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Michael Lehmann

Michael Lehmann

Director and producer, also writer · Born March 30, 1957 (69) · San Francisco, California, USA

Primetime Emmy nominee · 2 other major award bodies

Michael Stephen Lehmann (born March 30, 1957; San Francisco, California) is an American film and television director. Lehmann attended Columbia University. His first job in the film industry was answering phones at Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope film company. Later he supervised cameras on films that included 1983's The Outsiders. Lehmann attended film school at USC and graduated in 1985. While at USC he made a student film, Beaver Gets a Boner, the title of which he believes helped get the attention of film executives who would later hire him. Lehmann is probably most noted for directing the black comedy Heathers. He also directed 40 Days and 40 Nights, The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Hudson Hawk, Meet the Applegates, Airheads and Because I Said So. Lehmann also directs for television, and has worked on the short lived HBO comedy series The Comeback and NBC's The West Wing. Lehmann has guest directed on The Larry Sanders Show, Watching Ellie and Century City. Recently, Lehmann has directed episodes of HBO dramas, Big Love and True Blood, as well as Showtime's Californication. Lehmann's upcoming films include Your Word Against Mine. At a Q & A session during 2007's South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas, Lehmann claimed he would never make a sequel to Heathers. He claimed Winona Ryder wanted to do Heathers set in Washington, D.C., but he saw no potential for the project. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Lehmann, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 30, 1957 (69)
From
San Francisco, California, USA
Works as
Director and producer, also writer
Titles
42 on MovieCove · 52 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 156 days to Oct 27Down 8% in 30 days

What are Michael Lehmann's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
37%
Bonds
30%
Power
13%
Society
11%
Morality
4%
Survival
3%
Ideas
2%
Purpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 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 3 · Earnest 4

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

Light 8 · Serious 1 · Dark 0

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 3 · Intense 1

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

A split, not a type: Steady 5 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 8

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 4 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 7 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
9
Tense
7
Joyful
7
Warm
4
Romantic
3
Other
9

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet2
  • 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 Lehmann's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 42 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Lehmann'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

52 credits, 42 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • R.J. Decker(2026)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Dexter: Original Sin(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • War Sailor(2023)

    Show 3 episodes · Co-Producer

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Will Trent(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • War Sailor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Co-Producer

  • The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • American Rust(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • 68 Whiskey(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • The Terror(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Deception(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Snowfall(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • White Famous(2017)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Jessica Jones(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Scream Queens(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Blunt Talk(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Brink (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Betas(2013)

    Show 11 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Night Train to Lisbon(2013)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • American Horror Story(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Outsourced(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Big C(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Bored to Death(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Beautiful Life: TBL (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Nurse Jackie(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 15 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Miss Guided (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Worst Week(2008)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Flakes(2007)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Californication(2007)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Because I Said So(2007)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Dexter(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Big Love(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Comeback(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Veronica Mars(2004)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Consulting Producer

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Century City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 9 episodes · Director · Producer

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • 40 Days and 40 Nights(2002)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Watching Ellie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Less Is More (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • My Giant(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Truth About Cats & Dogs(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Ed Wood(1994)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Airheads(1994)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Fallen Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Hudson Hawk(1991)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Meet the Applegates(1990)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Heathers(1989)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Beaver Gets a Boner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 50 titles from 1985 to 2026.

Biggest box office

40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)

$95M worldwide

Highest rated

Dexter: Original Sin (2024)

Midcredits 90th

By role

only this rolewith another role
Directing45 of 50: 41 only directing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thWriting1 of 50: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing8 of 50: 5 only producing, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score69th

50 titles, 4 with more than one role — directing and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1980s2 · crew1990s10 · crew2000s18 · crew2010s12 · crew2020s8 · 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 3 major nominations, 1989–1996.

WinNomination
  1. 1996
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
  2. 1990
    • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best First Feature
  3. 1989
    • Sundance award, nominated · Dramatic

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 Lehmann's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 39th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 34th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

92ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 42 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 42 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · director, producer

68 Whiskey (2020)

85th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The West Wing (1999)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 60/100 and the pacing 49/100 in their films, across 9 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 Michael Lehmann's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles22–76 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles39–73 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles63–80 · median 72 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles28–69 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles24–73 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all 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 Lehmann work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Lehmann's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Stephen Semel shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles