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J. Michael Muro

Cinematographer and director, also producer and writer · Born January 1, 1966 (60) · New York City, New York, USA

BAFTA Award nominee

J. Michael Muro is an American cinematographer and director working in both the film and television industries. Muro lives in New Orleans with his family.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 1, 1966 (60)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Cinematographer and director, also producer and writer
Titles
56 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 6% in 30 days

What are J. Michael Muro's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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
21%
Bonds
20%
Society
17%
Survival
15%
Morality
14%
Power
10%
Ideas
3%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 7

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 4

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

Casual 6 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 3

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

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Hopeful
5
Dread
4
Thrilling
4
Melancholic
4
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic2
  • 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 J. Michael Muro's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 44 of their 56 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for J. Michael Muro'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

61 credits, 56 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Street Trash(2024)

    Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Dexter: Original Sin(2024)

    Show 2 episodes · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2(2024)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1(2024)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Fire Country(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Billionaire Boys Club(2018)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • SEAL Team(2017)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Book of Love(2016)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Animal Kingdom(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Rush Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Outsiders(2016)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Wicked City(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Red Road(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Parker(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Longmire(2012)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • What's Your Number?(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Shameless(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Traitor(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Rush Hour 3(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Mimzy(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Flicka(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Miami Vice(2006)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Roll Bounce(2005)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Crash(2004)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Chronicles of Riddick(2004)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Open Range(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Red Dragon(2002)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Rush Hour 2(2001)

    "A" Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Fast and the Furious(2001)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Family Man(2000)

    "B" Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Insider(1999)

    "B" Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Runaway Bride(1999)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Negotiator(1998)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • U.S. Marshals(1998)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Titanic(1997)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Confidential(1997)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Heat(1995)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Casino(1995)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Strange Days(1995)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator · as Nervous POV

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • True Lies(1994)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Beverly Hillbillies(1993)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Falling Down(1993)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • A Few Good Men(1992)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Sneakers(1992)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Raising Cain(1992)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Thunderheart(1992)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • JFK(1991)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day(1991)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Doors(1991)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Predator 2(1990)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Dances with Wolves(1990)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Palermo Connection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Steadicam Operator

  • The Abyss(1989)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Mighty Quinn(1989)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Brain Damage(1988)

    Steadicam Operator

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Street Trash(1987)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Forever, Lulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Steadicam Operator

  • Street Trash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Basket Case(1981)

    Sound Assistant

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 61 titles from 1982 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

$258M worldwide

Highest rated

Open Range (2003)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Dexter: Original Sin (2024)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 61: 0 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting12 of 61: 12 only directing, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thProducing1 of 61: 1 only producing, 0 with another roleCinematography16 of 61: 16 only cinematography, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thOther crew32 of 61: 31 only other crew, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score87th

By decade

1980s7 · crew1990s22 · 1 acting · 22 crew2000s14 · crew2010s13 · crew2020s5 · 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

Nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2006, Best Cinematography.

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 J. Michael Muro's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 74th percentile, the median of all 47; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 53rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

95thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 56 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up28
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 56 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved18
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · cinematographer

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 (2024)

68th percentile spread · 11% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Shameless (2011)

Midcredits 97th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 63/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

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 J. Michael Muro's work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles41–86 · median 68 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles14–76 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles31–88 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles24–71 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense10 titles37–74 · median 55 · 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 J. Michael Muro work with?

People who share at least 2 of J. Michael Muro's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kevin Costner shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors