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David Lynch

David Lynch

Director, writer, producer, actor, cinematographer, editor and composer · Died January 16, 2025, aged 78 · Missoula, Montana, USA

Oscar winner · Primetime Emmy nominee · Golden Globe nominee · 7 other major award bodies

David Keith Lynch (January 20, 1946 – January 16, 2025) was an American filmmaker, visual artist, musician, and actor. Lynch received critical acclaim for his films, which are often distinguished by their surrealist, dreamlike qualities. In his 58-year career, he was awarded numerous accolades, including the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in 2006 and an Honorary Academy Award in 2019. In 2007, a panel of critics convened by The Guardian announced that "after all the discussion, no one could fault the conclusion that David Lynch is the most important filmmaker of the current era." Lynch studied painting before he began making short films in the late 1960s. His first feature-length film was the independent surrealist film Eraserhead (1977), which saw success as a midnight movie. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for the biographical drama The Elephant Man (1980) and the mystery films Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001). His romantic crime drama Wild at Heart (1990) won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He also directed the space opera adaptation Dune (1984), the surrealist neo-noir Lost Highway (1997), the biographical drama The Straight Story (1999), and the experimental film Inland Empire (2006). Lynch and Mark Frost created the ABC series Twin Peaks (1990–91), for which Lynch was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Lynch co-wrote and directed its film prequel, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), and its limited series revival (2017). He has also worked as an actor, including his portrayals of FBI agent Gordon Cole in Twin Peaks and director John Ford in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans (2022), as well as guest roles in TV series such as The Cleveland Show (2010–13), Louie (2012), and Robot Chicken (2020, 2022). Lynch's other artistic endeavours included his work as a musician, encompassing the studio albums BlueBOB (2001), Crazy Clown Time (2011), and The Big Dream (2013), as well as painting and photography. He has written the books Images (1994), Catching the Big Fish (2006), and Room to Dream (2018). He has directed several music videos for artists such as Chris Isaak, X Japan, Moby, Interpol, Nine Inch Nails, and Donovan, and commercials for Calvin Klein, Dior, L'Oreal, Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci, and the New York City Department of Sanitation. A practitioner of Transcendental Meditation (TM), he founded the David Lynch Foundation, which seeks to fund the teaching of TM in schools and has since widened its scope to other at-risk populations, including the homeless, veterans, and refugees.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 20, 1946
Died
January 16, 2025 (aged 78)
From
Missoula, Montana, USA
Works as
Director, writer, producer, actor, cinematographer, editor and composer
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 127 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 22% in 30 days

What are David Lynch's films like?

Across their 45 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Ideas.

Genres

Documentary23 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile
: browse their Documentary movies
Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 99th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
34%
Ideas
20%
Society
19%
Survival
11%
Morality
7%
Bonds
5%
Power
3%
Identity16 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt12 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity11 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose9 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 45 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 22 · Serious 10 · Dark 13

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 22 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 16

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 18 · Charged 13 · Intense 14

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 30 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 7

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 31 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 32 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 17 · Engaged 15 · Full focus 13

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 22 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 12

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 24 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 17

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
29
Tense
15
Warm
19
Melancholic
15
Dread
9
Other
34

How their films linger

Thought-provoking20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet16
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous19
  • Cyclical2
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch David Lynch's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 29 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Lynch's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

127 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 94 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Aprender a Caer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    In Memory Of

  • The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld(2025)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Legend of the Happy Worker(2025)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Jack Paints It Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Composer

  • Tríptico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Thanks

  • The Fabelmans(2022)

    as John Ford

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Other Me(2022)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Here After(2020)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Morceaux de Cannes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Meeting the Beatles in India(2020)

    Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • A Talk with Kyle MacLachlan and Sheryl Lee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Executive Producer

  • The Original Image - David Lynch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Waiting for Mr. Lynch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Ant Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Editor · Producer · Sound · Writer

  • Curtains Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • What Did Jack Do?(2017)

    Director · Composer · Editor · Set Decoration · Set Designer · Sound Designer · Sound Mixer · Writer · as Detective

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Lucky(2017)

    as Howard

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Night Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Composer

  • The Black Ghiandola (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Man In Black

  • Girlfriend's Day(2017)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Kitsune (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Thanks

  • Shadows of Paradise(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Psychogenic Fugue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Creative Consultant

  • Land of Nothing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Executive Producer

  • Fire (Pożar) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director

  • My Beautiful Broken Brain(2014)

    Executive Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Twin Peaks: The Missing Pieces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director · Characters · Editor · Sound Mixer · Writer · as Gordon Cole

  • Duran Duran: Unstaged(2011)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Idem Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • Memory Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · Actor

  • Meditation, Creativity, Peace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Writer · as Self

  • 20 Little Films (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Blue Velvet: The Lost Footage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director · Writer

  • Interpol: I Touch a Red Button (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • Readymade, Emile Reynaud et la peinture s'anima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Set Designer

  • 42 One Dream Rush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done(2009)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Louie(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jack Dall

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • When Lynch Met Lucas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • The Cleveland Show(2009)

    Show 11 episodes · as Gus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all shows

  • The Peaceline Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Executive Producer

  • Red Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as O Sábio

  • The Way of Samodelkin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Stranger in a dream

  • Interview Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show Creator

  • Early Experiments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • Hollyshorts Greeting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · as Himself

  • Twin Peaks Festival Greeting 2008 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Self

  • Surveillance(2008)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Ballerina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • The Sound of Lynch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • To Each His Own Cinema(2007)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Out Yonder — Chicken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Actor

  • More Things That Happened(2007)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Dynamic:01: The Best of DavidLynch.com (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Executive Producer · as himself

  • Inland Empire(2006)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Sound Designer · Sound Re-Recording Mixer · Writer · as Bucky J, the gaffer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Robot Chicken(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mad Scientist (voice)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • What Is It? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Thanks

  • Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of Wild at Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Actor

  • Bug Crawls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director

  • Intervalometer Experiments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director

  • Boat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Writer · as The Man

  • Does That Hurt You? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Sound · Writer · as Self

  • Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · as Self

  • Cabin Fever(2002)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Out Yonder — Teeth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Actor

  • The Disc of Sorrow Is Installed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Producer · Writer · Actor

  • Industrial Soundscape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Rabbits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Rabbits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Creator · Writer

  • The Pig Walks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • The Short Films of David Lynch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Producer · Sound Director · Writer · as Self

  • Darkened Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • I Don't Know Jack(2002)

    Presenter · as Self

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • BlueBob Egg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer · as Billy Groper

  • Coyote #1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Dead Mouse with Ants (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • Out Yonder — Neighbor Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Actor

  • Pierre and Sonny Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Steps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Factory Mask (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • DumbLand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Animation · Cinematographer · Creator · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Randy / Wife / Sparky (voice)

  • Head with Hammer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Sunset #1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • Eraserhead Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · as Self

  • Mulholland Drive(2001)

    Director · Sound Designer · Sound Re-Recording Mixer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Straight Story(1999)

    Director · Sound Designer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as David Lynch (voice) · as Gus (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch(1997)

    Composer · Still Photographer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Lost Highway(1997)

    Director · Sound Designer · Sound Re-Recording Mixer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Lumière and Company(1995)

    Director · as Self

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Nadja(1994)

    Executive Producer · as Morgue Receptionist

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Premonitions Following an Evil Deed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Hotel Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Sound Designer

  • Twin Peaks: Visual Soundtrack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Creator · Lyricist · Music Producer

  • On the Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer

  • Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me(1992)

    Director · Characters · Executive Producer · Original Series Creator · Sound Designer · Sound Re-Recording Mixer · Writer · as Gordon Cole

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez(1991)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The King of Ads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director

  • American Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 13 episodes · Producer

  • Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted(1990)

    Director · Composer · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Wild at Heart(1990)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 48 episodes · Director · Additional Editor · Creator · Executive Producer · Sound Designer · Story · Writer · as Gordon Cole

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Twin Peaks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer

  • Cinéma, de notre temps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as David Lynch

  • The Cowboy and the Frenchman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director · Writer

  • The French as Seen by… (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • Zelly & Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Willie

  • No Frank in Lumberton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Composer · as Self

  • Blue Velvet(1986)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Dune(1984)

    Director · Screenplay · as Spice Miner (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Elephant Man(1980)

    Director · Screenplay · Sound Designer · as Man in the Bowler Hat in the Mob Chasing Merrick (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Heart Beat(1980)

    as Painter (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Eraserhead(1977)

    Director · Art Direction · Composer · Editor · Producer · Production Design · Screenplay · Sound Effects · Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Amputee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as The Nurse

  • In Pursuit of Treasure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Set Painter

  • The Grandmother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Animation · Camera Operator · Producer · Screenplay · Script · Writer

  • The Alphabet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Animation · Cinematographer · Editor · Sound · Writer

  • Absurd Encounter with Fear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director

  • Sailing with Bushnell Keeler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Camera Operator · Actor

  • Six Men Getting Sick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Animation · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer

  • A Fall from Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Executive Producer

  • Hyena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Executive Producer

  • Interview Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

  • Mulholland Dr. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Creator · Writer

  • Snootworld (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Writer

  • The Sea Behind Her Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    In Memory Of

Career shape

A full career of 126 titles, 120 of them dated from 1967 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Dune (1984)

$32M worldwide

Highest rated

The Elephant Man (1980)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Mulholland Drive (2001)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
  • 1967Screen debut· Sailing with Bushnell Keeler
  • 1967First top-billed film· Sailing with Bushnell Keeler
  • 1990Primetime Emmy nomination· Twin Peaks
  • 2017Career best· Lucky

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting40 of 126: 21 only acting, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thDirecting72 of 126: 22 only directing, 50 with another role · typical Midcredits score87thWriting43 of 126: 2 only writing, 41 with another role · typical Midcredits score90thProducing41 of 126: 12 only producing, 29 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thMusic9 of 126: 3 only music, 6 with another roleCinematography15 of 126: 0 only cinematography, 15 with another roleEditing15 of 126: 0 only editing, 15 with another role · typical Midcredits score81stOther crew36 of 126: 12 only other crew, 24 with another role · typical Midcredits score90th

126 titles, 54 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 39 of them.

By decade

1960s4 · 1 acting · 4 crew1970s4 · 1 acting · 4 crew1980s10 · 5 acting · 7 crew1990s18 · 4 acting · 17 crew2000s46 · 15 acting · 40 crew2010s29 · 11 acting · 21 crew2020s9 · 3 acting · 6 crew

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 22% of 9 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

an Oscar and 5 other major awards from 35 major nominations, 1981–2023.

WinNomination
  1. 2023
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  2. 2020
    • Oscar, won
  3. 2018
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Limited Series or Movie
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie or Special
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special
  4. 2007
    • Independent Spirit Award, won
  5. 2006
    • Venice award, won ×2
  6. 2002
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Director
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Director - Motion Picture
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
  7. 2001
    • Cannes award, won
    • Cannes award, nominated
  8. 2000
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Director
Show 5 earlier years
  1. 1999
    • Cannes award, nominated
  2. 1992
    • Cannes award, nominated
  3. 1990
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Drama Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Music and Lyrics
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Cannes award, won
  4. 1987
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Director
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
    • +2 other major bodies · 3 nominations
      • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
      • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Director
      • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Screenplay
  5. 1981
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Director
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Director - Motion Picture
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Direction
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Screenplay
    • +2 other major bodies · 2 nominations
      • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
      • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Best Drama Adapted from Another Medium

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do David Lynch's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 34; across their 45 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 45

Approval · how many liked their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 45

Reach · how many have seen their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 45

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 39 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld (2025)

92nd percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer

The Elephant Man (1980)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 77/100 and the pacing 44/100 in their films, across 31 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is David Lynch's work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles9–88 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles6–80 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles19–89 · median 54 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs12 titles24–71 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense12 titles25–90 · median 86 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does David Lynch work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Lynch's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Angelo Badalamenti shares the most, 8.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles