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Wally Pfister

Wally Pfister

Cinematographer, also director and actor · Born July 8, 1961 (65) · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Oscar winner · BAFTA Award nominee · 2 other major award bodies

Walter C. Pfister (born July 8, 1961) is an American director and former cinematographer, who is best known for his work with filmmaker Christopher Nolan. Some of his collaborations with Nolan include Memento (2000), The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012), and Inception (2010). For his work on Inception, Pfister won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography and received a BAFTA Award nomination. Description above from the Wikipedia article Wally Pfister, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 8, 1961 (65)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Cinematographer, also director and actor
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 59 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 15% in 30 days

What are Wally Pfister's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 99th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th 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
Morality
39%
Self
25%
Bonds
14%
Ideas
8%
Survival
5%
Society
5%
Power
4%
Deception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 24 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 4 · Serious 8 · Dark 12

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

Grounded 11 · Stylized 11 · 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 2 · Charged 10 · Intense 12

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 5

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

Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 15 · 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 8 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 6

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 14 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
14
Dread
8
Thrilling
7
Warm
5
Other
16

How their films linger

Thought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous6

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 Wally Pfister's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Wally Pfister'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

59 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Tick(2016)

    Show 22 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Flaked(2016)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Transcendence(2014)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Turbo(2013)

    Other

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Dark Knight Rises(2012)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Moneyball(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Inception(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Dark Knight(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Prestige(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Slow Burn(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Batman Begins(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Italian Job(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Laurel Canyon(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Insomnia(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Rustin(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Scotland, Pa.(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

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

    Cinematographer

  • Memento(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Sharing the Secret(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Hi-Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Cinematographer

  • The Million Dollar Hotel(2000)

    "B" Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Stuart Little(1999)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Instinct(1999)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Breakfast with Einstein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Rhapsody in Bloom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Cinematographer

  • Mousehunt(1997)

    Camera Operator · Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • A Kid in Aladdin's Palace(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery(1997)

    Additional Photography

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Phenomenon(1996)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Unstrung Heroes(1995)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Granny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Cinematographer

  • While You Were Sleeping(1995)

    Camera Operator

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Object of Obsession(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Stranger by Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Secret Games 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Animal Instincts 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Mirror Images II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Cinematographer

  • Amityville: A New Generation(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

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

    Cinematographer

  • Meals on Wheels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Inside Out 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Animal Instincts(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Inside Out 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Night Rhythms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Leather Jackets(1991)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Inside Out 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Secret Games (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Sketch Artist(1992)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • In the Heat of Passion(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Lower Level (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Barbara Stanwyck: Fire and Desire(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Inside Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • The Unborn(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Prayer of the Rollerboys(1990)

    Additional Camera

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Naked Obsession (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Additional Photography

  • Slumber Party Massacre III(1990)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Body Chemistry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

  • Streets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Additional Director of Photography

  • After Midnight(1989)

    Grip

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 58 titles from 1989 to 2016.

Biggest box office

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

$1.1B worldwide

Highest rated

The Dark Knight (2008)

Midcredits 99th

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing2 of 58: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 58: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleCinematography45 of 58: 42 only cinematography, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdOther crew14 of 58: 11 only other crew, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

58 titles, 4 with more than one role — cinematography and other crew overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1980s1 · crew1990s37 · crew2000s14 · crew2010s6 · 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

an Oscar and 1 other major award from 8 major nominations, 2002–2011.

WinNomination
  1. 2011
    • Oscar, won · Best Achievement in Cinematography
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Cinematography
  2. 2009
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Achievement in Cinematography
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  3. 2007
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Achievement in Cinematography
  4. 2006
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Achievement in Cinematography
  5. 2002
    • 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 Wally Pfister's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 24 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 24

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Reach · how many have seen their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · cinematographer

Rustin (2001)

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

Most loved · cinematographer

The Dark Knight (2008)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 67/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

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 Wally Pfister's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 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 & Gore10 titles34–66 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity14 titles10–59 · median 27 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles30–75 · median 43 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles29–44 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles29–73 · median 61 · intenseheavier 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 Wally Pfister work with?

People who share at least 2 of Wally Pfister's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Christopher Nolan shares the most, 8.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles