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Michael Spiller

Michael Spiller

Director and cinematographer, also producer

Michael Spiller is an American television director and cinematographer.

Biography from TMDB.

Works as
Director and cinematographer, also producer
Titles
45 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 45% in 30 days

What are Michael Spiller's films like?

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

Genres

Comedy8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
30%
Self
26%
Morality
26%
Power
7%
Society
7%
Survival
3%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 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 7 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 9 · Intense 2

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

A split, not a type: Steady 7 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

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 9 · Full focus 1

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 7 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
8
Tense
8
Contemplative
8
Warm
6
Melancholic
4
Other
8

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

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 Spiller's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 45 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Spiller'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, 45 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Scrubs(2026)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • So Help Me Todd(2022)

    Show 21 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Sex Lives of College Girls(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 20 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

  • AJ and the Queen(2020)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Mixed-ish(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Whiskey Cavalier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Perfect Harmony(2019)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • I Feel Bad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Champions(2018)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Good Girls(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Fresh Off the Boat(2015)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Mindy Project(2012)

    Show 77 episodes · Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • New Girl(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Middle(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Cougar Town(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Modern Family(2009)

    Show 22 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Better Off Ted(2009)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Worst Week(2008)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Samantha Who?(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Aliens in America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Big Shots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Riches(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Big Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Ugly Betty(2006)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Big Love(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Kitchen Confidential (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Office(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Jake in Progress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 9 episodes · Director

  • Life As We Know It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Cracking Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Lucky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Oliver Beene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • Do Over (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • No Such Thing(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Greg the Bunny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Leap of Faith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Bernie Mac Show(2001)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Scrubs(2001)

    Show 21 episodes · Director · as The Balloon Guy

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Drop Dead Gorgeous(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Hell's Kitchen(1998)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Henry Fool(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Sex and the City(1998)

    Show 28 episodes · Director · Cinematographer · as Slick Guy

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Niagara, Niagara(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Significant Others (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hanson: Tulsa, Tokyo & the Middle of Nowhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Cinematographer

  • The House of Yes(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Flirt(1995)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Walking and Talking(1996)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Search and Destroy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Cinematographer

  • Hand Gun(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Amateur(1994)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Opera No. 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Cinematographer

  • The Adventures of Pete & Pete (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 5 episodes · Cinematographer

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

    Cinematographer

  • The Dark Half(1993)

    Additional Camera · Second Unit Director of Photography

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Lincoln and the War Within(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Simple Men(1992)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Wadeck's Mother's Friend's Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Ambition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Surviving Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Cinematographer

  • Fishing with John (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · Cinematographer

  • Theory of Achievement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Age Isn't Everything(1991)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Angry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • My Birthday Cake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Cinematographer

  • Trust(1990)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Unbelievable Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Cinematographer

  • No Picnic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Second Unit Cinematographer

  • The Green Flash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Additional Photography · Assistant Camera

  • She Must Be Seeing Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Assistant Camera

  • Campus Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Undercover Cop

  • Working Girls(1986)

    Gaffer

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The Cartographer's Girlfriend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Cinematographer

  • Streetwalkin'(1985)

    Electrician

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Tommy's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Cinematographer

  • Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Cinematographer

  • Mr. Ed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Director

Career shape

A full career of 80 titles, 79 of them dated from 1984 to 2026.

Biggest box office

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)

$11M worldwide

Highest rated

Trust (1990)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Perfect Harmony (2019)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting4 of 80: 2 only acting, 2 with another roleDirecting42 of 80: 37 only directing, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thProducing3 of 80: 0 only producing, 3 with another roleCinematography33 of 80: 30 only cinematography, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thOther crew6 of 80: 4 only other crew, 2 with another role

80 titles, 7 with more than one role — directing and cinematography overlap on 1 of them.

By decade

1980s8 · 1 acting · 7 crew1990s30 · 2 acting · 29 crew2000s25 · 1 acting · 25 crew2010s11 · 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.

How do Michael Spiller's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 70th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 68th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 45 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 45 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · cinematographer

Age Isn't Everything (1991)

80th percentile spread · 39% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

The Office (2005)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 68/100 and the pacing 45/100 in their films, across 12 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 Michael Spiller work with?

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

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles