James Wan

Born:February 26, 1977

Place of Birth:Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Known For:Directing

Biography

James Wan, born on February 26, 1977, in Malaysia, is a visionary filmmaker known for his groundbreaking work in the horror genre. With a keen eye for suspense and a knack for storytelling, Wan has become a household name in the world of cinema. His contributions to the horror genre are unparalleled, with iconic franchises like Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring Universe under his belt.

Wan's journey in the film industry began with the Saw franchise, where he made his mark as a director with the release of the first film in 2004. The success of Saw catapulted Wan into the spotlight, paving the way for a series of successful projects that would solidify his reputation as a master of horror. His ability to create tension and deliver spine-chilling scares has captivated audiences worldwide.

Beyond the realm of horror, Wan has showcased his versatility as a director with projects like Furious 7, the seventh installment of the Fast & Furious franchise. His unique style and innovative approach to filmmaking breathed new life into the action genre, earning critical acclaim and commercial success. Wan's directorial prowess shone once again with Aquaman, a DC Extended Universe superhero film that surpassed $1 billion at the global box office.

As the founder of Atomic Monster, his production company, Wan continues to push boundaries and challenge conventions in the world of cinema. His commitment to storytelling and dedication to his craft have earned him a place among the most influential directors in the industry. With a filmography that spans multiple genres and billions in box office earnings, Wan's impact on cinema is undeniable.

Despite his immense success, Wan remains humble and grounded, always striving to push the boundaries of filmmaking and deliver captivating stories to audiences around the world. His ability to blend suspense, horror, and action with compelling narratives sets him apart as a true visionary in the world of cinema. Wan's passion for storytelling and his relentless pursuit of excellence continue to inspire filmmakers and audiences alike.

James Wan's creative vision and unparalleled talent have left an indelible mark on the film industry, earning him a well-deserved place among the most respected and admired directors of his generation. With a career marked by critical acclaim, commercial success, and a loyal fan base, Wan's legacy as a filmmaker is secure. As he continues to captivate audiences with his innovative storytelling and masterful direction, James Wan remains a cinematic force to be reckoned with.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Insidious: Chapter 3

Theater Director

2015

A twisted new tale of terror begins for a teenage girl and her family, and revealing more mysteries of the otherworldly realm, 'The Further'.

Lavalantula

Tour Bus Passenger

2015

Giant lava breathing tarantulas – Lavalantulas – erupt out of ancient volcanos in the Santa Monica Mountains, raining death and destruction upon Los Angeles. With the City of Angels on the verge of incineration, only a washed up ‘90s action hero actor stands in the way of this monstrous swarm of bloodthirsty creatures who burn their victims alive.

Production

The Monkey

Producer

2025

When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.

The Conjuring

Director

2013

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

Story

2021

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren encounter what would become one of the most sensational cases from their files. The fight for the soul of a young boy takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.

The Conjuring 2

Producer

2016

Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.

The Nun

Story

2018

A priest with a haunted past and a novice on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate the death of a young nun in Romania and confront a malevolent force in the form of a demonic nun.

The Nun II

Characters

2023

In 1956 France, a priest is violently murdered, and Sister Irene begins to investigate. She once again comes face-to-face with a powerful evil.

Annabelle

Producer

2014

A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Director

2023

Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father's death. Wielding the Black Trident's power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Arthur (Aquaman) forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom.

Furious 7

Director

2015

Deckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.

Annabelle Comes Home

Producer

2019

Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room in their home, placing her “safely” behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest’s holy blessing. But an unholy night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the room, who all set their sights on a new target—the Warrens' ten-year-old daughter, Judy, and her friends.

Annabelle: Creation

Producer

2017

Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a doll maker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the doll maker's possessed creation—Annabelle.

Aquaman

Story

2018

Half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry is taken on the journey of his lifetime to discover if he is worth of being a king.

M3GAN

Producer

2022

A brilliant toy company roboticist uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to emotionally bond with her newly orphaned niece. But when the doll's programming works too well, she becomes overprotective of her new friend with terrifying results.

Saw

Story

2004

Two men wake up to find themselves shackled in a grimy, abandoned bathroom. As they struggle to comprehend their predicament, they discover a disturbing tape left behind by the sadistic mastermind known as Jigsaw. With a chilling voice and cryptic instructions, Jigsaw informs them that they must partake in a gruesome game in order to secure their freedom.

Saw X

Characters

2023

Between the events of 'Saw' and 'Saw II', a sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer, only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.

Insidious

Editor

2011

A family discovers that dark spirits have invaded their home after their son inexplicably falls into an endless sleep. When they reach out to a professional for help, they learn things are a lot more personal than they thought.

The Curse of La Llorona

Producer

2019

In 1970s Los Angeles, ignoring the eerie warning of a troubled mother suspected of child endangerment, a social worker and her own young kids are soon drawn into a frightening supernatural realm.

Insidious: The Red Door

Producer

2023

To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh Lambert and a college-aged Dalton Lambert must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family's dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the red door.

Mortal Kombat

Producer

2021

Washed-up MMA fighter Cole Young, unaware of his heritage, and hunted by Emperor Shang Tsung's best warrior, Sub-Zero, seeks out and trains with Earth's greatest champions as he prepares to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.

Dead Silence

Story

2007

Jamie returns to his hometown in search of answers to his wife's murder, which occurred after receiving a weird package containing a ventriloquist dummy named Billy, which may be linked to the legend of ventriloquist Mary Shaw. Destined to find out the truth, Jamie goes to the town of Raven's Fair, where Shaw used to perform and is buried. But Jamie is in for more than he expected.

Salem's Lot

Producer

2024

Author Ben Mears returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem's Lot only to discover his hometown is being preyed upon by a bloodthirsty vampire.

Saw II

Characters

2005

The chilling and relentless Jigsaw killer returns to terrorize the city once again. When a gruesome murder victim emerges with unmistakable traces of Jigsaw's sinister methods, Detective Eric Matthews is thrust into a high-stakes investigation. To his surprise, apprehending Jigsaw seems almost too easy, but what he doesn't realize is that being caught is merely another piece of Jigsaw's intricate puzzle.

Night Swim

Producer

2024

Forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness, former baseball player Ray Waller moves into a new house with his wife and two children. He hopes that the backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for himself. However, a dark secret from the home's past soon unleashes a malevolent force that drags the family into the depths of inescapable terror.

Insidious: The Last Key

Producer

2018

Parapsychologist Elise Rainier and her team travel to Five Keys, NM, to investigate a man’s claim of a haunting. Terror soon strikes when Rainier realizes that the house he lives in was her family’s old home.

Saw 3D

Characters

2010

As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw's brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.

Insidious: Chapter 2

Story

2013

The haunted Lambert family seeks to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

Insidious: Chapter 3

Producer

2015

A twisted new tale of terror begins for a teenage girl and her family, and revealing more mysteries of the otherworldly realm, 'The Further'.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw

Executive Producer

2021

Working in the shadow of an esteemed police veteran, brash Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks and his rookie partner take charge of a grisly investigation into murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city’s gruesome past. Unwittingly entrapped in a deepening mystery, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer’s morbid game.

Saw IV

Characters

2007

Despite Jigsaw's death, and in order to save the lives of two of his colleagues, Lieutenant Rigg is forced to take part in a new game, which promises to test him to the limit.

Jigsaw

Characters

2017

Law enforcement finds itself chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade, embroiled in a diabolical new game that's only just begun.

Malignant

Story

2021

Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities with a mysterious tie to her past.

Saw III

Executive Producer

2006

Jigsaw has disappeared. Along with his new apprentice Amanda, the puppet-master behind the cruel, intricate games that have terrified a community and baffled police has once again eluded capture and vanished. While city detective scrambles to locate him, Doctor Lynn Denlon and Jeff Reinhart are unaware that they are about to become the latest pawns on his vicious chessboard.

Saw V

Executive Producer

2008

Following Jigsaw's grisly demise, Detective Mark Hoffman is commended as a hero, but Agent Strahm is suspicious, and delves into Hoffman's past. Meanwhile, another group of people are put through a series of gruesome tests.

Saw VI

Executive Producer

2009

Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.

Death Sentence

Director

2007

Nick Hume is a mild-mannered executive with a perfect life, until one gruesome night he witnesses something that changes him forever. Transformed by grief, Hume eventually comes to the disturbing conclusion that no length is too great when protecting his family.

Demonic

Producer

2015

A police officer and a psychologist investigate the deaths of five people who were killed while trying to summon ghosts.