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Zack Snyder

Zack Snyder

Director, producer, writer and cinematographer · Born March 1, 1966 (60) · Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA

Cannes award nominee · Producers Guild Award nominee

Zachary Edward Snyder (born March 1, 1966) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and cinematographer whose distinctive visual style has made him one of the most influential blockbuster directors of the 21st century. Renowned for his operatic storytelling, striking cinematography, and groundbreaking action sequences, Snyder has helped redefine the modern comic book epic and established one of the most recognizable cinematic signatures in contemporary Hollywood. After beginning his career directing commercials and music videos, Snyder made his feature film debut with the acclaimed horror remake Dawn of the Dead (2004), before achieving worldwide success with 300 (2006), whose revolutionary visual style transformed the look of modern action cinema. He followed with Watchmen (2009), Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010), and the original fantasy film Sucker Punch (2011), further cementing his reputation as one of Hollywood's most visually ambitious filmmakers. Snyder gained global recognition for launching the DC Extended Universe with Man of Steel (2013), followed by Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017). His original vision was ultimately realized in Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021), a landmark director's cut whose release followed an unprecedented worldwide fan movement, becoming one of the most significant examples of audience-driven support in film history. Beyond superhero films, Snyder has expanded his creative portfolio with Netflix productions including Army of the Dead (2021), for which he also served as cinematographer, and the epic science-fiction saga Rebel Moon (2023–2024). Alongside his wife Deborah Snyder and producing partner Wesley Coller, he co-founded The Stone Quarry, producing many of his own projects while maintaining a first-look partnership with Netflix. Widely recognized for his innovative visual language, Snyder's influence extends across modern blockbuster filmmaking. His use of stylized slow motion, mythic storytelling, and richly composed imagery has inspired filmmakers around the world. Directors such as James Cameron and Christopher Nolan have praised his work, crediting him with helping shape the visual evolution of contemporary action, science fiction, and superhero cinema. His films have cultivated a passionate global following and continue to leave a lasting impact on popular culture.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 1, 1966 (60)
From
Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Works as
Director, producer, writer and cinematographer
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 45 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 52% in 30 days

What are Zack Snyder's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Sci-Fi2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Sci-Fi 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
Morality
28%
Bonds
20%
Survival
17%
Self
14%
Power
8%
Society
8%
Ideas
4%
Survival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 4 · Serious 2 · Dark 14

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

Grounded 0 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 14

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 1 · Intense 18

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 6

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

Casual 4 · Engaged 12 · Full focus 4

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 5 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Thrilling
10
Melancholic
10
Dread
7
Hopeful
7
Other
12

How their films linger

Bittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Zack Snyder's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 24 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on HBO Max (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Zack Snyder'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

45 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Last Photograph(2026)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Story

  • The Studio(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Zack Snyder

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Twilight of the Gods(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · Director · Creator · Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver(2024)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire(2023)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Army of Thieves(2021)

    Producer · Story

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Suicide Squad(2021)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Army of the Dead(2021)

    Director · Camera Operator · Cinematographer · Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Zack Snyder's Justice League(2021)

    Director · Additional Photography · Story · as Man in Coffee Shop (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Wonder Woman 1984(2020)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Aquaman(2018)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Justice League(2017)

    Director · Story

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Snow Steam Iron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer · Screenplay

  • Wonder Woman(2017)

    Producer · Story · as U.S. Soldier (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Suicide Squad(2016)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice(2016)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Dawn of the Justice League(2016)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Late Show with Stephen Colbert(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Co-Director

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • 300: Rise of an Empire(2014)

    Producer · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Rick and Morty(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Zack Snyder (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Journey of Discovery: Creating Man of Steel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics(2013)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Superman 75 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director

  • Man of Steel(2013)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Teen Titans Go!(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Zack Snyder (voice)

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Sucker Punch(2011)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole(2010)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Real Super Heroes: Real Vigilantes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Tales of the Black Freighter(2009)

    Executive Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Under the Hood(2009)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Watchmen(2009)

    Director · as Commando in Vietnam (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • 300(2006)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Lost Tape: Andy's Terrifying Last Days Revealed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · Thanks

  • Dawn of the Dead(2004)

    Director · as Commando at White House (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Silence(2002)

    Second Assistant Director

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Morrissey: ¡Oye Esteban! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director

  • For a Moment Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director · Writer

  • Michael Jordan's Playground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director

  • Blood and Ashes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Writer

  • Brawler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

  • Deviants (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Screenplay

  • Escape from New York (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

  • Untitled Zack Snyder LAPD Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay

Career shape

A full career of 45 titles, 40 of them dated from 1990 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Aquaman (2018)

$1.2B worldwide

Highest rated

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Justice League (2017)

Film career

  • 2013Screen debut· Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting13 of 45: 9 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score87thDirecting24 of 45: 7 only directing, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score60thWriting19 of 45: 2 only writing, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thProducing19 of 45: 5 only producing, 14 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thCinematography5 of 45: 0 only cinematography, 5 with another roleOther crew5 of 45: 1 only other crew, 4 with another role

45 titles, 21 with more than one role — directing and producing overlap on 10 of them.

By decade

1990s2 · crew2000s11 · 5 acting · 8 crew2010s17 · 6 acting · 12 crew2020s10 · 2 acting · 9 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

2 major nominations and no wins, 2004–2018.

  1. 2018
    • Producers Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures
  2. 2004
    • Cannes award, nominated

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 Zack Snyder's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 70th percentile, the median of the 24 of 25 with a score; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

93rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Mixed11

Most divisive · director

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)

84th percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director, writer

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Midcredits 96th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 66/100 and the pacing 44/100 in their films, across 20 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 Zack Snyder's work okay for kids?

Across up to 18 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore18 titles52–95 · median 71 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity18 titles16–79 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity18 titles26–86 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs18 titles14–38 · median 30 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense18 titles39–86 · median 61 · intenseheavier 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 Zack Snyder work with?

People who share at least 2 of Zack Snyder's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Deborah Snyder shares the most, 20.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

  • Deborah Snyder20 titles    See newest 12 of 20 shared titles with Deborah Snyder
  • Wesley Coller14 titles    See newest 12 of 14 shared titles with Wesley Coller
  • Charles Roven6 titles    See all 6 shared titles with Charles Roven
  • Thomas Tull5 titles    See all 5 shared titles with Thomas Tull