Skip to content
MovieCove
Michael Pressman

Michael Pressman

Director, actor and producer, also writer · Born July 1, 1950 (76) · New York City, New York, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Michael Pressman (born July 1, 1950 in New York City, New York) is an American director and producer of film and television. Some of the films he has directed are The Great Texas Dynamite Chase (1976), Doctor Detroit (1983), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991), To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996). For television, he has directed episodes of Picket Fences, The Practice, The Graudian, Boston Legal, The Closer, Law & Order, Weeds, Grey's Anatomy and other series. He is an alumni of Camp Rising Sun and studied filmmaking at the California Institute of the Arts.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 1, 1950 (76)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Director, actor and producer, also writer
Titles
44 on MovieCove · 60 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 48% in 30 days

What are Michael Pressman's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action 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
23%
Self
22%
Morality
18%
Survival
16%
Society
12%
Ideas
5%
Power
4%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 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 11 · Serious 4 · Dark 7

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

Grounded 16 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 14 · Intense 3

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

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 3

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 11 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 13 · 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 12 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 1

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 11 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 7

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

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Hopeful
9
Melancholic
6
Warm
7
Bittersweet
5
Other
19

How their films linger

Hopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet10
  • 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 Michael Pressman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Pressman'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

60 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Alaska Daily(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Becoming Helen Keller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Director

  • Law & Order True Crime(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Detours(2016)

    as Tom McKinnon

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 36 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Sneaky Pete(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Star-Crossed(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Unforgettable(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Blue Bloods(2010)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Life on Mars(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • In Treatment(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Cashmere Mafia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 7 episodes · Director · Producer

  • Private Practice(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Damages(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Weeds(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Trial by Jury(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Frankie and Johnny Are Married(2003)

    Director · Writer · as Michael Pressman

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 8 episodes · Producer

  • The Guardian(2001)

    Show 22 episodes · Director · Executive Producer · as Alex Steele

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The $treet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Boston Public (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • A Season for Miracles(1999)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 18 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Lake Placid(1999)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Saint Maybe(1998)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • To Have & to Hold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday(1996)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 141 episodes · Director · Producer · as Marvin Rosenzweig

  • Miracle Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director

  • Picket Fences(1992)

    Show 9 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Quicksand: No Escape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Director

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze(1991)

    Director · as News Manager

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 13 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Joshua's Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Incident at Dark River(1989)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Capone Behind Bars(1989)

    Director · as Agent

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Man Against the Mob: The Chinatown Murders(1989)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Shootdown(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • To Heal a Nation(1988)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Haunted by Her Past(1987)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Christmas Gift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • Final Jeopardy(1985)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Private Sessions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • And the Children Shall Lead(1985)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Impostor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Director

  • Doctor Detroit(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Some Kind of Hero(1982)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Those Lips, Those Eyes(1980)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Boulevard Nights(1979)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Like Mom, Like Me(1978)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training(1977)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Great Texas Dynamite Chase(1976)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Sound Sleeper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Still Photographer · as Passenger at Airport

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

Career shape

A full career of 60 titles from 1951 to 2022.

Biggest box office

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

$80M worldwide

Highest rated

In Treatment (2008)

Midcredits 92nd

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting7 of 60: 1 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score47thDirecting56 of 60: 48 only directing, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thWriting1 of 60: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing7 of 60: 2 only producing, 5 with another roleOther crew1 of 60: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

60 titles, 9 with more than one role — directing and acting overlap on 5 of them.

By decade

1950s1 · crew1970s5 · 1 acting · 5 crew1980s14 · 1 acting · 14 crew1990s14 · 2 acting · 14 crew2000s16 · 2 acting · 16 crew2010s8 · 1 acting · 7 crew2020s2 · 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 Michael Pressman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 22; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 44 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 44 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · director

And the Children Shall Lead (1985)

85th percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Boston Legal (2004)

Midcredits 96th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 65/100 and the pacing 52/100 in their films, across 19 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 Pressman's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 51 · moderateMedian of all films: 36

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Michael Pressman work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Pressman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Millie Moore shares the most, 6.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers