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Michael Kahn

Michael Kahn

Editor, also cinematographer, producer and actor · Born December 8, 1930 (95) · New York City, New York, USA

3 Oscars · Primetime Emmy winner · 2 BAFTA Awards · 1 other major award body

Michael Kahn (born December 8, c. 1930) is an American film editor known for his frequent collaboration with Steven Spielberg. His first collaboration with Spielberg was for his 1977 film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. He has edited all of Spielberg's subsequent films except for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), which was edited by Carol Littleton. Kahn has received eight Academy Award nominations for Best Film Editing and has won three times—for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Schindler's List (1993), and Saving Private Ryan (1998), which were all Spielberg-directed films. Kahn was born to a Jewish family in New York City. While his birth year has been reported as 1935, Kahn said in 2015, when asked if he was 80, that his age at that point was "closer to 85." Kahn has edited digitally since at least Twister (1996), though he continued to edit on film with Spielberg long after most editors had stopped doing so. In 2008, Kahn acknowledged that "people find it hard to believe that Steven and I still edit film on a Moviola and a KEM. [But] Steven feels film got us where we are today, and he loves the smell of it and feel of it. We started that way and both really enjoy it." George Lucas remarked, "Michael Kahn can cut faster on a Moviola than anybody can cut on an Avid." However, since The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011), Kahn has edited Spielberg's films on an Avid machine. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Kahn (film editor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 8, 1930 (95)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Editor, also cinematographer, producer and actor
Titles
72 on MovieCove · 83 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

What are Michael Kahn's films like?

Across their 63 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Action17 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 86th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 89th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
27%
Morality
18%
Self
16%
Survival
13%
Power
10%
Ideas
8%
Society
8%
Family bonds19 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 62 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 24 · Serious 15 · Dark 23

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 27 · Stylized 19 · Heightened 16

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 22 · Intense 33

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

Steady 19 · Shifting 32 · Whiplash 11

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 30 · Some laughs 29 · Funny 3

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 23 · Even-paced 21 · Relentless 18

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

Casual 26 · Engaged 31 · Full focus 5

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 23 · Affecting 21 · Heavy 18

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

Resolved 51 · Open-ended 8 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
38
Thrilling
21
Melancholic
20
Dread
14
Warm
13
Other
68

How their films linger

Hopeful27 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy19
  • Bittersweet33
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous5

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 Michael Kahn's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 50 of their 72 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Pluto TV (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Kahn'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

83 credits, 72 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Disclosure Day(2026)

    Co-Producer

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Fabelmans(2022)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • West Side Story(2021)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Ready Player One(2018)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Post(2017)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The BFG(2016)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Bridge of Spies(2015)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Seventh Son(2014)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Bridge(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Editor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Lincoln(2012)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • War Horse(2011)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Tintin(2011)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides(2011)

    Additional Editor

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time(2010)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull(2008)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Spiderwick Chronicles(2008)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • 10 Items or Less(2006)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Munich(2005)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Othello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • War of the Worlds(2005)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • A Series of Unfortunate Events(2004)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Terminal(2004)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Peter Pan(2003)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life(2003)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Catch Me If You Can(2002)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Minority Report(2002)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • A.I. Artificial Intelligence(2001)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Shrek(2001)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Chicken Run(2000)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Reindeer Games(2000)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Haunting(1999)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Antz(1998)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Saving Private Ryan(1998)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Amistad(1997)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Lost World: Jurassic Park(1997)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Twister(1996)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Casper(1995)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Schindler's List(1993)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Jurassic Park(1993)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Alive(1993)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Toy Soldiers(1991)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Hook(1991)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Arachnophobia(1990)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Always(1989)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade(1989)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Arthur 2: On the Rocks(1988)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Empire of the Sun(1987)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Fatal Attraction(1987)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Wisdom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Editor

  • The Color Purple(1985)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Goonies(1985)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Falling in Love(1984)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom(1984)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Twilight Zone: The Movie(1983)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Table for Five(1983)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Poltergeist(1982)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Raiders of the Lost Ark(1981)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Used Cars(1980)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • 1941(1979)

    Editor · Producer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Ice Castles(1978)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Eyes of Laura Mars(1978)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind(1977)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Return of a Man Called Horse(1976)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Zebra Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Editor

  • Hot Potato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Additional Editor

  • Eleanor and Franklin(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Editor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Ultimate Warrior(1975)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Beyond the Horizon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Director

  • The Devil's Rain(1975)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Savage Is Loose(1974)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Buster and Billie(1974)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Golden Needles(1974)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Truck Turner(1974)

    Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Goodnight Jackie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Editor

  • Black Belt Jones(1974)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Spook Who Sat by the Door(1973)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Rage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Editor

  • Trouble Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Editor

  • Black Jack(1972)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Touch Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Editor

  • Night Slaves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Editor

  • The Activist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Editor

  • Hogan's Heroes(1965)

    Show 6 episodes · Editor

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

Career shape

A full career of 83 titles from 1965 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Jurassic Park (1993)

$1.1B worldwide

Highest rated

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Schindler's List (1993)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing2 of 83: 2 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 83: 1 only producing, 0 with another roleEditing77 of 83: 77 only editing, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thOther crew3 of 83: 3 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1960s2 · crew1970s23 · crew1980s15 · crew1990s13 · crew2000s16 · crew2010s11 · crew2020s3 · 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

3 Oscars, a Primetime Emmy, 2 BAFTA Awards and 1 other major award from 20 major nominations, 1976–2022.

WinNomination
  1. 2022
    • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Editing
  2. 2018
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Editing
  3. 2016
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Editing
  4. 2013
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Achievement in Film Editing
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Editing
  5. 2012
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Editing
  6. 2006
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Achievement in Film Editing
  7. 1999
    • Oscar, won · Best Film Editing
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Editing
  8. 1994
    • Oscar, won · Best Film Editing
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Editing
Show 7 earlier years
  1. 1989
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Editing
  2. 1988
    • Oscar, nominated ×2 · Best Film Editing
  3. 1985
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Editing
  4. 1982
    • Oscar, won · Best Film Editing
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Editing
  5. 1979
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Film Editing
  6. 1978
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Film Editing
  7. 1976
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Achievement in Film Editing for Entertainment Programming for a Special

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 Michael Kahn's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 74th percentile, the median of all 69; across their 62 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 75th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 62

Approval · how many liked their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 62

Reach · how many have seen their films

97thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 62

Midcredits score across 72 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up35
  • 50th to 74th22
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

41 of their 72 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved16
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser41
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · editor

Black Jack (1972)

79th percentile spread · 41% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · editor

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the pacing 51/100 in their films, across 60 reviewed titles; fans 59, detractors 31. The element that speaks to their work as an editor.

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 Michael Kahn's work okay for kids?

Across up to 49 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore48 titles30–86 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity49 titles7–60 · median 23 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity47 titles19–68 · median 45 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs46 titles9–44 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense47 titles31–85 · 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 Michael Kahn work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Kahn's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Steven Spielberg shares the most, 36.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles