Director
Joe Dante
November 28, 1946 · Morristown, New Jersey, USA
Joseph James Dante Jr. (born November 28, 1946) is an American filmmaker, producer, editor and actor. His films—notably Gremlins (1984) alongside its sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)—often mix the 1950s-style B movie genre with 1960s radicalism and cartoon comedy.
Dante's output includes the films Piranha (1978), The Howling (1981), Explorers (1985), Innerspace (1987), The 'Burbs (1989), Matinee (1993), Small Soldiers (1998), and Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003). His work for television and cable include the social satire The Second Civil War (1997), episodes of the anthology series Masters of Horror ("Homecoming" and "The Screwfly Solution") and Amazing Stories, as well as Police Squad! and Hawaii Five-0.
Notable work
7.1Gremlins (1984)
as Mogwai / Gremlins (voice) (uncredited) and Director
6.5Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990)
as Grandpa Fred Director (uncredited)
7.2DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016)
Director
6.6Small Soldiers (1998)
Director
5.9Beverly Hills Cop III (1994)
as Jailer
7.7Hawaii Five-0 (2010)
Director
6.4Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
Director
6.8Innerspace (1987)
as Vectorscope Employee (uncredited) and Director
6.7The 'Burbs (1989)
Director
7.3MacGyver (2016)
Director
6.6The Howling (1981)
Director
6.5Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983)
Director
Often works with
Dick Miller
10 titles together
Gremlins, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Looney Tunes: Back in Action
Robert Picardo
5 titles together
Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Innerspace, The 'Burbs
Kevin McCarthy
4 titles together
Looney Tunes: Back in Action, Innerspace, The Howling
Belinda Balaski
3 titles together
Gremlins, The Howling, Piranha
Henry Gibson
3 titles together
Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Innerspace, The 'Burbs
Wendy Schaal
3 titles together
Small Soldiers, Innerspace, The 'Burbs
Full filmography · 64
The AckerMonster Chronicles!
cast
Upcoming
The Man with Kaleidoscope Eyes
Director
Upcoming
Dernsie: The Amazing Life of Bruce Dern
cast
2026
The Creeps
as Uncle John
20254.5
Razzennest
as Joe Dante
2022
Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp
as Host
2020
Time Warp Vol. 2: Horror and Sci-Fi
as Host
2020
Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness
as Host
2020
Nightmare Cinema
Director
20185.8
Tales of Halloween
as Prof. Milo Gottlieb
20155.7
Eaten Alive! The Rise and Fall of the Italian Cannibal Film
cast
2015
Burying the Ex
Director
20145.6