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What's After the Movie?
David Lynch, actor & director
Actor & Director

David Lynch: Movies, Awards & Box Office

films
127
as director
32
on screen
1956–2022
box office
$291M
nominations
10
average score
66
Born
January 20, 1946 (age 80)
Birthplace
Missoula, Montana, U.S.
Full name
David Keith Lynch
Citizenship
United States
Occupations
Filmmaker, painter, visual artist, musician, author, actor
Years active
1967-present
Spouses
Peggy Lentz, Mary Fisk, Mary Sweeney, Emily Stofle
Children
4
Career at a glance

David Lynch's Career in Numbers

David Lynch's films in numbers — as an actor and a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres David Lynch works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Absurd Encounter with Fear (1967) to The Original Image - David Lynch (2019), and the 2000s were the busiest decade.

David Lynch Movies by Decade

  1. 1960s 4
  2. 1970s 3
  3. 1980s 9
  4. 1990s 7
  5. 2000s 20
  6. 2010s 16

The 2000s were David Lynch's busiest decade, with 20 films.

David Lynch Movies by Genre

  • Drama 15
  • Documentary 9
  • Comedy 8
  • Mystery 6
  • Horror 6
  • Animation 4
  • Music 2
  • Crime 1
  • Adventure 1
  • Tv movie 1

Drama is the genre David Lynch has worked in most, with 15 films, ahead of documentary (9).

David Lynch Career Milestones

Biggest box office hit
Dune $31.5M worldwide
Best-rated film
WHAT DID JACK DO? Movie Echo Score 66
127 credits

David Lynch Filmography: Every Movie

Every film David Lynch is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 32 as director and 27 as actor. Rated films average a score of 66. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

David Lynch in Documentaries & Specials

68
  1. 2022 This Is Sparklehorse (2022) movie poster This Is Sparklehorse as Self · Documentary
  2. 2021 The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune (2021) movie poster The Sleeper Must Awaken: Making Dune as Self (voice) (archive footage) · Documentary
  3. 2021 Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House (2021) movie poster Welcome Home: Mary Reber and the Twin Peaks Palmer House as Self · Documentary
  4. 2020 Meeting the Beatles in India (2020) movie poster Meeting the Beatles in India as Self · Documentary
  5. 2020 Jar Final (2020) movie poster Jar Final as Self · Documentary
  6. 2020 The Story of a Small Bug (2020) movie poster The Story of a Small Bug as Self · Documentary
  7. 2020 What Is David Lynch Working on Today? (2020) movie poster What Is David Lynch Working on Today? as Self · Documentary
  8. 2019 David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film (2019) movie poster David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film as Himself · Documentary
  9. 2018 Why Are We Creative? (2018) movie poster Why Are We Creative? as Self · Documentary
  10. 2017 A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks (2017) movie poster A Very Lovely Dream: One Week in Twin Peaks as Self · Documentary
  11. 2017 Behind the Red Curtain (2017) movie poster Behind the Red Curtain as Self · Documentary
  12. 2017 The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair (2017) movie poster The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair as Self · Documentary
  13. 2017 I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun (2017) movie poster I Had Bad Milk in Dehradun as Self · Documentary
  14. 2017 A Pot of Boiling Oil (2017) movie poster A Pot of Boiling Oil as Self · Documentary
  15. 2017 Two Blue Balls (2017) movie poster Two Blue Balls as Self · Documentary
  16. 2017 Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers (2017) movie poster Do Not Pick Up Hitchhikers as Self · Documentary
  17. 2017 A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth (2017) movie poster A Bloody Finger in Your Mouth as Self · Documentary
  18. 2017 Bad Binoculars (2017) movie poster Bad Binoculars as Self · Documentary
  19. 2017 Tell It Martin (2017) movie poster Tell It Martin as Self · Documentary
  20. 2017 The Polish Accountant (2017) movie poster The Polish Accountant as Self · Documentary
  21. 2017 The Number of Completion (2017) movie poster The Number of Completion as Self · Documentary
  22. 2017 See You on the Other Side Dear Friend (2017) movie poster See You on the Other Side Dear Friend as Self · Documentary
  23. 2016 Blue Velvet Revisited (2016) movie poster Blue Velvet Revisited as Self · Documentary
  24. 2016 On Meditation (2016) movie poster On Meditation as Self · Documentary
  25. 2016 The Reality of Truth (2016) movie poster The Reality of Truth as Self · Documentary
  26. 2015 Rammstein in Amerika (2015) movie poster Rammstein in Amerika as Self · Music
  27. 2014 My Beautiful Broken Brain (2014) movie poster My Beautiful Broken Brain as Self · Documentary
  28. 2014 The 8th Floor (2014) movie poster The 8th Floor as Self · Documentary
  29. 2014 It’s a Beautiful World (2014) movie poster It’s a Beautiful World as Self · Documentary
  30. 2013 What Is Cinema? (2013) movie poster What Is Cinema? as Self · Documentary
  31. 2013 Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013) movie poster Mel Brooks: Make a Noise as Self · Documentary
  32. 2013 Professor Goudet’s Lessons (2013) movie poster Professor Goudet’s Lessons as Self · Documentary
  33. 2012 Meditation, Creativity, Peace (2012) movie poster Meditation, Creativity, Peace as Self · Documentary
  34. 2010 2012: Time for Change (2010) movie poster 2012: Time for Change as Self · Documentary
  35. 2010 Brunes et Blondes (2010) movie poster Brunes et Blondes as Self · Documentary
  36. 2009 Great Directors (2009) movie poster Great Directors as Self · Documentary
  37. 2008 Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 (2008) movie poster Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 as Self · Comedy
  38. 2008 Hollyshorts Greeting (2008) movie poster Hollyshorts Greeting as Himself · Comedy
  39. 2008 Critic (2008) movie poster Critic as Self (voice) · Documentary
  40. 2007 A Slice of Lynch (2007) movie poster A Slice of Lynch as Self · Documentary
  41. 2007 Lynch (one) (2007) movie poster Lynch (one) as Self · Documentary
  42. 2007 David Lynch Cooks Quinoa (2007) movie poster David Lynch Cooks Quinoa as Himself · Documentary
  43. 2007 Lynch 2 (2007) movie poster Lynch 2 as Self · Documentary
  44. 2005 Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005) movie poster Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream as Self · Documentary
  45. 2005 David Lynch: 1985 (2005) movie poster David Lynch: 1985 as Self · Documentary
  46. 2004 The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’ (2004) movie poster The Making of ‘Mulholland Drive’ as Self · Documentary
  47. 2003 Does That Hurt You? (2003) movie poster Does That Hurt You? as Self · Documentary
  48. 2003 Lamp (2003) movie poster Lamp as Self · Documentary
  49. 2003 Return to Mulholland Drive (2003) movie poster Return to Mulholland Drive as Self · Documentary
  50. 2003 Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) (2003) movie poster Dennis Hopper: Create (or Die) as Self · Documentary
  51. 2002 Lunch With Lynch Drawing (2002) movie poster Lunch With Lynch Drawing as Himself · Comedy
  52. 2002 I Don’t Know Jack (2002) movie poster I Don’t Know Jack as Self · Documentary
  53. 2002 Mysteries of Love (2002) movie poster Mysteries of Love as Self (archive footage) · Documentary
  54. 2002 The Short Films of David Lynch (2002) movie poster The Short Films of David Lynch as Self · Documentary
  55. 2001 Eraserhead Stories (2001) movie poster Eraserhead Stories as Self · Documentary
  56. 1999 In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story (1999) movie poster In Dreams: The Roy Orbison Story as Self · Music
  57. 1997 Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch (1997) movie poster Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch as Self · Documentary
  58. 1996 The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money (1996) movie poster The Fine Art of Separating People from Their Money as Self · Documentary
  59. 1994 Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff (1994) movie poster Don Van Vliet: Some YoYo Stuff as Himself · Documentary
  60. 1993 Made in the USA (1993) movie poster Made in the USA as Self · Documentary
  61. 1990 Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch (1990) movie poster Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only: David Lynch as Self · Documentary
  62. 1990 Hollywood Mavericks (1990) movie poster Hollywood Mavericks as Self · Documentary
  63. 1988 No Frank in Lumberton (1988) movie poster No Frank in Lumberton as Self · Documentary
  64. 1988 Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1988) movie poster Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night as Self - Audience Member · Music
  65. 1987 Ruth, Roses, and Revolver (1987) movie poster Ruth, Roses, and Revolver as Himself · Documentary
  66. 1983 Destination Dune (1983) movie poster Destination Dune as Self · Documentary
  67. 1957 Rock All Night (1957) movie poster Rock All Night as Self (with The Platters) · Crime
  68. 1956 Rock Around the Clock (1956) movie poster Rock Around the Clock as Himself · Music
10 nominations

David Lynch: Awards & Nominations

10 nominations across 6 award bodies, from 1981 to 2023. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.

All movie awards
  • Spirit Awards logo Spirit Awards 3 nominations
  • Oscars logo Oscars 2 nominations
  • Golden Globes logo Golden Globes 2 nominations
  • Actor Awards (SAG) logo Actor Awards (SAG) 1 nomination
  • BAFTA logo BAFTA 1 nomination
  • DGA Awards logo DGA Awards 1 nomination
Biography

Who Is David Lynch?

David Lynch was born in Missoula, Montana, U.S. in 1946 and is 80 years old. Credited on films since 1956, as both an actor and a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Born on January 20, 1946, in Missoula, Montana, David Keith Lynch is a celebrated American artist celebrated for his work in film, television, and music. Lynch gained critical acclaim for his mind-bending and often surrealist artistry. Known for his distinctive non-linear storytelling and dreamlike aesthetic, he has carved a niche for himself in the world of cinema and the broader realm of pop culture.

Lynch studied painting before venturing into films during the late 1960s, establishing himself with his cult classic 'Eraserhead' in 1977. Gaining mainstream attention from his Academy Award-nominated 'The Elephant Man' in 1980, Lynch continued to enthrall audiences with films such as 'Blue Velvet', 'Mulholland Drive', and 'Inland Empire'. Aside from film-making, he is also critically recognized for his work in television, most notably the series 'Twin Peaks'. In all his endeavors in film, television, music, and even painting, Lynch’s works remain distinctive in its bizarre and enigmatic aura, making him a figure of major significance in contemporary art.

In his personal life, Lynch has been married four times and has four children. He is an active proponent of Transcendental Meditation. He was twice awarded the top honor at the Cannes Film Festival, the Palme d'Or, and also received an honorary Academy Award in 2019.

Works with

Who David Lynch Makes Movies With

The actors and directors David Lynch shares the most films with. Kyle MacLachlan comes first, with 22 films together, followed by Laura Dern (17).

FAQ

David Lynch: Questions & Answers

How many movies David Lynch has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has David Lynch been in?

David Lynch is credited on 127 films, from 1956 to 2022. 27 of them as an actor and 32 as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is David Lynch's highest-grossing movie?

The Polish Accountant (2017) is David Lynch's biggest box office hit, with $156M worldwide, ahead of Dune (1984) ($31.5M). Across every film with box office figures, David Lynch's movies have made $291M.

David Lynch's biggest hits

What is the best David Lynch movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, David Lynch's best-rated film is WHAT DID JACK DO? (2017) with a score of 66.

Best David Lynch movies, ranked

Has David Lynch won an Oscar?

David Lynch has been nominated for 2 Oscars but has not won one yet. Across every ceremony in the awards database, David Lynch has 0 wins from 10 nominations.

How old is David Lynch?

David Lynch is 80 years old, born on January 20, 1946 in Missoula, Montana, U.S..

What is David Lynch's newest movie?

The most recent film on David Lynch's filmography is This Is Sparklehorse (2022), in the role of Self.

Who does David Lynch work with most often?

David Lynch shares the most films with Kyle MacLachlan (22 films), Laura Dern (17 films) and Jack Nance (12 films).

The Best David Lynch Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 127 credits.

See the ranking

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