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Robert Butler

Robert Butler

Director, also producer · Died November 3, 2023, aged 95 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Robert Butler (November 17, 1927 - November 3, 2023), the revered director known for steering the debut episodes of iconic series like Batman, Star Trek, Hill Street Blues, and Moonlighting, passed away on November 3 in Los Angeles at the age of 95. Butler also played a role in co-creating Remington Steele, featuring Pierce Brosnan, and directed its inaugural episode. His legacy extends to directing the premiere of Hogan’s Heroes in 1965, setting the stage and directing pivotal episodes for Glenn Gordon Caron’s Moonlighting, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Sisters, and The Division.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 16, 1927
Died
November 3, 2023 (aged 95)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Director, also producer
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 84 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 23% in 30 days

What are Robert Butler's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: 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
Bonds
29%
Morality
25%
Self
18%
Survival
12%
Society
8%
Power
7%
Ideas
1%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 10 · Serious 2 · Dark 5

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

Grounded 13 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 7 · Intense 3

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

Steady 12 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

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 7 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 6

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 5 · 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 12 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Joyful
6
Absurd
5
Melancholic
5
Thrilling
5
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet8
  • Ambiguous1

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 Robert Butler's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 19 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Robert Butler'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

84 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Turbulence(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • White Mile(1994)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1993)

    Show 87 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 2 episodes · Director

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

    Show 7 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

  • Midnight Caller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Out of Time(1988)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Out on a Limb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Long Time Gone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Our Family Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Concrete Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Up the Creek(1984)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Creator

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Underground Aces(1981)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Night of the Juggler(1980)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Hot Lead and Cold Feet(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Lacy and the Mississippi Queen(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • A Question of Guilt(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Mayday at 40, 000 Feet!(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • In the Glitter Palace(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • James Dean(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Dark Victory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Director

  • Strange New World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • Black Bart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director · Producer

  • The Ultimate Thrill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Director

  • The Blue Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Director

  • The Blue Knight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Kung Fu(1972)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Waltons(1972)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Now You See Him, Now You Don't(1972)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Death Takes a Holiday(1971)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Nichols (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Columbo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Scandalous John(1971)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Barefoot Executive(1971)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes(1969)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Then Came Bronson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Guns in the Heather (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Lancer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Outcasts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Judd, for the Defense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Cimarron Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • N.Y.P.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Invaders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • CBS Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Felony Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Shane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Star Trek(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Batman(1966)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Blue Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Hogan's Heroes(1965)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Mister Roberts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • I Spy(1965)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Kilroy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director

  • Star Trek: The Cage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Espionage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Richard Boone Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Fugitive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • The Lieutenant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Stoney Burke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Dick Van Dyke Show(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Dick Powell Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Peter Loves Mary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Happy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Detectives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Heart of Darkness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Assistant Director

  • The Rifleman(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • No Right to Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Assistant Director

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

Career shape

A full career of 84 titles from 1955 to 2001.

Biggest box office

Up the Creek (1984)

$12M worldwide

Highest rated

Night of the Juggler (1980)

Midcredits 77th

Most popular right now

Turbulence (1997)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing82 of 84: 77 only directing, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thProducing4 of 84: 0 only producing, 4 with another roleOther crew3 of 84: 2 only other crew, 1 with another role

84 titles, 5 with more than one role — directing and producing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1950s8 · crew1960s38 · crew1970s20 · crew1980s12 · crew1990s5 · crew2000s1 · 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.

How do Robert Butler's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 30th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 36th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 33 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · director

Lacy and the Mississippi Queen (1978)

89th percentile spread · 43% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Twilight Zone (1959)

Midcredits 97th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 58/100 and the pacing 51/100 in their films, across 14 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 Robert Butler's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Robert Butler work with?

People who share at least 2 of Robert Butler's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Joseph L. McEveety shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers