C. Thomas Howell

Actor, also director, producer and writer · Born December 7, 1966 (59) · Los Angeles, California, USA

Christopher Thomas Howell (born December 7, 1966), usually credited as C. Thomas Howell, is an American actor and film director. He starred in the films The Outsiders as Ponyboy Curtis and in The Hitcher as Jim Halsey. He has appeared in Soul Man, Red Dawn, Secret Admirer, Gettysburg, H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stopped and Gods and Generals. Howell was born in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles to Christopher N. and Candice Howell. He has three siblings. His father worked as a stunt coordinator and rodeo performer. He played the role of the Red Knight in Terry Gilliam’s The Fisher King. As a young boy, Howell wanted to be a stuntman and was a child stunt performer. He was also a rodeo star. When Howell was young, his parents divorced. Howell graduated from Saugus High School in 1984. In 1982, Howell made his film debut as Tyler in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. At the age of 15 in 1981, Howell was cast in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders (1983). Howell played the lead role of Ponyboy Curtis, "the soulful tagalong greaser through whose eyes we see the events of the 1960s-set film unfold." Based on S.E. Hinton's bestselling 1967 novel of the same name,the coming-of-age film went on to become a cult classic. Howell's portrayal of Ponyboy was his breakthrough role, and it earned him a Young Artist Award. In 1984, Howell and his Outsiders co-star Patrick Swayze reunited for Grandview, U.S.A. and Red Dawn. Howell also had a pivotal role in Tank (1984). In 1985, he starred in Secret Admirer. After filming The Outsiders, Howell co-starred in his own television series Two Marriages, which ended after four episodes, but letters of support got it back on air. He later expressed disappointment in the series. Howell was one of two final actors in the running for the lead role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985); the other was Eric Stoltz. Ultimately, Michael J. Fox was cast as Marty after Stoltz was deemed wrong for the part. In 1986, Howell was a hitchhiker's target in the film The Hitcher. He also starred in the sequel, which was released in 2003. In 1986, Howell starred in Soul Man, a film in which Howell appears in Blackface. Rounding out the 1980s , Howell played the young Arturo Toscanini in Franco Zeffirelli's 1988 film Young Toscanini.

Biography from TMDB.

Born: December 7, 1966 (59)
From: Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as: Actor, also director, producer and writer
Titles: 133 on MovieCove · 211 credits in all
Links: IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 19% in 30 days

What are C. Thomas Howell's films like?

Across their 99 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action31 titles7^th

Drama20 titles27^th

Comedy16 titles22^nd

Biography5 titles49^th

Crime5 titles19^th

Adventure3 titles27^th

Animation3 titles80^th

Horror3 titles5^th

Thriller3 titles26^th

Documentary2 titles90^th

Family2 titles34^th

Mystery2 titles43^rd

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

27%

Survival

24%

Bonds

20%

Self

15%

Society

Power

Ideas

Survival27 Justice21 Family bonds23 Purpose10 Redemption10 Romantic love10 Friendship9 Deception9

What they feel like to watch

their average across 96 films

ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category

Earnest

Tone · Sincerity

ironicearnest

Ironic 3 · Wry 3 · Earnest 90

Serious

Tone · Weight

lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 40 · Serious 29 · Dark 27

Grounded

Tone · Style

naturalisticheightened

Grounded 69 · Stylized 24 · Heightened 3

Charged

Feel · Intensity

gentleintense

Gentle 23 · Charged 49 · Intense 24

Shifting

Feel · Swings

steadyswings

Steady 44 · Shifting 47 · Whiplash 5

Straight-faced

Feel · Humor

noneconstant

Straight-faced 62 · Some laughs 25 · Funny 9

Even-paced

Demand · Pace

slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 45 · Even-paced 44 · Relentless 7

Casual

Demand · Attention

casualfull focus

Casual 62 · Engaged 27 · Full focus 7

Affecting

Demand · Emotional cost

easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 41 · Affecting 40 · Heavy 15

Resolved

Demand · Resolution

resolvedambiguous

Resolved 80 · Open-ended 11 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

61 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 31 of 61 analyzed roles.

Hero

31 of 61

Shadow

10 of 61

Threshold guardian

4 of 61

Herald

4 of 61

Mentor

4 of 61

Shapeshifter

3 of 61

Ally

3 of 61

Trickster

2 of 61

Show the 61 roles

Heroas Ponyboy Curtis in The Outsiders (1983)
Shapeshifteras Billy in Tank (1984)
Heroas Michael Ryan in Secret Admirer (1985)
Heroas Jim Halsey in The Hitcher (1986)
Heroas Mark Watson in Soul Man (1986)
Tricksteras Mark Watson in Soul Man (1986)
Heroas Bubber in A Tiger's Tale (1987)
Heroas Monroe Clark in Side Out (1990)
Heroas Kid in Kid (1990)
Heroas Jack Stone in Nickel & Dime (1992)
Heroas Egan in To Protect and Serve (1992)
Shapeshifteras Egan in To Protect and Serve (1992)
Heroas Sergeant Lee Teffler in Jailbait (1993)
Shadowas Carl in Teresa's Tattoo (1994)
Allyas Mike Stone in Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1995)
Heroas Jim Lomax in Dangerous Indiscretion (1995)
Heroas Oscar Bonsetter in Payback (1995)
Heroas Michael Jardine in Hourglass (1995)
Heroas Baby Face Nelson in Baby Face Nelson (1996)
Heroas Mark Goddard in The Sweeper (1996)
Heroas Blaise Rybeck in The Big Fall (1997)
Heroas Detective Mick Cullen in Sealed with a Kiss (1998)
Threshold guardianas Valentino in The Million Dollar Kid (2000)
Shadowas Dean Riley in Lawless: Dead Evidence (2001)
Allyas Joss McKinley in Askari (2001)
Heroas Sheriff Lyndon Harris in Killer Bees (2002)
Heraldas Jim in The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting (2003)
Threshold guardianas Jim Powell in Ordinary Miracles (2005)
Heroas Curtis in Glass Trap (2005)
Heroas George Herbert in War of the Worlds (2005)
Shadowas Clayton Connelly in Hoboken Hollow (2006)
Heroas Michael Archer in The Da Vinci Treasure (2006)
Heroas Josh Myron in The Day the Earth Stopped (2008)
Shadowas Cody Sullivan in Big Game (2008)
Heroas David in Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood! (2008)
Heroas Thomas in House of Fallen (2008)
Shadowas Horn in A Gunfighter's Pledge (2008)
Heroas George Herbert in War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave (2008)
Heroas Frost Michaels in The Land That Time Forgot (2009)
Shadowas Officer Dewey Dudek in Southland (2009)
Heroas Sheriff Ken Beaumont in Camel Spiders (2011)
Heroas Paul Jordan in Escape (2012)
Shadowas Delbert Furgeson in Lost on Purpose (2013)
Heraldas Double in MoniKa (2013)
Allyas Double in MoniKa (2013)
Mentoras Jack in Don't Pass Me By (2013)
Threshold guardianas Mitch in Storm Rider (2013)
Shadowas Eobard Thawne / Professor Zoom in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)
Heroas Charlie DuPuis in Category 5 (2014)
Shadowas Rad in Rescuing Madison (2014)
Mentoras Nathan in Advance & Retreat (2016)
Heraldas Nathan in Advance & Retreat (2016)
Threshold guardianas Robert Crawford in Disconnected (2017)
Shadowas Eobard Thawne in Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)
Shapeshifteras Carter in Dirty Dealing 3D (2018)
Tricksteras Jenkins in Shifting Gears (2018)
Heraldas Ted in The Rack Pack (2018)
Mentoras Jim Craft in Urban Country (2018)
Mentoras Dr. Eric Peselowe in The Wrong Path (2021)
Heroas John Hawkins in Ride (2024)
Heroas Stanley Dixon in One Mile: Chapter One (2026)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense

Melancholic

Warm

Hopeful

Thrilling

Other

How their films linger

Hopeful39 Bittersweet39 Feel-good29 Fun23 Unsettling21 Thought-provoking14

How their films end · 16 with a twist

Happy35
Bittersweet48
Tragic3
Ambiguous11
Cyclical2

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 C. Thomas Howell's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 97 of their 133 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (46).

Also on these channels

UP Faith & Family6 titles, show their 6 titles on UP Faith & Family
Howdy5 titles, show their 5 titles on Howdy
Midnight Pulp4 titles, show their 4 titles on Midnight Pulp
IndiePix Unlimited2 titles, show their 2 titles on IndiePix Unlimited
Shout! TV2 titles, show their 2 titles on Shout! TV
Cinemax1 title, show their title on Cinemax
Indie Club1 title, show their title on Indie Club
Kino Film Collection1 title, show their title on Kino Film Collection
Lifetime Movie Club1 title, show their title on Lifetime Movie Club
MovieSphere+1 title, show their title on MovieSphere+
PixL1 title, show their title on PixL
Wonder Project1 title, show their title on Wonder Project

Subscription and free streaming for C. Thomas Howell'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

211 credits, 133 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

One Mile: Chapter Two(2026)
as Stanley Dixon
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films
One Mile: Chapter One(2026)
as Stanley Dixon
Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films
Where the Wind Blows(2025)
as Nathan
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Reagan(2024)
as Caspar Weinberger
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
Ride(2024)
as John Hawkins
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
The Open Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)
as Mr. Sapp
Obliterated(2023)
Show 8 episodes · as Hagerty
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows
Old Dads(2023)
as Ed Cameron
Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films
Will Trent(2023)
Show 1 episode · as Warden Sturgill Hardly
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows
1923(2022)
Show 3 episodes · as Anders
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
Crimson Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
as Frank
Because We're Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)
as Peter
The Wrong Path(2021)
as Dr. Eric Peselowe
Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
Beast Mode (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
as Breen Nash
Dauntless: The Battle of Midway(2019)
as Captain Miles Browning
Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
Creepshow(2019)
Show 1 episode · as Sam Spinster
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows
Control (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)
as Control (voice)
The Good Cop(2018)
Show 1 episode · as Businessman
Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows
Urban Country(2018)
as Jim Craft
Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films
Detroit Under S.T.R.E.S.S. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)
as Narrator
Dirty Dealing 3D(2018)
as Carter
Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
The Rack Pack(2018)
as Ted
Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films
Rich Boy, Rich Girl(2018)
as Blake
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Deadman Standing(2018)
as The Stranger
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
The Terror(2018)
Show 5 episodes · as Major Bowen
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows
Shifting Gears(2018)
as Jenkins
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay(2018)
as Zoom (voice)
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films
The Punisher(2017)
Show 3 episodes · as Carson Wolf
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows
LBJ(2016)
as Walter Jenkins
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
A Question of Faith(2017)
as John Danielson
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
SEAL Team(2017)
Show 12 episodes · as Ash Spenser
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows
Mac Daddy's Vegas Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
Actor
Disconnected(2017)
as Robert Crawford
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
The Shadow People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)
as Kaine
My B.F.F. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
as Ben Wilkins
Advance & Retreat(2016)
as Nathan Shapiro
Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films
MacGyver(2016)
Show 1 episode · as Vasil
Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows
Attack of the Killer Donuts(2016)
as Officer Roberts
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Blood Lust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)
as Ryan
Magic Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Tom Worthy
A Christmas Eve Miracle(2015)
Executive Producer · as Jack Carter
Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films
Woodlawn(2015)
as George 'Shorty' White
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films
The Sin Seer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Detective Riggers
Lazarus Rising (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Silent Cal
Ties That Bind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
Show 1 episode · as Mr. Witherspoon
Rivers 9 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Sheriff Quentin
Justice League: Gods and Monsters(2015)
as Dr. Will Magnus (voice)
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films
Stitchers(2015)
Show 5 episodes · as Daniel Stinger
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows
Spirit Riders(2015)
Producer · as Keith
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Borrowed Moments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)
as Jack
Bosch(2014)
Show 3 episodes · as Louis Degner
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
A Magic Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Executive Producer · as Jack Carter
Fruits De Mer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Actor
Confessions of a Womanizer(2014)
as Tony
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Rescuing Madison(2014)
as Rad
Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films
Category 5(2014)
as Charlie DuPuis
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Bigfoot Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
as Zeke
Christmas Belle(2013)
as Rex Everhart
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Storm Rider(2013)
as Mitch Fielding
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Lost on Purpose(2013)
as Delbert Furgeson
Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films
The Blacklist(2013)
Show 2 episodes · as Earl Fagen
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows
Sleepy Hollow(2013)
Show 1 episode · as SAC Mick Granger
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox(2013)
as Professor Zoom / Thawne (voice)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Don't Pass Me By(2013)
as Jack
Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films
An Amish Murder(2013)
as Nathan Detrick
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
MoniKa(2013)
as Double
Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films
Chilly Christmas(2012)
as Patrick Cole
Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
Revolution(2012)
Show 1 episode · as Bounty Hunter
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows
Home Invasion(2012)
as Ray
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
The Amazing Spider-Man(2012)
as Jack's Father
Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
Wedding Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
as Russ
Longmire(2012)
Show 1 episode · as Ray Stewart
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
Escape(2012)
as Paul Jordan
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
Grimm(2011)
Show 5 episodes · as Weston Steward
Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows
Restitution(2011)
as John Youngstown
Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films
Alphas(2011)
Show 1 episode · as Eli Aquino
Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows
Cross(2011)
as Jake
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Camel Spiders(2011)
as Sheriff Beaumont
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
The Walking Dead(2010)
Show 2 episodes · as Hilltop Resident · as Roy
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
Blue Bloods(2010)
Show 1 episode · as Alex Polanski
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows
Hawaii Five-0(2010)
Show 1 episode · as Martin Cordova
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows
The Genesis Code (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
Director
The Glades(2010)
Show 1 episode · as Peyton Robinson
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows
Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood!(2008)
as David
Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films
Fight or Flight(2010)
as Chief Grasso
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Cupid's Arrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)
as Professor Grimes
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love(2009)
as Alumnus Guy #2
Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
The Grind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
as Luke
The Land That Time Forgot(2009)
Director · as Frost Michaels
Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
The Jailhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)
as Seth Delray
Southland(2009)
Show 14 episodes · as Officer Dewey Dudek
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows
Castle(2009)
Show 1 episode · as John Campbell
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
CMT's All Jacked Up(2009)
Show Producer
Mia's Father(2009)
Actor
Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films
The Day the Earth Stopped(2008)
Director · as Josh Myron
Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
A Gunfighter's Pledge(2008)
as Horn
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Sons of Anarchy(2008)
Show 1 episode · as Agent Frank Eagan
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
Big Game(2008)
as Sully
Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
Celebracadabra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
Show 9 episodes · Actor
House of Fallen(2008)
as Thomas
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
Toxic(2008)
as LIttle Joe
Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave(2008)
Director · as George Herbert
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
The Thirst: Blood War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
as Jed
Xenophobia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
as Stone
The Haunting of Marsten Manor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
as Captain Williams
Cold Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
as K.C. Corcoran
Fighting Words (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)
as David Settles
Torchwood(2006)
Show 1 episode · as The Gentleman
Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows
Psych(2006)
Show 1 episode · as Camden Driggs
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
The Da Vinci Treasure(2006)
as Michael Archer
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
Hoboken Hollow(2006)
as Clayton Connelly
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
The Poseidon Adventure(2005)
as Doctor Ballard
Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
Criminal Minds(2005)
Show 7 episodes · as The Reaper / George Foyet
Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows
Glass Trap(2005)
as Curtis
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
War of the Worlds(2005)
as George Herbert
Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films
The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
as Coach Fielding
Crimson Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
as Capt. Baskin
The Lost Angel(2005)
as Kuratha
Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
Blind Injustice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Producer · Story
Ordinary Miracles(2005)
as Jim Powell
Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films
The Hillside Strangler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as Kenneth Bianchi
A Killer Within(2004)
as Addison Terrill
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films
Summerland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
Show 2 episodes · as Kyle Bale
Zolar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as Hedion
Nursie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)
as Zack
Hidalgo(2004)
as Preston Webb
Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting(2003)
as Jim Halsey
Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
The Hitcher: How Do These Movies Get Made? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Actor
Gods and Generals(2003)
as Sgt. Thomas Chamberlain
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
Net Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
as Adam Vance
Killer Bees(2002)
as Sheriff Lyndon Harris
Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
Hope Ranch(2002)
Producer · Screenplay
Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films
WillFull (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
as Nat Wolff
Night of the Wolf(2002)
as Sheriff Wade Messer
Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
Askari(2001)
as Joss Mckinley
Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films
Asylum Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
as Nathan Devine
24(2001)
Show 2 episodes · as Barry Landes
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows
XCU: Extreme Close Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
as Geoffrey Liddy
Separate Ways (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
as Tom Milton
Burning Down the House(2001)
as Concierge
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Lawless: Dead Evidence(2001)
as Dean Riley
Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films
The District (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 1 episode · as Chris Gunner
Son of the Beach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)
Show 1 episode · Actor
The Million Dollar Kid(2000)
as Valentino
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
Hot Boyz(2000)
as Officer Roberts
Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
The Prince and the Surfer(1999)
as Dean
Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films
Amazon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 22 episodes · as Dr. Alex Kennedy
Twice in a Lifetime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
Show 1 episode · as Tony Tremaine / Phil Barlow
Escape from Alaska (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Jack
The Glass Jar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Lanois
Fatal Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Malcolm 'Mack' Maddox
Red Team (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as J.B. Gaines
Cybermaster: Shepherd II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Dakota
Enemy Action (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as John Reed
Hitman's Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)
as Tom Holly
Charades(1998)
as Evan
Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
Matter of Trust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
as Michael D'Angelo
V.I.P. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
Show 1 episode · as Phil Sherman
The Shepherd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
as Boris Dakota
Sealed with a Kiss(1998)
as Detective Mick Cullen
Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Last Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Aaron
The Big Fall(1997)
Director · as Blaise Rybeck
Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films
Sleeping Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Sanchez Boon
Dead Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Tucker
Laws of Deception (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Evan Marino
Hourglass(1995)
Director · Screenplay · as Michael Jardine
Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
Dilemma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)
as Thomas 'Quin' Quinlan
Pure Danger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Director · as Johnie Dean
The Sweeper(1996)
as Mark Goddard
Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films
Kindred: The Embraced (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Show 8 episodes · as Det. Frank Kohanek
Baby Face Nelson(1996)
as Baby Face Nelson
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Mad Dogs and Englishmen(1995)
as Mike
Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films
The Outer Limits(1995)
Show 1 episode · as Capt. Miles Davidow
Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows
Dangerous Indiscretion(1995)
as Jim Lomax
Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films
Payback(1995)
as Oscar Bonsetter
Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Suspect Device (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)
as Dan Jericho
ER(1994)
Show 1 episode · as Vincent Jansen
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows
Teresa's Tattoo(1994)
as Carl
Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films
Natural Selection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)
as Ben Braden / Alex Connelly
Jailbait(1993)
as Sergeant Lee Teffler
Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films
Gettysburg(1993)
as Lieut. Thomas D. Chamberlain
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films
Treacherous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
as Micky Stewert
Tattle Tale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
as Bernard Sprat
Acting on Impulse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)
as Paul Stevens
To Protect and Serve(1992)
as Egan
Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films
Breaking the Rules(1992)
as Gene Michaels
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films
That Night(1992)
as Rick
Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films
Nickel & Dime(1992)
as Jack Stone
Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films
Kid(1990)
as Kid
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Curiosity Kills (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
as Cat Thomas
Far Out Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)
as C. Thomas Howell
Side Out(1990)
as Monroe Clark
Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films
The Eyes of the Panther (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
as Jenner Brading
Nightmare Classics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Show 4 episodes · as Jenner Brading
The Return of the Musketeers(1989)
as Raoul
Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films
Young Toscanini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)
as Arturo Toscanini
A Tiger's Tale(1987)
as Bubber Drumm
Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films
Into the Homeland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)
as Tripp Wilson
Soul Man(1986)
as Mark Watson
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films
The Hitcher(1986)
as Jim Halsey
Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films
Secret Admirer(1985)
as Michael Ryan
Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films
Moonlighting(1985)
Show 1 episode · as Waiter (uncredited)
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows
Red Dawn(1984)
as Robert
Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films
Grandview, U.S.A.(1984)
as Tim Pearson
Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films
Tank(1984)
as Billy
Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films
The Hitchhiker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)
Show 1 episode · as Gerald
The Outsiders(1983)
as Ponyboy Curtis
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial(1982)
as Tyler
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Night of the Juggler(1980)
Stunts
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
The Greatest Actress in the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor
The Horseman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99^th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 210 titles, 208 of them dated from 1980 to 2026; peak year 1985.

Biggest box office

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

$797M worldwide

Highest rated

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Midcredits 99^th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout

19802026

Peak 1985 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 31 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

1982Screen debut· E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1983First top-billed film· The Outsiders
1983Breakout· The Outsiders
2009Career best· Southland

By role

only this rolewith another role

Acting206 of 210 · 31^stDirecting7 of 210 · 2^ndWriting3 of 210Producing4 of 210Other crew1 of 210

210 titles, 10 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 6 of them.

By decade

1980s17 · 16 acting · 1 crew1990s47 · 47 acting · 3 crew2000s58 · 56 acting · 5 crew2010s72 · 71 acting · 3 crew2020s14 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 28% of 50 roles

38%

50%

25%

50%

10%

828797071217

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do C. Thomas Howell's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 24^th percentile, the median of all 101; across their 96 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 22^nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

22^ndpercentile

Typical film, the median of 96

Approval · how many liked their films

27^thpercentile

Typical film, the median of 96

Reach · how many have seen their films

51^stpercentile

Typical film, the median of 96

Midcredits score across 132 titles, by percentile

75^th and up31
50^th to 74^th19
25^th to 49^th30
Below 25^th52

Shape of the crowd

63 of their 132 titles are Mixed.

Universally Loved17
Universally Panned2
Divisive7
Cult Classic11
Crowd Pleaser30
Broadly Agreed2
Mixed63

Most divisive · actor

The Wrong Path (2021)

98^th percentile spread · 50% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)

Midcredits 99^th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 49/100 in their films, across 89 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 28. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

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 C. Thomas Howell's work okay for kids?

Across up to 26 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles

Violence & Gore14 titles28–90 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most films

Sex & Nudity26 titles13–62 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all films

Profanity14 titles33–68 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all films

Alcohol & Drugs12 titles30–82 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all films

Frightening / Intense14 titles33–71 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most films

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.