The Best Movies Directed By John Carpenter

Over 1.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Movies Directed By John Carpenter

List of all movies directed by John Carpenter ranked from best to worst with photos. Films directed by John Carpenter are listed here and include movie posters and John Carpenter movie trailers whenever possible. This is a collection of the best movies directed by John Carpenter as voted on by film buffs. If you think the greatest John Carpenter movie isn't as high as it should be on this list, then make sure to vote so that your opinion of what the top John Carpenter film is can be factored into this list.

From John Carpenter's studio films to John Carpenter's independent films, this John Carpenter filmography keeps tabs on all John Carpenter movies, and lets the cream of the crop rise to the top.

List is made up of movies like The Thing and Halloween.

If you’re wondering “what movies did John Carpenter direct?” or “who is John Carpenter?” then this list will explain how most people know this director. This list also answers questions like “what are the all-time best movies directed by John Carpenter?” and “what's a good selection of good John Carpenter movies?”

If you're wanting to get into John Carpenter films, then this list is a great starting point for at least starting with the most decent John Carpenter works.

All John Carpenter director credits are included. This list of every movie that John Carpenter has directed can be sorted for specific information such as what genre the John Carpenter movie is and which actors starred in the John Carpenter film.

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John Carpenter has had the pleasure of working with tremendous talent, including Robert De Niro and Charlton Heston. Are you a fan of John Carpenter's filmography? Vote on our lists of the best movies directed by Ridley Scott and Mel Brooks too.

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  • The Thing
    1
    Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, T.K. Carter
    623 votes
    • Released: 1982
    • Directed by: John Carpenter
    In the frost-bitten isolation of Antarctica, a team of American researchers find themselves under siege. Their adversary? An alien life-form with an unnerving ability to assume the appearance of its victims. The team's helicopter pilot, R.J. MacReady (Kurt Russell), steps up in defense of his comrades, igniting a nerve-wracking battle of paranoia and survival against their shape-shifting foe. This is The Thing, a chilling blend of science fiction and horror directed by John Carpenter. The movie, released in 1982, stands as a testament to practical effects, expertly designed suspense and a hauntingly desolate setting that amplifies the terror within.

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  • Halloween
    2
    Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes
    601 votes
    • Released: 1978
    • Directed by: John Carpenter
    In the iconic horror film Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, the tranquil town of Haddonfield, Illinois is thrown into a state of terror. The menace arrives in the form of Michael Myers (Nick Castle), an escaped mental patient with a chilling past. The film's protagonist, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), finds herself in Myers's crosshairs on Halloween night. As she and her friends become targets, Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence), Myers's psychiatrist, races against time to stop his murderous rampage. Unpredictable yet relentless, Halloween weaves a tale of suspense that won't soon be forgotten.

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  • Escape from New York
    3
    Kurt Russell, Ernest Borgnine, Adrienne Barbeau
    440 votes
    • Released: 1981
    • Directed by: John Carpenter
    In the dystopian flick Escape from New York, we're thrust into a future where Manhattan is a maximum-security prison. The protagonist, Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a renowned ex-soldier turned convict, is given 24 hours to rescue the President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) after Air Force One crashes in this urban wasteland. A thrilling blend of science fiction and action, this film boasts director John Carpenter's signature style - gritty, suspenseful, and unflinchingly raw. It's a high-stakes mission against time and danger, with Snake navigating through treacherous gangs and deadly traps in his quest for survival and redemption.

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  • They Live
    4
    Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster
    437 votes
    • Released: 1988
    • Directed by: John Carpenter
    In the cult classic, They Live, John Nada (Roddy Piper), a drifter in economic despair, stumbles upon sunglasses that reveal a hidden reality. The world is controlled by extraterrestrials who use subliminal messaging to manipulate humans and maintain power. As he navigates this dystopian Los Angeles, Nada allies with Frank Armitage (Keith David) to expose the truth. Directed by John Carpenter, this sci-fi thriller combines elements of horror and satire, underlining social commentary on consumerism and media influence. Despite its release in 1988, They Live remains relevant today, a testament to its enduring impact.

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  • Big Trouble in Little China
    5
    Kurt Russell, Kim Cattrall, Dennis Dun
    459 votes
    • Released: 1986
    • Directed by: John Carpenter
    In Big Trouble in Little China, trucker Jack Burton (Kurt Russell) finds himself drawn into a mysterious world beneath San Francisco's Chinatown. He's there to help his friend, Wang Chi (Dennis Dun), rescue his kidnapped fiancée, but they quickly become embroiled in an ancient battle between good and evil. The film is a blend of martial arts action and screwball comedy, directed by John Carpenter. It has since gained cult status for its unique mix of Western and Eastern cinematic influences.

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  • John Carpenter's The Fog
    6
    Adrienne Barbeau, Hal Holbrook, Janet Leigh
    389 votes
    • Released: 1980
    • Directed by: John Carpenter
    In the eerie film, John Carpenter's The Fog, the quiet coastal town of Antonio Bay (set in California), finds itself haunted by a malevolent fog. This sinister fog, rolling in precisely 100 years after a ship sank under mysterious circumstances near the town, brings with it vengeful mariners' spirits. The town's radio DJ, Stevie Wayne (Adrienne Barbeau), along with other townsfolk including Nick Castle (Tom Atkins) and Elizabeth Solley (Jamie Lee Curtis), must unravel the dark truth behind this spectral invasion. As they dig deeper, they uncover a century-old secret that sets the stage for the chilling climax. Notable for its atmospheric horror genre, this movie is a testament to Carpenter's mastery of suspense and storytelling.

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