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Newton Thomas Sigel

Newton Thomas Sigel

Cinematographer, also director · Detroit, Michigan, USA

BAFTA Award nominee · 3 other major award bodies

Newton Thomas Sigel, ASC (born August 1955; sometimes credited as Tom Sigel) is an American cinematographer best known for his collaborations with director Bryan Singer. Description above from the Wikipedia article Newton Thomas Sigel, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

From
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Works as
Cinematographer, also director
Titles
65 on MovieCove · 97 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 20% in 30 days

What are Newton Thomas Sigel's films like?

Across their 43 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure 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
Morality
24%
Bonds
24%
Self
21%
Survival
13%
Power
7%
Society
7%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 43 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 13 · Serious 10 · Dark 20

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

Grounded 16 · Stylized 19 · Heightened 8

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 15 · Intense 24

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

Steady 15 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 9

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 25 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 5

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 33 · Relentless 4

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

Casual 17 · Engaged 23 · Full focus 3

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

A split, not a type: Easy watch 12 · Affecting 14 · Heavy 17

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

Resolved 32 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
33
Melancholic
14
Thrilling
11
Hopeful
11
Dread
9
Other
43

How their films linger

Bittersweet19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet21
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous8

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 Newton Thomas Sigel's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 65 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Newton Thomas Sigel'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

97 credits, 65 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Avengers: Doomsday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Cinematographer

  • Candy Cane Lane(2023)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Citadel(2023)

    Show 13 episodes · Director · Cinematographer · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Dog(2022)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Cherry(2021)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Da 5 Bloods(2020)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Extraction(2020)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Euphoria(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Real Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director

  • Bohemian Rhapsody(2018)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Marshall(2017)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Gifted(2017)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • X-Men: Apocalypse(2016)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny(2016)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Cook & Banks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Thanks

  • Battle Creek(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Seventh Son(2014)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • X-Men: Days of Future Past(2014)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Jack the Giant Slayer(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Movie 43(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Drive(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Conspirator(2010)

    "A" Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Frankie & Alice(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Eat Pray Love(2010)

    Second Unit Director

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Leap Year(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Valkyrie(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Hurt Locker(2008)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Towelhead(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Leatherheads(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Superman Returns(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Tales of the Rat Fink(2006)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Brothers Grimm(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Big Empty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • House(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • X2: X-Men United(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Valley of Tears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Additional Director of Photography

  • Confessions of a Dangerous Mind(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Point of Origin(2002)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Ambush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Cinematographer

  • X-Men(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Three Kings(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Brokedown Palace(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Apt Pupil(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Fallen(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Blood and Wine(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Trigger Effect(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Foxfire(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Casino(1995)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Usual Suspects(1995)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Suspicious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • Blankman(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • A Time to Heal(1994)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Money for Nothing(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Daybreak(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Indian Summer(1993)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Into the West(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Crossing the Bridge(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Salmonberries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Murder in High Places(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • No Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Additional Director of Photography

  • The Doors(1991)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Teatro! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • American Dream(1990)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • A Promise to Keep(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Cop Rock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • Pump Up the Volume(1990)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Turner & Hooch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Challenger(1990)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Rock Hudson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • H-2 Worker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • Wild Orchid(1989)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Heart of Dixie(1989)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Rude Awakening (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Cinematographer

  • Roe vs. Wade(1989)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Thin Blue Line(1988)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Perfect People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Cinematographer

  • The Wonder Years(1988)

    Show 3 episodes · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Doll Day Afternoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • Vandemonium Plus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Director

  • Wall Street(1987)

    Additional Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • Matewan(1987)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Home Fires (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • Dead of Winter(1987)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • American Masters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

  • Latino (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Cinematographer

  • In Our Hands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Camera Operator

  • When the Mountains Tremble (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Brainwash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Camera Operator

  • Atomic Artist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Cinematographer

  • La operación (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Cinematographer

  • El Salvador: Another Vietnam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Cinematographer

  • CBS Reports: Guatemala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • We Are the Guinea Pigs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Cinematographer

  • The Heart of Loisaida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Camera Operator

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

Career shape

A full career of 97 titles, 96 of them dated from 1971 to 2023.

Biggest box office

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

$911M worldwide

Highest rated

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing8 of 97: 3 only directing, 5 with another roleWriting1 of 97: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 97: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleCinematography89 of 97: 82 only cinematography, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thOther crew7 of 97: 5 only other crew, 2 with another role

97 titles, 7 with more than one role — cinematography and directing overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1970s2 · crew1980s24 · crew1990s31 · crew2000s15 · crew2010s18 · crew2020s6 · 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

1 major award from 5 major nominations, 1984–2021.

WinNomination
  1. 2021
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  2. 2019
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  3. 2012
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  4. 1996
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Cinematography
  5. 1984
    • Sundance award, won · Documentary

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 Newton Thomas Sigel's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 59; across their 43 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 43

Approval · how many liked their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 43

Reach · how many have seen their films

91stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 43

Midcredits score across 65 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up25
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th16
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

28 of their 65 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser28
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · cinematographer

Murder in High Places (1991)

82nd percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 67/100 in their films, across 34 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

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 Newton Thomas Sigel's work okay for kids?

Across up to 30 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore23 titles26–92 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity30 titles14–56 · median 28 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity24 titles32–88 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs23 titles20–61 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense22 titles29–84 · median 60 · intenseheavier 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 Newton Thomas Sigel work with?

People who share at least 2 of Newton Thomas Sigel's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Ottman shares the most, 10.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers