Richard Donner: Movies & Box Office
- films
- 42
- as director
- 23
- on screen
- 1961–2019
- box office
- $2.16B
- Born
- April 24, 1930
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, U.S.
- Full name
- Richard Donald Schwartzberg
- Citizenship
- American
- Occupations
- Film director, producer
- Years active
- 1957-2021
- Spouses
- Lauren Shuler
The Best Richard Donner Movies
The films of Richard Donner that made the most at the worldwide box office, biggest first: Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) leads with $322M. The full ranking adds the most awarded films and the newest releases.
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Worldwide box office: $322M Lethal Weapon 3 1992 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $300M Superman 1978 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $285M Lethal Weapon 4 1998 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $228M Lethal Weapon 2 1989 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $216M Superman II 1981 · Action -
Worldwide box office: $183M Maverick 1994 · Action
Richard Donner's Career in Numbers
Richard Donner's films in numbers — as a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Richard Donner works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from X-15 (1961) to 16 Blocks (2006), and the 1980s were the busiest decade.
Richard Donner Movies by Decade
- 1960s 3
- 1970s 5
- 1980s 8
- 1990s 5
- 2000s 4
The 1980s were Richard Donner's busiest decade, with 8 films.
Richard Donner Movies by Genre
- Action 10
- Drama 5
- Adventure 2
- Comedy 2
- Tv movie 2
- Documentary 1
- Mystery 1
- Horror 1
- Thriller 1
Action is the genre Richard Donner has worked in most, with 10 films, ahead of drama (5).
Richard Donner Career Milestones
- First film
- X-15 1961
- Biggest box office hit
- Lethal Weapon 3 $322M worldwide
- Newest film
- 16 Blocks 2006
Richard Donner Filmography: Every Movie
Every film Richard Donner is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. 23 as director and 2 as actor. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.
Movies Directed by Richard Donner
23- 2006
16 Blocks Action Worldwide box office: $65.7M - 2003
Timeline Action Worldwide box office: $43.9M - 1998 Lethal Weapon 4 Action Worldwide box office: $285M
- 1997
Conspiracy Theory Mystery Worldwide box office: $137M - 1994 Maverick Action Worldwide box office: $183M
- 1992 Lethal Weapon 3 Action Worldwide box office: $322M
- 1992
Radio Flyer Drama Worldwide box office: $4.65M - 1989 Lethal Weapon 2 Action Worldwide box office: $228M
- 1988
Scrooged Drama Worldwide box office: $60.3M - 1987
Lethal Weapon Action Worldwide box office: $120M - 1985
The Goonies Adventure Worldwide box office: $64.5M - 1985
Ladyhawke Adventure Worldwide box office: $18.4M - 1982
The Toy Comedy Worldwide box office: $47.1M - 1981 Superman II Action Worldwide box office: $216M
- 1980
Inside Moves Drama - 1978 Superman Action Worldwide box office: $300M
- 1976
The Omen Horror Worldwide box office: $60.9M - 1975
Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic Tv movie - 1972
The Marshal of Madrid Tv movie - 1970
Twinky Drama - 1968
Salt & Pepper Thriller - 1963
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Philbert (Three’s a Crowd) Comedy - 1961
X-15 Drama
Richard Donner Movies as an Actor
2
Richard Donner in Documentaries & Specials
17- 2019
Valerie as Self · Documentary - 2019
Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film as Self · Documentary - 2017
Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies as Self · Documentary - 2017
Life After Flash as Self · Documentary - 2016
Close Encounters with Vilmos Zsigmond as Self · Documentary - 2014
Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire as Self - Filmmaker · Documentary - 2013
Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics as Self · Documentary - 2013
Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot as Self · Documentary - 2010
Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics as Self (archive footage) · Documentary - 2008
No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos as Self · Documentary - 2006
Superman II: Restoring the Vision as Self - 2006
You Will Believe: The Cinematic Saga of Superman as Self · Documentary - 2006
Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman as Self · Documentary - 2001
The Omen Legacy as Self · Documentary - 2001
Taking Flight: The Development of ‘Superman’ as Self · Documentary - 2001
Making ‘Superman’: Filming the Legend as Self · Documentary - 1982
The Making of ‘Superman: The Movie’ as Self · Documentary
Who Is Richard Donner?
Richard Donner was born in New York City, New York, U.S. in 1930. Credited on films since 1961, as a director. The background, training and the roles that shaped the career.
Richard Donner, born as Richard Donald Schwartzberg, was a highly acclaimed American film director and producer. Known as one of Hollywood's most dependable action blockbuster creators, Donner's illustrious 50-year career transcended genres, influenced trends, and directed some of the highest-grossing films of the 70s and 80s. Notable for his ability to cross genres, his numerous works had a profound influence on filmmakers worldwide. He started his career in 1957 as a television director, and his work included series such as 'The Rifleman,' 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,' 'The Fugitive,' 'The Twilight Zone,' and 'The Banana Splits,' among others. His film debut was with 'X-15,' a low-budget aviation drama in 1961, however he got his critical and commercial breakthrough with the horror film 'The Omen,' in 1976. Donner later successfully directed films like 'Superman,' 'The Goonies,' 'Scrooged' and the 'Lethal Weapon' series. He and his wife Lauren, jointly owned The Donners' Company, known for producing the 'Free Willy' and 'X-Men' film franchises. He also contributed to comic books for 'Superman' publisher DC Comics. His influence in the film industry was revered, and in 2000, he received the President's Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films. Despite his passing on July 5, 2021 his legacy continues to live.
Who Richard Donner Makes Movies With
The actors and directors Richard Donner shares the most films with. Margot Kidder comes first, with 9 films together, followed by Mel Gibson (8).
Richard Donner: Questions & Answers
How many movies Richard Donner has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.
How many movies has Richard Donner been in?
Richard Donner is credited on 42 films, from 1961 to 2019. 2 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 Richard Donner's highest-grossing movie?
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992) is Richard Donner's biggest box office hit, with $322M worldwide, ahead of Superman (1978) ($300M). Across every film with box office figures, Richard Donner's movies have made $2.16B.
Richard Donner's biggest hits What is Richard Donner's newest movie?
The most recent film on Richard Donner's filmography is Valerie (2019), in the role of Self.
Who does Richard Donner work with most often?
Richard Donner shares the most films with Margot Kidder (9 films), Mel Gibson (8 films) and Christopher Reeve (7 films).
The Best Richard Donner Movies, Ranked
Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 42 directing credits.
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