---
name: "John Landis"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-landis"
fi1m_id: "john-landis"
imdb_id: "nm0000484"
tmdb_id: 4610
wikidata_id: "Q51564"
roles: ["Director","Writer","Producer"]
born: "3 August 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "director"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T03:20:06.172523+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Landis

## Identity

John Landis

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-landis
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** john-landis
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000484
- **TMDB ID:** 4610
- **Wikidata ID:** Q51564
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Landis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51564, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000484/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4610

Director and writer. Born 3 August 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Writer, Producer
- **Born:** 3 August 1950, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 1966–2004
- **Also known as:** John David Landis, 约翰·兰迪斯
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 11: 2 acting, 6 directing, 2 crew, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Dan Aykroyd](https://film.one/person/dan-aykroyd.md), [George Folsey Jr.](https://film.one/person/george-folsey-jr.md), [Eddie Murphy](https://film.one/person/eddie-murphy.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as director, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 92 (2), 1970s 36 (1), 1980s 72 (7), 2000s 85 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 66 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Fantasy 2, Horror 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1, Music 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $616m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Landis, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q51564, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000484/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4610

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Trading Places*](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md) (80), [*An American Werewolf in London*](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md) (80)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Twilight Zone: The Movie*](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md) (63), [*Spies Like Us*](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md) (47)
- **Netflix:** [*The Blues Brothers*](https://film.one/film/the-blues-brothers.md) (81)
- **AMC+:** [*Coming to America*](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md) (76)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on John Landis

> John Landis makes room for singers and comedians to do their work, and we value that generosity. *The Blues Brothers* earns our recommendation, though his fondness for extending a joke can become a test of patience.

When Aretha Franklin sings “Think” in *The Blues Brothers* (1980), the comedy hardly needs any help from the director. We grinned at the impatience in her delivery, which makes Mrs Murphy funny before the surrounding comedy has much to do. Landis gives James Brown, Cab Calloway and Ray Charles similar room, rather than settling for the pleasure of seeing familiar faces. He understands that a musical number needs time to become the reason for watching, even if the plot has to wait.

The breakthrough with *National Lampoon’s Animal House* (1978) led into the early run of *The Blues Brothers*, *An American Werewolf in London* (1981) and *Trading Places* (1983). Comedy mixed with horror suits his appetite for physical set pieces, and *An American Werewolf in London* makes that combination work. Large ensembles and musical numbers recur elsewhere; there is often another performer to make room for. Later studio films included *Beverly Hills Cop III* (1994) and *Blues Brothers 2000* (1998), during a stretch whose reviews were often mixed or poor.

In *The Blues Brothers*, Landis and co-writer Dan Aykroyd give Jake and Elwood a mission from God and the solemnity to match it. John Belushi and Aykroyd keep their composure while the chases grow extravagant, so the scale of the destruction suits the brothers’ unreasonable certainty. That is sound comic thinking, and the chases are funny. The difficulty is that Landis carries on after the joke has registered. At 133 minutes, the film makes its generosity harder work than it needs to be.

George Folsey Jr.’s editing cannot conceal how often Landis and Aykroyd’s script returns to the same comic method. A thin story need not trouble a musical comedy, but the repeated interruptions ask a good deal of our patience. We would not want to lose a minute of Franklin to accommodate another chase. Start with *The Blues Brothers* for the music, and be prepared to tolerate some extra wrecked cars.

## Biography

John Landis is an American film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. Born on 3 August 1950 in Chicago, Illinois, he began working in the film industry in the mailroom at 20th Century-Fox before taking jobs as a production assistant and stuntman in Europe.

Landis made his feature debut as writer-director with *Schlock* (1973). He achieved wider recognition with the comedy *National Lampoon's Animal House* (1978) and went on to direct and co-write *The Blues Brothers* (1980). Other films include *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), *Trading Places* (1983), *¡Three Amigos!* (1986) and *Coming to America* (1988).

He also directed segments of *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983) and music videos for Michael Jackson. Landis is married to costume designer Deborah Nadoolman.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

### Performed in (2)

- *Spider-Man 2* (2004), Fi1m 85, as Doctor — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-2.md)
- *Battle for the Planet of the Apes* (1973), Fi1m 36, as Jake's Friend — [page](https://film.one/film/battle-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)

### Directed (6) — the average rests on these

- *Coming to America* (1988), Fi1m 76, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md)
- *Spies Like Us* (1985), Fi1m 47, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md)
- *Trading Places* (1983), Fi1m 80, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md)
- *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), Fi1m 63, Director, Producer, Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md)
- *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), Fi1m 80, as Man Smashed into Window (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md)
- *The Blues Brothers* (1980), Fi1m 81, as Trooper La Fong — [page](https://film.one/film/the-blues-brothers.md)

### Crew (2)

- *Once Upon a Time in the West* (1968), Fi1m 91, Stunts — [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-the-west.md)
- *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* (1966), Fi1m 92, Stunts — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Eating Raoul* (1982), Fi1m 75, as Man at Bank (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/eating-raoul.md)

## Complete filmography (116)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Robot Dracula* (2026), as John
- *The Credible Adventures of Mr. T* (2023), as Stranger
- *Blue* (2022), Executive Producer
- *Stan Lee's Superhero Kindergarten* (2021), series, Director
- *I Hate Kids* (2019), as Psychic #4 · Executive Producer
- *The Body* (2018), as Man in Bathroom
- *The World Is Yours* (2018), as Couple
- *Deconstructing Dunning* (2016), Actor
- *Sidemen: Long Road To Glory* (2016), Actor
- *Tales of Halloween* (2015), as Jebediah Rex
- *Wrestling Isn't Wrestling* (2015), as Therapist
- *Remembering 'Dead of Night'* (2014), Actor
- *Blast Vegas* (2013), as Salesman #1
- *Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader* (2012), as Professor
- *The Complete Bob Wilkins Creature Features* (2012), Actor
- *Grabbers* (2012), Thanks
- *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, Director
- *Some Guy Who Kills People* (2011), Executive Producer
- *Burke & Hare* (2010), Director
- *The Scenesters* (2009), as Judge Paxton B. Johnson
- *Psychoville* (2009), series, Actor
- *The Face is Familiar* (2009), Actor
- *Parasomnia* (2008), as Department Store Manager
- *In Sickness and in Health* (2008), Director
- *Fear Itself* (2008), series, Director
- *Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project* (2007), Director, Producer
- *British Film Forever* (2007), series, Actor
- *Family* (2006), Director
- *Deer Woman* (2006), Director, Writer
- *The Great Sketch Experiment* (2006), Director
- *Psych* (2006), series, Director
- *Busby Berkeley's Kaleidoscopic Eyes* (2006), Actor
- *Footlight Parade: Music for the Decades* (2006), Actor
- *Masters of Horror* (2005), series, Writer, Director
- *Torrente 3: The Protector* (2005), as Embajador árabe
- *The Ax* (2005), as Maxime's Friend's Father
- *Spider-Man 2* (2004), as Doctor — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-2.md)
- *Slasher* (2004), Director, Writer
- *The Kronenberg Chronicles* (2002), Director
- *The Lost World - Gladiator* (2001), Executive Producer
- *Teddy Bears' Picnic* (2001), Thanks
- *Freeway II: Confessions of a Trickbaby* (2000), as Judge
- *Diamonds* (1999), as Gambler
- *The Lost World* (1999), series, Executive Producer
- *Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'* (1999), as Host / Self
- *Susan's Plan* (1998), Director, Writer, Producer
- *The Lost World* (1998), Executive Producer
- *Blues Brothers 2000* (1998), Director, Screenplay, Producer
- *Mad City* (1997), as Doctor
- *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show* (1997), series, Director, Producer
- *An American Werewolf in Paris* (1997), Characters
- *HIStory on Film, Volume II* (1997), Writer, Director, Producer
- *Quicksilver Highway* (1997), as Surgical Assistant
- *Laws of Deception* (1997), as Judge Trevino
- *The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas* (1996), Executive Producer
- *Vampirella* (1996), as Astronaut #1
- *The Stupids* (1996), Director
- *Caroline in the City* (1995), series, as John Landis
- *Michael Jackson Video Greatest Hits: HIStory* (1995), Producer, Director
- *Sliders* (1995), series, Producer
- *Here Come the Munsters* (1995), Executive Producer
- *The World of Jim Henson* (1994), as Leanord Winesop (archive footage)
- *Beverly Hills Cop III* (1994), Director
- *The Stand* (1994), series, as Russ Dorr
- *The Silence of the Hams* (1994), as FBI Agent
- *Weird Science* (1994), series, Producer
- *Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films* (1993), Director
- *Innocent Blood* (1992), Director
- *Eek! The Cat* (1992), series, as John Landis (voice)
- *Body Chemistry II: The Voice of a Stranger* (1992), as Dr. Edwards
- *Sleepwalkers* (1992), as Lab Technician
- *Oscar* (1991), Director
- *Psycho IV: The Beginning* (1990), as Mike Calveccio
- *Darkman* (1990), as Physician
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Herb · Director, Producer
- *Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration* (1990), Director
- *Spontaneous Combustion* (1989), as Radio Technician
- *Coming to America* (1988), Director — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md)
- *Amazon Women on the Moon* (1987), Director, Executive Producer
- *RoboCop* (1987), as Man in '6000 SUX' Commercial (uncredited) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/robocop.md)
- *¡Three Amigos!* (1986), Director
- *Fuzzbucket* (1986), Producer
- *Clue* (1985), Executive Producer, Story
- *Spies Like Us* (1985), Director — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md)
- *George Burns Comedy Week* (1985), series, Director
- *Into the Night* (1985), as SAVAK · Director
- *B.B. King: Into the Night* (1985), Director, Producer
- *The Muppets Take Manhattan* (1984), as Leonard Winesop
- *Making Michael Jackson's Thriller* (1983), Producer
- *Michael Jackson's Thriller* (1983), Director, Producer, Screenplay
- *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), Director, Writer, Producer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md)
- *Trading Places* (1983), as Man with Briefcase  (uncredited) · Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/trading-places.md)
- *Eating Raoul* (1982), as Man at Bank (uncredited) — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/eating-raoul.md)
- *Coming Soon* (1982), Director, Producer, Writer
- *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), as Man Smashed into Window (uncredited) · Screenplay, Director — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md)
- *Making an American Werewolf in London* (1981), Actor
- *The Blues Brothers* (1980), as Trooper La Fong · Director, Writer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-blues-brothers.md)
- *1941* (1979), as Mizerany
- *The Muppet Movie* (1979), as Additional Muppet Performer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-muppet-movie.md)
- *Animal House* (1978), as Cafeteria Dishwasher · Director
- *The Kentucky Fried Movie* (1977), as TV Technician Thrown by Gorilla (segment "A.M. Today") · Director
- *Death Race 2000* (1975), as Mechanic
- *The Six Million Dollar Man* (1974), series, as Michael
- *My Name Is Nobody* (1973), Stunts
- *Battle for the Planet of the Apes* (1973), as Jake's Friend — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/battle-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Schlock* (1973), as Schlock · Writer, Director
- *Chato's Land* (1972), Stunts
- *Red Sun* (1971), as Henchman  (uncredited)
- *Kelly's Heroes* (1970), as Sister Rosa Stigmata · Production Assistant
- *Once Upon a Time in the West* (1968), Stunts — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/once-upon-a-time-in-the-west.md)
- *The Charge of the Light Brigade* (1968), Stunts
- *The Good, the Bad and the Ugly* (1966), Stunts — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly.md)
- *The AckerMonster Chronicles!*, Actor
- *Bad Vibes*, Executive Producer
- *Under the Moon*, as High School Principal
- *An American Werewolf in London*, Original Film Writer, Executive Producer

## Gallery

- ![John Landis](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-94f456b6b73d.jpg) John Landis — Bbcentral at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/John_landis.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![John Landis For information about this photo, go to <a href="http://blatherfrombrooklyn.wordpress.com/">Blather From Brooklyn</a>. (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-186a3b9de508.jpg) John Landis For information about this photo, go to <a href="http://blatherfrombrooklyn.wordpress.com/">Blather From Brooklyn</a>. (2008) — annulla from Brooklyn, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/DSCN8379_%282441847175%29.jpg/1280px-DSCN8379_%282441847175%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Autographed signature of John Landis, 2003. (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-920608b48288.png) Autographed signature of John Landis, 2003. (2015) — Blue Jacaranda, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/John-Landis-Signature.png/1280px-John-Landis-Signature.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Film director John Landis (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-9f85c8a21a46.jpg) Film director John Landis (2007) — Giorgio Montersino, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/John-Landis-and-Dario-Argento.jpg/1280px-John-Landis-and-Dario-Argento.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![John Landis](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-f12aee7d8d8c.jpg) John Landis — Image via TMDB
- ![John Landis For information about this photo, go to <a href="http://blatherfrombrooklyn.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Blather From Brooklyn&lt (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-720aff9c30be.jpg) John Landis For information about this photo, go to <a href="http://blatherfrombrooklyn.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Blather From Brooklyn&lt (2008) — annulla from Brooklyn, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/John_Landis_%282441847563%29.jpg/1280px-John_Landis_%282441847563%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![John Landis For information about this photo, go to <a href="http://blatherfrombrooklyn.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Blather From Brooklyn&lt (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/117539/gallery-a396837831d4.jpg) John Landis For information about this photo, go to <a href="http://blatherfrombrooklyn.wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer nofollow">Blather From Brooklyn&lt (2008) — annulla from Brooklyn, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/John_Landis_%282441847963%29.jpg/1280px-John_Landis_%282441847963%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- Time Machine Award 2004: Time Machine Award (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director 1992: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director (nominated), for *Oscar*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-landis