John Landis: Movies & Box Office
- films
- 99
- as director
- 23
- on screen
- 1971–2025
- box office
- $853M
- average score
- 56
- Born
- August 3, 1950 (age 76)
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Full name
- John David Landis
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Film director, Producer, Screenwriter, Actor
- Years active
- 1969-present
- Spouses
- Deborah Nadoolman
- Children
- 2
The Best John Landis Movies
The films of John Landis that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Coming to America (1988) leads with $289M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
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Worldwide box office: $289M Coming to America 1988 · Drama -
Worldwide box office: $119M Beverly Hills Cop III 1994 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $115M The Blues Brothers 1980 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $90.4M Trading Places 1983 · Comedy -
Worldwide box office: $60.1M Spies Like Us 1985 · Adventure -
Worldwide box office: $39.2M Three Amigos! 1986 · Comedy
John Landis's Career in Numbers
John Landis's films in numbers — as an actor and a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres John Landis works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Red Sun (1971) to Being Eddie (2025), and the 1990s were the busiest decade.
John Landis Movies by Decade
- 1970s 4
- 1980s 11
- 1990s 18
- 2000s 7
- 2010s 3
- 2020s 2
The 1990s were John Landis's busiest decade, with 18 films.
John Landis Movies by Genre
- Comedy 18
- Documentary 5
- Horror 5
- Tv movie 3
- Action 3
- Thriller 2
- Crime 2
- Drama 2
- Mystery 2
- Adventure 1
Comedy is the genre John Landis has worked in most, with 18 films, ahead of documentary (5).
John Landis Career Milestones
- First film
- Red Sun 1971
- Biggest box office hit
- Coming to America $289M worldwide
- Best-rated film
- Being Eddie Movie Echo Score 57
- Newest film
- Being Eddie 2025
John Landis Filmography: Every Movie
Every film John Landis is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 23 as director and 22 as actor. Rated films average a score of 56. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Movies Directed by John Landis
23- 2021
Coming 2 America Comedy Movie Echo Score: 55 - 2011
Burke and Hare Thriller Worldwide box office: $4.79M - 2010
Burke & Hare Thriller - 2008
In Sickness and in Health Horror - 2005
Deer Woman Comedy - 2004
Slasher Documentary - 1998
Susan’s Plan Crime - 1998
Blues Brothers 2000 Comedy Worldwide box office: $14.1M - 1996
The Stupids Comedy Worldwide box office: $2.49M - 1994 Beverly Hills Cop III Action Worldwide box office: $119M
- 1992
Innocent Blood Action Worldwide box office: $4.94M - 1991
Oscar Comedy Worldwide box office: $23.6M - 1990
Disneyland’s 35th Anniversary Special Tv movie - 1988 Coming to America Drama Worldwide box office: $289M
- 1986 Three Amigos! Comedy Worldwide box office: $39.2M
- 1985 Spies Like Us Adventure Worldwide box office: $60.1M
- 1985
Disneyland’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Tv movie - 1983
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Mystery - 1983
Twilight Zone: The Movie Sci-Fi Worldwide box office: $29.5M - 1983 Trading Places Comedy Worldwide box office: $90.4M
- 1981
An American Werewolf in London Horror Worldwide box office: $30.8M - 1978
Animal House Comedy - 1977
The Kentucky Fried Movie Comedy
John Landis Movies as an Actor
22- 2025
Being Eddie Documentary Movie Echo Score: 57 - 2012
Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader as Professor · Comedy - 2009
The Scenesters as Judge Paxton B. Johnson · Crime - 2009
The Face is Familiar Documentary - 2008
Parasomnia as Department Store Manager · Horror - 2005
Torrente 3: The Protector as Arab Ambassador · Comedy Worldwide box office: $21.8M - 1999
Diamonds as Gambler · Comedy Worldwide box office: $88.4K - 1999
Diamonds as Gambler · Comedy Worldwide box office: $88.4K - 1999
Diamonds as Gambler · Comedy Worldwide box office: $88.4K - 1999
Diamonds as Gambler · Comedy Worldwide box office: $88.4K - 1999
Diamonds as Gambler · Comedy Worldwide box office: $88.4K - 1999
Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby as Judge · Horror - 1999
Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of ‘The Wolf Man’ as Host / Self · Documentary - 1997
Quicksilver Highway as Surgical Assistant · Tv movie - 1994
The World of Jim Henson as Leanord Winesop (archive footage) · Documentary - 1992
Body Chemistry II: Voice of a Stranger as Dr. Edwards · Drama - 1990
Psycho IV: The Beginning as Mike Calveccio · Mystery - 1989
Spontaneous Combustion as Radio Technician · Horror Worldwide box office: $50.4K - 1985
Into the Night as SAVAK · Comedy Worldwide box office: $7.56M - 1980 The Blues Brothers as Trooper La Fong · Action Worldwide box office: $115M
- 1973
Schlock as Schlock · Comedy - 1971
Red Sun as Henchman (uncredited) · Western
John Landis in Documentaries & Specials
54- 2024
Hammer: Heroes, Legends and Monsters as Self · Documentary - 2024
The Life and Deaths of Christopher Lee as Self · Documentary - 2021
Blood, Guts and Sunshine: The History of Horror Made in Florida as Self [archival] · Horror - 2021
I Am Alfred Hitchcock as Self · Documentary - 2019
Mark of The Beast: The Legacy of the Universal Werewolf as Self · Documentary - 2018
Bergman: A Year in a Life as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $48.9K - 2015
Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $314 - 2015
In Their Own Words: Jim Henson as Self - Friend & Filmmaker · Documentary - 2015
Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead as Self - Director · Comedy Worldwide box office: $62.7K - 2014
Out of Print as Self · Documentary - 2013
Trespassing Bergman as Self · History - 2011
Method to the Madness of Jerry Lewis as Self · Documentary - 2011
Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan as Self · Documentary Worldwide box office: $2.57K - 2011
Nightmare Factory as Self · Documentary - 2010
Machete Maidens Unleashed! as Self · Documentary - 2010
The Man Who Saw Frankenstein Cry as Self · Documentary - 2010
American Grindhouse as Himself · Documentary Worldwide box office: $5.53K - 2010
Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr. as Self · Documentary - 2010
The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth as Self · Documentary - 2010
David Bowie: Rare and Unseen as Self · Documentary - 2009
Teen Spirit: Teenagers and Hollywood as Self · Documentary - 2009
Vittorio D. as Self · Documentary - 2009
Beware the Moon: Remembering ‘An American Werewolf in London’ as Self · Documentary - 2009
Into the Pit: The Shocking Story of Deadpit.com as Self · Documentary - 2008
Fantastic Flesh: The Art of Make-Up EFX as Self · Documentary - 2008
Animal House: The Inside Story as Self · Comedy - 2008
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood as Self · History - 2007
Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story as Self · Documentary - 2007
Bloodsucking Cinema as Self · Documentary - 2007
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project as Self · Comedy - 2007
The Return of the Living Dead: The Decade of Darkness as Self · Horror - 2007
Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman as Self · Documentary - 2006
The Sci-Fi Boys as Self · Documentary - 2006
42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage as Self · Documentary - 2006
Gold Diggers: FDR’S New Deal… Broadway Bound as Self · Documentary - 2005
RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World” as Self · Documentary - 2005
Shadows in the Dark: The Val Lewton Legacy as Self · Documentary - 2004
Hollywood’s Creepiest Creatures as Self · Documentary - 2004
Edgar G. Ulmer – Der Mann im Off as Self · Documentary - 2004
Mario Bava: Operazione paura as Self · Documentary - 2003
Michael Jackson’s Private Home Movies as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2002
Forever Ealing as Self · Documentary - 2002
Masters of Horror as Self · Documentary - 2002
It’s Black Entertainment as Self · Documentary - 2000
The American Nightmare as Self · Documentary - 1998
The Yearbook: An Animal House Reunion as Self - Director · Comedy - 1998
The Stories Behind the Making of ‘The Blues Brothers’ as Self · Documentary - 1997
Who Is Henry Jaglom? as Self · Documentary - 1994
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder as Self · Documentary - 1992
Venice/Venice as Self · Drama - 1992
The Martin & Lewis Story: The Last Great Comedy Team as Self · Documentary - 1989
Stephen King’s World of Horror as Self · Documentary - 1985
B.B. King: Into the Night as Self · Music - 1983
Making Michael Jackson’s Thriller as Self · Documentary
Who Is John Landis?
John Landis was born in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. in 1950 and is 76 years old. Credited on films since 1971, as both an actor and a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
John David Landis, born on August 3, 1950, is a prominent American filmmaker and actor. Landis has built a renowned career through his numerous hit comedy and horror films spanning over multiple decades. Some of his notable works include comedy films such as 'The Kentucky Fried Movie' (1977), 'National Lampoon's Animal House' (1978), 'The Blues Brothers' (1980), 'Trading Places' (1983), 'Three Amigos' (1986), 'Coming to America' (1988) and 'Beverly Hills Cop III' (1994). His proficiency for horror is also evident with his creation of the classics 'An American Werewolf in London' (1981) and 'Innocent Blood' (1992). His creative reaches also include the widely popular music videos for Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (1983) and "Black or White" (1991).
Landis later branched out into television work and directed series like 'Dream On' (1990), 'Weird Science' (1994) and 'Sliders' (1995). Commercials for major companies also saw the touch of Landis' direction. Notably, he won an Emmy Award in 2008 for his documentary 'Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project' (2007). Regardless of his success, his film career was darkened with controversy in 1982 during the filming of 'Twilight Zone: The Movie' when three actors died on set. Landis and his team faced trial but were acquitted of involuntary manslaughter. Despite controversies, Landis continues to work within the industry even today.
Who John Landis Makes Movies With
The actors and directors John Landis shares the most films with. Joe Dante comes first, with 21 films together, followed by Dan Aykroyd (14).
John Landis: Questions & Answers
How many movies John Landis has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has John Landis been in?
John Landis is credited on 99 films, from 1971 to 2025. 22 of them as an actor and 23 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 John Landis's highest-grossing movie?
Coming to America (1988) is John Landis's biggest box office hit, with $289M worldwide, ahead of Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) ($119M). Across every film with box office figures, John Landis's movies have made $853M.
John Landis's biggest hits What is the best John Landis movie?
By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, John Landis's best-rated film is Being Eddie (2025) with a score of 57, followed by Coming 2 America (2021) (55).
Best John Landis movies, ranked How old is John Landis?
John Landis is 76 years old, born on August 3, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S..
What is John Landis's newest movie?
The most recent film on John Landis's filmography is Being Eddie (2025).
Who does John Landis work with most often?
John Landis shares the most films with Joe Dante (21 films), Dan Aykroyd (14 films) and John Carpenter (8 films).
The Best John Landis Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 99 credits.
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