John Carney

Directing

John Carney

Born

1972-01-01 (54)

Place of birth

Dublin, Ireland

Known for

Directing

Credits

33 titles

John Carney (born January 1, 1972) is an Irish film filmmaker and lyricist, who specialises in musical drama films. He is best known as the showrunner and executive producer of Modern Love on Amazon Prime Video, as well as for his films Once (2007), Begin Again (2013), and Sing Street (2016). He is also a co-creator of the Irish TV drama series Bachelors Walk.

Known for

Begin Again poster
7.2

Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.

Begin Again

2013

Power Ballad poster
7.1

When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Power Ballad

2026

Flora and Son poster
6.9

Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Her efforts to keep him out of trouble lead to a beat-up acoustic guitar, a washed-up LA musician, and harmony for this frayed Dublin family.

Flora and Son

2023

Sing Street poster
7.9

A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.

Sing Street

2016

Once poster
7.4

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Once

2007

Park poster
7.0

Catherine goes to a local park to meet up with a school friend. The friend is not there, and Catherine spends the morning looking for her, with the help of the elderly park-keeper to whose stories she listens all the while. Several years later, Catherine is found hanging from a window in her home.

Park

1999

Behind the camera

Begin Again poster
7.2

Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.

Begin Again

2013

Begin Again poster
7.2

Gretta, a budding songwriter, finds herself alone after her boyfriend Dave ditches her. Her life gains purpose when Dan, a record label executive, notices her talent.

Begin Again

2013

Power Ballad poster
7.1

When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Power Ballad

2026

Power Ballad poster
7.1

When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Power Ballad

2026

Power Ballad poster
7.1

When Rick, a past-his-prime wedding singer, meets fading boy-band star Danny during a gig, the two bond over music and a late-night jam session. But when Danny turns one of Rick’s songs into the hit that reignites his career, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves - even if it means risking everything he cares about.

Power Ballad

2026

Flora and Son poster
6.9

Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Her efforts to keep him out of trouble lead to a beat-up acoustic guitar, a washed-up LA musician, and harmony for this frayed Dublin family.

Flora and Son

2023

Flora and Son poster
6.9

Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Her efforts to keep him out of trouble lead to a beat-up acoustic guitar, a washed-up LA musician, and harmony for this frayed Dublin family.

Flora and Son

2023

Flora and Son poster
6.9

Single mom Flora is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max. Her efforts to keep him out of trouble lead to a beat-up acoustic guitar, a washed-up LA musician, and harmony for this frayed Dublin family.

Flora and Son

2023

Sing Street poster
7.9

A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.

Sing Street

2016

Sing Street poster
7.9

A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.

Sing Street

2016

Sing Street poster
7.9

A boy growing up in Dublin during the 1980s escapes his strained family life by starting a band to impress the mysterious girl he likes.

Sing Street

2016

Once poster
7.4

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Once

2007

Once poster
7.4

A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.

Once

2007

Park poster
7.0

Catherine goes to a local park to meet up with a school friend. The friend is not there, and Catherine spends the morning looking for her, with the help of the elderly park-keeper to whose stories she listens all the while. Several years later, Catherine is found hanging from a window in her home.

Park

1999

Park poster
7.0

Catherine goes to a local park to meet up with a school friend. The friend is not there, and Catherine spends the morning looking for her, with the help of the elderly park-keeper to whose stories she listens all the while. Several years later, Catherine is found hanging from a window in her home.

Park

1999

Park poster
7.0

Catherine goes to a local park to meet up with a school friend. The friend is not there, and Catherine spends the morning looking for her, with the help of the elderly park-keeper to whose stories she listens all the while. Several years later, Catherine is found hanging from a window in her home.

Park

1999

On the Edge poster
6.7

A suicidal young man is committed to a Dublin psychiatric hospital where he meets new friends who greatly influence his life.

On the Edge

2001

On the Edge poster
6.7

A suicidal young man is committed to a Dublin psychiatric hospital where he meets new friends who greatly influence his life.

On the Edge

2001

No artwork available
NR

Short film by John Carney.

Hotel

1995

No artwork available
NR

Short film by John Carney.

Hotel

1995

No artwork available
NR

Short film by John Carney.

Hotel

1995

November Afternoon poster
7.0

Karen and her husband come to Dublin to visit her brother. Tensions arise when there are indications that Karin and her brother may have an incestuous relationship.

November Afternoon

1996

November Afternoon poster
7.0

Karen and her husband come to Dublin to visit her brother. Tensions arise when there are indications that Karin and her brother may have an incestuous relationship.

November Afternoon

1996

Shining Star poster
NR

Short film by John Carney.

Shining Star

1995

Shining Star poster
NR

Short film by John Carney.

Shining Star

1995

Shining Star poster
NR

Short film by John Carney.

Shining Star

1995

No artwork available
7.0

Raymond is living alone and trying to write; Michael is stuck at home with parents; Barry is successful in London. They reunite.

Bachelors Walk: Christmas Special

2006

Zonad poster
3.9

Zonad is from space… probably. Or so the Cassidy family assume when they discover an apparent alien in a shiny red space suit and helmet passed out on the living room floor beside the drinks cabinet. The Cassidys and the people of Ballymoran make the intriguing visitor feel very welcome (and in the case of mother Mary and teenage minx Jenny, they make him feel very welcome indeed). At first, Zonad tries to resist the villagers' overtures, but the procession of wanton women and free beer soon gets the better of him. Why give up on a good thing?

Zonad

2010

Zonad poster
3.9

Zonad is from space… probably. Or so the Cassidy family assume when they discover an apparent alien in a shiny red space suit and helmet passed out on the living room floor beside the drinks cabinet. The Cassidys and the people of Ballymoran make the intriguing visitor feel very welcome (and in the case of mother Mary and teenage minx Jenny, they make him feel very welcome indeed). At first, Zonad tries to resist the villagers' overtures, but the procession of wanton women and free beer soon gets the better of him. Why give up on a good thing?

Zonad

2010

No artwork available
NR

Frank is a confident, charming author with a secret mistress in London; a relationship he wants to keep casual. Frank's secret is a burden he bears lightly, but he finds himself increasingly drawn into examining his unworthiness which ultimately horrifies him. Maria, an artist, is his good humoured wife putting a brave face on his neglect. Feeling increasingly emotional and isolated as she approaches middle age, she eventually breaks down admitting her loneliness at Frank's absences. The cathartic point of the film is when Michael, the co-owner of the cottage where they're staying, pays a visit with a woman other than his wife. Not knowing that he has left his wife and has moved in with this other woman, embarrassment and awkwardness increase, straining this social setting. With the illicit couple hot-footing it back to the city, Frank and Maria are left feeling threatened trying to reason the situation, at the midst of which lies Frank's secret.

Just in Time

1998

No artwork available
NR

Frank is a confident, charming author with a secret mistress in London; a relationship he wants to keep casual. Frank's secret is a burden he bears lightly, but he finds himself increasingly drawn into examining his unworthiness which ultimately horrifies him. Maria, an artist, is his good humoured wife putting a brave face on his neglect. Feeling increasingly emotional and isolated as she approaches middle age, she eventually breaks down admitting her loneliness at Frank's absences. The cathartic point of the film is when Michael, the co-owner of the cottage where they're staying, pays a visit with a woman other than his wife. Not knowing that he has left his wife and has moved in with this other woman, embarrassment and awkwardness increase, straining this social setting. With the illicit couple hot-footing it back to the city, Frank and Maria are left feeling threatened trying to reason the situation, at the midst of which lies Frank's secret.

Just in Time

1998

The Rafters poster
5.5

Ghosts stalk an old guesthouse in the Aran islands, as two American backpackers vie for the affections of a young woman who is, literally, haunted by her past.

The Rafters

2012

The Rafters poster
5.5

Ghosts stalk an old guesthouse in the Aran islands, as two American backpackers vie for the affections of a young woman who is, literally, haunted by her past.

The Rafters

2012