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Merian C. Cooper

Merian C. Cooper

Producer and writer, also director and actor · Died April 21, 1973, aged 79 · Jacksonville, Florida, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Merian Caldwell Cooper (October 24, 1893 – April 21, 1973) was an American aviator, United States Air Force and Polish Air Force officer, adventurer, screenwriter, film director, and producer. Cooper was the founder of the Kościuszko Squadron during the Polish–Soviet War and was a Soviet prisoner of war for a time. He was a notable movie producer, and got his start with film as part of the Explorers Club, traveling the world and documenting adventures. He was a member of the board of directors of Pan American Airways, but his love of film always took priority. During his film career, he worked for companies such as Pioneer Pictures, RKO Pictures, and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. He is also credited as co-inventor of the Cinerama film projection process. Cooper's most famous film was the 1933 movie King Kong. He was awarded an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement in 1952 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. Description above from the Wikipedia article Merian C. Cooper, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.    

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 24, 1893
Died
April 21, 1973 (aged 79)
From
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Works as
Producer and writer, also director and actor
Titles
37 on MovieCove · 75 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 39 days to Oct 28Up 6% in 30 days

What are Merian C. Cooper's films like?

Across their 34 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 6th percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
31%
Morality
18%
Survival
12%
Power
12%
Self
11%
Society
10%
Ideas
6%
Romantic love8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 34 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 15 · Serious 11 · Dark 8

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

Grounded 10 · Stylized 18 · Heightened 6

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

Gentle 9 · Charged 16 · Intense 9

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

Steady 13 · Shifting 20 · Whiplash 1

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 17 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 20 · 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 21 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 28 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 2

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Thrilling
10
Melancholic
13
Joyful
9
Warm
7
Other
38

How their films linger

Feel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • 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 Merian C. Cooper's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 14 of their 37 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Merian C. Cooper'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

75 credits, 37 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Kong: Skull Island(2017)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Banglar King Kong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Original Film Writer

  • Kong: Return to the Jungle(2007)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • King Kong(2005)

    Original Story

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Lost Spider Pit Sequence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Screenplay

  • Kong: King of Atlantis(2005)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Mighty Joe Young(1998)

    Original Film Writer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Mighty Kong(1998)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • King Kong Lives(1986)

    Characters

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • King Kong(1976)

    Idea

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Searchers(1956)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Sun Shines Bright(1953)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • This Is Cinerama(1952)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Quiet Man(1952)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Rio Grande(1950)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Wagon Master(1950)

    Executive Producer · Presenter

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • She Wore a Yellow Ribbon(1949)

    Executive Producer · Presenter

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Mighty Joe Young(1949)

    Producer · Story

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • 3 Godfathers(1948)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Fort Apache(1948)

    Executive Producer · Producer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Fugitive(1947)

    Presenter · Producer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Cyclops (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    Producer

  • The Toy Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Producer

  • Dancing Pirate(1936)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Last Days of Pompeii(1935)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • She(1935)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Kentucky Kernels(1934)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Finishing School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Sing and Like It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • This Man Is Mine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Success at Any Price (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Spitfire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Keep 'Em Rolling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • The Lost Patrol(1934)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Hips, Hips, Hooray! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Two Alone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Long Lost Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Man of Two Worlds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • The Meanest Gal in Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    Executive Producer

  • Flying Down to Rio(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Son of Kong(1933)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • If I Were Free (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Little Women(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Right To Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • After Tonight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Chance at Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Ace of Aces(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Ann Vickers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Midshipman Jack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Producer

  • Rafter Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Blind Adventure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Morning Glory(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • No Marriage Ties (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Before Dawn(1933)

    Producer · Production Executive

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Headline Shooter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Double Harness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Bed of Roses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Emergency Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Melody Cruise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Professional Sweetheart(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Cross Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • The Silver Cord (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Executive Producer

  • Diplomaniacs(1933)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • King Kong(1933)

    Director · Idea · Producer · as Pilot of Plane that Kills Kong (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Lucky Devils(1933)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Monkey's Paw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    Producer

  • The Phantom of Crestwood(1932)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Flaming Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Executive Producer

  • The Most Dangerous Game(1932)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Roar of the Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Story

  • The Four Feathers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer

  • Gow the Head Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    Cinematographer

  • Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    Director · Camera Operator · Producer · as Self (as Merian Cooper)

Career shape

A full career of 72 titles from 1925 to 2017.

Biggest box office

King Kong (1976)

$53M worldwide

Highest rated

The Searchers (1956)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Fort Apache (1948)

Film career

  • 1933Screen debut· King Kong

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 72: 0 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting5 of 72: 0 only directing, 5 with another roleWriting11 of 72: 8 only writing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thProducing62 of 72: 52 only producing, 10 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thCinematography2 of 72: 1 only cinematography, 1 with another roleOther crew6 of 72: 1 only other crew, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score85th

72 titles, 10 with more than one role — producing and writing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1920s4 · crew1930s49 · 1 acting · 49 crew1940s6 · crew1950s6 · crew1970s1 · crew1980s1 · crew1990s1 · crew2000s2 · crew2010s2 · 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 Merian C. Cooper's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 37; across their 34 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 34

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 34

Reach · how many have seen their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 34

Midcredits score across 37 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 37 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · writer

Kong: King of Atlantis (2005)

77th percentile spread · 56% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

The Searchers (1956)

Midcredits 96th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the dialogue 50/100 and the plot and story 50/100 in their films, across 34 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 Merian C. Cooper's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films and sex & nudity and profanity lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles25–68 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles3–41 · median 14 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles5–48 · median 13 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles24–37 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles40–62 · median 57 · moderateheavier 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 Merian C. Cooper work with?

People who share at least 2 of Merian C. Cooper's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Max Steiner shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles