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Joel Gallen

Joel Gallen

Director and producer

Primetime Emmy winner · 2 other major award bodies

Joel Gallen is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He has produced the MTV Movie Awards between 1995 and 2006,  as well as many of the Comedy Central Roasts. Gallen directed the film Not Another Teen Movie. He received a Prime Time Emmy and a Peabody for his work on America: A Tribute to Heroes. He has his own production company called Tenth Planet Productions. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joel Gallen, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Works as
Director and producer
Titles
30 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 155 days to Oct 26Up 54% in 30 days

What are Joel Gallen's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Self.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 87th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Music7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Music 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
Society
54%
Self
16%
Ideas
11%
Survival
8%
Morality
6%
Bonds
5%
Community15 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame5 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 21 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

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

Grounded 22 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 13 · Charged 11 · Intense 1

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

Steady 20 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 12

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 25 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
19
Warm
16
Hopeful
5
Absurd
5
Melancholic
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Feel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy17
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical4
  • Other1

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 Joel Gallen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Subscription and free streaming for Joel Gallen'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, 30 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Paul Simon: The Quiet Celebration Concert(2026)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony(2025)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • FireAid Benefit Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Director

  • 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony(2024)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval(2024)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Director

  • Foo Fighters: Preparing Music for Concerts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Creative Director · Executive Producer

  • A Grammy Salute to the Beach Boys(2023)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Chris Rock: Selective Outrage(2023)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony(2022)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Taylor Hawkins: Tribute Concert(2022)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Director

  • iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2020 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Fox Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert for America(2020)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • The Cold Open (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director

  • Historical Roasts(2019)

    Show Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Ellen DeGeneres: Relatable(2018)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director

  • Dixie Chicks - DCX MMXVI Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Executive Producer

  • Everybody Has an Andy Dick Story(2017)

    Producer · as Self

  • Pete Davidson: SMD(2016)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Director

  • The Goddamn Comedy Jam(2016)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Drake Sather: The Man Who Created Zoolander (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle(2016)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director

  • The Concert for Valor(2014)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Comedy Central Roast of James Franco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • Give It Up for Greg Giraldo(2011)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Comedy Central Roast of Donald Trump (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director

  • Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • crosby stills nash rock and roll hall of fame concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief(2010)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Sing-Off(2009)

    Show 20 episodes · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert(2009)

    Director · Executive Co-Producer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Greg Giraldo: Midlife Vices(2009)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • America's Best Dance Crew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 56 episodes · Producer

  • Not Another High School Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Last Laugh '05 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Santana: In Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Producer

  • Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Tankman Begins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Dave Attell's Insomniac Tour: Uncensored! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Last Laugh '04 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director

  • Chris Rock: Never Scared(2004)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour(2004)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Comedy Central Roasts(2003)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Ellen DeGeneres: Here and Now(2003)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • MTV Reloaded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director

  • Dixie Chicks: An Evening with the Dixie Chicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Producer

  • Car Ride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Not Another Teen Movie(2001)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Zoolander(2001)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • America: A Tribute to Heroes(2001)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Mission: Improbable (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning(2000)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Sex and the Matrix (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • Santana: Supernatural Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Producer

  • Mariah Carey's Homecoming Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Eric Clapton & Friends in Concert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • Heart: The Road Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Keep the Faith: An Evening with Bon Jovi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Pauly Does Dallas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Bruce Springsteen: In Concert/MTV (Un)Plugged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Producer

  • Pearl Jam: MTV Unplugged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Slash & Burn: The Freddy Krueger Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Executive Producer

  • MTV's 10th Anniversary Special(1991)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Paul McCartney: Unplugged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Producer

Career shape

A full career of 73 titles from 1991 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

$66M worldwide

Highest rated

Chris Rock: Never Scared (2004)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 73: 1 only acting, 0 with another roleDirecting61 of 73: 41 only directing, 20 with another role · typical Midcredits score81stWriting1 of 73: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing31 of 73: 9 only producing, 22 with another role · typical Midcredits score72ndOther crew1 of 73: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

73 titles, 22 with more than one role — directing and producing overlap on 20 of them.

By decade

1990s10 · crew2000s30 · crew2010s20 · 1 acting · 19 crew2020s13 · 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 2 other major awards from 18 major nominations, 1994–2024.

WinNomination
  1. 2024
    • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials
  2. 2023
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
  3. 2014
    • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports - Specials
  4. 2013
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Informational Series or Special
  5. 2010
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated ×2 · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety
  6. 2007
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
  7. 2004
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated ×2 · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
  8. 2002
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program
    • +2 other major bodies · 2 wins
      • Directors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety
      • Producers Guild Award, won
Show 2 earlier years
  1. 2001
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
  2. 1994
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Individual Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences

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 Joel Gallen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 76th percentile, the median of the 25 of 26 with a score; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 79th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 29 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Divisive8
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · producer

The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour (2004)

98th percentile spread · 64% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, producer

Taylor Hawkins: Tribute Concert (2022)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 62/100 and the pacing 47/100 in their films, across 10 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.

Who does Joel Gallen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joel Gallen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bill DeRonde shares the most, 14.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles