Stanley Kubrick (July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career. Kubrick was noted for the scrupulous care with which he chose his subjects, his slow method of working, the variety of genres he worked in, his technical perfectionism, and his reclusiveness about his films and personal life. He maintained almost complete artistic control, making movies according to his own whims and time constraints, but with the rare advantage of big-studio financial support for all his endeavors. Kubrick's films are characterized by a formal visual style and meticulous attention to detail—his later films often have elements of surrealism and expressionism that eschews structured linear narrative. His films are repeatedly described as slow and methodical, and are often perceived as a reflection of his obsessive and perfectionist nature. A recurring theme in his films is man's inhumanity to man. While often viewed as expressing an ironic pessimism, a few critics feel his films contain a cautious optimism when viewed more carefully. The film that first brought him attention to many critics was Paths of Glory (1957), the first of three films of his about the dehumanizing effects of war. Many of his films at first got a lukewarm reception, only to be years later acclaimed as masterpieces that had a seminal influence on many later generations of film-makers. Considered especially groundbreaking was 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) noted for being both one of the most scientifically realistic and visually innovative science-fiction films ever made while maintaining an enigmatic non-linear storyline. He voluntarily withdrew his film A Clockwork Orange (1971) from England, after it was accused of inspiring copycat crimes which in turn resulted in threats against Kubrick's family. His films were largely successful at the box-office, although Barry Lyndon (1975) performed poorly in the United States. Living authors Anthony Burgess and Stephen King were both unhappy with Kubrick's adaptations of their novels A Clockwork Orange and The Shining (1980) respectively, and both authors were engaged with subsequent adaptations. All of Kubrick's films from the mid-1950s to his death except for The Shining were nominated for Oscars, Golden Globes, or BAFTAs. Although he was nominated for an Academy Award as a screenwriter and director on several occasions, his only personal win was for the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Even though all of his films, apart from the first two, were adapted from novels or short stories, his works have been described by Jason Ankeny and others as "original and visionary". Although some critics, notably Andrew Sarris and Pauline Kael, frequently disparaged Kubrick's work, Ankeny describes Kubrick as one of the most "universally acclaimed and influential directors of the postwar era" with a "standing unique among the filmmakers of his day."
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Biography from TMDB.
- July 26, 1928
- March 7, 1999 (aged 70)
- New York City, New York, USA
- Director, producer, writer, actor, cinematographer and editor
- 18 on MovieCove · 25 credits in all
What are Stanley Kubrick's films like?
Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Power and Morality.
Genres
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
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 2 · Wry 1 · Earnest 14
Light 2 · Serious 3 · Dark 12
Grounded 4 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 5
A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 2 · Intense 11
A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 5
Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1
A split, not a type: Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 2
Casual 0 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 3
A split, not a type: Easy watch 6 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 8
A split, not a type: Resolved 10 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3
Moods and endings
- Happy2
- Bittersweet6
- Tragic5
- 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 Stanley Kubrick's films?
As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 18 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (6).
- Paths of Glory (1957) · director, writer, producer · free
- Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) · director, writer, producer · free
- Eyes Wide Shut (1999) · actor, director, writer, producer · free
- Lolita (1962) · director, writer · free
- Killer's Kiss (1955) · director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor · free
- Fear and Desire (1952) · director, producer, cinematographer, editor · free
Subscription and free streaming for Stanley Kubrick'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
25 credits, 18 with a MovieCove page; 22 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.
National Theatre Live: Dr. Strangelove (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)
Kubrick Remembered (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)
Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films
View from the Overlook: Crafting 'The Shining' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)
Fat Load O Nothin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Eyes Wide Shut(1999)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
Full Metal Jacket(1987)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
The Shining(1980)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Barry Lyndon(1975)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
A Clockwork Orange(1971)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
2001: A Space Odyssey(1968)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Lolita(1962)
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Spartacus(1960)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Paths of Glory(1957)
Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
The Killing(1956)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Killer's Kiss(1955)
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
The Seafarers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)
Fear and Desire(1952)
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
Day of the Fight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)
Flying Padre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)
Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films
Career shape
A full career of 25 titles from 1947 to 2025.
Biggest box office
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Highest rated
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Most popular right now
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Film career
- 2001Screen debut· 2001: The Making of a Myth
By role
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 Stanley Kubrick's films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 95th percentile, the median of all 18; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 95th percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up13
- 50th to 74th4
- Below 25th1
Shape of the crowd
None of their 18 titles divides audiences: 11 are Universally Loved.
- Universally Loved11
- Crowd Pleaser6
- Broadly Agreed1
Reviewers score the atmosphere 78/100 and the pacing 50/100 in their films, across 16 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 Stanley Kubrick's work okay for kids?
Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films and profanity lighter.
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 Stanley Kubrick work with?
People who share at least 2 of Stanley Kubrick's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Malcolm McDowell shares the most, 4.
Writers
- Jim ThompsonShared titles: Paths of Glory (1957), The Killing (1956)See all 2 shared titles with Jim Thompson
- Howard SacklerShared titles: Killer's Kiss (1955), Fear and Desire (1952)See all 2 shared titles with Howard Sackler
Actors
- Malcolm McDowellShared titles: A Forbidden Orange (2021), Kubrick by Kubrick (2020), Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick (2007), A Clockwork Orange (1971)See all 4 shared titles with Malcolm McDowell
- Jack NicholsonShared titles: Kubrick by Kubrick (2020), Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick (2007), The Shining (1980)See all 3 shared titles with Jack Nicholson
- Sterling HaydenShared titles: Kubrick by Kubrick (2020), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), The Killing (1956)See all 3 shared titles with Sterling Hayden
- Christiane KubrickShared titles: Kubrick by Kubrick (2020), Paths of Glory (1957)See all 2 shared titles with Christiane Kubrick
Composers, cinematographers and editors
- Gerald FriedShared titles: Paths of Glory (1957), The Killing (1956), Killer's Kiss (1955), Fear and Desire (1952)See all 4 shared titles with Gerald Fried
- John AlcottShared titles: The Shining (1980), Barry Lyndon (1975)See all 2 shared titles with John Alcott
- Ray LovejoyShared titles: The Shining (1980), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)See all 2 shared titles with Ray Lovejoy
- Anthony HarveyShared titles: Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964), Lolita (1962)See all 2 shared titles with Anthony Harvey
Producers
- James B. HarrisShared titles: Lolita (1962), Paths of Glory (1957), The Killing (1956)See all 3 shared titles with James B. Harris
- Jan HarlanShared titles: Lost Kubrick: The Unfinished Films of Stanley Kubrick (2007), Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Barry Lyndon (1975)See all 3 shared titles with Jan Harlan
- Victor LyndonShared titles: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)See all 2 shared titles with Victor Lyndon
Mixed roles
- Arthur C. ClarkeShared titles: 2001: The Making of a Myth (2001), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)See all 2 shared titles with Arthur C. Clarke
