View source for John Carpenter


{{Other people}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox person
| image              = John Carpenter Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2025.jpg
| caption            = Carpenter at [[GalaxyCon]], Richmond, 2025
| birth_name         = John Howard Carpenter
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1948|1|16}}
| birth_place        = [[Carthage, New York]], U.S.
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| othername          = {{flatlist|
* John T. Chance
* Martin Quatermass
* Rip Haight
}}
| occupation         = {{flatlist|
* Filmmaker
* composer
* actor
}}
| years_active       = 1969–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Adrienne Barbeau]]<br />|1979|1984|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Sandy King (producer)|Sandy King]]<br />|1990}}
}}
| children           = [[Cody Carpenter]]
| website            = {{URL|theofficialjohncarpenter.com}}
| signature          = John Carpenter signature.svg
}}

'''John Howard Carpenter''' (born January 16, 1948) is an American filmmaker, composer, and actor. Most commonly associated with [[horror film|horror]], [[action film|action]], and [[science fiction film|science fiction]] films of the 1970s and 1980s, he is generally recognized as a master of the horror genre.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/movies/john-carpenter-directs-the-ward.html|title=A Lord of Fright Reclaims His Dark Domain|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Jason Zinoman|date=June 24, 2011}}</ref> At the [[2019 Cannes Film Festival]], the French Directors' Guild gave him the Golden Coach Award and lauded him as "a creative genius of raw, fantastic, and spectacular emotions".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/cannes-john-carpenter-golden-coach-carrosse-dor-directors-fortnight-1203174842/ |title=Cannes: John Carpenter to Receive Golden Coach Award at Directors' Fortnight |last=Chu |first=Henry |date=March 28, 2019 |website= Variety |access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-filmfestival-cannes-john-carpenter/cult-horror-director-john-carpenter-honored-at-cannes-idUSKCN1SL2P7 |title=Cult horror director John Carpenter honored at Cannes |last=Cotton |first=Johnny |date=May 15, 2019 |website=Reuters |access-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> On April 3, 2025, he received a [[List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame|star]] on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name="HWOF" />

Carpenter's early films included critical and commercial successes such as ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' (1978), ''[[The Fog]]'' (1980), ''[[Escape from New York]]'' (1981), and ''[[Starman (film)|Starman]]'' (1984). Though he has been acknowledged as an influential filmmaker, his other productions from the 1970s and the 1980s only later came to be considered [[Cult film|cult classics]]; these include ''[[Dark Star (film)|Dark Star]]'' (1974), ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (1976 film)|Assault on Precinct 13]]'' (1976), ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'' (1982), ''[[Christine (1983 film)|Christine]]'' (1983), ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]'' (1986), ''[[Prince of Darkness (film)|Prince of Darkness]]'' (1987), ''[[They Live]]'' (1988), ''[[In the Mouth of Madness]]'' (1994), and ''[[Escape from L.A.]]'' (1996). He returned to the [[Halloween (franchise)|''Halloween'' franchise]] as a composer and executive producer on ''[[Halloween (2018 film)|Halloween]]'' (2018), ''[[Halloween Kills]]'' (2021), and ''[[Halloween Ends]]'' (2022).

Carpenter usually composes or co-composes the music in his films. He won a [[Saturn Award for Best Music]] for the soundtrack of ''[[Vampires (1998 film)|Vampires]]'' (1998) and has released five studio albums: ''[[Lost Themes]]'' (2015), ''[[Lost Themes II]]'' (2016), ''[[Anthology: Movie Themes 1974–1998]]'' (2017), ''[[Lost Themes III: Alive After Death]]'' (2021), and ''Lost Themes IV: Noir'' (2024). He also produces [[Horror fiction|horror]], [[science fiction]], and [[children's literature|children's comics]] through Storm King Comics, the publisher<ref>{{Cite web|last=Skye Fadroski|first=Kelli |date=2023-09-26|title=How Sandy and John Carpenter will celebrate 10 years of terror in graphic novels |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2023/09/26/how-sandy-and-john-carpenter-will-celebrate-10-years-of-terror-in-graphic-novels/|website=[[Los Angeles Daily News]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2025|archive-date=October 12, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20251012010952/https://www.dailynews.com/2023/09/26/how-sandy-and-john-carpenter-will-celebrate-10-years-of-terror-in-graphic-novels/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stormkingcomics.com/pages/about|title=About Us|publisher=Storm King Comics|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2025|archive-date=October 12, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20251012011222/https://stormkingcomics.com/pages/about}}</ref> founded by his wife, [[Sandy King (producer)|Sandy King]], in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stormkingproductions.com/about/|title=About Storm King|publisher=Storm King Comics|language=en-US|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2025|archive-date=October 12, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20251012011847/https://stormkingproductions.com/about/}}</ref>

==Early life==
John Howard Carpenter was born in [[Carthage, New York]], on January 16, 1948, the son of Milton Jean (née Carter) and music professor Howard Ralph Carpenter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/70/John-Carpenter.html|work=Film Reference|title=John Carpenter Biography (1948–)}}</ref> In 1953, after his father accepted a job at [[Western Kentucky University]], the family relocated to [[Bowling Green, Kentucky]].<ref name=kye>{{cite book |editor=Kleber, John E. |others=Associate editors: [[Thomas D. Clark]], Lowell H. Harrison, and James C. Klotter |title=''The Kentucky Encyclopedia'' |year=1992 |publisher=The University Press of Kentucky |location=[[Lexington, Kentucky]] |isbn=0-8131-1772-0 |chapter=Carpenter, John Howard}}</ref> For much of his childhood, he and his family lived in a log cabin on the university's campus.<ref name=VisitBgKy>{{cite web |title=John Carpenter Biography |url=https://www.visitbgky.com/johncarpenter/biography/ |website=Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Pioneer Log Cabin |url=https://kentuckyfolklife.org/pioneerlogcabin/ |website=Kentucky Folklife Program|date=May 10, 2017 }}</ref> He was interested in films from an early age, particularly the westerns of [[Howard Hawks]] and [[John Ford]], as well as 1950s low-budget horror films such as ''[[The Thing from Another World]]'' (which he would remake as ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'' in 1982) and high-budget sci-fi like ''[[Godzilla (franchise)|Godzilla]]'' and ''[[Forbidden Planet]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sokol |first=Tony |date=2022-11-02 |title=John Carpenter: What Hollywood Doesn't Get About Godzilla |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/john-carpenter-what-hollywood-doesnt-get-godzilla/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lanzagorta |first=Marco |date=2003-03-01 |title=John Carpenter |url=http://www.sensesofcinema.com/2003/great-directors/carpenter/ |access-date=March 7, 2015|publisher=[[Senses of Cinema]]}}</ref>

Carpenter began making short horror films with an [[8 mm film|8 mm camera]] before he had even started high school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=John Carpenter - Biography |url=http://www.amctv.com/person/detail?CID=1927-1-EST |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312062651/http://www.amctv.com/person/detail?CID=1927-1-EST |archive-date=March 12, 2007 |website=AMC TV}}</ref> Just before he turned 14 in 1962, he made a few major short films: ''Godzilla vs. Gorgo'', featuring [[Godzilla]] and [[Gorgo (film)|Gorgo]] via [[claymation]], and the sci-fi western ''Terror from Space'', starring the one-eyed creature from ''It Came from Outer Space''.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Clarke |first=Frederick S. |title=Carpenter's boyhood dream was making horror films |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eyYnAQAAIAAJ&q=godzilla+vs.+gorgo |journal=[[Cinefantastique]] |date=December 12, 1979 |volume=9 |page=3}}</ref> He graduated from College High School, then enrolled at Western Kentucky University for two years as an English major and History minor.<ref name=VisitBgKy/> With a desire to study filmmaking, which no university in Kentucky offered at the time, he moved to California upon transferring to the [[USC School of Cinematic Arts]] in 1968. He would ultimately drop out of school in his final semester in order to make his first feature film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-19 |title=John CarpenterBiography, Movies, Albums, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Carpenter-filmmaker |access-date=2025-09-16|publisher=[[Britannica ]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career: 1960s - 1970s===
In a beginning film course at [[USC School of Cinematic Arts|USC Cinema]] during 1969, Carpenter wrote and directed an eight-minute short film, ''[[Captain Voyeur]]''. The film was rediscovered in the USC archives in 2011 and proved interesting because it revealed elements that would appear in his later film, ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' (1978).<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-carpenter-halloween-student-film-captain-voyeur-253747 | work=The Hollywood Reporter | first=Mike | last=Barnes | title='Halloween' Director John Carpenter's First Student Film Unearthed | date=October 26, 2011}}</ref>

The next year he collaborated with producer [[John Longenecker]] as co-writer, film editor, and music composer for ''[[The Resurrection of Broncho Billy]]'' (1970), which won an [[Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film]]. The short film was enlarged to [[35 mm movie film|35 mm]], sixty prints were made, and the film was released theatrically by Universal Studios for two years in the United States and Canada.<ref>{{cite book |last=Phillips |first=William H. |date=1999 |title=Writing Short Scripts: Second Edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K2nF0ectm18C&pg=PA126 |location=Syracuse, New York |publisher=[[Syracuse University Press]] |pages=126–127 |isbn=0-8156-2802-1}}</ref>

Carpenter's first major film as director, ''[[Dark Star (film)|Dark Star]]'' (1974), was a science-fiction comedy that he co-wrote with [[Dan O'Bannon]] (who later went on to write ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'', borrowing freely from much of ''Dark Star''). The film reportedly cost only $60,000 and was difficult to make as both Carpenter and O'Bannon completed the film by multitasking, with Carpenter doing the musical score as well as the writing, producing, and directing, while O'Bannon acted in the film and did the special effects (which caught the attention of [[George Lucas]] who hired him to work with the special effects for the film ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]''). Carpenter received praise for his ability to make low-budget films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/londtimes780308.html |title=John Carpenter: Press: London Times: 3–8–78 |website=TheOfficialJohnCarpenter.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210213135/http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/londtimes780308.html |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |date=March 8, 1978 |access-date=March 7, 2015 }}</ref>

Carpenter's next film was ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (1976 film)|Assault on Precinct 13]]'' (1976), a low-budget thriller influenced by the films of [[Howard Hawks]], particularly ''[[Rio Bravo (1959 film)|Rio Bravo]]''. As with ''Dark Star'', Carpenter was responsible for many aspects of the film's creation. He not only wrote, directed, and scored it, but also edited the film using the pseudonym "John T. Chance" (the name of [[John Wayne]]'s character in ''Rio Bravo''). Carpenter has said that he considers ''Assault on Precinct 13'' to have been his first real film because it was the first film that he filmed on a schedule.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldwasser |first=Dan |url=http://www.soundtrack.net/features/article/?id=12 |title=John Carpenter – Interview |publisher=Soundtrack.net |date=May 9, 2012 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> The film was the first time Carpenter worked with [[Debra Hill]], who would collaborate with Carpenter on some of his most well-known films.

Carpenter assembled a main cast that consisted of experienced but relatively obscure actors. The two main actors were [[Austin Stoker]], who had appeared previously in science fiction, disaster, and [[blaxploitation]] films, and [[Darwin Joston]], who had worked primarily for television and had once been Carpenter's next-door neighbor.<ref>Q & A session with John Carpenter and Austin Stoker at American Cinematheque's 2002 John Carpenter retrospective, in the ''Assault on Precinct 13'' 2003 special edition DVD.</ref>

The film received a critical reassessment in the United States, where it is now generally regarded as one of the best [[exploitation film]]s of the 1970s.<ref name=stills>Production Gallery (included in the 2003 special edition Region 1 DVD of ''Assault on Precinct 13''). 2003.</ref>

Carpenter both wrote and directed the Lauren Hutton thriller ''[[Someone's Watching Me!]]''. This television film is the tale of a single, working woman who, soon after arriving in L.A., discovers that she is being [[stalking|stalked]].

''[[Eyes of Laura Mars]]'', a 1978 [[thriller film|thriller]] featuring [[Faye Dunaway]] and [[Tommy Lee Jones]] and directed by [[Irvin Kershner]], was adapted (in collaboration with [[David Zelag Goodman]]) from a [[spec script]] titled ''Eyes'', written by Carpenter, and would become Carpenter's first major studio film of his career.

''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'' (1978) was a commercial success and helped develop the [[slasher film|slasher]] genre. Originally an idea suggested by producer [[Irwin Yablans]] (titled ''The Babysitter Murders''), who thought of a film about babysitters being menaced by a stalker, Carpenter took the idea and another suggestion from Yablans that it occur during Halloween and developed a story.<ref name="scifi1">{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue339/interview.html |title=Syfy – Watch Full Episodes &#124; Imagine Greater |publisher=Scifi.com |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-date=February 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210135124/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue339/interview.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Carpenter said of the basic concept: "Halloween night. It has never been the theme in a film. My idea was to do an old haunted house film."<ref name="theofficialjohncarpenter.com">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/rollingstone790628.html |title=John Carpenter: Press: Rolling Stone: 6–28–79 |magazine= Rolling Stone | via = Theofficialjohncarpenter.com |date=June 28, 1979 |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228140340/http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/rollingstone790628.html |archive-date=February 28, 2015 }}</ref>

Film director [[Bob Clark]] suggested in an interview released in 2005<ref name="Bob Clark Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.iconsoffright.com/IV_BClark.htm|title=Bob Clark Interview |date=May 2005 |access-date=February 22, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222200805/http://www.iconsoffright.com/IV_BClark.htm |archive-date=February 22, 2020 }}</ref>  that Carpenter had asked him for his own ideas for a sequel to his 1974 film ''[[Black Christmas (1974 film)|Black Christmas]]'' (written by Roy Moore) that featured an unseen and motiveless killer murdering students in a university sorority house. As also stated in the 2009 documentary ''Clarkworld'' (written and directed by Clark's former production designer Deren Abram after Clark's tragic death in 2007), Carpenter directly asked Clark about his thoughts on developing the anonymous slasher in '' Black Christmas'':

{{blockquote|...I did a film about three years later, started a film with John Carpenter, it was his first film for Warner Bros. (which picked up 'Black Christmas'), he asked me if I was ever gonna do a sequel, and I said no. I was through with horror, I didn't come into the business to do just horror. He said, "Well, what would you do if you did do a sequel?" I said it would be the next year, and the guy would have actually been caught, escape from a mental institution, go back to the house, and they would start all over again. And I would call it 'Halloween'. The truth is John didn't copy 'Black Christmas', he wrote a script, directed the script, did the casting. 'Halloween' is his movie, and besides, the script came to him already titled anyway. He liked 'Black Christmas' and may have been influenced by it, but John Carpenter did not copy the idea. Fifteen other people had thought to do a movie called 'Halloween,' but the script came to John with that title on it.
|author = Bob Clark, 2005<ref name="Bob Clark Interview"/>}}

The film was written by Carpenter and Debra Hill with Carpenter stating that the music was inspired by both [[Dario Argento]]'s ''[[Suspiria]]'' (which also influenced the film's slightly surreal color scheme) and [[William Friedkin]]'s ''[[The Exorcist]]''.<ref name="theofficialjohncarpenter.com"/>

Carpenter again worked with a relatively small budget, $300,000.<ref>Audio commentary by John Carpenter and Debra Hill in ''The Fog'', 2002 special edition DVD</ref> The budget was so small the actors provided their own costumes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ragusa |first=Gina |date=2018-10-19 |title=What Was the Budget for The Original 'Halloween' And What Did The Cast Get Paid? |url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/what-was-the-budget-for-the-original-halloween-and-what-did-the-cast-get-paid.html/ |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet |language=en-US}}</ref> The film grossed more than $65 million initially, making it one of the most successful [[independent films]] of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.houseofhorrors.com/halloween.htm |title=Halloween |publisher=Houseofhorrors.com |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-date=April 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406044152/http://www.houseofhorrors.com/halloween.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Carpenter has described ''Halloween'' as "true crass exploitation. I decided to make a film I would love to have seen as a kid, full of cheap tricks like a haunted house at a fair where you walk down the corridor and things jump out at you".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/chic0879.html |title=John Carpenter: Press: Chic Magazine: August 1979 |publisher=Theofficialjohncarpenter.com |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104192729/http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/chic0879.html |archive-date=November 4, 2015 }}</ref> The film has often been cited{{by whom|date=December 2012}} as an [[allegory]] on the virtue of sexual purity and the danger of casual sex, although Carpenter has explained that this was not his intent: "It has been suggested that I was making some kind of moral statement. Believe me, I'm not. In ''Halloween'', I viewed the characters as simply normal teenagers."<ref name="scifi1"/>

In addition to the film's critical and commercial success, Carpenter's self-composed "Halloween Theme" became recognizable apart from the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/johncarpenter.html |title=Killing His Contemporaries: Dissecting The Musical Worlds Of John Carpenter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613073207/http://furious.com/perfect/johncarpenter.html |archive-date=June 13, 2006 }}</ref>

In 1979, Carpenter began what was to be the first of several collaborations with actor [[Kurt Russell]] when he directed the television film ''[[Elvis (1979 film)|Elvis]]''.

===Commercial successes: 1980s===
Carpenter followed up the success of ''Halloween'' with ''[[The Fog]]'' (1980), a ghostly revenge tale (co-written by Hill) inspired by horror comics such as ''[[Tales from the Crypt (comic)|Tales from the Crypt]]''<ref>Interview with John Carpenter in the 2005 documentary film, ''Tales from the Crypt from Comic Books to Television.''</ref> and by ''[[The Crawling Eye]]'', a 1958 film about monsters hiding in clouds.<ref name="Audio">Audio commentary by John Carpenter and Debra Hill in ''The Fog'', 2002 special edition DVD.</ref>

Completing ''The Fog'' was an unusually difficult process for Carpenter. After viewing a rough cut of the film, he was dissatisfied with the result. For the only time in his filmmaking career, Carpenter had to devise a way to salvage a nearly finished film that did not meet his standards. In order to make the film more coherent and frightening, Carpenter filmed additional footage that included new scenes.

Despite production problems and mostly negative critical reception, ''The Fog'' was another commercial success for Carpenter. The film was made on a budget of $1,000,000,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/rollingstone790628.html |title='The Fog': A Spook Ride On Film |access-date=March 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228140340/http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/rollingstone790628.html |archive-date=February 28, 2015 |magazine= Rolling Stone | via = theofficialjohncarpenter.com }}</ref> but it grossed over $21,000,000 in the United States alone. Carpenter has said that ''The Fog'' is not his favorite film, although he considers it a "minor horror classic".<ref name="Audio"/>

Carpenter immediately followed ''The Fog'' with the science-fiction adventure ''[[Escape from New York]]'' (1981). Featuring several actors that Carpenter had collaborated with ([[Kurt Russell]], [[Donald Pleasence]], [[Adrienne Barbeau]], [[Tom Atkins (actor)|Tom Atkins]], [[Charles Cyphers]], and [[Frank Doubleday (actor)|Frank Doubleday]]) or would collaborate with again ([[Harry Dean Stanton]]), and other actors ([[Lee Van Cleef]] and [[Ernest Borgnine]]), it became both commercially successful (grossing more than $25 million) and critically acclaimed (with an 85% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1006717-escape_from_new_york/ |title=Escape from New York |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=July 10, 1981 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref>

His next film, ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'' (1982), has high production values, including innovative special effects by [[Rob Bottin]], special visual effects by [[matte (filmmaking)|matte]] artist [[Albert Whitlock]], a score by [[Ennio Morricone]] and a cast including Russell and respected character actors such as [[Wilford Brimley]], [[Richard Dysart]], [[Charles Hallahan]], [[Keith David]], and [[Richard Masur]]. ''The Thing'' was distributed by [[Universal Pictures]]. Although Carpenter's film used the same source material as the 1951 Howard Hawks film, ''[[The Thing from Another World]]'', it is more faithful to the [[John W. Campbell Jr.]] novella ''[[Who Goes There?]]'', upon which both films were based. Moreover, unlike the Hawks film, ''The Thing'' was part of what Carpenter later called his "Apocalypse Trilogy", a trio of films (''The Thing'', ''[[Prince of Darkness (film)|Prince of Darkness]]'', and ''[[In the Mouth of Madness]]'') with bleak endings for the film's characters.

''The Thing'' is a graphic, sinister [[horror film]];<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dareland.com/emulsionalproblems/carpenterjohn.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730190936/http://www.dareland.com/emulsionalproblems/carpenterjohn.htm|url-status=dead|title=The Two Sides of John Carpenter|first=Michael|last=Dare|archive-date=July 30, 2012|website=Dareland.com|access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref> in a 1999 interview, Carpenter said audiences rejected it for its nihilistic, depressing viewpoint at a time when the United States was in the midst of [[Early 1980s recession|a recession]].{{sfn|Bauer|1999}} When it opened, it was competing against the critically and commercially successful ''E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' ($619{{spaces}}million), a family-friendly film released two weeks earlier that offered a more optimistic take on alien visitation.{{sfn|Kirk|2011}}{{sfn|Bacle|2014}}{{sfn|Nashawaty|2020}}

The impact on Carpenter was immediate{{snd}}he lost the job of directing the 1984 science fiction horror film ''[[Firestarter (1984 film)|Firestarter]]'' because of ''The Thing''{{'}}s poor performance.{{sfn|Leitch|Grierson|2017}} His previous success had gained him a multiple-film contract at Universal, but the studio opted to buy him out of it instead.{{sfn|Paul|2017}} He continued making films afterward but lost confidence, and did not openly talk about ''The Thing''{{'}}s failure until a 1985 interview with ''Starlog'', where he said, "I was called 'a pornographer of violence'{{spaces}}... I had no idea it would be received that way{{spaces}}... ''The Thing'' was just too strong for that time. I knew it was going to be strong, but I didn't think it would be too strong{{spaces}}... I didn't take the public's taste into consideration."{{sfn|Lambie|2018a}}

While ''The Thing'' was not initially successful, it was able to find new audiences and appreciation on [[home video]], and later on television.{{sfn|Lambie|2017b}}

In the years following its release, critics and fans have reevaluated ''The Thing'' as a milestone of the horror genre.{{sfn|Abrams|2016}} A prescient review by [[Peter Nicholls (writer)|Peter Nicholls]] in 1992, called ''The Thing'' "a black, memorable film [that] may yet be seen as a classic".{{sfn|Nicholls|2016}} It has been called one of the best films directed by Carpenter.{{sfn|Corrigan|2017}}{{sfn|Anderson, K|2015}}{{sfn|O'Neill|2013}} [[John Kenneth Muir]] called it "Carpenter's most accomplished and underrated directorial effort",{{sfn|Muir|2013|p=285}} and critic [[Matt Zoller Seitz]] said it "is one of the greatest and most elegantly constructed B-movies ever made".{{sfn|Zoller Seitz|2016}}Trace Thurman described it as one of the best films ever,{{sfn|Thurman|2017}} and in 2008, ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' magazine selected it as one of The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time,{{sfn|Empire500|2008}} at number 289, calling it "a peerless masterpiece of relentless suspense, retina-wrecking visual excess and outright, nihilistic terror".{{sfn|Mahon|2018}} It is now considered to be one of the greatest horror films ever made.{{sfn|Muir|2013|p=285}}{{sfn|LegBoston|2007}}

Carpenter's next film, ''[[Christine (1983 film)|Christine]]'', was the 1983 adaptation of the Stephen King [[Christine (1983 novel)|novel of the same name]]. The story concerns a high-school nerd named Arnie Cunningham ([[Keith Gordon]]) who buys a junked 1958 [[Plymouth Fury]] which turns out to have supernatural powers. As Cunningham restores and rebuilds the car, he becomes unnaturally obsessed with it, with deadly consequences. ''Christine'' did respectable business upon its release and was received well by critics. He said he directed it because it was the only thing offered to him at the time.<ref>Interview with John Carpenter on the DVD documentary film "Christine: Ignition"</ref>

''[[Starman (film)|Starman]]'' (1984) was produced by [[Michael Douglas]]; the script was well received by [[Columbia Pictures]], which chose it in preference to the script for ''E.T.'' and prompted [[Steven Spielberg]] to go to [[Universal Pictures]]. Douglas chose Carpenter to be the director because of his reputation as an action director who could also convey strong emotion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.acmewebpages.com/articles/8412glob.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204221612/http://www.acmewebpages.com/articles/8412glob.htm|url-status=dead|title=One moment, please...|archive-date=February 4, 2012|website=Acmewebpages.com|access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref> ''Starman'' was reviewed favorably by the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', ''[[New York Times]]'', and ''[[LA Weekly]]'', and described by Carpenter as a film he envisioned as a romantic comedy similar to ''[[It Happened One Night]]'' only with a space alien.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/laheraldex841214.html |title=John Carpenter: Press: Los Angeles Herald Examiner: 12–14–84 |publisher=Theofficialjohncarpenter.com |date=December 14, 1984 |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104192752/http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/laheraldex841214.html |archive-date=November 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/laweekly841214.html |title=John Carpenter: Press: LA Weekly: 12-14/20-84 |publisher=Theofficialjohncarpenter.com |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104192752/http://www.theofficialjohncarpenter.com/pages/press/laweekly841214.html |archive-date=November 4, 2015 }}</ref> The film received [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Oscar]] and [[Golden Globe Award|Golden Globe]] nominations for [[Jeff Bridges]]' portrayal of Starman and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Musical Score for [[Jack Nitzsche]].

After the commercial disappointment of action–comedy ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]'' (1986), Carpenter struggled to secure high-profile film offers and resumed making lower budget films such as ''Prince of Darkness'' (1987). Some of these films, including ''[[They Live]]'' (1988), later developed cult followings, but Carpenter did not regain the same level of mainstream industry attention.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1996-09-18 |title=Why he never sold his soul |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/why-he-never-sold-his-soul-1363965.html |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

===Later career: 1990s - 2000s===
Carpenter's 1990s films, including ''[[Memoirs of an Invisible Man (film)|Memoirs of an Invisible Man]]'' (1992) and ''[[Village of the Damned (1995 film)|Village of the Damned]]'' (1995), did not achieve the same initial commercial success of his earlier work. Carpenter made ''[[Body Bags (film)|Body Bags]]'', a television horror anthology film in collaboration with [[Tobe Hooper]] and ''[[In the Mouth of Madness]]'' (1995), a [[Lovecraftian horror|Lovecraftian]] homage that was not successful commercially or with critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/in_the_mouth_of_madness/ |title=In the Mouth of Madness |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=February 3, 1995 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> but now has a cult following.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2014/12/05/in-the-mouth-of-john-carpenters-misunderstood-masterpiece/ | title=In the Mouth of John Carpenter's Misunderstood Masterpiece | newspaper=The Wall Street Journal | date=December 5, 2014 | access-date=November 20, 2016 | author=Calia, Michael}}</ref> ''[[Escape from L.A.]]'' (1996), the sequel of the cult classic ''Escape from New York'', received mixed reviews but has also gained a cult following since its release.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2022/02/22/john-carpenter-talks-cult-classic-escape-from-la-and-being-open-to-directing-again/ | title=John Carpenter Talks Cult Classic 'Escape from L.A.' and Being Open to Directing Again | website=[[Forbes]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://comicbook.com/horror/news/escape-from-la-john-carpenter-interview-reaction-anniversary/ | title=Escape from L.A. Director John Carpenter Looks Back at the Cult-Hit Action Film | date=February 18, 2022 }}</ref> ''[[Vampires (1998 film)|Vampires]]'' (1998) featured [[James Woods]] as the leader of a band of vampire hunters in league with the Catholic Church.


In 1998, Carpenter composed the soundtrack (titled "Earth/Air") for the [[video game]] ''[[Sentinel Returns]]'', published for [[Personal computer|PC]] and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bestwesterngamesoundtracks.com/soundtracks/sentinel-returns-soundtrack/|title=Sentinel Returns Soundtrack – Review|date=May 14, 2015|website=Bestwesterngamessoundtracks.com|access-date=December 9, 2017}}</ref>[[File:JohnCarpenter01.jpg|thumb|upright|Carpenter in September 2001]]

In 2001, his film ''[[Ghosts of Mars]]'' was released but was not successful. During 2005, there were remakes of ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (2005 film)|Assault on Precinct 13]]'' and ''[[The Fog (2005 film)|The Fog]]'', the latter being produced by Carpenter himself, though in an interview he defined his involvement as, "I come in and say hello to everybody. Go home."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otto |first=Jeff |date=2005-07-12 |title=Interview: John Carpenter |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/07/12/interview-john-carpenter-2 |access-date=2026-01-15 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>

Carpenter served as director for a 2005 episode of [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime's]] ''[[Masters of Horror]]'' television series, one of the 13 filmmakers involved in the first season. His episode, "[[Cigarette Burns]]", received generally positive reviews from critics and praise from Carpenter's fans. He later directed another original episode for the show's second season in 2006 titled "[[Pro-Life (Masters of Horror)|Pro-Life]]".

===2010s: ''The Ward'', focus on music and return to ''Halloween''===
''[[The Ward (film)|The Ward]]'', Carpenter's first film since ''[[Ghosts of Mars]]'', premiered at [[Toronto International Film Festival]] on September 13, 2010, before a limited release in the United States in July 2011. It received generally poor reviews from critics and grossed only $5.3 million worldwide against an estimated $10 million budget. As of 2025, it is the most recent film he directed.

Carpenter narrated the video game ''[[F.E.A.R. 3]]'', while also consulting on its storyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36882/baddass-announcement-trailer-fear-3|title=Badass Announcement Trailer – F.E.A.R. 3|date=August 29, 2012|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref> On October 10, 2010, Carpenter received the Lifetime Award from the Freak Show Horror Film Festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38362/john-carpenter-receive-lifetime-achievement-award-freak-show-horror-film-festival|title=John Carpenter to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from the Freak Show Horror Film|date=October 11, 2012|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref>

On February 3, 2015, the indie label [[Sacred Bones Records]] released his album ''[[Lost Themes]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/85233/listen-new-track-john-carpenters-album-lost-themes/|title=John Carpenter's Lost Themes|date=January 13, 2015|publisher=DreadCentral}}</ref> On October 19, 2015, [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]] announced that Carpenter will be performing old and new compositions in [[London]] and [[Manchester]], England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1511191555/|title=John Carpenter To Perform His Film Soundtracks And New Compositions In London & Manchester Over Halloween 2016|publisher=All Tomorrow's Parties}}</ref> In February 2016, Carpenter announced a sequel to ''Lost Themes'' titled ''[[Lost Themes II]]'', which was released on April 15 that year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Minsker|first1=Evan|title=John Carpenter Announces New LP ''Lost Themes II''|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/63197-john-carpenter-announces-new-lp-lost-themes-ii/|access-date=February 20, 2016|work=[[Pitchfork Media]]|date=February 1, 2016}}</ref> He released his third studio album, titled ''[[Anthology: Movie Themes 1974–1998]]'', on October 20, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/john-carpenter-to-revisit-greatest-hits-on-new-album-w498811 | title=Filmmaker John Carpenter to Revisit Greatest Hits on New Album | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=August 22, 2017 | access-date=October 16, 2017 | author=Grow, Kory}}</ref>

Carpenter returned, as executive producer, co-composer, and creative consultant, on the 11th entry of the ''[[Halloween (franchise)|Halloween]]'' film series, titled ''[[Halloween (2018 film)|Halloween]]'', released in October 2018. The film is a direct sequel to Carpenter's original film, breaking the continuity of earlier sequels. It was his first direct involvement with the franchise since 1982's ''[[Halloween III: Season of the Witch]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Big Breaking Halloween Movie News from John Carpenter and Blumhouse|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/167914/breaking-john-carpenter-executive-produce-next-halloween/|access-date=May 24, 2016|work=Dread Central|date=May 23, 2016}}</ref>

===2020s: ''Halloween'' sequels, ''Toxic Commando'', ''Suburban Screams'', and Hollywood Walk of Fame===
[[File:JohnCarpenter2023.jpg|thumb|upright|Carpenter in October 2023]]
Carpenter worked as a composer and executive producer on the 2021 sequel ''[[Halloween Kills]]'' and 2022's follow-up ''[[Halloween Ends]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theofficialjohncarpenter.com/ |title=The Official John Carpenter – The official website of John Carpenter |publisher=Theofficialjohncarpenter.com |date=October 15, 2021 |access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref>

During [[Summer Game Fest]] in June 2023, it was announced that Carpenter was collaborating with [[Focus Entertainment]] and [[Saber Interactive]] on the [[Zombie video game|zombie]] [[first-person shooter]] video game ''[[John Carpenter's Toxic Commando]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Cass |title=John Carpenter has a new Left 4 Dead-like game with zombies that 'blow up real good' |url=https://www.polygon.com/23754266/john-carpenter-game-toxic-commando-trailer-release-date |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]] |access-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608204126/https://www.polygon.com/23754266/john-carpenter-game-toxic-commando-trailer-release-date |archive-date=June 8, 2023 |date=June 8, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game is scheduled to be released on March 12, 2026, on [[PlayStation 5]], [[Xbox Series X/S]], and [[Windows]] via [[Steam (service)|Steam]] and the [[Epic Games Store]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/john-carpenters-toxic-commando-launches-march-12-2026 |title=John Carpenter's Toxic Commando launches March 12, 2026 |work=Gematsu |date=December 11, 2025 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> Carpenter worked on the game's story and also composed its musical score.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nelson |first1=Samantha |title=John Carpenter's newest horror is actually a game — and I played it |url=https://www.polygon.com/john-carpenters-toxic-commando-gamescom-preview/ |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Valnet]] |access-date=August 26, 2025 |date=August 25, 2025}}</ref>

In October 2023, he directed an episode of the [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] streaming series ''[[Suburban Screams]]'' while also composing the series theme music and serving as an executive producer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/streaming/john-carpenter-returns-with-peacock-project-that-doesnt-deserve-his-name |title=John Carpenter Returns with Peacock Project That Doesn't Deserve His Name |website=Roger Ebert.com |first=Brian |last=Tallerico |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=December 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/john-carpenter-directed-tv-series-from-couch-1234870192/ |title=John Carpenter Returns to Directing with TV Series He Made from His Couch |website=[[IndieWire]] |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=June 2, 2023 |access-date=December 28, 2024}}</ref>

On December 8, 2024, Carpenter received a Career Achievement Award from the [[Los Angeles Film Critics Association]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richlin |first=Harrison |date=2024-12-08 |title='Anora' Wins Best Picture from Los Angeles Film Critics Association — Winners List |url=https://www.indiewire.com/awards/results/2024-los-angeles-film-critics-association-awards-winners-list-1235073900/ |access-date=2024-12-09 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref> On April 3, 2025, Carpenter received a [[List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame|star]] on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name="HWOF">{{cite web |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3859446/john-carpenter-to-receive-his-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star-in-april/ |title=John Carpenter to Receive His Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in April |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]] |first=Alex |last=DiVincenzo |date=March 21, 2025 |access-date=March 23, 2025}}</ref>

In October 2025, Carpenter served as an executive producer on the horror anthology series ''John Carpenter Presents''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/john-carpenter-horror-anthology-series-1236403101/ |title=John Carpenter to Exec Produce Supernatural Horror Anthology Series (Exclusive) |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Etan |last=Vlessing |date=October 17, 2025 |access-date=October 19, 2025}}</ref>

==Style and influences==
Carpenter's films are characterized by minimalist lighting and photography, [[Panorama|panoramic]] shots, use of [[steadicam]], and scores he usually composes himself.<ref>{{Citation |year=2010 |title=John Carpenter Season |publisher=Village Voice |publication-place=starandshadow.org.uk |url=https://starandshadow.org.uk/id/2112/ |access-date=January 23, 2021}}</ref> With a few exceptions,{{efn|''Someone's Watching Me!'', ''Elvis'', ''The Thing'', ''Starman'', ''Memoirs of an Invisible Man'', and ''The Ward''.}} he has scored all of his films (some of which he co-scored), most famously the themes from ''Halloween'' and ''Assault on Precinct 13''. His music is generally synthesized with accompaniment from piano and atmospherics.<ref>{{cite web|last=SLIS|date=January 28, 2015|title=7 Best John Carpenter Soundtracks|url=https://smellslikeinfinitesadness.com/7-best-john-carpenter-soundtracks/|access-date=October 30, 2021|website=Smells Like Infinite Sadness|language=en-US}}</ref>

Carpenter is known for his widescreen shot compositions and is an outspoken proponent of [[Panavision]] [[Anamorphic format|anamorphic]] cinematography. With some exceptions,{{efn|''Dark Star'' and ''The Ward''.}} all of his films were shot in Panavision anamorphic format with a 2.39:1 aspect ratio, generally favoring wider focal lengths. ''The Ward'' was filmed in [[Super 35]], the first time Carpenter has ever used that system. He has stated that he feels the [[35mm movie film|35 mm]] Panavision anamorphic format is "the best movie system there is" and prefers it to both [[Digital cinematography|digital]] and [[3D film|3D]].<ref name="outpost31interview">{{cite news |url=http://www.outpost31.com/QAJC.html |title=Interview with John Carpenter |work=outpost31.com |date=August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811084957/http://www.outpost31.com/QAJC.html |archive-date=August 11, 2012 }}</ref>

==Film music and solo records==
[[File:John Carpenter Live 2016.jpg|thumb|left|Carpenter performing live in October 2016]]
In a 2016 interview, Carpenter stated that it was his father's work as a music teacher that first sparked an interest in him to make music.<ref name="pmtonline.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/blog/2016/05/13/john-carpenter-interview-gear-guide/ |title=John Carpenter Interview & Gear Guide |publisher=PMT Online |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> This interest was to play a major role in his later career: he composed the music to most of his films, and the soundtrack to many of those became "cult" items for record collectors. A 21st-Century revival of his music is due in no small amount to the Death Waltz record company, which reissued several of his soundtracks, including ''[[Escape from New York (soundtrack)|Escape from New York]]'', ''[[Halloween II (1981 soundtrack)|Halloween II]]'', ''[[Halloween III: Season of the Witch (soundtrack)|Halloween III: Season of the Witch]]'', ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (soundtrack)|Assault on Precinct 13]]'', ''[[They Live (soundtrack)|They Live]]'', ''[[Prince of Darkness (soundtrack)|Prince of Darkness]]'', and ''[[The Fog (soundtrack)|The Fog]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2013/02/08/death-waltz-announce-reissue-of-john-carpenter-and-alan-howaths-they-live-ost/ |title=Death Waltz announce reissue of John Carpenter and Alan Howarth's They Live OST – FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music |website=Factmag.com |date=February 8, 2013 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref>

Carpenter was an early adopter of [[synthesizer]]s, since his film debut ''[[Dark Star (film)|Dark Star]]'', when he used an [[EMS VCS 3|EMS VCS3]] synth. His soundtracks went on to influence electronic artists who followed,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/we-asked-john-carpenter-almost-every-question-you-could-think-of-about-his-career/ |title=We Asked John Carpenter (Almost) Every Question You Could Think of About His Career – Noisey |website=Noisey.vice.com |date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Konow |first=David |url=https://consequence.net/2015/04/john-carpenter-fans-really-need-to-download-this-killer-mixtape-based-on-his-films-mr/ |title=John Carpenter fans really need to listen to this killer mixtape based on his films |magazine=[[Consequence of Sound]] |date=April 9, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> but Carpenter himself admitted he had no particular interest in synthesizers other than that they provided a means to "sound big with just a keyboard". For many years he worked in partnership with musician [[Alan Howarth (composer)|Alan Howarth]], who would realize his vision by working on the more technical aspects of recording, allowing Carpenter to focus on writing the music.<ref name="pmtonline.co.uk"/>

The renewed interest in John Carpenter's music thanks to the Death Waltz reissues and ''Lost Themes'' albums prompted him to, for the first time ever, tour as a musician.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeremy Gordon |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/61428-john-carpenter-announces-first-live-performance/ |title=John Carpenter Announces First Live Performance |website=Pitchfork |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref> {{as of|2016}}, Carpenter was more focused on his music career than filmmaking, although he was involved in 2018's ''Halloween'' reboot, and its sequels.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Dave McNary |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/john-carpenter-new-halloween-movie-1201781624/ |title='Halloween' Sequel Set Up With John Carpenter |magazine=Variety |date=May 24, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref>

Carpenter narrates the documentary film ''[[The Rise of the Synths]]'', which explores the origins and growth of the [[synthwave]] genre, and features numerous interviews with synthwave artists who cite him and other electronic pioneers such as [[Vangelis]], [[Giorgio Moroder]] and [[Tangerine Dream]] as significant influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theriseofthesynths.com/|title=The Rise of the Synths {{!}} A documentary of Synthwave|website=The Rise of the Synths|language=es|access-date=September 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/the-rise-of-the-synths/|title=Doc'n Roll Film Festival – The Rise of The Synths|website=Docnrollfestival.com|language=en-GB|access-date=September 30, 2019|archive-date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930082107/https://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/the-rise-of-the-synths/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The retro-1980s [[Synthwave (2000s genre)|synthwave]] band [[Gunship (band)|Gunship]] are featured in the film; Carpenter narrated the opening to their track entitled "Tech Noir".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gunshipmusic.com/video |title= GUNSHIP <nowiki>|</nowiki> Retro Futuristic Assault |access-date=September 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002100316/http://www.gunshipmusic.com/video |archive-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>

Carpenter is featured on the track "Destructive Field" on his godson [[Daniel Davies (musician)|Daniel Davies]]' album ''Signals'', released February 28, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/signals-mw0003350035 |title=Daniel Davies Signals |website=AllMusic|access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref>

His third solo album ''[[Lost Themes III: Alive After Death]]'' was launched on February 2, 2021. A new (digital) single was released on October 27, 2020, titled ''Weeping Ghost'', followed in December 2020 by another new track from the forthcoming album, titled ''The Dead Walk''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://consequence.net/2020/12/stream-the-dead-walk-john-carpenter/ |title=John Carpenter Shares Chilling New Song "The Dead Walk": Stream |website=Consequence of Sound |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref> Two tracks that also appear on the album, ''Skeleton'' and ''Unclear Spirit'', were released in July 2020. On the album, Carpenter collaborated again with his son Cody and his godson Daniel Davies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/john-carpenter-streams-two-new-songs |title=John Carpenter Streams Two New Songs |work=Prog |last=Ewing |first=Jerry |date=July 4, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/john-carpenter-announces-lost-themes-iii-listen-to-weeping-ghost/ |title=John Carpenter announces 'Lost Themes III" (listen to "Weeping Ghost") |work=Brooklynvegan.com |last=Christie |first=Erin |date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref> In August 2023, a fifth collaboration with Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies was announced for Sacred Bones Records, titled ''[[Anthology II: Movie Themes 1976–1988]]'', and was released on October 6, 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/products/sbr324-john-carpenter-anthology-ii-movie-themes-1976-1988 | title=Anthology II: Movie Themes 1976–1988|website=Sacredbonesrecords.com }}</ref>

A fourth ''Lost Themes'' album was announced in March 2024, subtitled "Noir". It was again recorded in collaboration with Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies. It was released on May 3 on Sacred Bones Records. The album was preceded by the single and official video "My Name is Death".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/john-carpenter-announces-new-album-lost-themes-iv-noir-shares-my-name-is-death-video/ | title=John Carpenter announces new album 'Lost Themes IV: Noir', shares "My Name is Death" video |website=Brooklynvegan.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/collections/john-carpenter | title=John Carpenter |website=Sacredbonesrecords.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2254472/john-carpenter-cody-carpenter-daniel-davies-my-name-is-death/music/ |title=John Carpenter, Cody Carpenter, & Daniel Davies – "My Name Is Death" |website=Stereogum.com |date=March 6, 2024 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |last=Rettig |first=James}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:John-Cody-Bruce.jpg|thumb|Carpenter with his son [[Cody Carpenter]] (middle) and musician [[Bruce Robb]] (right) in November 2005]]
Carpenter met actress [[Adrienne Barbeau]] on the set of his television film ''Someone's Watching Me!'' (1978). They married on January 1, 1979, and divorced in 1984. During their marriage, she appeared in his films ''The Fog'' and ''Escape from New York''.<ref name=Ebert>{{cite news| author=Roger Ebert| author-link=Roger Ebert| title=Interview with Adrienne Barbeau| work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]| url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19800203%2FPEOPLE%2F2030301%2F1023| access-date=March 9, 2006| date=February 3, 1980| archive-date=June 29, 2006| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629053538/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19800203%2FPEOPLE%2F2030301%2F1023| url-status=dead}}</ref> They have one son, [[Cody Carpenter]] (born May 7, 1984), who became a musician and composer. Cody's godfather is English-American musician [[Daniel Davies (musician)|Daniel Davies]], whose own godfather is Carpenter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800043887/bio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522063907/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800043887/bio|url-status=dead|title=Adrienne Barbeau  Biography - Yahoo! Movies|archive-date=May 22, 2011|website=Movies.yahoo.com|access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref>

Carpenter married film producer [[Sandy King (producer)|Sandy King]] in 1990. She produced his films ''In the Mouth of Madness'', ''Village of the Damned'', ''Vampires'', and ''Ghosts of Mars''. She was earlier the [[script supervisor]] for ''Starman'', ''Big Trouble in Little China'', ''Prince of Darkness'', and ''They Live'', as well as an associate producer of the latter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://movies.yahoo.com:80/movie/contributor/1800019104/bio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111224220117/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800019104/bio|url-status=dead|title=John Carpenter  Biography - Yahoo! Movies|archive-date=December 24, 2011|website=Movies.yahoo.com|access-date=January 16, 2026}}</ref> She co-created (with [[Thomas Ian Griffith]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Earl |first=William |date=2023-01-10 |title=Sandy King Carpenter Was Sick of Comic Book Industry Gatekeepers. A Decade Later, Her Self-Started Publishing House Is Scary Successful |url=https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/sandy-king-carpenter-storm-king-comics-john-carpenter-1235484193/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> the comic book series ''Asylum'', with which Carpenter is involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/06/11/john-carpenter-hasnt-talked-to-dwayne-johnson-about-big-trouble-in-little-china/ |title=John Carpenter Hasn't Talked to Dwayne Johnson About 'Big Trouble in Little China' – Speakeasy – WSJ |website=Blogs.wsj.com |date=June 11, 2015 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref>

In an episode of [[Animal Planet]]'s ''[[Animal Icons]]'' titled "It Came from Japan", Carpenter discussed his admiration for the [[Godzilla (1954 film)|original ''Godzilla'' film]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Animal Icons|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/animal-icons/episode-4669344/191379|access-date=September 19, 2020|website=[[TV Guide]]|language=en}}</ref> He also appreciates [[Video games as an art form|video games as art]], and particularly likes the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' games ''[[Sonic Unleashed]]'' and ''[[Sonic Mania]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Bowe|first=Miles|url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/11/09/john-carpenter-sonic-the-hedgehog/|title=Level Up: Horror master John Carpenter on his 20-year ''Sonic The Hedgehog'' addiction|work=[[Fact (UK magazine)|Fact]]|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> as well as the ''[[F.E.A.R.]]'' series. He offered to narrate and help direct the cinematics for ''[[F.E.A.R. 3]]'', ultimately serving as the game's narrator and consulting on its storyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/04/08/john-carpenter-and-steve-niles-contributing-to-fear-3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315224558/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2010/04/08/john-carpenter-and-steve-niles-contributing-to-fear-3/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |title=John Carpenter and Steve Niles Contributing To 'F.E.A.R. 3' |publisher=Multiplayerblog.mtv.com |date=April 8, 2010 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> He has also praised video games such as ''[[Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy]]'' and ''[[Fallout 76]]''.<ref name="Hughes 2022">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/john-carpenter-video-games-interview-halloween-ends-1849641145|title=John Carpenter talks us through his favorite video games of 2022, plus scoring Halloween Ends|last=Hughes|first=William|date=October 11, 2022|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|access-date=November 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/TheHorrorMaster/status/1726834937687679441 |title=I've played FALLOUT 76 on and off for the last 5 years, and I'm here to say it's a great game! |user=TheHorrorMaster |last=Carpenter |first=John |number=1726834937687679441 |date=November 21, 2023 |access-date=January 5, 2024}}</ref> He has also expressed an interest in making a film based on ''[[Dead Space]]''.<ref name="Hughes 2022" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Armitage |first=Hugh |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a479872/john-carpenter-wants-dead-space-film.html |title=John Carpenter wants 'Dead Space' film |website=Digitalspy.co.uk |date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=April 10, 2017}}</ref>

Carpenter has called his political views "inconsistent" and has said that he is against authority figures while also in favor of [[big government]], admitting that this set of views "doesn't make any sense". When asked if he considered himself a [[Libertarianism|libertarian]]-[[Liberalism|liberal]], he simply responded "kinda".<ref>{{Citation |title=POST MORTEM: John Carpenter — Part 4 | date=August 14, 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o32oW6G1Bww |access-date=June 15, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He has been an outspoken critic of [[Donald Trump]] and has blamed modern problems in the United States on unrestrained [[capitalism]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2020 |title=John Carpenter Is Scared |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a34518538/john-carpenter-2020-interview-coronavirus-trump-they-live-the-thing/ |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Esquire |language=en-US}}</ref>

Carpenter holds a [[Commercial pilot licence|commercial pilot's license]] and flies helicopters. He has included helicopters in his films, many of which feature him in a cameo role as a pilot.

==Legacy==
[[File:WW Chicago 2014 - John Carpenter 01 (14872083007).jpg|thumb|upright|Carpenter at a signing in [[Chicago]], 2014]]
[[File:Carpenter signs artwork. Philadelphia 2018-IMG 8982.jpg|thumb|alt=Carpenter holding a metal sign with a smiling fan|Carpenter signing steel artwork for a fan in [[Philadelphia]], 2018]]

Many of Carpenter's films have been re-released on DVD as special editions with numerous bonus features. Examples of such are: the collector's editions of ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]'', ''[[Escape from New York]]'', ''[[Christine (1983 film)|Christine]]'', ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'', ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (1976 film)|Assault on Precinct 13]]'', ''[[Big Trouble In Little China]]'', and ''[[The Fog]]''. Some were re-issued with a new anamorphic widescreen transfer. In the UK, several of Carpenter's films have been released as DVD with audio commentary by Carpenter and his actors (''[[They Live]]'', with actor/wrestler [[Roddy Piper]], ''[[Starman (film)|Starman]]'' with actor [[Jeff Bridges]], and ''[[Prince of Darkness (film)|Prince of Darkness]]'' with actor [[Peter Jason]]).

Carpenter is the subject of the documentary film ''John Carpenter: The Man and His Movies'', and [[American Cinematheque]]'s 2002 retrospective of his films. Moreover, during 2006, the United States Library of Congress deemed ''Halloween'' to be "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the [[National Film Registry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2006.html |title=About This Program – National Film Preservation Board &#124; Programs &#124; Library of Congress |publisher=Loc.gov |access-date=March 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709120551/http://www.loc.gov/film/nfr2006.html |archive-date=July 9, 2014 }}</ref>

During 2010, writer and actor [[Mark Gatiss]] interviewed Carpenter about his career and films for his [[BBC]] documentary series ''[[A History of Horror]]''. Carpenter appears in all three episodes of the series.<ref name=horrorqa>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vcwm7 |title=A History of Horror with Mark Gatiss – Q&A with Mark Gatiss |access-date=November 12, 2010 |publisher=BBC }}</ref> He was also interviewed by [[Robert Rodriguez]] for his ''[[The Director's Chair]]'' series on [[El Rey Network]].

Filmmakers that have been influenced by Carpenter include: [[James Cameron]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://uproxx.com/movies/how-james-camerons-bad-dream-launched-one-of-sci-fis-biggest-franchises/ | title=How James Cameron's Bad Dream Launched One Of Sci-fi's Biggest Franchises | publisher=[[Uproxx]] | date=October 25, 2014 | access-date=November 16, 2016 | author=Stice, Joel}}</ref> [[Quentin Tarantino]],<ref name=telegraph>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/hateful-eight/john-carpenter-the-thing-quentin-tarantino/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/hateful-eight/john-carpenter-the-thing-quentin-tarantino/ |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Paranoia, claustrophobia, lots of men: how The Thing inspired Tarantino's Hateful Eight | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | date=January 7, 2016 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Freer, Ian}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.vulture.com/2015/08/quentin-tarantino-the-complete-syllabus.html | title=Quentin Tarantino: The Complete Syllabus of His Influences and References | magazine=[[New York (magazine)|Vulture]] | date=August 28, 2015 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Fitzmaurice, Larry}}</ref> [[Guillermo del Toro]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.indiewire.com/2016/05/guillermo-del-toro-praises-john-carpenter-in-epic-twitter-marathon-288925/ | title=Guillermo del Toro Praises John Carpenter in Epic Twitter Marathon | work=[[IndieWire]] | date=May 23, 2016 | access-date=November 16, 2016 | author=Nordine, Michael}}</ref> [[Robert Rodriguez]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/10/08/machete-kills-director-robert-rodriguez-on-his-favorite-cult-movies.html | title='Machete Kills' Director Robert Rodriguez on His Favorite Cult Movies | website=[[The Daily Beast]] | date=October 8, 2013 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Rodriguez, Robert}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/28/movies/28join.html | title=Directors Who Go Together, Like Blood and Guts | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=January 28, 2007 | access-date=March 29, 2017 | author=Joiner, Whitney}}</ref> [[James Wan]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/james-wan/41373/james-wan-interview-the-conjuring-2-fast-7-statham | title=James Wan interview: The Conjuring 2, Fast 7, Statham | publisher=Den of Geek! | date=June 13, 2016 | access-date=May 29, 2017 |last=Bowles |first=Duncan }}</ref> [[Edgar Wright]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.indiewire.com/2013/08/interview-edgar-wright-talks-the-worlds-end-completing-the-cornetto-trilogy-ant-man-much-more-94578/ | title=Interview: Edgar Wright Talks 'The World's End,' Completing The Cornetto Trilogy, 'Ant-Man' & Much More | work=[[IndieWire]] | date=August 21, 2013 | access-date=November 18, 2016 |last=Taylor |first=Drew }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://ew.com/article/2004/10/30/shaun-dead-director-my-top-horror-films/ | title=''Shaun of the Dead'' director: My top horror films | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=October 30, 2004 | access-date=March 29, 2017 | author=Hiatt, Brian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/movies/horror-movies-rattle-their-makers.html | title=What Spooks the Masters of Horror? | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date=August 19, 2011 | access-date=May 8, 2017 | author=Zinoman, Jason}}</ref> [[Danny Boyle]],<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/3642381/Film-makers-on-film-Danny-Boyle.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmmakersonfilm/3642381/Film-makers-on-film-Danny-Boyle.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Film-makers on film: Danny Boyle | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] | date=May 21, 2005 | access-date=November 18, 2016 | author=Monahan, Mark}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Nicolas Winding Refn]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://screenanarchy.com/2009/09/nicolas-winding-refn-talks-valhalla-rising.html | title=TIFF 09: Nicolas Winding Refn Talks VALHALLA RISING | publisher=[[Screen Anarchy]] | date=September 12, 2009 | access-date=November 16, 2016 | author=Brown, Todd}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://theplaylist.net/nicolas-winding-refn-talks-druggy-20100716/ | title=Nicolas Winding Refn Talks The Druggy & Spiritual Science-Fiction Of 'Valhalla Rising' | publisher=theplaylist.net | date=July 16, 2010 | access-date=November 16, 2016 | author=Perez, Rodrigo}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ifc.com/2010/07/nicolas-winding-refn | title=Nicolas Winding Refn's Rising Star | publisher=[[IFC Films|IFC]] | date=July 15, 2010 | access-date=November 16, 2016 | author=Ebiri, Bilge| work=IFC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/features/interview/9177-nicolas-winding-refn-and-cliff-martinez/ | title=Nicolas Winding Refn and Cliff Martinez | website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] | date=July 25, 2013 | access-date=November 16, 2016 | author=Fitzmaurice, Larry}}</ref> [[Adam Wingard]],<ref name=ew>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.ew.com/article/2014/07/16/john-carpenter-the-purge | title=2014's most influential director: John Carpenter? | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=July 16, 2014 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Collis, Clark}}</ref><ref name=grantland>{{cite web | url=http://grantland.com/hollywood-prospectus/the-guest-adam-wingard-simon-barrett-dan-stevens-halloween-the-terminator-1980s-movies/ | title=How Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett Distilled 'Re-Animator,' 'The Stepfather,' John Woo, and More Into 'The Guest' | publisher=[[Grantland]] | date=September 10, 2014 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Patches, Matt}}</ref><ref name=indiewiretheguest>{{cite news | url=http://www.indiewire.com/2014/10/the-guest-writer-director-discuss-80-influences-their-aborted-youre-next-sequel-more-271474/ | title='The Guest' Writer & Director Discuss '80 Influences, Their Aborted 'You're Next' Sequel & More | work=[[IndieWire]] | date=October 9, 2014 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Taylor, Drew}}</ref> [[Neil Marshall]],<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/neil-marshall-axelle-carolyn-first-couple-horror/ | title=Neil Marshall And Axelle Carolyn: The First Couple Of Horror | magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] | date=October 30, 2015 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Hewitt, Chris}}</ref><ref name=dvdcom>{{cite video |people=Marshall, Neil (Director) |year=2008 |title=Doomsday |medium=Unrated DVD |publisher=[[Universal Pictures]] |quote=Feature commentary with director Neil Marshall and cast members Sean Pertwee, Darren Morfitt, Rick Warden and Les Simpson. }}</ref> [[Michael Dougherty]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/trick-r-treat-michael-dougherty-halloween/ | title= 'Trick 'R Treat' director Michael Dougherty on cult horror, Halloween | newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=October 28, 2013 | access-date=November 17, 2016 | author=Phillips, Jevon}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://birthmoviesdeath.com/2013/10/29/mike-dougherty-interview | title=Badass Interview: Mike Dougherty On What He'd Like To Include In The TRICK 'R TREAT Sequel | publisher=birthmoviesdeath.com | date=October 29, 2013 | access-date=November 17, 2016 | author=Borders, Meredith| work=Birth.Movies.Death. }}</ref> [[Ben Wheatley]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.film4.com/special-features/top-lists/ben-wheatley-top-10-horrific-films | title=Ben Wheatley's Top 10 Horrific Films | publisher=[[Film4]] | access-date=November 18, 2016 }}</ref> [[Jeff Nichols]],<ref name=Nerdist>Walker, R.V. (November 21, 2015). [http://nerdist.com/michael-shannon-is-on-the-run-in-supernatural-midnight-special-trailer/ "Michael Shannon is On the Run in Supernatural MIDNIGHT SPECIAL Trailer"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314011259/http://nerdist.com/michael-shannon-is-on-the-run-in-supernatural-midnight-special-trailer/ |date=March 14, 2016 }}. [[Nerdist News|Nerdist]].</ref><ref name=Collider>Foutch, Haleigh (November 13, 2015). [https://collider.com/midnight-special-kirsten-dunst-michael-shannon-image-poster/ "'Midnight Special': First Image and Poster Reveal Michael Shannon's Superpowered Son"]. [[Collider (website)|Collider]].</ref> [[Bong Joon-ho]],<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.oystermag.com/joon-ho-bong-on-friends-and-frenemies-in-monster-films | title=Joon-Ho Bong On Friends And Frenemies in Monster Films | magazine=[[Oyster (magazine)|Oyster]] | date=October 30, 2013 | access-date=March 24, 2017 | last=Joon-ho |first=Bong | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325113030/http://www.oystermag.com/joon-ho-bong-on-friends-and-frenemies-in-monster-films | archive-date=March 25, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/director_bong_joon-ho_on_his_latest_film_snowpiercer/ | title=Director Bong Joon-ho on his latest film, Snowpiercer | magazine=[[Under the Radar (magazine)|Under the Radar]] | date=June 27, 2014 | access-date=March 24, 2017 | author=Trunick, Austin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://screenanarchy.com/2013/10/busan-2013-highlights-from-the-tarantino-and-bong-joon-ho-open-talk-gallery.html | title=Busan 2013: Highlights From The Tarantino And Bong Joon-ho Open Talk | publisher=[[Screen Anarchy]] | date=October 15, 2013 | access-date=March 24, 2017 | author=Bellette, Kwenton}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://collider.com/exclusive-interview-with-bong-joonho/ | title=Exclusive Interview with Bong Joon-ho | website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] | date=March 7, 2007 | access-date=March 24, 2017 | author=Weintraub, Steve}}</ref> [[James Gunn]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-director-james-151002188.html | title='Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2' Director James Gunn in Fan Chat: Groot's Based on My Dog | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | date=March 30, 2016 | access-date=November 17, 2016 | author=Schager, Nick}}</ref> [[Mike Flanagan (filmmaker)|Mike Flanagan]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ihorror.com/exclusive-mike-flanagan-not-directing-next-halloween-film-im-not/ | title=Exclusive: Mike Flanagan Not Directing Next Halloween Film: 'I'm Not Doing It' | publisher=ihorror.com | date=July 1, 2016 | access-date=March 24, 2017 | author=Grove, David | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325030238/http://ihorror.com/exclusive-mike-flanagan-not-directing-next-halloween-film-im-not/ | archive-date=March 25, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> [[David Robert Mitchell]],<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/qa-writerdirector-david-robert-mitchell-on-his-terrifying-youth-horror-film-it-follows/ | title=Q&A: Writer/Director David Robert Mitchell on His Terrifying Youth-Horror Film "IT FOLLOWS" | magazine=[[Fangoria]] | date=March 12, 2015 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Gingold, Michael | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501035406/http://www.fangoria.com/new/qa-writerdirector-david-robert-mitchell-on-his-terrifying-youth-horror-film-it-follows/ | archive-date=May 1, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.indiewire.com/2015/03/director-david-robert-mitchell-reveals-the-5-biggest-influences-on-it-follows-266346/ | title=Director David Robert Mitchell Reveals The 5 Biggest Influences On 'It Follows' | work=[[IndieWire]] | date=March 12, 2015 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Taylor, Drew}}</ref> [[The Duffer Brothers]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/08/how-steven-spielberg-john-carpenter-and-stephen-king-influenced-stranger-things | title=How Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King Influenced Stranger Things | website=IGN | date=July 7, 2016 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Goldman, Eric}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.avclub.com/article/stranger-things-creators-want-some-scares-their-sp-239297 | title=The Stranger Things creators want some scares with their Spielberg | newspaper=[[The A.V. Club]] | date=July 13, 2016 | access-date=March 24, 2017 | author=Zuckerman, Esther}}</ref> [[Jeremy Saulnier]],<ref name=ew /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://theplaylist.net/green-room-director-jeremy-saulniers-top-5-john-carpenter-movies-20160502/ | title='Green Room' Director Jeremy Saulnier's Top 5 John Carpenter Movies | publisher=theplaylist.net | date=May 2, 2016 | access-date=March 29, 2017 | author=Jagernauth, Kevin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/jeremy-saulnier/40589/jeremy-saulnier-interview-green-room-john-carpenter | title=Jeremy Saulnier interview: Green Room, John Carpenter | publisher=denofgeek.com | date=May 13, 2016 | access-date=March 29, 2017 | author=Lamble, Ryan}}</ref> [[Trey Edward Shults]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rogerebert.com/interviews/a-zombie-with-no-conscience-trey-edward-shults-on-it-comes-at-night | title=A Zombie with No Conscience: Trey Edward Shults on "It Comes at Night"  | publisher=rogerebert.com | date=June 5, 2017 | access-date=June 19, 2017 | author=Allen, Nick}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/8/15762548/it-comes-at-night-director-trey-edward-shults-krisha-interview-horror | title=Why the director of It Comes At Night hopes audiences "don't catch on" to his technological tricks | website=[[The Verge]] | date=June 8, 2017 | access-date=June 19, 2017 | author=Robinson, Tasha}}</ref> [[Drew Goddard]],<ref>{{cite news | url=http://screencrush.com/drew-goddard-interview/ | title=Drew Goddard Interview: The Director Takes Us Inside the 'Cabin in the Woods' | newspaper=[[ScreenCrush]] | date=April 11, 2012 | access-date=November 19, 2016 | author=Hoffman, Jordan}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/interview-cabin-in-the-woods-co-writer-director-drew-goddard/ | title=Interview: 'Cabin in the Woods' Co-Writer & Director Drew Goddard | newspaper=firstshowing.net | date=April 13, 2012 | access-date=November 19, 2016 | author=Kirk, Jeremy}}</ref> [[David F. Sandberg]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbr.com/annabelle-creation-david-f-sandberg-interview/ | title=Shazam Director Revives Old-School Horror with Annabelle: Creation  | website=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=August 10, 2017 | access-date=September 6, 2017 | author=Brooks, Tamara}}</ref> [[James DeMonaco]],<ref name=ew /> [[Adam Green (filmmaker)|Adam Green]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.moviefone.com/2007/08/13/interview-hatchet-grinder-adam-green/ | title=Interview: 'Hatchet' Grinder Adam Green! | publisher=[[Moviefone]] | date=August 13, 2007 | access-date=March 23, 2017 | author=Weinberg, Scott | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324084230/https://www.moviefone.com/2007/08/13/interview-hatchet-grinder-adam-green/ | archive-date=March 24, 2017 }}</ref> [[Ted Geoghegan]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.frightday.com/13-films-that-influenced-ted-geoghegans-we-are-still-here/ | title=13 Films That Influenced Ted Geoghegan's 'We Are Still Here' | publisher=frightday.com | date=September 29, 2015 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Geoghegan, Ted}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.thelmagazine.com/2015/06/we-are-still-here-director-ted-geoghegan/ | title="I pine for the cinema of my youth": Talking to We Are Still Here Director Ted Geoghegan | publisher=[[L Magazine]] | date=June 4, 2015 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Asch, Mark | archive-date=November 16, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116104438/http://www.thelmagazine.com/2015/06/we-are-still-here-director-ted-geoghegan/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Keith Gordon]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sensesofcinema.com/2004/feature-articles/keith_gordon/ | title=Keith Gordon on Keith Gordon, Part One: From Actor to Director | publisher=[[sensesofcinema.com]] | date=October 1, 2004 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Tonguette, Peter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mediamikes.com/2011/02/interview-with-keith-gordon/ | title=Interview with Keith Gordon | publisher=mediamikes.com | date=February 3, 2011 | access-date=November 15, 2016 | author=Smith, Mike}}</ref> [[Brian Patrick Butler]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Ken |date=July 25, 2020 |title=San Diego's Spielberg? Q&A With Director Brian Butler Near Sci-Fi Film Premiere |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2020/07/24/san-diegos-spielberg-qa-with-director-brian-butler-near-sci-fi-film-premiere/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Times of San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Halen |first=Adrian |date=November 17, 2021 |title='Friend of the World' streaming and on demand Nov 22nd |url=https://horrornews.net/170402/friend-of-the-world-streaming-and-on-demand-nov-22nd/ |access-date=November 4, 2022 |website=Horror News {{!}} HNN |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Jack Thomas Smith]],<ref name="NJStage">Wien, Gary (October 19, 2014). [http://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle.php?ID=4077 "Infliction: An Interview With Jack Thomas Smith"]. ''New Jersey Stage''.</ref> and [[Marvin Kren]].<ref name=Fangoria>Zimmerman, Samuel (May 1, 2014). [http://www.fangoria.com/new/blood-glacier-movie-review/ "'Blood Glacier' (Movie Review)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000755/http://www.fangoria.com/new/blood-glacier-movie-review/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}. ''[[Fangoria]]''.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Gonzalez|first=Ed|title=Review: Blood Glacier|url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/blood-glacier|newspaper=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=April 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Abrams|first=Simon|title=BLOOD GLACIER (review)|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/blood-glacier-2014|publisher=RogerEbert.com|access-date=May 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hunter|first=Rob|title='Blood Glacier' Review: A Nature Trail to Hell|work=Film School Rejects |date=April 30, 2014 |url=http://filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/blood-glacier-review.php|publisher=FSR|access-date=May 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502013014/http://filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/blood-glacier-review.php|archive-date=May 2, 2014}}</ref> The video game ''[[Dead Space 3]]'' is said to be influenced by Carpenter's ''The Thing'', ''The Fog'', and ''Halloween'', and Carpenter has stated that he would be enthusiastic to adapt [[Dead Space (series)|that series]] into a feature film.<ref>Holland, Luke (May 15, 2013). [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2013/may/15/dead-space-movie-film-makers-skyrim-uncharted "Top 10 games that should be movies – and their ideal directors"]. ''[[The Guardian]]''.</ref> Specific films influenced by Carpenter's include [[Sean S. Cunningham]]'s ''[[Friday the 13th (1980 film)|Friday the 13th]]'', which was inspired by the success of ''Halloween'',<ref name=friday>{{cite book |author=David Grove |title=Making Friday the 13th: The Legend of Camp Blood |url=https://archive.org/details/makingfridaythle00grov |url-access=limited |date=February 2005 |publisher=FAB Press |isbn=1-903254-31-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/makingfridaythle00grov/page/n9 11]–12 }}</ref> Tarantino's ''[[The Hateful Eight]]'', which was heavily influenced by ''The Thing'',<ref name=telegraph /> Wingard's ''[[The Guest (2014 American film)|The Guest]]'', which was inspired by [[Michael Myers (Halloween)|Michael Myers]]<ref name=grantland /> and influenced by ''[[Halloween III: Season of the Witch]]'''s music,<ref name=ew /><ref name=indiewiretheguest /> Nichols' ''[[Midnight Special (film)|Midnight Special]]'', which is said to have used ''Starman'' as a reference point,<ref name=Nerdist/><ref name=Collider/> and Kren's ''[[Blood Glacier]]'', which is said to be a homage to or recreation of ''The Thing''.<ref name=Fangoria/>

[[Hans Zimmer]] cited Carpenter as an influence on his compositions.<ref>Mentioned on ''[[Durch die Nacht mit …]]''. Episode dated October 3, 2003.</ref>  The 2016 film ''[[The Void (2016 film)|The Void]]'' is considered by many critics and fans to be heavily influenced by several of Carpenter's films.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nowtoronto.com/api/content/fcfc6b9c-14a6-11e7-a880-0aea2a882f79/|title=The Void is chock full of imaginative thrills|last=Wilner|first=Norman|date=March 29, 2017|website=NOW Magazine|language=en-us|access-date=June 15, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref>

==Filmography==
{{main|John Carpenter filmography}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Directed features
|-
! Year
! Title
! Distributor
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Dark Star (film)|Dark Star]]''
| [[Bryanston Distributing Company]]
|-
| 1976
| ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (1976 film)|Assault on Precinct 13]]''
| Turtle Releasing Organization
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]''
| Compass International Pictures/Aquarius Releasing
|-
| 1980
| ''[[The Fog]]''
|rowspan=2| [[Embassy Pictures|AVCO Embassy Pictures]]
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Escape from New York]]''
|-
| 1982
| ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]''
| [[Universal Pictures]]
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Christine (1983 film)|Christine]]''
|rowspan=2| [[Columbia Pictures]]
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Starman (film)|Starman]]''
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]''
| [[20th Century Fox]]
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Prince of Darkness (film)|Prince of Darkness]]''
|rowspan=2| Universal Pictures/[[Carolco Pictures]]
|-
| 1988
| ''[[They Live]]''
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Memoirs of an Invisible Man (film)|Memoirs of an Invisible Man]]''
| [[Warner Bros.]]
|-
| 1994
| ''[[In the Mouth of Madness]]'' 
| [[New Line Cinema]]
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Village of the Damned (1995 film)|Village of the Damned]]'' 
| Universal Pictures
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Escape from L.A.]]''
| [[Paramount Pictures]]
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Vampires (1998 film)|Vampires]]''
| [[Sony Pictures Releasing]]/Columbia Pictures
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Ghosts of Mars]]''
| Sony Pictures Releasing/[[Screen Gems]]
|-
| 2010
| ''[[The Ward (film)|The Ward]]''
| ARC Entertainment/[[XLrator Media]]
|}

===Recurring collaborators===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:85%;vertical-align:bottom;"
|-
!rowspan=2 {{diagonal split header 2|Collaborator|Work}}
! {{small|1974}}!!{{small|1976}} !! colspan=2|{{small|1978}} !! {{small|1979}}!! {{small|1980}}!! {{small|1981}}!! {{small|1982}}!!{{small|1983}}!! {{small|1984}}!! {{small|1986}}!! {{small|1987}}!!{{small|1988}} !! {{small|1992}} !! {{small|1993}} !! {{small|1994}} !! {{small|1995}} !! {{small|1996}} !!{{small|1998}} !! {{small|2001}} !! {{small|2010}} !! {{small|{{n/a}}}} 
|-
!{{verth|''[[Dark Star (film)|Dark Star]]''}} !! {{verth|''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (1976 film)|Assault on Precinct 13]]''}} !! {{verth|''[[Halloween (1978 film)|Halloween]]''}} !! {{verth|''[[Someone's Watching Me!]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[Elvis (1979 film)|Elvis]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[The Fog]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[Escape from New York]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]''}}!! {{verth|''[[Christine (1983 film)|Christine]]''}} !! {{verth|''[[Starman (film)|Starman]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[Big Trouble in Little China]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[Prince of Darkness (film)|Prince of Darkness]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[They Live]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[Memoirs of an Invisible Man (film)|Memoirs of an Invisible Man]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[Body Bags (film)|Body Bags]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[In the Mouth of Madness]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[Village of the Damned (1995 film)|Village of the Damned]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[Escape from L.A.]]''}} !!{{verth| ''[[Vampires (1998 film)|Vampires]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[Ghosts of Mars]]''}} !!{{verth|''[[The Ward (film)|The Ward]]''}}
! Total
|-
! [[Adrienne Barbeau]]
| || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || (voice) || || || || || || || || || || || || 
|
| 4
|-
! [[Robert Carradine]]
| || || || || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Nick Castle]]
| {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || 
|
| 4
|-
! [[Dean Cundey]]
|| || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || ||
|
| 5
|-
! [[Jamie Lee Curtis]]
| || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || (voice) || || || || || || || || || || || || || 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Charles Cyphers]]
| || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || || || || || || 
|
| 6
|-
! [[Keith David]]
| || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || ||
|
|
| 2
|-
! [[George Buck Flower]]
| || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || 
|
| 6
|-
![[Pam Grier]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|2
|-
! [[Marjean Holden]]
| || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
| 2
|-
! [[Alan Howarth (composer)|Alan Howarth]]
|| || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || ||
|
| 5
|-
! [[Jeff Imada]]
| || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Peter Jason]]
| || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} 
|
| 7
|-
! [[Gary B. Kibbe]]
|| || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
| 8
|-
! [[Al Leong]]
| || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Nancy Kyes|Nancy Loomis]]
| || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || || || || || || || 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Sam Neill]]
| || || || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || ||
|
| 2
|-
! [[Robert Phalen]]
| || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || || || 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Donald Pleasence]]
| || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || 
|
| 3
|-
! [[Marion Rothman]]
| || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || ||
|
| 3
|-
! [[Kurt Russell]]
| || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || 
|
| 5
|-
![[Harry Dean Stanton]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|2
|-
![[Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa]]
| || || || || || || ||  || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} ||
|
|2
|-
![[Shirley Walker]]
|| || || || || || || || || || || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || ||
|
|2
|-
![[Tommy Lee Wallace]]
|| || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || {{X mark|alt=Yes}} || || || || || || || || || || || || || ||
|
|2
|-
![[Victor Wong (actor, born 1927)|Victor Wong]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|2
|-
![[Dennis Dun]]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|2
|-
![[Frank Doubleday (actor)|Frank Doubleday]]
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|{{X mark|alt=Yes}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|2
|}

== Discography ==

=== Albums ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Notes
|-
|1979
|''[[Halloween (soundtrack)|Halloween]]''
| soundtrack to the 1978 film
|-
|1980
|''[[Dark Star (soundtrack)|Dark Star]]''
| soundtrack to the 1974 film
|-
|rowspan=2|1981
|''[[Escape from New York (soundtrack)|Escape from New York]]''
|rowspan=2|soundtrack to the 1981 film, with [[Alan Howarth (composer)|Alan Howarth]]
|-
|''[[Halloween II (1981 soundtrack)|Halloween II]]''
|-
|1982
|''[[Halloween III: Season of the Witch (soundtrack)|Halloween III: Season of the Witch]]''
| soundtrack to the 1982 film, with Alan Howarth
|-
|1984
|''[[The Fog (soundtrack)|The Fog]]''
| soundtrack to the 1980 film
|-
|1986
|''[[Big Trouble in Little China (soundtrack)|Big Trouble in Little China]]''
| soundtrack to the 1986 film, with Alan Howarth
|-
|1987
|''[[Prince of Darkness (soundtrack)|Prince of Darkness]]''
| soundtrack to the 1987 film, with Alan Howarth
|-
|1988
|''[[They Live (soundtrack)|They Live]]''
| soundtrack to the 1988 film, with Alan Howarth
|-
|1989
|''[[Christine (soundtrack)|Christine]]''
| soundtrack to the 1983 film, with Alan Howarth
|-
|1993
|''[[Body Bags (soundtrack)|Body Bags]]''
| soundtrack to the 1993 TV movie, with [[Jim Lang (composer)|Jim Lang]]
|-
| rowspan="2" |1995
|''[[In the Mouth of Madness (soundtrack)|In the Mouth of Madness]]''
| soundtrack to the 1994 film, with Jim Lang
|-
|''[[Village of the Damned (soundtrack)|Village of the Damned]]''
| soundtrack to the 1995 film, with [[Dave Davies]]
|-
|1996
|''[[Escape from L.A. (film score)|Escape from L.A.]]''
| soundtrack to the 1996 film, with [[Shirley Walker]]
|-
|1998
|''[[Vampires (soundtrack)|Vampires]]''
| soundtrack to the 1998 film
|-
|2001
|''[[Ghosts of Mars (soundtrack)|Ghosts of Mars]]''
| soundtrack to the 2001 film
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Assault on Precinct 13 (soundtrack)|Assault on Precinct 13]]''
| soundtrack to the 1976 film
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Lost Themes]]''
|rowspan=2| co-written with session musicians Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Lost Themes II]]''
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Halloween (2018 soundtrack)|Halloween]]''
| soundtrack to the 2018 film, with Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2021
| ''[[Lost Themes III: Alive After Death]]''
| co-written with session musicians Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|-
| ''[[Halloween Kills (soundtrack)|Halloween Kills]]''
| soundtrack to the 2021 film, with Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2022
| ''[[Firestarter (soundtrack)|Firestarter]]''
| rowspan="2" | soundtrack to the 2022 film, with Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|-
| ''[[Halloween Ends (soundtrack)|Halloween Ends]]''
|-
| 2024
| ''Lost Themes IV: Noir''
| co-written with session musicians Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|-
| 2025
| ''Lost Themes: 10th Anniversary Expanded Edition''
| co-written with session musicians Cody Carpenter & Daniel Davies
|}

===Remix albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Lost Themes Remixed]]''
| Remixes of ''[[Lost Themes]]''
|}

===EPs===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Classic Themes Redux EP]]''
| Followed by ''[[Anthology: Movie Themes 1974–1998]]''
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Thing (1982 soundtrack)|Lost Cues: The Thing]]''
| Newly recorded soundtrack for the 1982 film
|}

===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 2020
| "Skeleton" b/w "Unclean Spirit"
| non-album single<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Reed |first=Ryan |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/john-carpenter-skeleton-unclean-spirit-1024160/ |title=Hear John Carpenter's New Songs 'Skeleton,' 'Unclean Spirit' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=July 3, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2021 }}</ref>
|}

===Compilation albums===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Notes
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Anthology: Movie Themes 1974–1998]]''
| Rerecorded film scores, preceded in 2016 by EP ''[[Classic Themes Redux EP|Classic Themes Redux]]''
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Anthology II: Movie Themes 1976–1988]]''
|
|}

==See also==
* [[John Carpenter's unrealized projects]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Works cited==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite web |last=Abrams |first=Simon |title=The Men Who Were The Thing Look Back on a Modern Horror Classic |url=http://www.laweekly.com/film/the-men-who-were-the-thing-look-back-on-a-modern-horror-classic-7481937 |website=LA Weekly |date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=February 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180203193016/http://www.laweekly.com/film/the-men-who-were-the-thing-look-back-on-a-modern-horror-classic-7481937 |archive-date=February 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Anderson, K |url=https://nerdist.com/directors-cuts-top-5-john-carpenter-movies/ |title=Directors Cuts: Top 5 John Carpenter Movies |website=Nerdist |date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=February 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083756/https://nerdist.com/directors-cuts-top-5-john-carpenter-movies/ |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |url-status=dead}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Bacle |first=Ariana |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/04/22/summer-blockbuster-et-extra-terrestrial/ |title='E.T.': Best Summer Blockbusters, No. 6 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 22, 2014 |access-date=February 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180211000005/http://ew.com/article/2014/04/22/summer-blockbuster-et-extra-terrestrial/ |archive-date=February 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Bauer |first=Erik |title=John Carpenter on The Thing |url=https://creativescreenwriting.com/the-thing/ |website=creativescreenwriting |date=January 1999 |access-date=January 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180127190521/https://creativescreenwriting.com/the-thing/ |archive-date=January 27, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Corrigan |first=Kalyn |title=Every John Carpenter Movie, Ranked from Worst to Best |url=https://collider.com/john-carpenter-movies-ranked/#the-thing |website=Collider |date=October 31, 2017 |access-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180207234114/http://collider.com/john-carpenter-movies-ranked/%23the-thing |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnref|Empire500|2008}} |date=2008 |url=https://empireonline.com/500/41.asp |title=Empire's The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=May 21, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105220019/https://empireonline.com/500/41.asp |archive-date=November 5, 2013}}
* {{cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |title=Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Horror Movies of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/readers-poll-best-horror-movies-of-all-time-20141008/the-thing-20141008 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208214851/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/lists/readers-poll-best-horror-movies-of-all-time-20141008/the-thing-20141008 |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Kirk |first=Jeremy |url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-36-things-we-learned-from-john-carpenters-the-thing-commentary-track-a73f470d969/ |title=The 36 Things We Learned From John Carpenter's 'The Thing' Commentary Track |publisher=Film School Rejects |date=July 13, 2011 |access-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180130224505/https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-36-things-we-learned-from-john-carpenters-the-thing-commentary-track-a73f470d969/ |archive-date=January 30, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Lambie |first=Ryan |title=Examining the critical reaction to The Thing |url=https://denofgeek.com/uk/movies/the-thing/28921/examining-the-critical-reaction-to-the-thing |website=Den of Geek |date=June 26, 2017b |access-date=February 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626124021/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/movies/the-thing/28921/examining-the-critical-reaction-to-the-thing |archive-date=June 26, 2017 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Lambie |first=Ryan |title=John Carpenter's The Thing Had An Icy Critical Reception |url=https://denofgeek.com/us/movies/the-thing/232296/john-carpenters-the-thing-had-an-icy-critical-reception |website=Den of Geek |date=January 4, 2018a |access-date=January 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626132010/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/the-thing/232296/john-carpenters-the-thing-had-an-icy-critical-reception |archive-date=June 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |ref={{sfnref|LegBoston|2007}} |title=1. 'The Thing' (1982) (Boston.com's Top 50 Scary Movies of All Time) |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/top_50_scary_movies?pg=50 |website=[[The Boston Globe]] |via=Internet Archive |access-date=June 5, 2016 |date=October 25, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025045733/http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/top_50_scary_movies?pg=50 |archive-date=October 25, 2007}}
* {{cite web |last1=Leitch |first1=Will |last2=Grierson |first2=Tim |url=https://vulture.com/2017/09/every-stephen-king-movie-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |title=Every Stephen King Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best |website=Vulture.com |date=September 6, 2017 |access-date=February 3, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170906230825/http://www.vulture.com/2017/09/every-stephen-king-movie-ranked-from-worst-to-best.html |archive-date=September 6, 2017}}
* {{cite web |last=Mahon |first=Christopher |title=How John Carpenter'S The Thing Went From D-List Trash To Horror Classic |work=SYFY WIRE |url=https://syfy.com/syfywire/how-john-carpenters-the-thing-went-from-d-list-trash-to-horror-classic |publisher=[[Syfy]] |date=January 16, 2018 |access-date=January 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117034252/http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/how-john-carpenters-the-thing-went-from-d-list-trash-to-horror-classic |archive-date=January 17, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last=Muir |first=John Kenneth |title=Horror Films of the 1980s |author-link=John Kenneth Muir |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-7864-5501-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VJ1vcmaOd7wC&pg=PA285}}
* {{cite web |last=Nashawaty |first=Chris |title=38 Years Ago Today Two of the Best Sci-Fi Films of All Time Bombed in Theaters. What Happened? |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a32960951/why-critics-audiences-hated-blade-runner-the-thing-in-1982/ |website=Esquire |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021105403/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a32960951/why-critics-audiences-hated-blade-runner-the-thing-in-1982/ |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last1=Nicholls |first1=Peter |title=Thing, The |url=http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/thing_the |website=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction |access-date=July 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628091204/http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/thing_the |archive-date=June 28, 2016 |date=June 28, 2016}}
* {{Cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Phelim |title=John Carpenter: 'Halloween's a very simple film' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10394340/John-Carpenter-Halloweens-a-very-simple-film.html |website=The Telegraph |date=October 31, 2013 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180213195845/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/10394340/John-Carpenter-Halloweens-a-very-simple-film.html |archive-date=February 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Paul |first=Zachary |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3443226/instant-junk-instant-classic-critical-reception-thing/ |title=From "Instant Junk" to "Instant Classic" – Critical Reception of 'The Thing' |date=June 25, 2017 |publisher=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=February 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180207230347/http://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3443226/instant-junk-instant-classic-critical-reception-thing/ |archive-date=February 7, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Thurman |first=Trace |title=John Carpenter's 'The Thing' Turns 35 Today! |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3443147/john-carpenters-thing-turns-35/ |date=June 25, 2017 |publisher=Bloody Disgusting |access-date=February 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180204191834/http://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3443147/john-carpenters-thing-turns-35/ |archive-date=February 4, 2018 |url-status=live}}
* {{cite web |last=Zoller Seitz |first=Matt |title=30 Minutes On: "The Thing" (1982) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/mzs/30-minutes-on-the-thing-1982 |website=RogerEbert.com |date=October 9, 2016 |access-date=February 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170810082648/http://www.rogerebert.com/mzs/30-minutes-on-the-thing-1982 |archive-date=August 10, 2017 |url-status=live}}
{{Refend}}

==Bibliography==
* Conrich, Ian, Woods, David eds (2004). ''The Cinema of John Carpenter: The Technique of Terror (Directors' Cuts).'' Wallflower Press. {{ISBN|1904764142}}.
* Hanson, Peter, Herman, Paul, Robert eds. (2010). ''Tales from the Script'' (Paperback ed.). New York, NY: HarperCollins Inc. {{ISBN|9780061855924}}.
* Muir, John, Kenneth. ''The Films of John Carpenter,'' McFarland & Company, Inc. (2005). {{ISBN|0786422696}}.

==External links==


* {{Official website|https://theofficialjohncarpenter.com/}}
* {{IMDb name|118}}
*{{AFI person|237416-John-Carpenter}}
* {{TCMDb name}}
 
{{John Carpenter}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for John Carpenter
|list =
{{Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement}}
{{The George Pal Memorial Award}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Music}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Special Effects}}
}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Carpenter, John}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American composers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American composers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American screenwriters]]
[[Category:American action film directors]]
[[Category:American dance musicians]]
[[Category:American electronic musicians]]
[[Category:American film editors]]
[[Category:American film score composers]]
[[Category:American male film score composers]]
[[Category:American male screenwriters]]
[[Category:American male television writers]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:American science fiction writers]]
[[Category:American television directors]]
[[Category:American television writers]]
[[Category:Film directors from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Film directors from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Film producers from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Film producers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Guitarists from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American horror film directors]]
[[Category:Horror film producers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Bowling Green, Kentucky]]
[[Category:People from Carthage, New York]]
[[Category:Sacred Bones Records artists]]
[[Category:American science fiction film directors]]
[[Category:Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Kentucky]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:USC School of Cinematic Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Western Kentucky University alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from Bowling Green, Kentucky]]
[[Category:20th-century American male composers]]
[[Category:Animated film score composers]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=John Carpenter|access_date=2026-02-23}}