Chris Columbus

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 ...

2

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

AdventurousAction-packedFantasticalBeautiful

Harry Potter has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house his whole life. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard—with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As he learns to harness his newfound ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Daniel Radcliffe  •  Rupert Grint  •  Emma Watson  •  Richard Harris

Harry Potter has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle's house his whole life. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he's a powerful wizard—with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As he learns to harness his newfound ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Daniel Radcliffe  •  Rupert Grint  •  Emma Watson  •  Richard Harris

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

CharmingEnjoyableFunnyCute

Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard, estranged from his exasperated spouse, is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as a British nanny. Soon he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Robin Williams  •  Sally Field  •  Pierce Brosnan  •  Harvey Fierstein

Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard, estranged from his exasperated spouse, is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as a British nanny. Soon he ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Robin Williams  •  Sally Field  •  Pierce Brosnan  •  Harvey Fierstein

Adventures in Babysitting (1987)

Sleep-throughCuteSimpleAdventurous

When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker ends up babysitting the Anderson kids, Brad and Sara. What should be a quiet night in, however, turns into a series of ridiculous exploits, starting when they leave the house to pick up ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Elisabeth Shue  •  Maia Brewton  •  Keith Coogan  •  Anthony Rapp

When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker ends up babysitting the Anderson kids, Brad and Sara. What should be a quiet night in, however, turns into a series of ridiculous exploits, starting when they leave the house to pick up ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Elisabeth Shue  •  Maia Brewton  •  Keith Coogan  •  Anthony Rapp

Bicentennial Man (1999)

Richard Martin buys a gift, a new NDR-114 robot. The product is named Andrew by the youngest of the family's children. "Bicentennial Man" follows the life and times of Andrew, a robot purchased as a household appliance programmed to perform menial tasks. As Andrew ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Robin Williams  •  Sam Neill  •  Embeth Davidtz  •  Oliver Platt

Richard Martin buys a gift, a new NDR-114 robot. The product is named Andrew by the youngest of the family's children. "Bicentennial Man" follows the life and times of Andrew, a robot purchased as a household appliance programmed to perform menial tasks. As Andrew ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Robin Williams  •  Sam Neill  •  Embeth Davidtz  •  Oliver Platt

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

AdventurousSuspensefulCharmingCute

Cars fly, trees fight back, and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of his second year at Hogwarts. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. To save Hogwarts will require ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Daniel Radcliffe  •  Rupert Grint  •  Emma Watson  •  Kenneth Branagh

Cars fly, trees fight back, and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of his second year at Hogwarts. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. To save Hogwarts will require ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Daniel Radcliffe  •  Rupert Grint  •  Emma Watson  •  Kenneth Branagh

Home Alone (1990)

FunnyEnjoyableSimpleAdventurous

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. But when a pair of bungling burglars set their sights on Kevin's house, the plucky kid stands ready to defend his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Macaulay Culkin  •  Joe Pesci  •  Daniel Stern  •  John Heard

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. But when a pair of bungling burglars set their sights on Kevin's house, the plucky kid stands ready to defend his ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Macaulay Culkin  •  Joe Pesci  •  Daniel Stern  •  John Heard

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)

FunnyEnjoyableSimpleAdventurous

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Macaulay Culkin  •  Joe Pesci  •  Catherine O'Hara  •  Daniel Stern

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Macaulay Culkin  •  Joe Pesci  •  Catherine O'Hara  •  Daniel Stern

Nine Months (1995)

When he finds out his longtime girlfriend is pregnant, a commitment-phobe realizes he might have to change his lifestyle for better or much, much worse.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Hugh Grant  •  Julianne Moore  •  Tom Arnold  •  Joan Cusack

When he finds out his longtime girlfriend is pregnant, a commitment-phobe realizes he might have to change his lifestyle for better or much, much worse.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Hugh Grant  •  Julianne Moore  •  Tom Arnold  •  Joan Cusack

Stepmom (1998)

BeautifulClassicEmotionalFun

Jackie is a divorced mother of two. Isabel is the career minded girlfriend of Jackie’s ex-husband Luke, forced into the role of unwelcome stepmother to their children. But when Jackie discovers she is ill, both women realise they must put aside their differences to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Julia Roberts  •  Susan Sarandon  •  Ed Harris  •  Jena Malone

Jackie is a divorced mother of two. Isabel is the career minded girlfriend of Jackie’s ex-husband Luke, forced into the role of unwelcome stepmother to their children. But when Jackie discovers she is ill, both women realise they must put aside their differences to ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Julia Roberts  •  Susan Sarandon  •  Ed Harris  •  Jena Malone

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)

Accident prone teenager, Percy discovers he's actually a demi-God, the son of Poseidon, and he is needed when Zeus' lightning is stolen. Percy must master his new found skills in order to prevent a war between the Gods that could devastate the entire world.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Logan Lerman  •  Brandon T. Jackson  •  Alexandra Daddario  •  Jake Abel

Accident prone teenager, Percy discovers he's actually a demi-God, the son of Poseidon, and he is needed when Zeus' lightning is stolen. Percy must master his new found skills in order to prevent a war between the Gods that could devastate the entire world.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Logan Lerman  •  Brandon T. Jackson  •  Alexandra Daddario  •  Jake Abel

Rent (2005)

This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in late 1980s East Village, New York, USA. The film centers around Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a tragedy has made Roger numb to new experiences, Mark begins ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Anthony Rapp  •  Adam Pascal  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Jesse L. Martin

This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in late 1980s East Village, New York, USA. The film centers around Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a tragedy has made Roger numb to new experiences, Mark begins ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Anthony Rapp  •  Adam Pascal  •  Rosario Dawson  •  Jesse L. Martin

I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009)

A valedictorian's declaration of love for a high-school cheerleader launches a night of revelry, reflection and romance for a group of graduating seniors.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Hayden Panettiere  •  Paul Rust  •  Lauren London  •  Jack Carpenter

A valedictorian's declaration of love for a high-school cheerleader launches a night of revelry, reflection and romance for a group of graduating seniors.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Hayden Panettiere  •  Paul Rust  •  Lauren London  •  Jack Carpenter

Only the Lonely (1991)

Danny Muldoon, a Chicago policeman, still lives with his overbearing mother Rose. He meets and falls in love with Theresa Luna , whose father owns the local funeral parlour. Naturally, his mother objects to the relationship, and Danny and Theresa must either ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  John Candy  •  Maureen O'Hara  •  Ally Sheedy  •  Anthony Quinn

Danny Muldoon, a Chicago policeman, still lives with his overbearing mother Rose. He meets and falls in love with Theresa Luna , whose father owns the local funeral parlour. Naturally, his mother objects to the relationship, and Danny and Theresa must either ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  John Candy  •  Maureen O'Hara  •  Ally Sheedy  •  Anthony Quinn

Pixels (2015)

BoringSimpleWhimsicalAdventurous

Video game experts are recruited by the military to fight 1980s-era video game characters who've attacked New York.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  Michelle Monaghan  •  Peter Dinklage  •  Josh Gad

Video game experts are recruited by the military to fight 1980s-era video game characters who've attacked New York.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Adam Sandler  •  Michelle Monaghan  •  Peter Dinklage  •  Josh Gad

Fog City Mavericks (2007)

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gary Leva
CAST:  George Lucas  •  Francis Ford Coppola  •  John Lasseter  •  Sofia Coppola

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 ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gary Leva
CAST:  George Lucas  •  Francis Ford Coppola  •  John Lasseter  •  Sofia Coppola

Heartbreak Hotel (1988)

When a teen tries to set up a band at his school, his mother who was a big fan of Elvis Presley gets in a wreck he and his band members decides to kidnap Elvis and have him hooked up with his mother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  David Keith  •  Tuesday Weld  •  Charlie Schlatter  •  Angela Goethals

When a teen tries to set up a band at his school, his mother who was a big fan of Elvis Presley gets in a wreck he and his band members decides to kidnap Elvis and have him hooked up with his mother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  David Keith  •  Tuesday Weld  •  Charlie Schlatter  •  Angela Goethals

No Day But Today: The Story of 'Rent' (2006)

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeffrey Schwarz
CAST:  Billy Aronson  •  Martha Banta  •  Michael Barnathan  •  Chris Columbus

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeffrey Schwarz
CAST:  Billy Aronson  •  Martha Banta  •  Michael Barnathan  •  Chris Columbus

The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two (2020)

Kate Pierce is reluctantly spending Christmas with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack. But when the North Pole and Christmas are threatened to be destroyed, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  Goldie Hawn  •  Tyrese Gibson  •  Jahzir Bruno

Kate Pierce is reluctantly spending Christmas with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack. But when the North Pole and Christmas are threatened to be destroyed, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Chris Columbus
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  Goldie Hawn  •  Tyrese Gibson  •  Jahzir Bruno

Cute. Clever. Mischievous. Intelligent. Dangerous: Making Gremlins (2014)

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Laurent Bouzereau
CAST:  Frank Marshall  •  Steven Spielberg  •  Chris Columbus  •  Joe Dante

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Laurent Bouzereau
CAST:  Frank Marshall  •  Steven Spielberg  •  Chris Columbus  •  Joe Dante

From Gizmo to Gremlins: Creating the Creatures (2014)

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Laurent Bouzereau
CAST:  Chris Columbus  •  Michael Finnell  •  Steven Spielberg  •  Joe Dante

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.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Laurent Bouzereau
CAST:  Chris Columbus  •  Michael Finnell  •  Steven Spielberg  •  Joe Dante
2