Chris Columbus

Chris Columbus

Born: September 10, 1958
in Spangler, Pennsylvania, USA
Chris Joseph Columbus (born September 10, 1958) is an American filmmaker. Born in Spangler, Pennsylvania, Columbus studied film at Tisch School of the Arts where he developed an interest in filmmaking. After writing screenplays for several teen comedies in the mid-1980s, he made his directorial debut with a teen adventure, Adventures in Babysitting (1987). Columbus gained recognition soon after with the highly successful Christmas comedy Home Alone (1990) and its sequel Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).

The comedy Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), starring Robin Williams, was another box office success for Columbus. He went on to direct several other films throughout the 1990s, which were mostly met with lukewarm reception. However, he found commercial success again for directing the film adaptations of J. K. Rowling's novels, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) and its sequel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), which are his highest-grossing films to date. In addition to directing, Columbus was a producer for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), and the drama The Help (2011). He also directed the fantasy Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010) and the 3D action comedy Pixels (2015).

Columbus is the co-founder of 1492 Pictures, a film production company that has produced some of his films since 1995. More recently, he co-founded another production firm with his daughter in 2014, called Maiden Voyage Pictures. In 2017, he launched ZAG Animation Studios, alongside Michael Barnathan, Haim Saban, and Jeremy Zag.

Movies for Chris Columbus...

David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived
Title: David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 16, 2023
Type: Movie
As Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the Harry Potter films, David Holmes’ work has been seen worldwide by millions of people. Tragically an on-set accident ended what David calls “the best job in the world,” leaving him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Like the on-screen character he helped bring to life, David is determined to continue seeking adventure and living life to the fullest despite mounting obstacles.
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Title: 100 Years of Warner Bros.
Character: Self
Released: May 25, 2023
Type: TV
Tracing a century of movie and TV history, these four documentary specials explore the unparalleled global impact of Warner Bros. on art, commerce, and culture.
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Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Title: Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2022
Type: Movie
An enchanting making-of story told through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.
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Showbiz Kids
Title: Showbiz Kids
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: July 14, 2020
Type: Movie
A documentary chronicling the shared experiences of prominent former child stars and the personal and professional price of fame and failure on a child.
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Title: Reunited Apart
Character: Self
Released: April 27, 2020
Type: TV
Josh Gad reunites the cast and crews of various classic movies, and discusses the the films in hilarious yet heartfelt conversations.
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Title: The Movies That Made Us
Character: Self
Released: November 29, 2019
Type: TV
These blockbusters brought us together and gave us the time of our lives. Meet the actors, directors and industry insiders who made them happen.
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From Gizmo to Gremlins: Creating the Creatures
Title: From Gizmo to Gremlins: Creating the Creatures
Character: Self
Released: September 30, 2014
Type: Movie
Chris Walas and Howie Mandel, the voice of Gizmo, describe the laborious development of Gizmo and the Gremlins and the painstaking work required to bring them to life in the pre-digital age.
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Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous: Making Gremlins
Title: Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous: Making Gremlins
Character: Self
Released: September 30, 2014
Type: Movie
This new retrospective features new interviews with director Joe Dante, star Zach Galligan, writer Chris Columbus, executive producers Steven Spielberg and Frank Marshall and producer Michael Finnell.
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Daniel Radcliffe: Being Harry Potter
Title: Daniel Radcliffe: Being Harry Potter
Character: Self
Released: October 10, 2012
Type: Movie
Made-for-television documentary about Daniel Radcliffe and his role as Harry Potter.
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Fog City Mavericks
Title: Fog City Mavericks
Character: Self
Released: October 24, 2007
Type: Movie
Fog City Mavericks: The Filmmakers of San Francisco is a compelling exploration of the legendary filmmakers who call the San Francisco Bay Area home including George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, Chris Columbus and producer Saul Zaentz. The special weaves interviews, commentaries and unforgettable moments from some of the most visionary movies ever created such as American Graffiti, the Star Wars film series, the Indiana Jones film series, The Godfather trilogy, Apocalypse Now, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Lost in Translation, Flags of Our Fathers and many others. It also features interviews with those who have worked with Bay Area mavericks: Steven Spielberg, Michael Douglas, Anthony Minghella, Milos Forman and Frank Darabont.
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No Day But Today: The Story of 'Rent'
Title: No Day But Today: The Story of 'Rent'
Character: Himself
Released: August 2, 2006
Type: Movie
Feature length documentary about Jonathan Larson and "Rent"'s journey from Broadway to the screen. Featuring director Chris Columbus, the entire cast, and dozens of friends and family of Jonathan Larson.
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The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Title: The Magic Touch of Harry Potter
Character: Self
Released: June 11, 2004
Type: Movie
A 2004 documentary on the first three “Harry Potter” films detailing the behind-the-scenes journey of making them.
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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Title: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Character: Man in Toy Store (uncredited)
Released: November 15, 1992
Type: Movie
Instead of flying to Florida with his folks, Kevin ends up alone in New York, where he gets a hotel room with his dad's credit card—despite problems from a clerk and meddling bellboy. But when Kevin runs into his old nemeses, the Wet Bandits, he's determined to foil their plans to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve.