Michael Showalter

Directing

Michael Showalter

Born 1970-06-17 · Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Michael Showalter (born June 17, 1970) is an American director, writer, and producer. He first achieved recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. He and David Wain created the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring in Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and the Netflix series. Showalter wrote and directed The Baxter(2005), in which he starred with Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. Both films featured many of his co-stars from The State, and so do several of his other projects. Showalter is also a co-creator, co-producer, actor, and writer for the TV series Search Party. He directed the 2017 film The Big Sick and the 2021 film The Eyes of Tammy Faye, both of which were critically acclaimed. Description above from the Wikipedia article Michael Showalter, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Acting credits

Signs poster
6.7

A family living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening to come.

Signs

2002

Kissing Jessica Stein poster
6.0

Jessica, a Jewish copy editor living and working in New York City, is plagued by failed blind dates with men, and decides to answer a newspaper's personal advertisement. The advertisement has been placed by 'lesbian-curious' Helen Cooper, a thirtysomething art gallerist.

Kissing Jessica Stein

2002

Reno 911!: Miami poster
5.8

A rag-tag team of Reno cops are called in to save the day after a terrorist attack disrupts a national police convention in Miami Beach during spring break. Based on the Comedy Central series.

Reno 911!: Miami

2007

Wanderlust poster
5.5

Rattled by sudden unemployment, a Manhattan couple surveys alternative living options, ultimately deciding to experiment with living on a rural commune where free love rules.

Wanderlust

2012

Safe Men poster
5.5

Two untalented singers are mistaken for a pair of major league safe crackers in Providence, Rhode Island. The two are pressed into service by the local hoodlums and quickly find themselves in conflict with their professional colleagues. Romantic interest is added by the daughter of the underworld leader who won't date the men she knows are gangsters.

Safe Men

1998

Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot poster
6.4

Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage offers a glimpse into the comic minds behind a "Wet Hot" summer-camp cult hit featuring many future stars.

Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot

2015

Wet Hot American Summer poster
6.2

It's the last day of Camp Firewood's season, but there's still time for the big talent show, a little romance… and for everyone to be wiped out by the piece of NASA's Skylab that's hurtling toward Earth.

Wet Hot American Summer

2001

Two Night Stand poster
6.4

After an extremely regrettable one night stand, two strangers wake up to find themselves snowed in after sleeping through a blizzard that put all of Manhattan on ice. They're now trapped together in a tiny apartment, forced to get to know each other way more than any one night stand should.

Two Night Stand

2014

Misery Loves Comedy poster
6.0

Do you have to be miserable to be funny? More than sixty comedians—including stand-ups, writers, actors, and directors from the US, Canada, and abroad—take on this question, sharing anecdotes and insights with lively enthusiasm.

Misery Loves Comedy

2015

The Ten poster
4.8

Ten stories, each inspired by one of the ten commandments.

The Ten

2007

Griffin & Phoenix poster
7.1

A terminally ill man falls in love with a woman who has a secret that threatens their time spent together.

Griffin & Phoenix

2006

Hair High poster
6.4

Rod and Cherri are the unmistakable king and queen of Echo High. When new kid Spud arrives, he makes a faux pas so bad that Rod forces him to be his girl's slave. What unfolds is the tale of Cherri and Spud's blossoming relationship behind Rod's back, and their untimely demise on the night of the prom. A tale of tragedy that could only be as irreverent and sensational through the pen (or pencils, if you will) of Bill Plympton.

Hair High

2004

Tick poster
7.5

A brisk look into the lives of two bomb diffusers. John Hamburg's student film.

Tick

1996

The Baxter poster
6.0

Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman is what he calls a "Baxter": the kind of calm, unexciting fellow who "wears sock garters" and "enjoys raking leaves." Loved by bosses and parents, Elliot is a perfectly nice guy. And that's his problem.

The Baxter

2005

The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special poster
4.0

Comedy troupe The State hosts a Halloween special on CBS.

The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special

1995

Long Live the State poster
NR

In 2024, the eleven (!) members of the iconic mid-90’s cult comedy troupe The State reunited for a live tour. With their irreverent and absurdist live sketches as the backdrop, and framed with a greatest-hits playlist of classic material, the group’s unreasonably talented stars sit down to share the behind-the-scenes story of The State’s meteoric rise and lasting influence- in typically hilarious fashion.

Long Live the State

2025

Stella Shorts 1998-2002 poster
4.0

STELLA is a three-man comedy troupe from New York City, comprised of well-known comedians/actors Michael Showalter, David Wain, and Michael Ian Black. Though the three have made a living performing at comedy clubs, they are perhaps best known for their home-made short films. The STELLA SHORTS have garnered cult success because of their nonsensical plotlines, absurd dialogue, graphic sexual humor, sporatic violence, and sheer hilarity. This DVD showcases the trio's first twenty-three adventures, each one more bizarre and hysterical than the last. Highlights include: a game of whiffleball that goes terribly awry, an expedition to the South Pole (?) to meet Santa Claus, an edge-of-your-seat moustache-growing contest, a twisted "whodunit"-style murder mystery, and much, much more.

Stella Shorts 1998-2002

2002

It Started As a Joke poster
4.8

This documentary chronicles the decade-long run of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival – including a final farewell show. The film celebrates Eugene’s unique brand of humor and his role in the alternative comedy movement, offers a bittersweet goodbye to an era, and reminds us of the healing properties of comedy – even in the most challenging of life’s circumstances.

It Started As a Joke

2019

Jammers poster
NR

Danny, Jeremy, and Carol are a Wormy cast of three Frenemies shambling through troubling and absurd teenage times.

Jammers

2016

No artwork available
NR

"Birthday" is a new short film from the unique three-man comedy group STELLA:

Birthday

2008

Operation Midnight Climax poster
4.7

Will Nitch is on a mission to achieve a transendental tantric sexual experience: a sustained orgasm. He begins to assemble a Secret Society of Women: women are, afterall, pivotal to helping a man to reach the cosmic blue lights. Will wants all the women for himself, and with the help of all the women in his life and his friend Chip, he plans a midnight tantric sex party; during which he hopes to climax to the point of reaching the mythical blue lights.

Operation Midnight Climax

2002

MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers poster
NR

VHS only release featuring skits from MTV's The State.

MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers

Stella: Live in Boston poster
5.2

The comedy trio performs live in Boston.

Stella: Live in Boston

2009

Chickula! Teenage Vampire poster
4.0

In this parody of 1950s horror trailers, a lesbian vampire terrorizes a suburban high school.

Chickula! Teenage Vampire

1995

Behind the camera

The Big Sick poster
7.3

Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a mysterious illness, Kumail finds himself forced to face her feisty parents, his family's expectations, and his true feelings.

The Big Sick

2017

The Idea of You poster
7.3

40-year-old single mom Solène begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn't long before Hayes' superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.

The Idea of You

2024

The Idea of You poster
7.3

40-year-old single mom Solène begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn't long before Hayes' superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.

The Idea of You

2024

The Idea of You poster
7.3

40-year-old single mom Solène begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet. As they begin a whirlwind romance, it isn't long before Hayes' superstar status poses unavoidable challenges to their relationship, and Solène soon discovers that life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.

The Idea of You

2024

Verity poster
NR

Lowen Ashleigh gets hired by Jeremy Crawford to ghostwrite novels for his bestselling author wife Verity, who's unable to finish after an accident. Lowen uncovers Verity's disturbing truths while residing at the Crawfords' home to work.

Verity

2026

Verity poster
NR

Lowen Ashleigh gets hired by Jeremy Crawford to ghostwrite novels for his bestselling author wife Verity, who's unable to finish after an accident. Lowen uncovers Verity's disturbing truths while residing at the Crawfords' home to work.

Verity

2026

Oh. What. Fun. poster
5.6

Claire Clauster is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together at the holidays. But this year, after planning a special outing for them, they make a crucial mistake and leave her home alone. Fed up and feeling under appreciated, she sets off on an impromptu adventure of her own. As her family scrambles to find her, Claire discovers the unexpected magic of a Christmas gone off-script.

Oh. What. Fun.

2025

Oh. What. Fun. poster
5.6

Claire Clauster is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together at the holidays. But this year, after planning a special outing for them, they make a crucial mistake and leave her home alone. Fed up and feeling under appreciated, she sets off on an impromptu adventure of her own. As her family scrambles to find her, Claire discovers the unexpected magic of a Christmas gone off-script.

Oh. What. Fun.

2025

Oh. What. Fun. poster
5.6

Claire Clauster is the glue that holds her chaotic, lovable family together at the holidays. But this year, after planning a special outing for them, they make a crucial mistake and leave her home alone. Fed up and feeling under appreciated, she sets off on an impromptu adventure of her own. As her family scrambles to find her, Claire discovers the unexpected magic of a Christmas gone off-script.

Oh. What. Fun.

2025

The Eyes of Tammy Faye poster
6.4

From the 1960s to the 1980s, evangelist Jim Baker and his ambitious wife, Tammy Faye, rose from humble beginnings to build an empire based on big-time evangelical Christianity--only for the couple to fall from grace because of some all-too-human sins.

The Eyes of Tammy Faye

2021

They Came Together poster
5.5

A small business owner is about to lose her shop to a major corporate development.

They Came Together

2014

They Came Together poster
5.5

A small business owner is about to lose her shop to a major corporate development.

They Came Together

2014

Hello, My Name Is Doris poster
6.3

A self-help seminar inspires a sixty-something woman to romantically pursue her younger co-worker.

Hello, My Name Is Doris

2015

Hello, My Name Is Doris poster
6.3

A self-help seminar inspires a sixty-something woman to romantically pursue her younger co-worker.

Hello, My Name Is Doris

2015

Wet Hot American Summer poster
6.2

It's the last day of Camp Firewood's season, but there's still time for the big talent show, a little romance… and for everyone to be wiped out by the piece of NASA's Skylab that's hurtling toward Earth.

Wet Hot American Summer

2001

Wet Hot American Summer poster
6.2

It's the last day of Camp Firewood's season, but there's still time for the big talent show, a little romance… and for everyone to be wiped out by the piece of NASA's Skylab that's hurtling toward Earth.

Wet Hot American Summer

2001

The Lovebirds poster
6.1

A couple experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear their names takes them from one extreme – and hilarious - circumstance to the next, they must figure out how they, and their relationship, can survive the night.

The Lovebirds

2020

Spoiler Alert poster
7.0

Journalist Michael Ausiello embarks on a rollercoaster ride of emotions when Kit Cowan, his partner of 14 years, is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Spoiler Alert

2022

Spoiler Alert poster
7.0

Journalist Michael Ausiello embarks on a rollercoaster ride of emotions when Kit Cowan, his partner of 14 years, is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Spoiler Alert

2022

Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner poster
6.8

Ray Romano first cut his stand-up teeth at the Comedy Cellar in New York. Now, in his first comedy special in 23 years, he returns to where it all began.

Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner

2019

The Baxter poster
6.0

Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman is what he calls a "Baxter": the kind of calm, unexciting fellow who "wears sock garters" and "enjoys raking leaves." Loved by bosses and parents, Elliot is a perfectly nice guy. And that's his problem.

The Baxter

2005

The Baxter poster
6.0

Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman is what he calls a "Baxter": the kind of calm, unexciting fellow who "wears sock garters" and "enjoys raking leaves." Loved by bosses and parents, Elliot is a perfectly nice guy. And that's his problem.

The Baxter

2005

The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special poster
4.0

Comedy troupe The State hosts a Halloween special on CBS.

The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special

1995

Stella Shorts 1998-2002 poster
4.0

STELLA is a three-man comedy troupe from New York City, comprised of well-known comedians/actors Michael Showalter, David Wain, and Michael Ian Black. Though the three have made a living performing at comedy clubs, they are perhaps best known for their home-made short films. The STELLA SHORTS have garnered cult success because of their nonsensical plotlines, absurd dialogue, graphic sexual humor, sporatic violence, and sheer hilarity. This DVD showcases the trio's first twenty-three adventures, each one more bizarre and hysterical than the last. Highlights include: a game of whiffleball that goes terribly awry, an expedition to the South Pole (?) to meet Santa Claus, an edge-of-your-seat moustache-growing contest, a twisted "whodunit"-style murder mystery, and much, much more.

Stella Shorts 1998-2002

2002