---
name: "Wes Craven"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/wes-craven"
fi1m_id: "wes-craven"
imdb_id: "nm0000127"
tmdb_id: 5140
wikidata_id: "Q223992"
roles: ["Director","Writer"]
born: "2 August 1939"
died: "30 August 2015"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "director"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-09T19:31:47.461768+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."
---

# Wes Craven

## Identity

Wes Craven

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/wes-craven
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** wes-craven
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000127
- **TMDB ID:** 5140
- **Wikidata ID:** Q223992
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_Craven, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223992, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000127/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5140

Director and writer. Born 2 August 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Died 30 August 2015.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Writer
- **Born:** 2 August 1939, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- **Died:** 30 August 2015
- **Active:** 1977–2011
- **Also known as:** Wesley Earl Craven , Abe Snake
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 1 acting, 6 directing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [David Arquette](https://film.one/person/david-arquette.md), [Kevin Williamson](https://film.one/person/kevin-williamson.md), [Neve Campbell](https://film.one/person/neve-campbell.md), [Cathy Konrad](https://film.one/person/cathy-konrad.md), [Courteney Cox](https://film.one/person/courteney-cox.md), [Marianne Maddalena](https://film.one/person/marianne-maddalena.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as director, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 74 (1), 1980s 83 (1), 1990s 80 (2), 2000s 61 (3), 2010s 60 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 69 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Genres:** Horror 6, Mystery 4, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $686m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wes_Craven, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q223992, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000127/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5140

## Streaming the US now

- **Hulu:** [*Scream*](https://film.one/film/scream.md) (86), [*Scream 2*](https://film.one/film/scream-2.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*Scream 4*](https://film.one/film/scream-4.md) (60), [*Scream 3*](https://film.one/film/scream-3.md) (52)

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

## Fi1m on Wes Craven

> Wes Craven is at his strongest when he lets horror be funny without making danger a joke. We value the care he takes with frightened people, even when they think they know the rules.

The teenagers in *Scream* (1996) can discuss the conventions of horror films while finding themselves in familiar trouble. Craven lets them be funny, but he never treats their fear as a failure to appreciate the joke. We were frightened by the opening, where Roger L. Jackson's phone voice makes the threat feel uncomfortably close. That unease survives the clever talk, because Craven is careful about how much relief each laugh provides.

His early reputation centred on the graphic horror of *The Last House on the Left* (1972), his feature debut. *The Hills Have Eyes* (1977) developed his concern with family violence and survival. Then *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984) put a killer inside his victims' dreams, making sleep itself unsafe. He keeps returning to fractured families and to people who cannot tell dreams from reality. By *Scream*, even knowing how horror works offers little comfort.

Williamson gives *Scream* its knowing dialogue; Craven makes sure the cast has more to play than an appreciation of other films. Mark Irwin's polished cinematography suits these confident, talkative teenagers without turning the horror into something to mock. Editor Patrick Lussier handles the abrupt changes from joking to alarm with assurance. The performers keep the fear convincing, which matters more than how many references anyone catches.

The weakness comes when Kevin Williamson's script keeps explaining a convention after we have understood it. Craven cannot always keep these longer conversations moving, and Lussier's editing is less secure here than in the quick changes of mood. The film remains sharply frightening, but its cleverness sometimes makes us wait.

The non-horror drama *Music of the Heart* (1999) was a departure, though he returned to the series with *Scream 4* (2011). Start with *Scream*, especially with company who enjoy a horror film that gives them something to laugh at. Do not expect the laughter to make the evening gentle.

## Biography

Wesley Earl Craven (2 August 1939 – 30 August 2015), also credited as Abe Snake, was an American film director, screenwriter and producer. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he earned an undergraduate degree in English and psychology from Wheaton College and a master's degree in writing and philosophy from Johns Hopkins University. He began directing feature films with *The Last House on the Left* (1972), which he also wrote and edited.

Craven worked primarily in the horror genre. His credits include *The Hills Have Eyes* (1977), *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984) and its sequels and spin-offs, *Wes Craven's New Nightmare* (1994), *Red Eye* (2005) and the *Scream* series (1996–2011), on which he directed the first four films.

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

## On Fi1m (8)

### Performed in (1)

- *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back* (2001), Fi1m 54, as Wes Craven — [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-strike-back.md)

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

- *Scream 4* (2011), Fi1m 60, Producer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/scream-4.md)
- *Scream 3* (2000), Fi1m 52, as Man with Video Camera on Studio Tour (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/scream-3.md)
- *Scream 2* (1997), Fi1m 74, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/scream-2.md)
- *Scream* (1996), Fi1m 86, as Fred the Janitor (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/scream.md)
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984), Fi1m 83, Writer, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/a-nightmare-on-elm-street.md)
- *The Hills Have Eyes* (1977), Fi1m 74, Director, Editor, Writer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hills-have-eyes.md)

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

- *Boston Legal* (2004), Fi1m 76, as Self — [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)

## Complete filmography (91)

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

- *The Spot* (2023), Thanks
- *Dylan’s New Nightmare* (2023), Characters
- *Scream* (2022), In Memory Of — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/scream-2022.md)
- *AGFA Mystery Mixtape #2: Later in L.A.* (2020), as (archive footage)
- *The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault* (2020), as (archive footage)
- *Terrifier* (2018), In Memory Of
- *Mortal Nightmare* (2016), Thanks
- *The Girl in the Photographs* (2015), Executive Producer
- *Scream: The TV Series* (2015), series, Executive Producer
- *Scream 4* (2011), Director, Producer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/scream-4.md)
- *My Soul to Take* (2010), Director, Writer, Producer
- *Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy* (2010), series, Actor
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (2010), Characters, Original Film Writer
- *The Last House on the Left* (2009), Producer, Characters, Original Film Writer
- *Diary of the Dead* (2007), as Newsreader (voice) (uncredited) · Thanks
- *The Hills Have Eyes 2* (2007), Producer, Writer, Characters
- *Pulse* (2006), Screenplay
- *Paris Je T'aime* (2006), as La victime de la vampire (Quartier de la Madeleine) · Director, Writer
- *The Breed* (2006), Executive Producer
- *The Tripper* (2006), as Hippie (uncredited)
- *The Hills Have Eyes* (2006), Producer, Characters, Original Film Writer
- *Feast* (2005), Executive Producer
- *Red Eye* (2005), as Airline Passenger (uncredited) · Director
- *Dracula III: Legacy* (2005), Presenter
- *Becoming a Werewolf* (2005), as Wes Craven
- *Cursed* (2005), Director
- *Tales from the Crapper* (2004), as Party Goer (uncredited)
- *Freddy vs. Jason* (2003), Characters
- *Dracula II: Ascension* (2003), Presenter
- *They* (2002), Presenter
- *They Shoot Divas, Don't They?* (2002), Executive Producer
- *Tales That'll Tear Your Heart Out* (2002), as Undead Cowboy (uncredited) · Director
- *Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back* (2001), as Wes Craven — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/jay-and-silent-bob-strike-back.md)
- *Dracula 2000* (2000), Executive Producer, Presenter
- *Welcome to Hollywood* (2000), as Wes Craven
- *Scream 3* (2000), as Man with Video Camera on Studio Tour (uncredited) · Director — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/scream-3.md)
- *Music of the Heart* (1999), Director
- *Stark Raving Mad* (1999), series, as Terrance Sterling
- *Don't Look Down* (1998), Executive Producer
- *Carnival of Souls* (1998), Executive Producer
- *Unmasking the Horror* (1998), Actor
- *Hollyweird* (1998), Executive Producer, Presenter
- *Scream 2* (1997), as Doctor (uncredited) · Director — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/scream-2.md)
- *Wishmaster* (1997), Executive Producer
- *Scream* (1996), as Fred the Janitor (uncredited) · Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/scream.md)
- *Shadow Zone: The Undead Express* (1996), as Counsellor
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Vampire in Brooklyn* (1995), Director
- *Mind Ripper* (1995), Executive Producer
- *The Fear* (1995), as Dr. Arnold
- *Wes Craven's New Nightmare* (1994), as Wes Craven · Director, Writer, Executive Producer, Characters
- *Body Bags* (1993), as Pasty Faced Man
- *The Nightmare Begins Again* (1993), Characters, Creator
- *Nightmare Cafe* (1992), series, Director, Producer, Creator
- *The People Under the Stairs* (1991), Writer, Director, Executive Producer
- *Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare* (1991), Characters
- *Night Visions* (1990), Director, Executive Producer, Writer
- *Bloodfist II* (1990), as Other
- *The People Next Door* (1989), series, Creator
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child* (1989), Characters
- *Shocker* (1989), as Man Neighbor · Executive Producer, Director, Writer
- *Freddy's Nightmares* (1988), series, Characters, Creator
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master* (1988), Characters
- *The Serpent and the Rainbow* (1988), Director
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors* (1987), Executive Producer, Screenplay, Characters, Story
- *Deadly Friend* (1986), Director
- *Casebusters* (1986), Director
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge* (1985), Characters
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as (segment "Children's Zoo") · Director
- *The Hills Have Eyes Part 2* (1985), Director, Writer, Characters
- *Chiller* (1985), Director
- *A Nightmare on Elm Street* (1984), Director, Writer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/a-nightmare-on-elm-street.md)
- *Invitation to Hell* (1984), Director
- *Swamp Thing* (1982), Director, Writer
- *Deadly Blessing* (1981), Director, Screenplay
- *Kent State* (1981), Producer
- *Stranger in Our House* (1979), Director
- *The Evolution of Snuff* (1978), Director of Photography
- *Here Come the Tigers* (1978), Gaffer
- *The Hills Have Eyes* (1977), Director, Editor, Writer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hills-have-eyes.md)
- *Sweet Cakes* (1976), as Photographer (uncredited)
- *The Fireworks Woman* (1975), as Nicholas Burns / The Fireworks Man (uncredited) · Director, Editor, Writer
- *Kitty Can't Help It* (1975), Editor
- *It Happened in Hollywood* (1973), as Kings Litter Bearer · Assistant Director, Editor
- *The Last House on the Left* (1972), Editor, Director, Writer
- *Deep Throat* (1972), as Other
- *Together* (1971), Associate Producer, Director of Photography
- *You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat* (1971), Editor
- *It's a Miserable Life*, Writer
- *The People Under the Stairs*, Original Film Writer
- *Untitled A Nightmare on Elm Street Film*, Original Film Writer, Characters

## Gallery

- ![Wes Craven](https://film.one/media/person/86632/gallery-9aa7ef4f638f.jpg) Wes Craven — Bob Bekian from Thousand Oaks Ca., USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Wes_Craven_2010.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Wes Craven](https://film.one/media/person/86632/gallery-7ead035153b3.jpg) Wes Craven — Image via TMDB
- ![Wes Craven](https://film.one/media/person/86632/gallery-5193b2cf3c17.jpg) Wes Craven — Image via TMDB
- ![Wes Craven](https://film.one/media/person/86632/gallery-d76e60920945.jpg) Wes Craven — Image via TMDB
- ![Wes Craven](https://film.one/media/person/86632/gallery-4e02cdc62a65.jpg) Wes Craven — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/wes-craven