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David Mamet

David Mamet

Writer, director, actor and producer · Born November 30, 1947 (78) · Chicago, Illinois, USA

David Alan Mamet (/ˈmæmɪt/; born November 30, 1947) is an American playwright, author, and filmmaker. He won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays Glengarry Glen Ross(1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). He first gained critical acclaim for a trio of 1970s off-Broadway plays: The Duck Variations, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and American Buffalo. His plays, Race and The Penitent, respectively, opened on Broadway in 2009 and premiered off-Broadway in 2017. Feature films that Mamet both wrote and directed include House of Games (1987), Homicide (1991), The Spanish Prisoner (1997), and his biggest commercial success, Heist (2001). His screenwriting credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), The Verdict (1982), The Untouchables (1987), Hoffa (1992), Wag the Dog (1997), and Hannibal (2001). Mamet himself wrote the screenplay for the 1992 adaptation of Glengarry Glen Ross and wrote and directed the 1994 adaptation of his play Oleanna (1992). He created and produced the CBS series The Unit (2006–2009). Mamet's books include: On Directing Film (1991), a commentary and dialogue about film-making; The Old Religion (1997), a novel about the lynching of Leo Frank; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy (2004), a Torah commentary with Rabbi Lawrence Kushner; The Wicked Son (2006), a study of Jewish self-hatred and antisemitism; Bambi vs. Godzilla, a commentary on the movie business; The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture (2011), a commentary on cultural and political issues; Three War Stories (2013), a trio of novellas about the physical and psychological effects of war; and Everywhere an Oink Oink: An Embittered, Dyspeptic, and Accurate Report of Forty Years in Hollywood (2023), an autobiographical account of his experiences in Hollywood. Description above from the Wikipedia article David Mamet, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 30, 1947 (78)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Writer, director, actor and producer
Titles
40 on MovieCove · 62 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 40% in 30 days

What are David Mamet's films like?

Across their 34 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Biography 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
Morality
31%
Self
21%
Bonds
19%
Power
13%
Society
7%
Survival
6%
Ideas
5%
Justice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 34 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 9 · Serious 7 · Dark 18

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

Grounded 22 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 2

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 9 · Charged 9 · Intense 16

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

A split, not a type: Steady 15 · Shifting 14 · Whiplash 5

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 12 · Even-paced 20 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 7 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 13

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

Easy watch 9 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 12

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 15 · Ambiguous 7

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Contemplative
10
Dread
8
Melancholic
8
Absurd
5
Other
34

How their films linger

Thought-provoking15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 11 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous12

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 Mamet's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 40 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Mamet'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

62 credits, 40 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Marty Supreme(2025)

    as Director Glenn Nordmann

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Henry Johnson(2025)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Penitent: A Rational Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Idea · Novel · Screenplay · Script · Theatre Play · Writer

  • Beau Is Afraid(2023)

    as Rabbi

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Just a Scene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Original Story

  • About Last Night(2014)

    Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Two-Bit Waltz(2014)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Phil Spector(2013)

    Director · Executive Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Glengarry Glen Ross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Writer

  • Two Painters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • Inside the Actor's Workshop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • Our Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • The Marquee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • Lost Masterpieces of Pornography (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Writer

  • Redbelt(2008)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Edmond(2005)

    Theatre Play · Writer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Unit(2006)

    Show 69 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Spartan(2004)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Shield(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Heist(2001)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

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

    Director

  • Hannibal(2001)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • State and Main(2000)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Lakeboat(2000)

    Theatre Play · Writer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Winslow Boy(1999)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Lansky(1999)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Ronin(1998)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Wag the Dog(1997)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Spanish Prisoner(1997)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Edge(1997)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director

  • Hustlers, Hoaxsters, Pranksters, Jokesters and Ricky Jay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • American Buffalo(1996)

    Screenplay · Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Additional Writing · as David (voice)

  • Oleanna(1994)

    Director · Lyricist · Screenplay · Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Vanya on 42nd Street(1994)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Texan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Writer

  • A Life in the Theatre(1993)

    Executive Producer · Teleplay · Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Hoffa(1992)

    Associate Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Glengarry Glen Ross(1992)

    Screenplay · Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Water Engine(1992)

    Theatre Play · Writer · as Brown Haired Man

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Uncle Vanya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Writer

  • Homicide(1991)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Yiddish Cinema (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Narrator

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as David Mamet (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • We're No Angels(1989)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Shawl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Writer

  • Things Change(1988)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Lip Service (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Executive Producer

  • The Play on One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • House of Games(1987)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Untouchables(1987)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Black Widow(1987)

    as Herb

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • About Last Night(1986)

    Theatre Play

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Verdict(1982)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Postman Always Rings Twice(1981)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Assassination (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Screenplay

  • House of Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Original Film Writer

  • Russian Poland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

  • Speed the Plow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Screenplay · Theatre Play

  • The Prince

    Executive Producer · Writer

Career shape

A full career of 61 titles, 56 of them dated from 1981 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Hannibal (2001)

$352M worldwide

Highest rated

The Untouchables (1987)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting8 of 61: 6 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score68thDirecting23 of 61: 3 only directing, 20 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thWriting50 of 61: 25 only writing, 25 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stProducing6 of 61: 1 only producing, 5 with another roleOther crew3 of 61: 0 only other crew, 3 with another role

61 titles, 26 with more than one role — writing and directing overlap on 20 of them.

By decade

1980s13 · 2 acting · 11 crew1990s20 · 4 acting · 18 crew2000s10 · crew2010s8 · crew2020s5 · 2 acting · 3 crew

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.

How do David Mamet's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 65th percentile, the median of the 35 of 36 with a score; across their 33 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 33

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th9

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 39 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · director, writer

Henry Johnson (2025)

81st percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Shield (2002)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 68/100 and the plot and story 50/100 in their films, across 33 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a writer.

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 Mamet's work okay for kids?

Across up to 17 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore11 titles8–85 · median 50 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity17 titles13–70 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity16 titles41–95 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs13 titles32–61 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense11 titles11–69 · median 50 · moderateheavier 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 Mamet work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Mamet's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; William H. Macy shares the most, 10.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles