Jared Lawrence Hess (born July 18, 1979) is an American filmmaker known for his work Napoleon Dynamite (2004), A Minecraft Movie (2025) 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".
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 Date2025-03-31
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Charactersd General Chungus (voice)
Vote Count1811
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 Date2024-05-17
DepartmentWriting
JobScreenplay
Charactersd Gerald (voice)
Vote Count175
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 Date2003-12-05
Charactersd Reverend Steve Two-Trees Green
Vote Count36
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 Date2018-10-14
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Charactersd Deputy
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 Date2002-01-30
Charactersd DJ V'dob
Vote Count12
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 Date2003-01-24
Charactersd LD3 Nerd
Vote Count10
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 Date2015-01-23
Charactersd Himself
Vote Count11
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 Date2018-06-07
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
Charactersd Self
Vote Count4
A Jared Hess documentary
Release Date2006-12-04
Charactersd Self
Vote Count1
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 Date2019-08-18
DepartmentProduction
JobConsulting Producer
Episode Count9
Vote Count227
Zorn, the animated warrior, returns to Orange County, CA, to win back his live-action ex-wife Edie and teenage son, Alan.
Release Date2016-09-11
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Episode Count1
Vote Count60
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 Date2023-06-28
DepartmentProduction
JobExecutive Producer
Episode Count5
Vote Count27
High-stakes exploits turn deadly — and shake a global church to its core — in this extraordinary true crime story.
Release Date2021-03-03
DepartmentProduction
JobExecutive Producer
Episode Count3
Vote Count78
Ignacio, a disrespected cook at a Mexican monastery, can barely afford to feed the orphans who live there. Inspired by a local wrestling hero, he decides to moonlight as the not-so-famous Luchador "Nacho Libre" to earn money for the monastery -- not to mention the admiration of beautiful nun Sister Encarnación.
Release Date2006-06-16
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count1710
Napoleon Dynamite is an American animated sitcom based on the 2004 cult film of the same name. The series was created by Jared and Jerusha Hess and developed by the Hesses and Mike Scully. The series follows the adventures of Napoleon Dynamite in the small town of Preston, Idaho. The Hesses came up with the idea for the series after filming Napoleon Dynamite. It originally ran on Fox from January 15, 2012, to March 4, 2012, before being cancelled.
Release Date2012-01-15
DepartmentCreator
JobCreator
Vote Count22
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 Date2004-06-11
DepartmentWriting
JobScreenplay
Vote Count1959
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 Date2017-03-05
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Episode Count2
Vote Count51
A night guard at an armored car company in the Southern U.S. organizes one of the biggest bank heists in American history.
Release Date2016-09-29
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count1770
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 Date2013-08-15
DepartmentProduction
JobAssociate Producer
Vote Count465
The sequel to A Minecraft Movie. Plot TBA.
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
A teenager attends a fantasy writers' convention where he discovers his idea has been stolen by an established novelist.
Release Date2009-09-30
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count174
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 Date2024-11-01
DepartmentProduction
JobExecutive Producer
Vote Count5
The continuing adventures of former Chinese Imperial guard Chon Wang and American bandit, Roy O'Bannon.
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
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 Date2015-12-01
DepartmentWriting
JobWriter
Vote Count125
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.
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
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 Date2003-01-20
DepartmentCrew
JobCinematography
Vote Count23
Impeached high school president, Tim Timmerman, seeks to redeem himself and get into Yale.
Release Date2017-03-03
DepartmentCrew
JobThanks
Vote Count12
A heartfelt depiction of a man facing his own mortality while reflecting on the grave mistakes of his youth.
Release Date2022-08-12
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count30
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 Date2025-02-23
DepartmentProduction
JobProducer
A documentary of the making of the movie Napoleon Dynamite
Release Date2006-05-16
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count2
A seven-year-old Idaho farm boy struggles to escape boredom while wearing a cardboard box over his head.
Release Date2001-05-28
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count1
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 Date2004-01-01
DepartmentDirecting
JobDirector
Vote Count2