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Joe Carnahan, director
Director

Joe Carnahan: Movies, Awards & Box Office

films
19
as director
11
on screen
1998–2026
box office
$342M
nomination
1
average score
56
Born
May 9, 1969 (age 57)
Birthplace
Michigan, United States
Full name
Joseph Aaron Carnahan
Citizenship
United States
Occupations
Film director, Screenwriter, Producer, Actor
Years active
1995-present
Spouses
Christy Leis, Lisa Carnahan
Children
2
Known for

The Best Joe Carnahan Movies

The highest-rated films Joe Carnahan is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Boss Level (2021) scores highest, at 80. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking
Career at a glance

Joe Carnahan's Career in Numbers

Joe Carnahan's films in numbers — as a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Joe Carnahan works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane (1998) to The Rip (2026), and the 2020s were the busiest decade.

Joe Carnahan Movies by Decade

  1. 1990s 1
  2. 2000s 3
  3. 2010s 3
  4. 2020s 5

The 2020s were Joe Carnahan's busiest decade, with 5 films.

Joe Carnahan Movies by Genre

  • Action 7
  • Drama 2
  • Thriller 2
  • Adventure 1

Action is the genre Joe Carnahan has worked in most, with 7 films, ahead of drama (2).

Joe Carnahan Career Milestones

Biggest box office hit
The A-Team $177M worldwide
Best-rated film
Boss Level Movie Echo Score 80
Newest film
The Rip 2026
19 credits

Joe Carnahan Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Joe Carnahan is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 11 as director and 1 as actor. Rated films average a score of 56. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

1 nomination

Joe Carnahan: Awards & Nominations

1 nomination across 1 award body. Every ceremony is listed newest first, with the category and the film.

All movie awards
Biography

Who Is Joe Carnahan?

Joe Carnahan was born in Michigan, United States in 1969 and is 57 years old. Credited on films since 1998, as a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.

Joseph Aaron Carnahan, born on May 9, 1969, has built his reputation as a renowned American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. His portfolio boasts a variety of critically acclaimed films including 'Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane', 'Narc', 'Smokin' Aces', 'The A-Team', 'The Grey' and 'Boss Level'. Carnahan is also recognized for his contributions to the NBC television series 'The Blacklist', where he wrote and directed several episodes. He shares a close familial relationship with notable figures in the film industry, including his brother Matthew Michael Carnahan, a commendable screenwriter, and producer Leah Carnahan.

Raised in Michigan and Northern California, Carnahan's academic journey took him from San Francisco State University to California State University, Sacramento, where he obtained his B.A. in Filmography. His early professional efforts were in the Promotions Department of Sacramento's KMAX-TV, where he produced short films and television spots. Carnahan gained recognition for his 1998 film 'Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane' and directed other prominent films such as 'Narc'. His filmography includes diverse titles like 'Pride and Glory', 'Remarkable Fellows', and 'The A-Team'. Carnahan's directing prowess extended to thrillers such as 'The Grey' and the television series 'The Blacklist'. He is currently engaged in writing the script for Mark Millar comic book series 'Nemesis' film adaptation and is set to direct 'Killing Pablo', a book by Mark Bowden. Carnahan has also made notable contributions to NBC's 'State of Affairs' and is currently working on directing 'Shadow Force' by Lionsgate Films.

Works with

Who Joe Carnahan Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Joe Carnahan shares the most films with. Ray Liotta comes first, with 4 films together, followed by Frank Grillo (3).

FAQ

Joe Carnahan: Questions & Answers

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

How many movies has Joe Carnahan been in?

Joe Carnahan is credited on 19 films, from 1998 to 2026. 1 of them as an actor and 11 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 Joe Carnahan's highest-grossing movie?

The A-Team (2010) is Joe Carnahan's biggest box office hit, with $177M worldwide, ahead of The Grey (2012) ($79.8M). Across every film with box office figures, Joe Carnahan's movies have made $342M.

Joe Carnahan's biggest hits

What is the best Joe Carnahan movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Joe Carnahan's best-rated film is Boss Level (2021) with a score of 80, followed by Copshop (2021) (72).

Best Joe Carnahan movies, ranked

Has Joe Carnahan won an Oscar?

Joe Carnahan has not been nominated for an Oscar. Across every ceremony in the awards database, Joe Carnahan has 0 wins from 1 nomination.

How old is Joe Carnahan?

Joe Carnahan is 57 years old, born on May 9, 1969 in Michigan, United States.

What is Joe Carnahan's newest movie?

The most recent film on Joe Carnahan's filmography is The Rip (2026), which Joe Carnahan directed.

Who does Joe Carnahan work with most often?

Joe Carnahan shares the most films with Ray Liotta (4 films), Frank Grillo (3 films) and Albert Hughes (3 films).

The Best Joe Carnahan Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 19 directing credits.

See the ranking

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