Michael Crichton

John Michael Crichton (October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008), best known as Michael Crichton, was an American author, producer, director, and screenwriter, best known for his work in the science fiction, medical fiction, and thriller genres. His books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide, and many have been adapted into films. In 1994, Crichton became the only creative artist ever to have works simultaneously charting at #1 in television, film, and book sales (with ER, Jurassic Park, and Disclosure, respectively). His literary works are usually based on the action genre and heavily feature technology. His novels epitomize the techno-thriller genre of literature, often exploring technology and failures of human interaction with it, especially resulting in catastrophes with biotechnology. Many of his future history novels have medical or scientific underpinnings, reflecting his medical training and science background. He was the author of, among others, Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Travels, Sphere, Rising Sun, Disclosure, The Lost World, Airframe, Timeline, Prey, State of Fear, Next (the final book published before his death), Pirate Latitudes (published November 24, 2009), and a final unfinished techno-thriller yet to be released. Forbes listed Crichton in tenth place in its list of "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities" of 2009.

Works

Jurassic World Rebirth

Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, covert operations expert Zora Bennett is contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world's three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora's operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that's been hidden from the world for decades.

Release Date: 2025-07-02

Department: Writing

Job: Characters

Twisters

As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Carter and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.

Release Date: 2024-07-10

Department: Writing

Job: Characters

Vote Count: 2228

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang comes together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

Release Date: 2024-05-24

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Episode Count: 20

Vote Count: 121

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure

After a big storm, food is scarce — and hungry dinos are everywhere. It's up to you to help the Camp Fam survive in this thrilling interactive special.

Release Date: 2022-11-15

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 24

Jurassic World Dominion

Four years after Isla Nublar was destroyed, dinosaurs now live—and hunt—alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history's most fearsome creatures.

Release Date: 2022-06-01

Department: Writing

Job: Characters

Vote Count: 6242

Battle at Big Rock

A family's camping trip at Big Rock National Park becomes a terrifying fight for survival.

Release Date: 2019-09-15

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 133

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Three years after Jurassic World was destroyed, Isla Nublar now sits abandoned. When the island's dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen and Claire mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event.

Release Date: 2018-06-06

Department: Writing

Job: Characters

Vote Count: 11925

Westworld

A dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.

Release Date: 2016-10-02

Department: Writing

Job: Story

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 5609

Jurassic World

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond.

Release Date: 2015-06-06

Department: Writing

Job: Characters

Vote Count: 20523

Jurassic Park: Prime Survival

They shouldn’t be there. They shouldn’t have come. Now they have to survive. When a group of three friends head to a deserted island, little do they know that they are about to stumble on something very big, and very dangerous.

Release Date: 2011-04-08

Department: Crew

Job: Thanks

Vote Count: 2

Return to Jurassic Park

A multi-part documentary about the making of the Jurassic Park trilogy. Each part walks through the making of part of one of the films, including the hurricane during the shooting of the first film, and how advances in CGI for Jurassic Park helped change the world of special effects forever. All interviews for these retrospective documentaries come with comments from Spielberg, Johnston, Neill, Dern, Goldblum, the effects crews, the child actors, and Peter Stormare. This documentary is broken into six parts: Dawn of a New Era (25 min), Making Prehistory (20 min), The Next Step in Evolution (15 min), Finding the Lost World (28 min), Something Survived (16 min), and The Third Adventure (25 min).

Release Date: 2011-02-05

Character: Self (archive footage)

Vote Count: 838

The Andromeda Strain

A U.S. satellite crash-lands near a small town in Utah, unleashing a deadly plague that kills virtually everyone except two survivors, who may provide clues to immunizing the population. As the military attempts to quarantine the area, a team of highly specialized scientists is assembled to find a cure and stop the spread of the alien pathogen, code-named Andromeda.

Release Date: 2008-05-26

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Episode Count: 2

Vote Count: 214

The Man Who Shot Chinatown: The Life and Work of John A. Alonzo

Cinematographer John A. Alonzo was one of the driving creative forces in the resurgence of expressionistic American movies of the late 1960s and '70s. Director Axel Schill's documentary explores Alonzo's work on key films of that era and beyond. Clips from Chinatown, Scarface, Internal Affairs and other movies accompany interviews with stars such as Richard Dreyfuss, Sally Field and contemporary cinematographer Haskell Wexler.

Release Date: 2007-01-01

Character: Self

Vote Count: 1

Timeline

A group of archaeological students become trapped in the past when they go there to retrieve their professor. The group must survive in 14th century France long enough to be rescued.

Release Date: 2003-11-26

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 1078

A Portrait of Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton discusses his early career as a writer, leading up to his writing of the best-selling novel "The Andromeda Strain" and his involvement with the making of the film.

Release Date: 2003-04-01

Character: Self

The Andromeda Strain: Making the Film

The making of "The Andromeda Strain".

Release Date: 2003-04-01

Character: Self

Vote Count: 1

Jurassic Park III

In need of funds for research, Dr. Alan Grant accepts a large sum of money to accompany Paul and Amanda Kirby on an aerial tour of the infamous Isla Sorna. It isn't long before all hell breaks loose and the stranded wayfarers must fight for survival as a host of new -- and even more deadly -- dinosaurs try to make snacks of them.

Release Date: 2001-07-18

Department: Writing

Job: Characters

Vote Count: 7224

Beyond Jurassic Park

Prepare to go deeper into the breathtaking adventures of the Jurassic Park Trilogy! Highlighted by fascinating, never-seen-before footage from all three Jurassic Park films, this DVD offers an exclusive look at deleted scenes, additional footage and other materials not shown on any theater screen.

Release Date: 2001-01-01

Character: Self

Vote Count: 13

The 13th Warrior

A Muslim ambassador exiled from his homeland joins a group of Vikings, initially offended by their behavior but growing to respect them. As they travel together, they learn of a legendary evil closing in and must unite to confront this formidable force.

Release Date: 1999-08-13

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 1872

Intimate Portrait: Sean Connery

Oscar-winning actor Sean Connery is profiled in this segment of "Intimate Portrait." Includes film clips, never-before-seen photos and interviews with

Release Date: 1998-10-02

Character: Self

Sphere

A spacecraft is discovered on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, presumed to be at least 300 years old and of alien origin. A crack team of scientists and experts is assembled and taken to the Habitat, a state-of-the-art underwater living environment, to investigate.

Release Date: 1998-02-13

Department: Production

Job: Producer

Vote Count: 1651

The View

ABC Daytime's morning chatfest, currently featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro discussing the most exciting events of the day. Hot topics in the news, the best experts in their field, celebrity interviews and general entertainment are all part of The View.

Release Date: 1997-08-11

Character: Self

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 96

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Four years after Jurassic Park's genetically bred dinosaurs ran amok, multimillionaire John Hammond shocks chaos theorist Ian Malcolm by revealing that he has been breeding more beasties at a secret location. Malcolm, his paleontologist ladylove and a wildlife videographer join an expedition to document the lethal lizards' natural behavior in this action-packed thriller.

Release Date: 1997-05-23

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 8488

The Making of 'The Lost World'

Behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of director Steven Spielberg's 1997 film "The Lost World."

Release Date: 1997-05-08

Character: Self

Vote Count: 6

Twister

An unprecedented series of violent tornadoes is sweeping across Oklahoma. Tornado chasers, headed by Dr. Jo Harding, attempt to release a groundbreaking device that will allow them to track them and create a more advanced warning system. They are joined by Jo's soon to be ex-husband Bill, a former tornado chaser himself, and his girlfriend Melissa.

Release Date: 1996-05-10

Department: Writing

Job: Screenplay

Vote Count: 3508

Congo

Eight people embark on an expedition into the Congo, a mysterious expanse of unexplored Africa where human greed and the laws of nature have gone berserk. When the thrill-seekers -- some with ulterior motives -- stumble across a race of killer apes.

Release Date: 1995-06-09

Department: Writing

Job: Author

Vote Count: 895

The Making of 'Jurassic Park'

This documentary treats film fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the making of "Jurassic Park," one of the 90's biggest hits and a milestone in special effects development. Narrated by James Earl Jones, it includes footage of the filming process, as well as interviews with director Steven Spielberg, and other members of the cast and crew, who give their insights into what it was like working together on this project and the efforts it took to bring the film to completion.

Release Date: 1995-04-23

Character: Self

Vote Count: 20

Disclosure

A computer specialist is sued for sexual harassment by a former lover turned boss who initiated the act forcefully, which threatens both his career and his personal life.

Release Date: 1994-12-09

Department: Production

Job: Producer

Vote Count: 1188

ER

ER explores the inner workings of an urban teaching hospital and the critical issues faced by the dedicated physicians and staff of its overburdened emergency room.

This promotional short shows what went on behind the scenes during the shooting of the science fiction classic Westworld (1973). Director Michael Crichton and star Yul Brynner give their views on the meaning of the film, which emphasizes the relationship between man and the machines he uses for his amusement. We also see how some of the stunts were performed, including the scene where Brynner's character gets engulfed in flames.

Release Date: 1973-01-01

Character: Self (uncredited)

Vote Count: 1

Pursuit

What begins as a routine investigation quickly escalates into a heartstopping race to save millions from certain death in this taut and gripping thriller. Michael Crichton (Jurassic Park, ER) "makes an impressive directorial debut" (The Hollywood Reporter) in this deadly cat-and-mouse game in which the stakes couldn't be higher! When government agent Steven Graves (Ben Gazzara) investigates political extremist James Wright (E.G. Marshall), he uncovers a diabolical plot to blast lethal nerve gas into San Diego during the Republican Convention. What's worse, a computer hacker (Martin Sheen) has provided Wright with a psychological profile to help him outwit Graves. As Wright ingeniously eludes Graves, can Graves find a way to stop him before the ultimate nightmare begins?

Release Date: 1972-12-12

Department: Directing

Job: Director

Vote Count: 16

The Carey Treatment

A doctor uncovers a hotbed of corruption when he tries to clear a colleague of a murder charge.

Release Date: 1972-03-29

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 27

Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues

A Harvard graduate transports a load of marijuana from Boston to Berkeley, California.

Release Date: 1972-02-25

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Vote Count: 3

The Andromeda Strain

When virtually all of the residents of Piedmont, New Mexico, are found dead after the return to Earth of a space satellite, the head of the US Air Force's Project Scoop declares an emergency. A group of eminent scientists led by Dr. Jeremy Stone scramble to a secure laboratory and try to first isolate the life form while determining why two people from Piedmont - an old alcoholic and a six-month-old baby - survived. The scientists methodically study the alien life form unaware that it has already mutated and presents a far greater danger in the lab, which is equipped with a nuclear self-destruct device designed to prevent the escape of dangerous biological agents.

Release Date: 1971-03-12

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Character: Bearded Surgeon (uncredited)

Vote Count: 704

Micro

A group of graduate students are lured to Hawaii to work for a mysterious biotech company — only to find themselves miniaturized and cast out into the rainforest, with nothing but their scientific expertise and wits to protect them.

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

Eruption

A history-making eruption is about to destroy the Big Island of Hawaii. But a secret held for decades by the U.S. military is far more terrifying than any volcano.

Department: Writing

Job: Novel

The Dick Cavett Show

The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.

Release Date: 1968-06-06

Character: Self - Guest

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 20

Insight

Insight is an American religious-themed weekly anthology series that aired in syndication from October 1960 to 1983. Produced by Paulist Productions in Los Angeles, the series presented half-hour dramas illuminating the contemporary search for meaning, freedom, and love. Insight was an anthology series, using an eclectic set of storytelling forms including comedy, melodrama, and fantasy to explore moral dilemmas. The series was created by Roman Catholic priest Ellwood E. "Bud" Kieser, the founder of Paulist Productions. As a member of an evangelistic order of Catholic priests called the Paulist Fathers, he worked in the entertainment community in Hollywood as a priest-producer and occasional host, using television as a vehicle of spiritual enrichment. Many of the episodes of the series were videotaped at CBS Television City and then Metromedia Square.

Release Date: 1960-10-02

Department: Writing

Job: Writer

Episode Count: 1

Vote Count: 2