Renny Harlin
Directing
Renny Harlin (born Renny Lauri Mauritz Harjola on March 15, 1959) is a Finnish film director and producer, known for his prolific work in the action and horror genres. The peak of his success spanned from the late 1980s to the late 1990s, during which period he directed numerous hits, including A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, and Deep Blue Sea. The commercial performance of his films has waned since the mid 2000s, but Harlin remains 86th on the list of highest-grossing directors of all time (based on U.S. domestic gross revenue). He has primarily worked in the Hollywood studio system, in addition to time spent in his native Finland and a brief stint in China.
Known for
Directing41
movieDeep Water
2026
Director
movieThe Strangers
2026
Director
movieThe Bricklayer
2023
Director
movieRefuge
2023
Director
movieThe Misfits
2021
Director
movieBodies at Rest
2019
Director
movieSkiptrace
2016
Director
movieThe Legend of Hercules
2014
Director
tvGraceland
2013
Director
movie5 Days of War
2011
Director
tvCovert Affairs
2010
Director
tvWhite Collar
2009
Director
movie12 Rounds
2009
Director
movieCleaner
2007
Director
tvBurn Notice
2007
Director
movieThe Covenant
2006
Director
movieExorcist: The Beginning
2004
Director
movieMindhunters
2004
Director
movieDriven
2001
Director
movieDeep Blue Sea
1999
Director
movieThe Long Kiss Goodnight
1996
Director
movieCutthroat Island
1995
Director
movieCliffhanger
1993
Director
tvGladiaattorit
1993
Director
movieDie Hard 2
1990
Director
moviePrison
1987
Director
movieBorn American
1986
Director
Custody
1980
Director
The Beast
Director
Black Tides
Director
Acting18
movieDeep Water
2026
Ship Radio Dispatcher (voice)
movieThe Dinosaur
2021
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Legend of Hercules
2014
Officer Linus (uncredited)
movieDriven
2001
Replacement Driver
movieJohtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies
1998
Renny Harlin
movieA Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
1988
Student (uncredited)
movieBorn American
1986
Man's Voice from Ship's Loudspeakers (uncredited) (voice)
movieThe Breakthrough
1981
Police officer (uncredited)
Kohtauspaikka 33
1981
Self (voice)
Production17
movieRefuge
2023
Producer
movieThe Legend of Hercules
2014
Producer
movie5 Days of War
2011
Producer
movieThe Resident
2011
Executive Producer
movieMindhunters
2004
Executive Producer
movieDriven
2001
Producer
movieBlast from the Past
1999
Producer
movieMistrial
1996
Executive Producer
movieThe Long Kiss Goodnight
1996
Producer
movieCutthroat Island
1995
Producer
movieSpeechless
1994
Producer
movieThe Foot Shooting Party
1994
Executive Producer
movieCliffhanger
1993
Producer
movieRambling Rose
1991
Producer
Carrier
Producer
Writing5
movieReunion 3: Singles Cruise
2021
Screenplay
movieBorn American
1986
Screenplay
Custody
1980
Writer
Crew1
movieBorn American
1986
Stunt Double