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Larry Cohen

Larry Cohen

Writer, director and producer, also actor · Died March 23, 2019, aged 77 · Kingston, New York, USA

Lawrence George Cohen (July 15, 1941 – March 23, 2019) was an American screenwriter, producer, and director of film and television, best known as a B-movie auteur of horror and science fiction films — often containing police procedural and satirical elements — during the 1970s and 1980s, such as It's Alive (1974), God Told Me To (1976), It Lives Again (1978), The Stuff (1985) and A Return to Salem's Lot (1987). After that, he concentrated mainly on screenwriting, including Phone Booth (2002), Cellular (2004) and Captivity (2007). Description above from the Wikipedia article Larry Cohen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 15, 1941
Died
March 23, 2019 (aged 77)
From
Kingston, New York, USA
Works as
Writer, director and producer, also actor
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 79 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 39% in 30 days

What are Larry Cohen's films like?

Across their 53 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Crime10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 12th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Horror6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Documentary5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Thriller3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Thriller 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
35%
Bonds
14%
Self
14%
Survival
13%
Power
12%
Society
8%
Ideas
5%
Justice17 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception15 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge9 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 53 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 15 · Serious 17 · Dark 21

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 29 · Stylized 18 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 25 · Intense 20

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

Steady 24 · Shifting 24 · Whiplash 5

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

Straight-faced 34 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 6

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

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 32 · Relentless 8

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

A split, not a type: Casual 25 · Engaged 23 · Full focus 5

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 24 · Affecting 25 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 39 · Open-ended 12 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
46
Dread
16
Thrilling
14
Absurd
11
Melancholic
12
Other
33

How their films linger

Unsettling22 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 12 with a twist

  • Happy14
  • Bittersweet20
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous15

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 Larry Cohen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (28).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Larry Cohen'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

79 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page; 27 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Scripting a New Slasher Super-Villain: Larry Cohen on Matt Cordell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Messages Deleted(2010)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • It's Alive(2009)

    Characters · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger(2009)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Connected(2008)

    Original Story

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Captivity(2007)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Pick Me Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Masters of Horror(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Cellular(2004)

    Story

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Phone Booth(2002)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Misbegotten(1997)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Defenders: Choice of Evils(1998)

    Story · Teleplay

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Heatwave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Teleplay

  • The Ex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Screenplay

  • Invasion of Privacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Writer

  • Uncle Sam(1996)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Original Gangstas(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Ice(1996)

    Teleplay

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

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

    Characters

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

    Show Creator

  • The Expert(1995)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • As Good as Dead(1995)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Der Tourist(1996)

    Original Story

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Body Snatchers(1993)

    Screenstory

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Guilty as Sin(1993)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence(1992)

    Co-Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Maniac Cop 2(1990)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Ambulance(1990)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Wicked Stepmother(1989)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Desperado: Avalanche at Devil's Ridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Writer

  • Desperado: Avalanche at Devil's Ridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Writer

  • Maniac Cop(1988)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Deadly Illusion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director · Writer

  • Best Seller(1987)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • A Return to Salem's Lot(1987)

    Director · Executive Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • It's Alive III: Island of the Alive(1987)

    Director · Characters · Executive Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Spies Like Us(1985)

    as Ace Tomato Agent

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Stuff(1985)

    Director · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Special Effects(1984)

    Director · Writer · as Journalist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Perfect Strangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director · Writer

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

    Story

  • Women of San Quentin(1983)

    Story

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Q: The Winged Serpent(1982)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • I, the Jury(1982)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Full Moon High(1981)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • See China and Die(1981)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The American Success Company(1979)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • It Lives Again(1978)

    Director · Characters · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Sparrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Creator

  • The Case of the Baltimore Girls(1978)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover(1977)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Calling Doctor Storm, M.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Writer

  • God Told Me To(1976)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Man on the Outside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Writer

  • Posse(1975)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore(1974)

    Production Executive

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • It's Alive(1974)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Shootout in a One Dog Town(1974)

    Story

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Hell Up in Harlem(1973)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Black Caesar(1973)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Cool Million (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Creator · Story · Writer

  • Bone(1972)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

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

    Set Designer

  • In Broad Daylight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Writer

  • El Condor(1970)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Daddy's Gone A-Hunting(1969)

    Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Scream Baby Scream(1969)

    Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Custer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Idea

  • Coronet Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show Creator

  • The Invaders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show Creator

  • I Deal in Danger(1966)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Return of the Seven(1966)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Branded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show Creator

  • Espionage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Writer

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Story · Writer

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 9 episodes · Writer

  • Delusion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer · Writer

  • Maniac Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Original Film Writer

Career shape

A full career of 78 titles, 76 of them dated from 1961 to 2011.

Biggest box office

Phone Booth (2002)

$98M worldwide

Highest rated

In Search of Darkness (2019)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Cellular (2004)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting3 of 78: 2 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting22 of 78: 3 only directing, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score37thWriting66 of 78: 42 only writing, 24 with another role · typical Midcredits score30thProducing18 of 78: 0 only producing, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score37thOther crew8 of 78: 7 only other crew, 1 with another role

78 titles, 24 with more than one role — writing and directing overlap on 19 of them.

By decade

1960s11 · crew1970s17 · crew1980s19 · 2 acting · 18 crew1990s19 · crew2000s8 · crew2010s2 · 1 acting · 1 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 Larry Cohen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 33rd percentile, the median of all 50; across their 53 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 53

Approval · how many liked their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 53

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 53

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th19

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 52 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned3
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed10
  • Mixed27

Most divisive · director, writer, producer

Wicked Stepmother (1989)

83rd percentile spread · 53% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · writer

Shootout in a One Dog Town (1974)

Midcredits 81st · 67% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 49/100 and the plot and story 42/100 in their films, across 47 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 Larry Cohen's work okay for kids?

Across up to 21 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore14 titles61–90 · median 75 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity21 titles21–64 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity13 titles38–88 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles21–41 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense11 titles53–80 · median 64 · 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 Larry Cohen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Larry Cohen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Dixon shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles