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Harold Ramis

Harold Ramis

Writer, actor, director and producer · Died February 24, 2014, aged 69 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

BAFTA Award winner · 1 other major award body

Harold Allen Ramis (November 21, 1944 – February 24, 2014) was an American actor and filmmaker, specializing in comedy. His best-known film acting roles are as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters (1984) and Russell Ziskey in Stripes (1981), both of which he co-wrote. As a writer/director, his films include the comedies Caddyshack (1980), Groundhog Day (1993), and Analyze This (1999). He was the original head writer of the TV series SCTV (in which he also performed), and one of three screenwriters for the film National Lampoon's Animal House (1978).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 21, 1944
Died
February 24, 2014 (aged 69)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Writer, actor, director and producer
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 51 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 14% in 30 days

What are Harold Ramis' films like?

Across their 42 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy25 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Animation 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
Self
30%
Bonds
28%
Society
18%
Ideas
8%
Morality
8%
Survival
4%
Power
4%
Community16 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship11 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 41 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 31 · Serious 8 · Dark 2

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 21 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 18 · Charged 20 · Intense 3

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

A split, not a type: Steady 22 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 8

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 26

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

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 28 · 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 33 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 37 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 6
Mentor
2 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6
Hero
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
27
Absurd
25
Warm
16
Hopeful
8
Contemplative
9
Other
29

How their films linger

Feel-good28 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun22 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy24
  • Bittersweet13
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

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 Harold Ramis' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Harold Ramis' 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

51 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 22 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire(2024)

    Original Film Writer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Ghostbusters: Afterlife(2021)

    Original Film Writer · as Dr. Egon Spengler (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Movies That Made Us(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Egon Spengler (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Ghostbusters(2016)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance(2012)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Year One(2009)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Adam

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • My Suicide(2009)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story(2007)

    as L'Chaim

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Knocked Up(2007)

    as Ben's Dad

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Last Kiss(2006)

    as Professor Bowler

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With(2006)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Ice Harvest(2005)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Office(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Stork Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Original Film Writer

  • Analyze That(2002)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • I'm with Lucy(2002)

    as Jack

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest(2002)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Orange County(2002)

    as Don Durkett

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Bedazzled(2000)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Analyze This(1999)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • As Good as It Gets(1997)

    as Dr. Bettes

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Multiplicity(1996)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Stuart Saves His Family(1995)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Love Affair(1994)

    as Sheldon Blumenthal

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Airheads(1994)

    as Chris Moore

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Groundhog Day(1993)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Neurologist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Rover Dangerfield(1991)

    Story · Story Developer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Earth Day Special(1990)

    as Elon Spengler

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Ghostbusters II(1989)

    Characters · Screenplay · as Dr. Egon Spengler

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Best of SCTV(1988)

    Writer · Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Stealing Home(1988)

    as Alan Appleby

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Caddyshack II(1988)

    Characters · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Baby Boom(1987)

    as Steven Buchner

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Meatballs III: Summer Job(1986)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Real Ghostbusters(1986)

    Show Creator

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Armed and Dangerous(1986)

    Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Club Paradise(1986)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Back to School(1986)

    Executive Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • On the Scene with the Ghostbusters(1984)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ghostbusters(1984)

    Screenplay · as Dr. Egon Spengler

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Vacation(1983)

    Director · as Car salesman (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone(1983)

    as Voice (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Rodney Dangerfield Show: It's Not Easy Bein' Me(1982)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Heavy Metal(1981)

    as Zeke (voice)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Stripes(1981)

    Screenplay · as Russell Ziskey

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • SCTV Network 90 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 25 episodes · Writer

  • Caddyshack(1980)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Meatballs(1979)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Animal House(1978)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • SCTV(1976)

    Show 27 episodes · Producer · Writer · as Self - Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Super Bowl(1976)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

Career shape

A full career of 49 titles from 1976 to 2024.

Biggest box office

As Good as It Gets (1997)

$314M worldwide

Highest rated

Groundhog Day (1993)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Film career

MilestoneAward win

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting23 of 49: 15 only acting, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thDirecting12 of 49: 3 only directing, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thWriting25 of 49: 12 only writing, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thProducing8 of 49: 3 only producing, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score46thOther crew1 of 49: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

49 titles, 15 with more than one role — writing and acting overlap on 7 of them.

By decade

1970s3 · crew1980s19 · 10 acting · 14 crew1990s9 · 5 acting · 5 crew2000s14 · 6 acting · 9 crew2010s2 · 1 acting · 1 crew2020s2 · 1 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
8191

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a BAFTA Award and 1 other major award from 3 major nominations, 1979–2015.

WinNomination
  1. 2015
    • Writers Guild Award, won
  2. 1994
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Screenplay - Original
  3. 1979
    • Writers Guild Award, nominated · Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen

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 Harold Ramis' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 50th percentile, the median of all 45; across their 41 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 41

Approval · how many liked their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 41

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 41

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th18
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 49 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

The Earth Day Special (1990)

94th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Office (2005)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 60/100 and the plot and story 41/100 in their films, across 35 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 Harold Ramis' work okay for kids?

Across up to 26 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore20 titles17–62 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity26 titles26–72 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity23 titles34–86 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs21 titles23–70 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense20 titles10–54 · median 29 · mildlighter 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 Harold Ramis work with?

People who share at least 2 of Harold Ramis' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bill Murray shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles