--- name: "Shawn Levy" canonical: "https://film.one/person/shawn-levy" fi1m_id: "shawn-levy" imdb_id: "nm0506613" tmdb_id: 17825 wikidata_id: "Q323076" roles: ["Director","Producer"] born: "23 July 1968" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 67 average_as: "director" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-05T11:18:59.707764+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." --- # Shawn Levy ## Identity Shawn Levy - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/shawn-levy - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** shawn-levy - **IMDb ID:** nm0506613 - **TMDB ID:** 17825 - **Wikidata ID:** Q323076 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Levy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q323076, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506613/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17825 Director and producer. Born 23 July 1968 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ## Details - **Work:** Director, Producer - **Born:** 23 July 1968, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - **Active:** 2006–present - **Also known as:** Shawn Adam Levy, ショーン・アダム・レヴィ, שון אדם לוי, ショーン レヴィ - **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 5 directing, 3 producing - **Frequently works with:** [Dan Levine](https://film.one/person/dan-levine.md), [Amy Adams](https://film.one/person/amy-adams.md), [Ben Garant](https://film.one/person/robert-ben-garant.md), [Ben Stiller](https://film.one/person/ben-stiller.md), [Chris Columbus](https://film.one/person/chris-columbus.md), [Dan Cohen](https://film.one/person/dan-cohen.md), [Hugh Jackman](https://film.one/person/hugh-jackman.md), [Michael Barnathan](https://film.one/person/michael-barnathan.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 67, as director, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 54 (1), 2010s 80 (3), 2020s 63 (4) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 67 to 68 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Genres:** Comedy 4, Action 2, Adventure 2, Science Fiction 2, Action & Adventure 1, Family 1 - **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,083m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Levy, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q323076, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0506613/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17825 ## Coming up - *The Catch* (2027-05-21), Producer - *Star Wars: Starfighter* (2027-05-26), Director - *Seasons* (2027-11-12), Producer - *Ghost Rider* (2028-07-27), Director ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Free Guy*](https://film.one/film/free-guy.md) (67), [*The Boogeyman*](https://film.one/film/the-boogeyman.md) (62), [*Deadpool & Wolverine*](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md) (60), [*Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian*](https://film.one/film/night-at-the-museum-battle-of-the-smithsonian.md) (54) - **Netflix:** [*Stranger Things*](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md) (77), [*Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt*](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) (76) - **Apple TV:** [*Arrival*](https://film.one/film/arrival.md) (86) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Shawn Levy > At his best, Shawn Levy lets actors supply the feeling without fuss. We like his warmth and comic timing; the trouble comes when a film needs him to interrupt the jokes or give its action some shape. For a moment in *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), Shawn Levy stops the jokes and leaves the camera on Hugh Jackman’s face. There is no music to help, and Jackman has time to finish speaking. We were moved more than we expected, because Levy allowed a performance to matter in a film so busy congratulating itself. The film around that pause is only intermittently funny and often tiring. Levy moved from the family comedies *Cheaper by the Dozen* (2003) and *Night at the Museum* (2006) into action with *Real Steel* (2011). The recurring interests remained family, damaged relationships and the possibility of putting things right. The action comedy *Free Guy* (2021) began his major collaboration with Ryan Reynolds. He adapts his visual style to the story rather than insisting on a recognisable look of his own, a useful quality when working within somebody else’s series. *Stranger Things* (2016) gives us firmer grounds for recommending him, provided the credit is shared. Working within Matt and Ross Duffer’s series, Levy is one of eight credited directors, and the look and pace stay consistent as the episodes change hands. The first eight episodes build a small-town horror story around children who can act and Winona Ryder’s unrestrained commitment. The later expansion sometimes strains that story, but we would not pin the increasingly elaborate mysteries on one director. *Deadpool & Wolverine* exposes the limits of that adaptability, particularly when Levy has a crowd fight to stage. Production designer Ray Chan gives its wasteland wrecked cars and a half-buried studio logo, while cinematographer George Richmond’s overcast grey lighting leaves the costumes to provide the colour. Levy sends lines of extras running at each other, with little interest in how the fights might develop. Rob Simonsen’s score is largely a rumble beneath the songs, doing little to give the action momentum. For a steadier evening, start with the first eight episodes of *Stranger Things*. ## Biography Shawn Levy is a Canadian filmmaker, director, writer and producer. Born on 23 July 1968 in Montreal, Quebec, he graduated from Yale University and received an MFA from the University of Southern California. He is the founder of 21 Laps Entertainment. Levy directed episodes of the Netflix series *Stranger Things* (2016–) and the films *Night at the Museum* (2006), *Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian* (2009) and *Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb* (2014). He directed, co-wrote and produced *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), and has produced *The Boogeyman* (2023) and the forthcoming *Backrooms* (2026). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) ### Directed (5) — the average rests on these - *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), Fi1m 60, Director, Producer, Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md) - *Free Guy* (2021), Fi1m 67, Director, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/free-guy.md) - *Stranger Things* (2016), Fi1m 77, Director, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md) - *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), Fi1m 76, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) - *Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian* (2009), Fi1m 54, as Infomercial Father — [page](https://film.one/film/night-at-the-museum-battle-of-the-smithsonian.md) ### Produced (3) - *Backrooms* (2026), Fi1m 64, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/backrooms.md) - *The Boogeyman* (2023), Fi1m 62, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-boogeyman.md) - *Arrival* (2016), Fi1m 86, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/arrival.md) ## Complete filmography (127) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Ghost Rider* (2028), Director - *Seasons* (2027), Producer - *Star Wars: Starfighter* (2027), Director, Producer - *The Catch* (2027), Producer - *Backrooms* (2026), Producer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/backrooms.md) - *Stranger Things: Tales from '85* (2026), series, Executive Producer - *Stranger Things: Tales from '85 Theatrical Preview* (2026), Executive Producer - *Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip* (2025), Producer - *Never Let Go* (2024), Producer - *The Perfect Couple* (2024), series, Executive Producer - *Deadpool & Wolverine* (2024), Director, Producer, Writer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/deadpool-and-wolverine.md) - *All the Light We Cannot See* (2023), series, Executive Producer, Director - *The Boogeyman* (2023), Producer — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-boogeyman.md) - *Crater* (2023), Producer - *Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again* (2022), Producer - *Rosaline* (2022), Producer - *Lost Ollie* (2022), series, Executive Producer - *The Future Of* (2022), series, Executive Producer - *Cheaper by the Dozen* (2022), Executive Producer - *The Adam Project* (2022), Director, Producer - *All Too Well: The Short Film* (2021), as Her Dad - *There's Someone Inside Your House* (2021), Producer - *Free Guy* (2021), Director, Producer — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/free-guy.md) - *Shadow and Bone* (2021), series, Executive Producer - *Dash & Lily* (2020), series, Executive Producer - *Love and Monsters* (2020), Producer - *The Violent Heart* (2020), Producer - *Unsolved Mysteries* (2020), series, Executive Producer - *I Am Not Okay with This* (2020), series, Executive Producer - *Kin* (2018), Producer - *The Darkest Minds* (2018), Producer - *Kodachrome* (2017), Producer - *Imaginary Mary* (2017), series, Director, Executive Producer, Creator - *Table 19* (2017), Producer - *Fist Fight* (2017), Producer - *Why Him?* (2016), Producer - *Arrival* (2016), Producer — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/arrival.md) - *Stranger Things* (2016), series, as Morgue Worker · Director, Executive Producer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md) - *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, Director — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md) - *Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb* (2014), Director, Producer - *Cristela* (2014), series, Executive Producer - *Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day* (2014), Producer - *This Is Where I Leave You* (2014), Director, Producer - *The Spectacular Now* (2013), Producer - *The Internship* (2013), as Google Employee Trying to Take a Nap (uncredited) · Director, Producer - *The Watch* (2012), Producer - *Last Man Standing* (2011), series, Executive Producer - *Real Steel* (2011), Director, Producer - *Date Night* (2010), Director, Producer - *Monkey Mischief* (2009), Director - *Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian* (2009), as Infomercial Father · Director, Producer — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/night-at-the-museum-battle-of-the-smithsonian.md) - *The Pink Panther 2* (2009), Executive Producer - *The Rocker* (2008), Producer - *What Happens in Vegas* (2008), Producer - *Night at the Museum* (2006), Producer, Director - *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Scottie Shofar — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md) - *Pepper Dennis* (2006), series, Director, Producer - *The Pink Panther* (2006), Director - *Cheaper by the Dozen 2* (2005), as Hospital Intern · Producer - *Cheaper by the Dozen* (2003), as Press Room Reporter · Director - *Just Married* (2003), Director - *I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus* (2002), Producer - *Birds of Prey* (2002), series, Producer, Director - *Do Over* (2002), series, Director - *Big Fat Liar* (2002), as Wolf Party Guest · Director - *Jett Jackson: The Movie* (2001), Director, Executive Producer - *In a Heartbeat* (2000), series, Director - *Stray Dog* (1999), Director - *Dear America* (1999), series, Director - *So Weird* (1999), series, Director - *The Famous Jett Jackson* (1998), series, Director, Executive Producer - *Animorphs* (1998), series, Director - *First Wave* (1998), series, Director - *The Journey of Allen Strange* (1997), series, Director - *Address Unknown* (1997), Director - *Just in Time* (1997), Director - *Broken Record* (1994), Director, Producer, Editor - *The Secret World of Alex Mack* (1994), series, Director - *Trouble Shooters: Trapped Beneath the Earth* (1993), as Travis - *Made in America* (1993), as Dwayne - *Brotherhood of the Gun* (1991), as Teddy McBride - *Step by Step* (1991), series, as Daniel - *Our Shining Moment* (1991), as J.J. - *Beverly Hills, 90210* (1990), series, as Howard Banchek — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/beverly-hills-90210.md) - *Lifestories* (1990), series, as Luke Conforti - *The Kiss* (1988), as Terry - *Liberace: Behind the Music* (1988), as Glenn - *China Beach* (1988), series, as Lieutenant - *Zombie Nightmare* (1987), as Jim Batten - *thirtysomething* (1987), series, as Robert - *Tour of Duty* (1987), series, Actor - *First Offender* (1987), Actor - *Wild Thing* (1987), as Paul - *21 Jump Street* (1987), series, as Lance - *Miles to Go…* (1986), as Greg - *The Vindicator* (1986), as Biker #2 - *The Defender*, Producer - *Backwards*, Director, Producer - *Splendid Solution*, Producer - *Dollhouse*, Producer - *Boy Band*, Producer, Director - *Gnomes*, Producer - *Undying*, Producer - *Mothers, Lock Up Your Daughters Because They Are Terrifying*, Producer - *Family Album*, series, Director - *Abbi and the Eighth Wonder*, Producer - *Club 33*, Producer - *Upcoming Remake of 'Riders of Justice'*, Producer - *Don't Go in the Water*, Producer - *Amulet*, Producer - *The Blanks*, Producer - *Untitled Night at the Museum Reimagining*, Producer - *Hold Back the Stars*, Producer - *The Sticks*, series, Executive Producer - *Dad Camp*, Producer - *Compulsive Liar*, Producer - *One Attempt Remaining*, Producer - *Kingmakers*, Producer - *Echo*, Producer - *Untitled McG Film*, Producer - *Somewhere Out There*, Director, Producer - *Ripple*, Producer - *The Girlfriend*, Producer - *The Hardy Men*, Producer - *Deep End*, Producer - *Blur*, Producer - *Sovereign*, Producer ## Gallery - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-ce0040a3dd13.jpg) Shawn Levy — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/43/Shawn_Levy_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg/1280px-Shawn_Levy_by_Gage_Skidmore_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-707cbb4435b6.jpg) Shawn Levy — Image via TMDB - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-41e51d79f5ee.jpg) Shawn Levy — Image via TMDB - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-850e82532b19.jpg) Shawn Levy — Image via TMDB - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-0eb57095534a.jpg) Shawn Levy — Image via TMDB - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-0c585993fdcc.jpg) Shawn Levy — Image via TMDB - ![Shawn Levy](https://film.one/media/person/6696/gallery-c8263cfbf481.jpg) Shawn Levy — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 2017: Best Picture (nominated), for *Arrival* *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/shawn-levy