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Edward D. Wood Jr.

Edward D. Wood Jr.

Writer, director, actor and producer, also editor · Died December 10, 1978, aged 54 · Poughkeepsie, New York, USA

Edward Davis Wood, Jr. (October 10, 1924 – December 10, 1978), better known as Ed Wood, was an American screenwriter, director, producer, actor, author, and editor, who often performed many of these functions simultaneously. In the 1950s, Wood made a number of cheap genre films, now enjoyed for their technical errors, unsophisticated special effects, large amounts of ill-fitting stock footage, idiosyncratic dialogue, eccentric casts and outlandish plot elements, although his flair for showmanship gave his projects at least a modicum of critical success. Wood's popularity waned soon after his biggest "name" star, Béla Lugosi, died. He was able to salvage a saleable feature from Lugosi's last moments on film, but his career declined thereafter. Toward the end of his life, Wood made pornographic movies and wrote pulp crime, horror, and sex novels. His infamy began two years after his death, when he was awarded a Golden Turkey Award as Worst Director of All Time.[1] The lack of filmmaking ability in his work has earned Wood and his films a considerable cult following. Following the publication of Rudolph Grey's biography Nightmare of Ecstasy: The Life and Art of Edward D. Wood, Jr. (1992), Wood's life and work have undergone a public rehabilitation of sorts, with new light shed on his evident zeal and honest love of movies and movie production. Tim Burton's biopic of the director's life, Ed Wood, earned two Academy Awards. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ed Wood, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 10, 1924
Died
December 10, 1978 (aged 54)
From
Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
Works as
Writer, director, actor and producer, also editor
Titles
17 on MovieCove · 64 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 32% in 30 days

What are Edward D. Wood Jr.'s films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 4th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 8th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Drama 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
Survival
34%
Morality
20%
Power
13%
Society
12%
Self
12%
Bonds
8%
Ideas
2%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 7 · Intense 1

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 10 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Absurd
6
Melancholic
4
Dread
3
Bittersweet
2
Other
4

How their films linger

Fun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous3

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 Edward D. Wood Jr.'s films?

As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 17 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Edward D. Wood Jr.'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

64 credits, 17 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Modify (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Original Film Writer

  • The Nightgown(2023)

    In Memory Of

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Howl of the Werewolf (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Original Story

  • Astronaut's Uniform (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Thanks

  • Plan 9(2015)

    Original Story

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • After School Massacre(2014)

    In Memory Of

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Vixen Highway 2006: It Came from Uranus! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Thanks

  • Devil Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Writer

  • I Woke Up Early the Day I Died(1998)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Crossroads of Laredo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Director · Writer · as Cowboy

  • God Save the Queens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Take It Out in Trade: The Outtakes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

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

    Director · as Himself (Archive Footage)

  • Homo Promo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as (Archival)

  • Hot Ice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Assistant Director · Screenplay

  • Meatcleaver Massacre(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Beach Bunnies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Writer

  • Five Loose Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Assistant Director · Screenplay · as Robbery Witness #2 / Sheriff / Pop (as Edw. D. Wood Jr.)

  • The Cocktail Hostesses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Screenplay · as Extra

  • The Snow Bunnies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Screenplay

  • Drop Out Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Screenplay · as Extra

  • Panty Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • The Class Reunion(1972)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Young Marrieds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Necromania: A Tale of Weird Love! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Editor · Novel · Producer · Production Manager · Screenplay · Actor

  • Nympho Cycler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Writer · as Francis Edwards (as TV Edwards)

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

    Writer

  • Lovemaking U.S.A. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Photographer

  • The Only House in Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Novel · Producer · Screenplay

  • Take It Out in Trade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Writer · as Alecia (as Ed Wood)

  • Mrs. Stone's Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Transvestite (as Ed Woods)

  • Excited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Writer

  • One Million AC/DC (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Writer

  • Love Feast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Writer · as Mr. Murphy (uncredited)

  • Operation Redlight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • For Love and Money (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer

  • Venus Flytrap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer

  • Orgy of the Dead(1965)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Shotgun Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Screenplay

  • Married Too Young(1962)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Anatomy of a Psycho(1961)

    Story

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Sinister Urge(1960)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Man in Fight (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Trick Shooting with Kenne Duncan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Director

  • Revenge of the Virgins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Screenplay · Story

  • Revenge of the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Man in Fight (uncredited)

  • The Bride and the Beast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Screenplay

  • Outlaw Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Screenplay

  • The Astounding She-Monster(1957)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Plan 9 from Outer Space(1958)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Screenplay · as Man Holding Newspaper (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Final Curtain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Producer · Supervising Editor · Writer

  • The Night the Banshee Cried (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Wetbacks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Writer

  • The Violent Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Writer

  • Bride of the Monster(1955)

    Director · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Lawless Rider (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Writer

  • Jail Bait(1954)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Radio News Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Cleopatra Follies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Writer

  • Glen or Glenda(1953)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Glen / Glenda (as Daniel Davis)

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Son of the Renegade(1953)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Boots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Director · Writer

  • Crossroad Avenger: The Adventures of the Tucson Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Director · Writer · as Pony Express Rider (uncredited)

  • The Sun Was Setting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Director · Writer

  • The Baron of Arizona(1950)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Homo Promo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as (Archival)

Career shape

A full career of 64 titles, 63 of them dated from 1950 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Glen or Glenda (1953)

$10K worldwide

Highest rated

I Woke Up Early the Day I Died (1998)

Midcredits 32nd

Most popular right now

Plan 9 from Outer Space (1958)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting20 of 64: 6 only acting, 14 with another roleDirecting23 of 64: 5 only directing, 18 with another role · typical Midcredits score6thWriting48 of 64: 25 only writing, 23 with another role · typical Midcredits score8thProducing8 of 64: 0 only producing, 8 with another roleEditing3 of 64: 0 only editing, 3 with another roleOther crew8 of 64: 5 only other crew, 3 with another role

64 titles, 23 with more than one role — writing and directing overlap on 18 of them.

By decade

1950s20 · 5 acting · 20 crew1960s11 · 3 acting · 10 crew1970s18 · 8 acting · 16 crew1990s7 · 3 acting · 5 crew2010s3 · crew2020s4 · crew

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 5 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.

How do Edward D. Wood Jr.'s films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 6th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 8th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

8thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

10thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 17 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th14

Shape of the crowd

11 of their 17 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · writer

Son of the Renegade (1953)

94th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · writer

I Woke Up Early the Day I Died (1998)

Midcredits 32nd · 46% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 27/100 and the plot and story 24/100 in their films, across 12 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.

Who does Edward D. Wood Jr. work with?

People who share at least 2 of Edward D. Wood Jr.'s MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; William C. Thompson shares the most, 6.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors