized by a ghost.
Director: John Carpenter | Stars: Amber Heard, Mamie Gummer, Danielle Panabaker, Laura-Leigh
Votes: 44,839
A bunch of (maybe) insane girls tries to escape a ward they're being kept prisoners in. Slightly reminiscent of the terrible "Sucker Punch", but definitely worse. Probably Carpenter's least interesting movie to date. 4/10.
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