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Joe Castro

Joe Castro

Actor, director, producer and writer, also editor · Born May 17, 1970 (56) · San Antonio, Texas, USA

Director, Producer, and Special Effects Artist, Joe Castro was born in San Antonio, Texas and began his career at age 15 when he was hired to create special effects make-up for a PBS affiliate and graduated to writing and directing his own feature films. Altogether, Joe has won over 46 awards in producing, directing, and creating special effects. Since teaming with his partner, Steven Escobar, Castro has Produced, Written & Directed 16 feature films.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 17, 1970 (56)
From
San Antonio, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor, director, producer and writer, also editor
Titles
28 on MovieCove · 72 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 17% in 30 days

What are Joe Castro's films like?

Across their 7 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror 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
30%
Self
25%
Society
21%
Bonds
13%
Power
8%
Morality
3%
Purpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 2 · Wry 2 · Earnest 3

Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 3

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

Steady 1 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 2 · 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 4 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
5
Tense
4
Thrilling
3
Dread
2
Melancholic
1
Other
3

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous2

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 Joe Castro's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 28 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joe Castro'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

72 credits, 28 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Devil's Disciple: The Night Stalker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Julian Ramirez

  • Robot Dracula(2026)

    Producer · as Sharp Hand Joe

  • Queen of the Rats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Special Effects

  • Dorothea(2025)

    as Pedro Montalvo

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Name the Demon(2024)

    as Father Noah Marcus

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Beast Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Visual Effects

  • Elf in the Hood(2024)

    Prosthetics · Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Sincerely Saul(2024)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Lady Parts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • H. P. Lovecraft's the Old Ones(2024)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Mutilator 2(2023)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Clownado(2019)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Scalper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Father Burman

  • Dirty Freaken Joe: Sci-Fi Sam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Dr. Carnage

  • That's a Wrap(2023)

    Special Effects · as Cop #2

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Beast Comes at Midnight(2023)

    Special Effects · as Beast Man

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Tip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Thomas / Pedro

  • Maya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Special Effects

  • The Once and Future Smash(2022)

    as Blaze Pauling

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Terror Toons 4(2022)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Man Attacked by Bees

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Appetite for Sin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Special Effects

  • Maya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Special Effects

  • The Blue Drum(2022)

    Prop Designer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • I Am Worthless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Clowning(2022)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Amityville Harvest(2020)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Hexatic Phase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Special Effects

  • The Occultist 2: Bloody Guinea Pigs(2020)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Abominable(2020)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Half-Cocked (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Special Effects Supervisor · Visual Effects Editor

  • Xenophobia(2019)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Visual Effects Supervisor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Haunting of La Llorona(2019)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • It Wants Blood! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Creature Design · Second Unit Director

  • RoboWoman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Special Effects · Special Effects Key Makeup Artist

  • Nation's Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Special Effects Coordinator

  • Iron Sky: The Coming Race(2019)

    Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Lake Michigan Monster(2018)

    Creature Design

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Personal Demons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Producer · as Asylum Doctor

  • Terror Toons 3(2015)

    Director · Creature Design · Editor · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • FrankenFake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director

  • The Summer of Massacre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director · Makeup Effects Designer · Producer · Prosthetic Designer · Special Effects Coordinator · Writer · as Michael Rose

  • L.A. Zombie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects

  • Another Gay Sequel: Gays Gone Wild!(2008)

    Special Effects Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Terror Toons 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Producer · Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Writer

  • Driller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Special Effects Coordinator

  • The Wailer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Special Effects Coordinator

  • Another Gay Movie(2006)

    Special Effects Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Porn of the Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Makeup Artist

  • Terror Toons 1.5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • The Young, the Gay and the Restless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Writer

  • Vampz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Near Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Art Direction · Producer · Special Effects · Special Effects Coordinator

  • The Jackhammer Massacre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Producer · Special Effects Coordinator · Writer

  • Evil Unleashed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Screenplay · Special Effects

  • Maniacal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Special Effects · Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Blood Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Special Effects

  • Butchered (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Special Effects Coordinator · Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Bleed(2002)

    Special Effects Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Demon's Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • The Zombie Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Special Effects

  • Terror Toons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Producer · Special Effects · Story

  • Wishmaster 4: The Prophecy Fulfilled(2002)

    Makeup Effects

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Hell's Highway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Special Effects Coordinator · Special Effects Makeup Artist · as Guard

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

    Special Effects Coordinator

  • Legend of the Chupacabra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Producer · Special Effects Coordinator

  • Campfire Tales(1997)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

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

    Director · Special Effects Coordinator · Special Effects Makeup Artist · Writer

  • Evil Toons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Special Effects Makeup Artist

  • Teenage Exorcist(1991)

    Makeup Artist · Special Effects

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Clown Motel 3: 3 Ways to Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as 'Jack's in the box' Killer Clown

  • Demon Wind 2: The Serpent’s Coil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Special Effects

  • Tin Roof (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Special Effects Supervisor · as Sheriff Denny Majors

Career shape

A full career of 72 titles, 69 of them dated from 1991 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Name the Demon (2024)

$23K worldwide

Highest rated

Name the Demon (2024)

Midcredits 6th

Most popular right now

Sincerely Saul (2024)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting17 of 72: 10 only acting, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score28thDirecting17 of 72: 2 only directing, 15 with another roleWriting9 of 72: 0 only writing, 9 with another roleProducing11 of 72: 0 only producing, 11 with another roleEditing1 of 72: 0 only editing, 1 with another roleOther crew56 of 72: 40 only other crew, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score14th

72 titles, 20 with more than one role — other crew and acting overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1990s4 · crew2000s23 · 1 acting · 23 crew2010s13 · 2 acting · 13 crew2020s29 · 12 acting · 20 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 Joe Castro's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 14th percentile, the median of the 27 of 28 with a score; across their 7 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 7

Approval · how many liked their films

28thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

21stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up1
  • 50th to 74th1
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 27 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned2
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Divisive5
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · director, writer, producer, editor

Terror Toons 3 (2015)

96th percentile spread · 54% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Once and Future Smash (2022)

Midcredits 79th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 41/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 69, detractors 21. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

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 Joe Castro work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joe Castro's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Steven J. Escobar shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Producers