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Michael Shanks

Michael Shanks

Actor · Born December 15, 1970 (55) · Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Michael Garrett Shanks (born December 15, 1970) is a Canadian actor who achieved fame for his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson in the long-running Canadian-American military science fiction television series Stargate SG-1. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Shanks, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 15, 1970 (55)
From
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
48 on MovieCove · 64 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 4% in 30 days

What are Michael Shanks' films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 13th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 22nd percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
Survival
32%
Bonds
24%
Morality
18%
Self
12%
Power
10%
Ideas
2%
Society
2%
Survival10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 24 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 10 · Serious 8 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 14 · Stylized 10 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 10 · Intense 8

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

Steady 13 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 12 · 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 14 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 3

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 8 · Heavy 5

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

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

22 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 10 of 22 analyzed roles.

Hero
10 of 22
Mentor
5 of 22
Shadow
3 of 22
Herald
2 of 22
Ally
2 of 22
Show the 22 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Melancholic
9
Dread
7
Hopeful
10
Thrilling
6
Other
19

How their films linger

Hopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Shanks' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (17).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Shanks' 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

64 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page.

  • Time Cut(2024)

    as Gil

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Virgin River(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Wes

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The College Admissions Scandal(2019)

    as Rick Singer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Heritage Minutes: D-Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Major Archie MacNaughton

  • Unspeakable(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · as Will Sanders

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

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

    as Blind Date Guy

  • Altered Carbon(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Horace Axley

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Christmas Homecoming(2017)

    as Master Sgt. Jim Mullins

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Good Doctor(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Hearts of Spring(2016)

    as Andy Summers

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Elysium(2013)

    as CCB Agent

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Hockey: The Gordie Howe Story(2013)

    as Gordie Howe

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • 13 Eerie(2013)

    as Tomkins

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Bouquet(2013)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Saving Hope(2012)

    Show 85 episodes · Director · as Dr. Charlie Harris

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Tactical Force(2011)

    as Demetrius

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Pastor's Wife(2011)

    as Matthew Winkler

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Faces in the Crowd(2011)

    as Bryce

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Christmas Lodge(2011)

    as Jack

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Red Riding Hood(2011)

    as Adrien Lazar

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Tower Prep(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Literature

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Arctic Blast(2010)

    as Jack Tate

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The Good Guys(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Capt. Shaw

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Escape(2009)

    as Michael Coleman

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Stargate 101 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as Daniel Jackson

  • Stargate Universe(2009)

    Show 5 episodes · as Daniel Jackson

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Stargate Atlantis: Fans' Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Daniel Jackson

  • Stargate SG-1: Children of the Gods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Dr. Daniel Jackson

  • Living Out Loud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Brad Marshall

  • Stargate - En route vers les étoiles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Jackson - Lui-même

  • The Lost Treasure of the Grand Canyon(2008)

    as Jacob Thain

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Sanctuary(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Stargate: Continuum(2008)

    as Dr. Daniel Jackson

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Stargate: The Ark of Truth(2008)

    as Dr. Daniel Jackson

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Mega Snake(2007)

    as Les Daniels

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Burn Notice(2007)

    Show 5 episodes · as Victor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Behind the Mythology of Stargate SG-1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Presenter

  • Judicial Indiscretion(2007)

    as Jack Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Under the Mistletoe(2006)

    as Kevin Harrison

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Eureka(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Christopher Daktylos

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Swarmed(2005)

    as Kent Horvath

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Rob

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Stargate: Atlantis(2004)

    Show 4 episodes · as Dr. Daniel Jackson

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Sumuru(2003)

    as Adam Wade

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Doug Stets

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Donnie

  • Door to Door(2002)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • All Around the Town(2002)

    as Justin Donnelly

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • 24(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mark Bishop

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Smallville(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Carter Hall / Hawkman

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Suddenly Naked (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Danny Blair / Donny Blitzer

  • Suspicious River(2000)

    as Ball Cap Man

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Chris Isaak Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Andromeda(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gabriel / Balance of Judgment

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • The Artist's Circle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Artist

  • Escape from Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Bill Malone, Mission Architect

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 195 episodes · Director · Writer · as Daniel Jackson · as Thor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Will Olsten · as Melburn Ross

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • A Family Divided(1995)

    as Todd

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • University Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Madison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Jesse Collins

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Heritage Minutes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Le major Archie MacNaughton

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 64 titles from 1991 to 2024; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Mega Snake (2007)

$224K worldwide

Highest rated

Stargate SG-1 (1997)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

19912024

Peak 2010 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting63 of 64: 61 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdDirecting2 of 64: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting1 of 64: 0 only writing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 64: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1990s9 · 9 acting · 1 crew2000s32 · 31 acting · 1 crew2010s22 · 22 acting · 1 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 7% of 15 roles

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. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Michael Shanks' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 24 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 24

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 24

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 48 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Mixed24

Most divisive · actor

Sumuru (2003)

83rd percentile spread · 61% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer

Stargate SG-1 (1997)

Midcredits 96th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 57/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 34. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

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 Shanks' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

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

Who does Michael Shanks work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Shanks' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Mendeluk shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers