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Barry Sonnenfeld

Barry Sonnenfeld

Producer, director and cinematographer · Born April 1, 1953 (73) · New York City, New York, USA

Primetime Emmy winner · 3 other major award bodies

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Barry Sonnenfeld (born April 1, 1953) is an American filmmaker and television director. He worked as cinematographer for the Coen Brothers, then later he directed and produced big budget films such as Men in Black. Description above from the Wikipedia article Barry Sonnenfeld, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 1, 1953 (73)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Producer, director and cinematographer
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 49 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 33% in 30 days

What are Barry Sonnenfeld's films like?

Across their 30 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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
Bonds
40%
Self
30%
Morality
15%
Power
8%
Survival
4%
Ideas
3%
Society
1%
Family bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 29 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 25 · Serious 0 · Dark 4

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 10

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

Gentle 9 · Charged 15 · Intense 5

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 6

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

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 19

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

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 7

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

Casual 20 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 27 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
15
Absurd
14
Tense
9
Thrilling
9
Warm
8
Other
22

How their films linger

Feel-good20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1

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 Barry Sonnenfeld's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Paramount+ (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Barry Sonnenfeld'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

49 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 25 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Disenchanted(2022)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Schmigadoon!(2021)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Men in Black: International(2019)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • A Series of Unfortunate Events(2017)

    Show 10 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · as Ike Anwhistle · as Mr. Tamerlane (voice)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Tick(2016)

    Show 22 episodes · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Nine Lives(2016)

    Director · as Cat (voice)

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • An Honest Liar(2014)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Men in Black 3(2012)

    Director · as Husband Watching Launch

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Space Chimps(2008)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Enchanted(2007)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Pushing Daisies(2007)

    Show 22 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Notes from the Underbelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 23 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

  • RV(2006)

    Director · as Irv

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • A Series of Unfortunate Events(2004)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Ladykillers(2004)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Men in Black II(2002)

    Director · as Neuralyzed Father

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Big Trouble(2002)

    Director · Producer · as Confused Sports Radio Call In (voice)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Tick(2001)

    Show 9 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Crew(2000)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Secret Agent Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 13 episodes · Creator · Producer

  • Wild Wild West(1999)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Maximum Bob (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 7 episodes · Director · Producer

  • Out of Sight(1998)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Men in Black(1997)

    Director · as Alien on TV Monitor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Get Shorty(1995)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Doorman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Addams Family Values(1993)

    Director · as Mr. Glicker

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • For Love or Money(1993)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Addams Family(1991)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Barton Fink(1991)

    as Page Calling for Barton Fink (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Misery(1990)

    Cinematographer · Second Unit Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Miller's Crossing(1990)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Ho-Hum (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • When Harry Met Sally...(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Big(1988)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Throw Momma from the Train(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Three O'Clock High(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Raising Arizona(1987)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Wisdom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Additional Photography

  • Home of the Brave: A Film by Laurie Anderson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Projection

  • Classified Love(1986)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Welcome Home, Bobby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Cinematographer

  • Doubletake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Cinematographer

  • Compromising Positions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Cinematographer

  • Blood Simple(1984)

    Cinematographer · as Marty's Vomiting (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • How to Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days(1984)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Violated (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Additional Photography

  • The Wilder Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • In Our Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Camera Operator

  • Beverly Hills Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Creator

Career shape

A full career of 48 titles, 47 of them dated from 1982 to 2022.

Biggest box office

Men in Black 3 (2012)

$654M worldwide

Highest rated

Misery (1990)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Ladykillers (2004)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting12 of 48: 2 only acting, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score79thDirecting18 of 48: 2 only directing, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score71stProducing19 of 48: 9 only producing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thCinematography14 of 48: 11 only cinematography, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score91stOther crew9 of 48: 4 only other crew, 5 with another role

48 titles, 20 with more than one role — producing and directing overlap on 9 of them.

By decade

1980s17 · 2 acting · 16 crew1990s11 · 4 acting · 10 crew2000s12 · 3 acting · 12 crew2010s5 · 3 acting · 5 crew2020s2 · 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.

Awards

a Primetime Emmy and 1 other major award from 8 major nominations, 1986–2020.

WinNomination
  1. 2020
    • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs
  2. 2019
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Children's Program
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs
  3. 2018
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Children's Program
  4. 2008
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Directors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
  5. 1996
    • Berlinale award, nominated
  6. 1986
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Cinematography

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 Barry Sonnenfeld's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 74th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 29 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 74th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Approval · how many liked their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Reach · how many have seen their films

97thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 29

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 37 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · cinematographer

Classified Love (1986)

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

Most loved · cinematographer

Misery (1990)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 67/100 and the pacing 56/100 in their films, across 28 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 Barry Sonnenfeld's work okay for kids?

Across up to 24 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore22 titles21–72 · median 51 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity24 titles19–44 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity24 titles23–70 · median 46 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs22 titles12–49 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense21 titles11–59 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all 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 Barry Sonnenfeld work with?

People who share at least 2 of Barry Sonnenfeld's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Graham Place shares the most, 8.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers