Jared Hess

Jared Lawrence Hess (born July 18, 1979) is an American filmmaker known for his work Napoleon Dynamite (2004) and Nacho Libre (2006), which he co-wrote and directed with his wife, Jerusha Hess. (Nacho Libre was co-written with Mike White). He also produced the video for The Postal Service's third single, "We Will Become Silhouettes" and The Killers' Christmas single, "Boots". Description above from the Wikipedia article Jared Hess, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Works

A Minecraft Movie

Four misfits find themselves struggling with ordinary problems when they are suddenly pulled through a mysterious portal into the Overworld: a bizarre, cubic wonderland that thrives on imagination. To get back home, they'll have to master this world while embarking on a magical quest with an unexpected, expert crafter, Steve.

Release Date:2025-04-02

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Standout: The Ben Kjar Story

Standout tells the powerful story of Ben Kjar, born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare craniofacial disorder. From birth, doctors warn that his life will be overshadowed by limitations. Ben yearns for an ordinary life free from the harsh scrutiny he faces daily. However, each experience of adversity, including relentless bullying and a series of painful surgeries, ignites a fire within him. Wrestling becomes his proving ground, a place where he learns to transform his facial difference into a source of power. Determined to succeed, he pushes himself relentlessly, breaking through physical, social, and even romantic barriers that once seemed insurmountable. But as unexpected challenges arise and ridicule resurfaces, Ben finds himself at a defining crossroads: fade into the background of a “normal” life, or fully embrace his unique path and boldly stand out.

Release Date:2025-02-23

Department:Production

Job:Producer

The Gutter

Walt (lover of threesomes, hater of shirts) strikes up an unlikely friendship with a former Pro Bowler as they discover he might be THE GOAT of the lanes. The only things standing in their way are racism, alcoholism and Linda "The Crusher" Curson.

Release Date:2024-11-01

Department:Production

Job:Executive Producer

Vote Count:3

Thelma the Unicorn

Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.

Release Date:2024-05-17

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Character:Gerald (voice)

Vote Count:168

Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators

In the '90s, TV's stunt-filled "American Gladiators" thrilled fans. This docuseries explores the show's success — and how it almost ended before it began.

Release Date:2023-06-28

Department:Production

Job:Executive Producer

Episode Count:5

Vote Count:24

Ninety-Five Senses

A heartfelt depiction of a man facing his own mortality while reflecting on the grave mistakes of his youth.

Release Date:2022-08-12

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:29

Murder Among the Mormons

High-stakes exploits turn deadly — and shake a global church to its core — in this extraordinary true crime story.

Release Date:2021-03-03

Department:Production

Job:Executive Producer

Episode Count:3

Vote Count:77

The Righteous Gemstones

The story of a world-famous televangelist family with a history of deviance, greed and, yes, charitable work, all in the name of Jesus.

Release Date:2019-08-18

Department:Production

Job:Consulting Producer

Episode Count:9

Vote Count:192

The Unexpected Race

A young woman named Amber is sent to live with her father who she hasn't seen in over 10 years after suffering a car accident that takes the life of her mother. As Amber is healing she discovers a man hiding in the woods that is an elf. She finds out Elves have always lived, but he is the last being a FBI agent was sent out to destroy them. As they fall in love, Lythorin must make a decision if he wants to stay with Amber or stay alone.

Release Date:2018-10-14

Department:Production

Job:Producer

Character:Deputy

The Insufferable Groo

Having made nearly 200 low-budget movies in just two decades, Utah writer-director Stephen Groo is now seeking production funds and the involvement of celebrity fan Jack Black for a remake of his 2004 human/elf fantasy drama ‘The Unexpected Race’. Scott Christopherson’s hilarious yet sincere portrait depicts this uphill battle, while examining the unusual methods of a determined DIY auteur.

Release Date:2018-06-07

Department:Production

Job:Producer

Character:Self

Vote Count:3

Making History

A professor creates a device that allows him and his colleague to change the course of events from the past in order to improve their current life.

Release Date:2017-03-05

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Episode Count:2

Vote Count:50

Masterminds

A night guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists in American history.

Release Date:2016-09-29

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:1747

Son of Zorn

Zorn, the animated warrior, returns to Orange County, CA, to win back his live-action ex-wife Edie and teenage son, Alan.

Release Date:2016-09-11

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Episode Count:1

Vote Count:60

Don Verdean

Biblical archaeologist Don Verdean is hired by a local church pastor to find faith-promoting relics in the Holy Land. But after a fruitless expedition he is forced to get creative in this comedy of faith and fraud.

Release Date:2015-12-01

Department:Writing

Job:Writer

Vote Count:121

Beaver Trilogy Part IV

A chance meeting in a parking lot in 1979 between filmmaker Trent Harris and a young man from Beaver, Utah inspired the creation of an underground film that is now known as Beaver Trilogy. But the film itself is only part of the story.

Release Date:2015-01-23

Character:Himself

Vote Count:11

Austenland

Obsessed with the BBC production of "Pride and Prejudice", a woman travels to a Jane Austen theme park in search for her perfect gentleman.

Release Date:2013-08-15

Department:Production

Job:Associate Producer

Vote Count:462

Gentlemen Broncos

A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.

Release Date:2009-09-30

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:170

World Premiere - Jared Hess: A Non-Linear Look at the Director of Napoleon Dynamite

A Jared Hess documentary

Release Date:2006-12-04

Character:Self

Vote Count:1

Nacho Libre

Nacho Libre is loosely based on the story of Fray Tormenta ("Friar Storm"), aka Rev. Sergio Gutierrez Benitez, a real-life Mexican Catholic priest who had a 23-year career as a masked luchador. He competed in order to support the orphanage he directed.

Release Date:2006-06-16

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:1667

On Location Napoleon Dynamite

A documentary of the making of the movie Napoleon Dynamite

Release Date:2006-05-16

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:2

Napoleon Dynamite

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

Release Date:2004-06-11

Department:Writing

Job:Screenplay

Vote Count:1910

Winner Take Steve

Nike asked us to shoot a short film as part of the “you’re faster than you think” campaign. “Winner Take Steve” was selected for SIFF, ResFest, Slamdance and the One Reel Film Festival, among others.

Release Date:2004-01-01

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:2

The R.M.

Jared Phelps (Kirby Heyborne) has completed two years of full-time missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His mission president has promised him that he will be blessed for his service, and he thinks he has it all worked out. His girlfriend has waited for him. His boss promised that he could have his old job back, and he has already sent his application to BYU. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong. His girlfriend dumps him. His loses his job, and he isn't accepted to BYU. Then, it gets even worse, and he has to decide if choosing the right is worth all the trouble.

Release Date:2003-01-24

Character:LD3 Nerd

Vote Count:10

Peluca

The short film that Napoleon Dynamite was based on shows a day in the life of Seth, supernerd extraordinaire, rocking the megalopolis of Preston, Idaho, and soon the world, with his illegal ninja moves and his sweet fanny pack. GOSH!

Release Date:2003-01-20

Department:Crew

Job:Cinematography

Vote Count:22

Micronations

A misfit living amongst neighborhoods and homes that have declared themselves sovereign nations, is recruited to wage a battle against the nation of Wayne County, Nevada.

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Shanghai Dawn

The continuing adventures of former Chinese Imperial guard Chon Wang and American bandit, Roy O'Bannon.

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth Bennet is a hard-working, intelligent college student who won't even think about marriage until she graduates. But when she meets Jack Wickham, a good-looking playboy, and Darcy, a sensible businessman, Elizabeth's determination is put to the test. Will she see through their exteriors and discover their true intentions? Based on Jane Austen's timeless tale Pride and Prejudice.

Release Date:2003-12-05

Character:Reverend Steve Two-Trees Green

Vote Count:36

The Singles Ward

When Jonathan Jordan gets divorced he's thrust back into the world of being a single Mormon - a world who's ultimate goal is eternal marriage. Struggling to fit in, Jonathan decides to stop going to church only to be pursued by the members of the local singles ward who want to reactivate him. Nothing works until Jonathan falls for Cammie Giles, the ward activities director. Suddenly, going to church becomes much more appealing, But is he going for the right reasons?

Release Date:2002-01-30

Character:DJ V'dob

Vote Count:12

Cardboard Only

A seven-year-old Idaho farm boy struggles to escape boredom while wearing a cardboard box over his head.

Release Date:2001-05-28

Department:Directing

Job:Director

Vote Count:1