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Tom McCarthy

Tom McCarthy

Actor, writer, director and producer · Born June 7, 1966 (60) · New Providence, New Jersey, USA

Oscar winner · 2 BAFTA Awards · Golden Globe nominee · 7 other major award bodies

Thomas Joseph McCarthy (born 1966) is an American actor, writer, and film director who has appeared in several movies, including Meet the Parents and Good Night, and Good Luck, and television shows such as The Wire, Boston Public, Law & Order, and the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of Saint Maybe. McCarthy has received critical acclaim for his writing/direction work for the independent films The Station Agent, The Visitor, and Win Win. He currently resides in Manhattan. He is the silent partner in a chain of successful Papaya Dogs throughout the greater metropolitan area. Description above from the Wikipedia article Thomas McCarthy (actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 7, 1966 (60)
From
New Providence, New Jersey, USA
Works as
Actor, writer, director and producer
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 60 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 25% in 30 days

What are Tom McCarthy's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 89th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
32%
Self
22%
Morality
20%
Society
10%
Survival
8%
Ideas
4%
Power
4%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 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 11 · Serious 6 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 16 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 3

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 10 · Charged 9 · Intense 4

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

Steady 16 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 2

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 11 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 16 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 2

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 11 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

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

Easy watch 9 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
10
Tense
9
Melancholic
9
Contemplative
9
Absurd
6
Other
21

How their films linger

Hopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

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 Tom McCarthy's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tom McCarthy'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

60 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Gallerist(2026)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Evil Genius(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Anima(2026)

    as Pete

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Statement(2026)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Lowdown(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Trip Keating

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • The Friend(2024)

    as Dr. Warren

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Alaska Daily(2022)

    Show 11 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Last Movie Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Sidney Lumet (voice)

  • Obi-Wan Kenobi(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · Consulting Producer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Stillwater(2021)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made(2020)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Loudest Voice(2019)

    Show 7 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Christopher Robin(2018)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • 13 Reasons Why(2017)

    Show 49 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Spotlight(2015)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Pixels(2015)

    as Michael the Robot

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Inside Out(2015)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The Cobbler(2014)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Million Dollar Arm(2014)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Win Win(2011)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Little Fockers(2010)

    as Dr. Bob

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Jack Goes Boating(2010)

    as Dr. Bob

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Fair Game(2010)

    as Jeff

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Lovely Bones(2009)

    as Principal Caden

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • 2012(2009)

    as Gordon Silberman

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Up(2009)

    Story

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Duplicity(2009)

    as Jeff Bauer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Mammoth(2009)

    as Bob Sanders

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Baby Mama(2008)

    as Kate's Date

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Visitor(2007)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Michael Clayton(2007)

    as Waiter (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Year of the Dog(2007)

    as Pier

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Situation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Major Hanks

  • Beautiful Ohio(2006)

    as William Messerman (Older)

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Flags of Our Fathers(2006)

    as James Bradley

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • All the King's Men(2006)

    as Editor

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Syriana(2005)

    as Fred Franks

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Good Night, and Good Luck.(2005)

    as Palmer Williams

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Great New Wonderful(2005)

    as Davie Burbage

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Shot(2004)

    as Agent Pike

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • The Station Agent(2003)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Guru(2002)

    as Lars (as Thomas McCarthy)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Wire(2002)

    Show 10 episodes · as Scott Templeton

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Public (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 14 episodes · as Kevin Riley

  • Meet the Parents(2000)

    as Dr. Bob Banks

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Nick Ganzner

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • 30 Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Brad Drazin

  • Certain Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Mitch

  • Saint Maybe(1998)

    as Ian Bedloe

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • In My Sister's Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Michael Butler (as Thomas Joseph McCarthy)

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Hanks

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Conspiracy Theory(1997)

    as Helicopter Spotter

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Riley

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Mary & Tim(1996)

    as Tim Melville

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Spin City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Priest

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

    as Bartender

  • Roast Suckling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Calmer

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Donald Housman · as John Conlan · as Lambert

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Errington

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Ian Bedloe

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 60 titles, 58 of them dated from 1951 to 2026; peak year 2009.

Biggest box office

2012 (2009)

$791M worldwide

Highest rated

Up (2009)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19512026

Peak 2009 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting43 of 60: 43 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thDirecting10 of 60: 0 only directing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score76thWriting13 of 60: 3 only writing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score87thProducing10 of 60: 2 only producing, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thOther crew3 of 60: 1 only other crew, 2 with another role

60 titles, 11 with more than one role.

By decade

1950s1 · acting1970s1 · acting1990s13 · acting2000s22 · 19 acting · 3 crew2010s12 · 4 acting · 8 crew2020s9 · 5 acting · 4 crew

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles

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.

Awards

an Oscar, 2 BAFTA Awards and 12 other major awards from 30 major nominations, 2003–2020.

WinNomination
  1. 2020
    • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Long Form Adapted
  2. 2016
    • Oscar, won · Best Writing, Original Screenplay
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Achievement in Directing
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Director - Motion Picture
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Original Screenplay
    • +4 other major bodies · 5 wins and 2 nominations
      • Directors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film
      • Writers Guild Award, won · Best Original Screenplay
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Original Screenplay
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Director
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Director
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Screenplay
      • Independent Spirit Award, won
  3. 2015
    • Venice award, won ×2
    • Venice award, nominated
  4. 2012
    • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Best Original Screenplay
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Original Screenplay
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Screenplay
  5. 2010
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Writing, Original Screenplay
  6. 2009
    • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Best Original Screenplay
    • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Director
  7. 2006
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  8. 2004
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Screenplay - Original
    • +2 other major bodies · 2 wins and 1 nomination
      • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Best Original Screenplay
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best First Screenplay
      • Independent Spirit Award, won
Show 1 earlier year
  1. 2003
    • Sundance award, won · Dramatic
    • Sundance award, won
    • Sundance award, nominated · Dramatic

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 Tom McCarthy's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 39; across their 23 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 23

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Loved with Detractors1
  • Divisive2
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · producer

The Gallerist (2026)

99th percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · writer

Up (2009)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 23 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 54. 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 Tom McCarthy's work okay for kids?

Across up to 12 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles10–63 · median 28 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity12 titles8–44 · median 25 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity11 titles6–61 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles6–40 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles16–62 · median 38 · 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 Tom McCarthy work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tom McCarthy's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tom McArdle shares the most, 7.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles