Skip to content
MovieCove
Guy Maddin

Guy Maddin

Director, writer, cinematographer, actor, editor and producer, also composer · Born February 28, 1956 (70) · Winnipeg, Canada

Cannes award nominee · Berlinale award nominee

Guy Maddin CM OM is a Canadian screenwriter, director, author, cinematographer and film editor of both features and short films, as well as an installation artist, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. His most distinctive quality is his penchant for recreating the look and style of silent or early sound era films which has solidified his popularity and acclaim in alternative film circles. Since completing his first film in 1985, Maddin has become one of Canada's most well-known and celebrated film-makers. Maddin has directed eleven feature films and numerous short films, in addition to publishing three books and creating a host of installation art projects. A number of Maddin's recent films began as or developed from installation art projects, and his books also relate to his film work. Maddin has been the subject of much critical praise and academic attention, including two books of interviews with Maddin and two book-length academic studies of his work. Maddin was appointed to the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honour, in 2012.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 28, 1956 (70)
From
Winnipeg, Canada
Works as
Director, writer, cinematographer, actor, editor and producer, also composer
Titles
15 on MovieCove · 82 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 30% in 30 days

What are Guy Maddin's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd 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
Self
37%
Bonds
18%
Society
18%
Survival
12%
Power
7%
Ideas
6%
Morality
2%
Memory4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 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 5 · Serious 4 · Dark 2

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

Grounded 1 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 9

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 7 · Intense 2

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

Steady 2 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 2 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 8

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 7 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 1

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

Resolved 1 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 7

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
8
Contemplative
5
Melancholic
5
Tense
4
Dread
2
Other
7

How their films linger

Thought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous9

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 Guy Maddin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 11 of their 15 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on AMC+ (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Guy Maddin'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

82 credits, 15 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Vampire Lestat(2026)

    Show 7 episodes · as 'The Voice of Failure' (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • City Wide Fever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Executive Producer

  • Rumours(2024)

    Director · Producer · Story

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Haunted Hotel: A Melodrama in Augmented Reality (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Director

  • Horse Brothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Anton the Horse (voice)

  • Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror(2021)

    Graphic Designer

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Rabbit Hunters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Stump the Guesser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Writer

  • JT LeRoy(2018)

    as Reader

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Accidence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director · Writer

  • The Green Fog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Director

  • Trump Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Tales from the Winnipeg Film Group (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Here to Be Heard: The Story of the Slits(2017)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Forbidden Room(2015)

    Director · Composer · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Bring Me the Head of Tim Horton (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director

  • The 1000 Eyes of Dr. Maddin(2015)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Once a Chicken (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director

  • Lines of the Hand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director

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

    Director

  • Louis Riel for Dinner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Narrator

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

    Director

  • The Hall Runner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Director

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

    Director

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

    Director

  • Invisible World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • Only Dream Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Director

  • Keyhole(2011)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Sinclair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • How to Take a Bath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • The Little White Cloud That Cried (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Night Mayor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer · Screenplay

  • Experiments in Terror 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director

  • Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Glorious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Writer

  • Spanky: To the Pier and Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

  • My Winnipeg: Live in Toronto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Producer · as Himself

  • 97 Percent True (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Footsteps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • It's My Mother's Birthday Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Director

  • My Winnipeg(2007)

    Director · Producer · Writer · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Berlin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • Brand Upon the Brain! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Writer

  • Odin's Shield Maiden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Cinematographer · Screenplay

  • Manuelle Labor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Lullaby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • My Dad Is 100 Years Old (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Nude Caboose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

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

    Director · Writer

  • Audition One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • Audition Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Chimney Workbook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

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

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Sorrowful Shadow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Sissy-Boy Slap-Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • A Trip to the Orphanage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • The Saddest Music in the World(2003)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Cowards Bend the Knee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Fancy, Fancy Being Rich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Dracula: Pages from a Virgin's Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Sonic Cinema: Sparklehorse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • It's a Wonderful Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • Preludes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • The Heart of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Nostradamus(2000)

    as Waiter Joe

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Hospital Fragment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Producer · Writer

  • Maldoror: Tygers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director

  • The Cock Crew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director · Editor · Writer

  • Twilight of the Ice Nymphs(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Rooster Workbook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Writer

  • Zookeeper Workbook (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Odilon Redon or The Eye Like a Strange Balloon Mounts Toward Infinity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Hands of Ida (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director

  • Careful(1992)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Production Design · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Indigo High-Hatters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

  • Archangel(1990)

    Director · Art Direction · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay · Sound

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Gimli Hospital(1988)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Dead Father (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Writer

  • The International Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Nurse

  • Oak, Ivy, and Other Dead Elms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Student

  • Nightingale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

  • The Triangular Door (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Narrator

Career shape

A full career of 81 titles, 79 of them dated from 1982 to 2026.

Biggest box office

The Saddest Music in the World (2003)

$855K worldwide

Highest rated

My Winnipeg (2007)

Midcredits 92nd

Most popular right now

The Vampire Lestat (2026)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting14 of 81: 13 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score63rdDirecting66 of 81: 30 only directing, 36 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thWriting31 of 81: 0 only writing, 31 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thProducing7 of 81: 1 only producing, 6 with another roleMusic1 of 81: 0 only music, 1 with another roleCinematography20 of 81: 0 only cinematography, 20 with another roleEditing11 of 81: 0 only editing, 11 with another roleOther crew4 of 81: 1 only other crew, 3 with another role

81 titles, 36 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 31 of them.

By decade

1980s4 · 2 acting · 2 crew1990s11 · crew2000s36 · 4 acting · 33 crew2010s20 · 5 acting · 15 crew2020s8 · 2 acting · 6 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

6 major nominations and no wins, 2001–2020.

  1. 2020
    • Berlinale award, nominated · Best Short Film
  2. 2018
    • Berlinale award, nominated ×2 · Forum
  3. 2007
    • Berlinale award, nominated · Best Feature Film
  4. 2005
    • Berlinale award, nominated · Best Short Film
  5. 2001
    • Cannes award, nominated · Directors' Fortnight

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 Guy Maddin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 15 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 15 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · director, writer, producer, composer

The Forbidden Room (2015)

72nd percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer, producer

My Winnipeg (2007)

Midcredits 92nd · 78% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 79/100 and the pacing 41/100 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.

Who does Guy Maddin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Guy Maddin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Toles shares the most, 7.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles