Skip to content
MovieCove
Paul Verhoeven

Paul Verhoeven

Director, producer, writer and actor · Born July 18, 1938 (88) · Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Paul Verhoeven (born July 18, 1938) is a Dutch film director, screenwriter, and producer who has made movies in both the Netherlands and the United States. Explicitly violent and/or sexual content and social satire are trademarks of both his drama and science fiction films. He is best known for directing the American feature films RoboCop (1987), Total Recall (1990), Basic Instinct (1992), Starship Troopers (1997), and Hollow Man (2000). Turkish Delight (1973) received the award for Best Dutch Film of the Century at the Netherlands Film Festival. His films altogether received a total of nine Academy Award nominations, mainly for editing and effects. Both RoboCop and Total Recall won an Academy Special Achievement Award. In contrast, his film Showgirls (1995) was poorly received and won seven Golden Raspberry Awards, but has become a cult film over time. Description above from the Wikipedia article Paul Verhoeven, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia​

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 18, 1938 (88)
From
Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Works as
Director, producer, writer and actor
Titles
18 on MovieCove · 55 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 41% in 30 days

What are Paul Verhoeven's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Power.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 82nd percentile
: browse their Documentary 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
23%
Power
22%
Survival
20%
Morality
14%
Bonds
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
5%
Survival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 19 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 2 · Serious 4 · Dark 13

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 15

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 6

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

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 2 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 4

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

Easy watch 2 · Affecting 5 · 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 8 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Melancholic
9
Dread
5
Contemplative
4
Thrilling
5
Other
14

How their films linger

Thought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5

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 Paul Verhoeven's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 18 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paul Verhoeven'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

55 credits, 18 with a MovieCove page; 40 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Carolco, un rêve hollywoodien (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • The Draft!(2023)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Benedetta(2021)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Bukan Cinta Aku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Elle(2016)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Lotgenoten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Writer

  • Tricked (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director · Writer

  • Something Unknown Is Doing We Don't Know What(2009)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Black Book(2006)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Hollow Man II(2006)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Le court des grands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Zephyr Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Executive Producer

  • Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Homefront Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Executive Producer

  • Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Tesca Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Executive Producer

  • Roughnecks - The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Hydora Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Executive Producer

  • Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Pluto Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Executive Producer

  • Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Klendathu Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Executive Producer

  • Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles - The Tophet Campaign (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Executive Producer

  • Hollow Man(2000)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 40 episodes · Executive Producer

  • Starship Troopers(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Showgirls(1995)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Eurotrash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Basic Instinct(1992)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Total Recall(1990)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Zomergasten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • RoboCop(1987)

    Director · as Dancer at Disco (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Flesh+Blood(1985)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Hitchhiker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The 4th Man(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • All Things Pass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director

  • Spetters(1980)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • For Queen and Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Soldier of Orange(1977)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Katie Tippel(1975)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Turkish Delight(1973)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Business Is Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • The Wrestler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Writer

  • Portrait of Anton Adriaan Mussert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director

  • Floris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 13 episodes · Director · Creator

  • The Lonely Dorymen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Sound Effects

  • The Royal Dutch Marine Corps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director

  • Slochteren aan de lijn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Production Assistant

  • Let's Have a Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director

  • The Hitchhikers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director

  • Nothing Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director

  • One Lizard Too Many (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director

  • Cups of Coffee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Director

  • The Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Director

  • Gottes Utopia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Marino

  • De koperen hond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

  • Het gestolen kasteel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

  • RoboCop Returns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Screenplay

  • Sans Compter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Screenplay

  • Young Sinner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

Career shape

A full career of 55 titles, 50 of them dated from 1955 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Basic Instinct (1992)

$353M worldwide

Highest rated

Black Book (2006)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Basic Instinct (1992)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting6 of 55: 5 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting32 of 55: 23 only directing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score82ndWriting10 of 55: 3 only writing, 7 with another roleProducing10 of 55: 10 only producing, 0 with another roleOther crew6 of 55: 5 only other crew, 1 with another role

55 titles, 9 with more than one role.

By decade

1950s3 · 1 acting · 2 crew1960s8 · crew1970s7 · crew1980s7 · 2 acting · 6 crew1990s6 · 1 acting · 5 crew2000s12 · crew2010s4 · 1 acting · 3 crew2020s3 · 1 acting · 2 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 Paul Verhoeven's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 81st percentile, the median of all 18; across their 19 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 81st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Approval · how many liked their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Reach · how many have seen their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 19

Midcredits score across 18 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 18 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · producer

Something Unknown Is Doing We Don't Know What (2009)

86th percentile spread · 22% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, writer

Black Book (2006)

Midcredits 95th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 72/100 and the pacing 55/100 in their films, across 18 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 Paul Verhoeven's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore14 titles69–96 · median 80 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles52–81 · median 74 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles57–84 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs13 titles18–77 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense13 titles70–88 · median 81 · 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 Paul Verhoeven work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paul Verhoeven's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Gerard Soeteman shares the most, 8.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles