---
name: "Roland Emmerich"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/roland-emmerich"
fi1m_id: "roland-emmerich"
imdb_id: "nm0000386"
tmdb_id: 6046
wikidata_id: "Q60100"
roles: ["Director","Writer","Producer"]
born: "10 November 1955"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 56
average_as: "director"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T11:11:11.596710+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."
---

# Roland Emmerich

## Identity

Roland Emmerich

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/roland-emmerich
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** roland-emmerich
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000386
- **TMDB ID:** 6046
- **Wikidata ID:** Q60100
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Emmerich, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60100, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000386/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6046

Director and writer. Born 10 November 1955 in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Writer, Producer
- **Born:** 10 November 1955, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany
- **Active:** 1994–2009
- **Also known as:** 롤랜드 에머리히, رولان إيميريش
- **Frequently works with:** [Dean Devlin](https://film.one/person/dean-devlin.md), [Mark Gordon](https://film.one/person/mark-gordon.md), [Harald Kloser](https://film.one/person/harald-kloser.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 56, as director, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 61 (3), 2000s 51 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 56 to 52 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Genres:** Action 5, Adventure 5, Science Fiction 5, Thriller 2, Drama 1, Fantasy 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,007m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Emmerich, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q60100, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000386/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6046

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Independence Day*](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) (75), [*2012*](https://film.one/film/2012.md) (57)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Godzilla*](https://film.one/film/godzilla-1998.md) (46), [*10,000 BC*](https://film.one/film/10-000-bc.md) (40)
- **Tubi:** [*Stargate*](https://film.one/film/stargate.md) (62)

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

## Fi1m on Roland Emmerich

> Roland Emmerich makes enormous threats easy to grasp and, at his best, enjoyable to watch. We rate his patience before the destruction, but have less use for the thin characters and insistent heroics.

Roland Emmerich gives us time to recognise a building before he threatens to demolish it. In *Independence Day* (1996), that preparation is a substantial part of the pleasure. We felt the dread in its patient build-up, because familiar landmarks make the size of the danger immediately clear. That is where we rate him: the spectacle has been prepared carefully enough to survive some foolish writing.

His early Hollywood run of *Universal Soldier* (1992), *Stargate* (1994) and *Independence Day* established him in effects-driven science fiction. *The Patriot* (2000) was a turn towards historical spectacle, but *The Day After Tomorrow* (2004) and *2012* (2009) brought catastrophe back to the centre of his work. *Moonfall* (2022) continued his attachment to large-scale science fiction. His recurring preference for ordinary or unlikely heroes is sensible: even an enormous disaster needs someone whose next decision we want to follow.

Much of what works in *Independence Day* is practical craft, carefully co-ordinated. Production designers Patrick Tatopoulos and Oliver Scholl give the threatened world enough solidity for the destruction to matter. David Brenner's editing makes space for the large cast without letting the first half become a queue of introductions. David Arnold's music brings exuberance where the dialogue struggles to provide it. Emmerich benefits from collaborators who keep the spectacle clear and the mood generous, and the cast makes the foolishness easier to forgive.

The screenplay Emmerich wrote with Dean Devlin is the main limitation. Thin characterisation and implausible behaviour become harder to overlook once the spectacle has to sustain a story. The insistence on American heroism grows tiresome, particularly when the film wants to speak for everyone. We would rather spend more time with these people than keep being reassured about their heroism; the cast has already earned enough goodwill. Start with *Independence Day* for the patient build-up and the cheerful company, with modest expectations of the plot.

## Biography

Roland Emmerich is a German film director, screenwriter and producer. Born on 10 November 1955 in Stuttgart, he studied at the University of Television and Film Munich. His student film The Noah's Ark Principle (1984) opened the Berlin International Film Festival, after which he co-founded Centropolis Entertainment with his sister.

Emmerich is known for science fiction and disaster films. He directed and co-wrote Stargate (1994) and Independence Day (1996), the latter of which became one of the highest-grossing films of its time. Subsequent credits include Godzilla (1998), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), 2012 (2009), White House Down (2013), Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) and Moonfall (2022). His films have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, encyclopedia.com, theguardian.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *2012* (2009), Fi1m 57, Writer, Director, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/2012.md)
- *10,000 BC* (2008), Fi1m 40, Screenplay, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/10-000-bc.md)
- *The Day After Tomorrow* (2004), Fi1m 57, Screenplay, Director, Producer, Story — [page](https://film.one/film/the-day-after-tomorrow.md)
- *Godzilla* (1998), Fi1m 46, Story, Screenplay, Executive Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-1998.md)
- *Independence Day* (1996), Fi1m 75, Screenplay, Director, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md)
- *Stargate* (1994), Fi1m 62, Director, Screenplay — [page](https://film.one/film/stargate.md)

## Complete filmography (40)

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

- *Carolco, un rêve hollywoodien* (2026), Actor
- *Those About to Die* (2024), series, Executive Producer, Director
- *The Magic Flute* (2022), Producer
- *Moonfall* (2022), Writer, Director, Producer
- *The Colony* (2021), Executive Producer, Thanks
- *Midway* (2019), Director, Producer
- *Independence Day: Resurgence* (2016), Director, Screenplay, Characters, Producer, Story
- *Stonewall* (2015), Director, Producer
- *White House Down* (2013), Director
- *Last Will. & Testament* (2012), Executive Producer
- *Anonymous* (2011), Director, Producer
- *Hell* (2011), Executive Producer
- *The End of the World: The Actor's Perspective* (2010), Director, Producer, Executive Producer
- *2012: Roland Emmerich - Master of the Modern Epic* (2010), Producer, Executive Producer, Presenter
- *2012 Startling New Secrets* (2009), Actor
- *Shirley Adams* (2009), Executive Producer
- *2012* (2009), Director, Writer, Executive Producer — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/2012.md)
- *Jack N Jill* (2008), Thanks
- *10,000 BC* (2008), Director, Producer, Screenplay — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/10-000-bc.md)
- *Trade* (2007), Producer
- *The Day After Tomorrow* (2004), Director, Producer, Screenplay, Story — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/the-day-after-tomorrow.md)
- *Eight Legged Freaks* (2002), Executive Producer
- *The Patriot* (2000), Director, Executive Producer
- *The Thirteenth Floor* (1999), Producer
- *Godzilla: The Series - Monster War* (1999), Executive Producer
- *Godzilla, King of the Monsters* (1998), Actor
- *Godzilla* (1998), Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer, Story — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/godzilla-1998.md)
- *Independence Day* (1996), Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md)
- *Stargate* (1994), Director, Screenplay — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/stargate.md)
- *The High Crusade* (1994), Producer
- *Universal Soldier* (1992), Director
- *Moon 44* (1990), Director, Producer, Story
- *Ghost Chase* (1987), Director, Story, Screenplay
- *Making Contact* (1985), Director, Screenplay
- *The Noah's Ark Principle* (1984), Director, Writer
- *Verlieben vielleicht* (1980), as Robert
- *Smash - Gefahr aus der Unendlichkeit* (1979), Production Design
- *Franzmann* (1979), Director, Writer
- *Max und Sandy* (1978), Production Design
- *Maya Lord*, Director, Producer

## Gallery

- ![Roland Emmerich](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-b239f557e4fe.jpg) Roland Emmerich — Michael Mayer from Berlin, Germany, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Roland_Emmerich_%286973286762%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース ジェフ・ゴールドブラム マイカ・モンロー (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-6ba7084c61c5.jpg) インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース ジェフ・ゴールドブラム マイカ・モンロー (2016) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya%2C_Liam_Hemsworth%2C_Jeff_Goldblum_%26_Maika_Monroe_%2828474000572%29.jpg/1280px-Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya%2C_Liam_Hemsworth%2C_Jeff_Goldblum_%26_Maika_Monroe_%2828474000572%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース ジェフ・ゴールドブラム マイカ・モンロー (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-11fa88e5e69c.jpg) インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース ジェフ・ゴールドブラム マイカ・モンロー (2016) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya%2C_Liam_Hemsworth%2C_Jeff_Goldblum_%26_Maika_Monroe_%2828474319892%29.jpg/1280px-Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya%2C_Liam_Hemsworth%2C_Jeff_Goldblum_%26_Maika_Monroe_%2828474319892%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース ジェフ・ゴールドブラム マイカ・モンロー (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-a0497fa21b00.jpg) インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース ジェフ・ゴールドブラム マイカ・モンロー (2016) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9e/Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya%2C_Liam_Hemsworth%2C_Jeff_Goldblum_%26_Maika_Monroe_%2828580795885%29.jpg/1280px-Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya%2C_Liam_Hemsworth%2C_Jeff_Goldblum_%26_Maika_Monroe_%2828580795885%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Roland Emmerich](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-49824d207847.jpg) Roland Emmerich — Image via TMDB
- ![Roland Emmerich](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-14008503e8b5.jpg) Roland Emmerich — Image via TMDB
- ![インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-10c77528fdfb.jpg) インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース (2016) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya_%26_Liam_Hemsworth_%2827963406034%29.jpg/1280px-Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya_%26_Liam_Hemsworth_%2827963406034%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/86652/gallery-b4a127592af2.jpg) インデペンデンス・デイ: リサージェンス ジャパンプレミア ローランド・エメリッヒ 藤原竜也 リアム・ヘムズワース (2016) — Dick Thomas Johnson from Tokyo, Japan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya_%26_Liam_Hemsworth_%2828296253470%29.jpg/1280px-Independence_Day-_Resurgence_Japan_Premiere-_Roland_Emmerich%2C_Fujiwara_Tatsuya_%26_Liam_Hemsworth_%2828296253470%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Other awards — 5 won

- GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award 2015: GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award (won)
- Sitges Grand Honorary Award 2014: Sitges Grand Honorary Award (won)
- Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg 2007: Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg (won)
- European Film Award - People's Choice Award for Best Director 1998: European Film Award - People's Choice Award for Best Director (won), for *Godzilla*
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 1998: Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (won)

*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/roland-emmerich