M. Night Shyamalan is a highly successful American filmmaker known for his signature supernatural plots and unexpected twist endings. His films have grossed over $3.3 billion worldwide, earning him critical acclaim and accolades such as Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe nominations.
1937: Construction of Shyamalan's Ravenwood Estate
Shyamalan's residence, a 125-acre estate known as Ravenwood, features a 27,000-square-foot Georgian Revival house built in 1937. The estate is located near Philadelphia.
August 6, 1970: M. Night Shyamalan is Born
On August 6, 1970, M. Night Shyamalan, American film director, producer, and screenwriter, was born.
1988: New York University Merit Scholarship
In 1988, Shyamalan was awarded the New York University Merit Scholarship.
1992: Praying with Anger
In 1992, Shyamalan directed his first film, Praying with Anger, a semi-autobiographical drama, while studying at NYU.
1992: Graduation from NYU Tisch School of the Arts
Shyamalan graduated from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 1992.
1998: Wide Awake
Shyamalan wrote and directed his second film, Wide Awake, in 1998, with his parents serving as associate producers.
1999: The Sixth Sense
In 1999, Shyamalan's film The Sixth Sense achieved remarkable success, becoming the second-highest-grossing horror movie and earning six Academy Award nominations.
1999: Young Artist Award Nominations for Wide Awake
In 1999, Shyamalan's film Wide Awake earned nominations for Best Drama and Best Performance at the Young Artist Awards.
1999: She's All That
Shyamalan did an uncredited rewrite for the teen comedy film She's All That, released in 1999.
1999: The Sixth Sense
Shyamalan's breakthrough film, The Sixth Sense, was released in 1999, garnering international recognition and six Academy Award Nominations.
July 2000: Early Talks for Indiana Jones 4
In July 2000, Shyamalan revealed early discussions with Spielberg about writing the script for the fourth Indiana Jones film.
2000: Unbreakable
In 2000, Shyamalan wrote and directed Unbreakable, a critically and financially successful superhero thriller starring Bruce Willis.
2000: Unbreakable
Shyamalan's film Unbreakable, released in 2000, achieved both critical and commercial success.
2001: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Shyamalan's name was linked with the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone but scheduling conflicts arose.
2002: Signs
Shyamalan directed and acted in Signs, starring Mel Gibson, in 2002, which was a critical and commercial success.
2002: Signs
In 2002, Shyamalan's film Signs, starring Mel Gibson, achieved both critical and commercial success.
2003: Lawsuit over "Signs"
Shyamalan faced a lawsuit from screenwriter Robert McIlhinney, who alleged that Shyamalan's film "Signs" borrowed elements from his unpublished script, "Lord of the Barrens: The Jersey Devil."
2004: Planning for Life of Pi Adaptation
After The Village in 2004, Shyamalan planned a Life of Pi adaptation but later withdrew to pursue Lady in the Water.
2004: Similarities Between "The Village" and "Running Out of Time"
Author Margaret Peterson Haddix raised concerns about similarities between Shyamalan's film "The Village" and her young adult novel, "Running Out of Time," leading to discussions about a potential lawsuit.
2004: The Village
Shyamalan's film The Village, released in 2004, garnered mixed reviews but found financial success.
2004: The Village
Shyamalan's film, The Village, about an isolated community, was released in 2004, receiving mixed reviews but achieving financial success.
2004: SyFy Channel Hoax
SyFy Channel aired a mockumentary titled "The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan," claiming that Shyamalan had a near-death experience as a child that fueled his fascination with the supernatural. This was later revealed to be a hoax.
July 2006: Interest in Directing Harry Potter
In July 2006, Shyamalan expressed continued interest in directing one of the remaining Harry Potter films.
2006: Golden Raspberry Award Nomination for "Lady in the Water"
Shyamalan's film "Lady in the Water" received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination in 2006.
2006: Lady in the Water
Shyamalan released Lady in the Water in 2006, a film about a water nymph and apartment superintendent, which was both a critical and financial failure.
2006: Lady in the Water
Released in 2006, Shyamalan's film Lady in the Water faced critical and financial disappointment.
July 2008: Night Chronicles Production Company
In July 2008, Shyamalan partnered with Media Rights Capital to launch Night Chronicles, a production company where he would produce one film annually.
2008: Shyamalan Addresses Misconceptions About His Films
In 2008, Shyamalan addressed the common perception that all his films have twist endings or are strictly horror. He emphasized that his movies are driven by spiritual and emotional themes.
2008: Padma Shri Award and Berlinale Jury President
In 2008, Shyamalan received the Padma Shri award, one of India's highest civilian honors. He also served as the Jury President for the competition section of the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival.
2008: The Happening
In 2008, Shyamalan's film The Happening was released.
2008: Golden Raspberry Award Nomination for "The Happening"
Shyamalan's film "The Happening" received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination in 2008.
2010: The Last Airbender
Shyamalan's 2010 film, The Last Airbender, faced criticism for its casting choices but achieved financial success.
2010: Golden Raspberry Award Nomination for "The Last Airbender"
Shyamalan's film "The Last Airbender" received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination in 2010.
2010: The Last Airbender
Shyamalan directed The Last Airbender, based on the Nickelodeon TV series, in 2010, facing criticism for its casting but enjoying financial success.
June 17, 2013: Ghostwriting for She's All That
On June 17, 2013, it was revealed that Shyamalan was the uncredited ghostwriter for the 1999 teen comedy film She's All That.
2013: After Earth
After Earth, directed by Shyamalan, was released in 2013.
2013: After Earth Release and Reflection
M. Night Shyamalan directed the science fiction film "After Earth," starring Will and Jaden Smith, in 2013. The film received poor critical reception and underperformed financially. Shyamalan later reflected on this period as a time of self-doubt and introspection.
2013: Publication of "I Got Schooled"
Shyamalan co-authored the book "I Got Schooled: The Unlikely Story of How a Moonlighting Movie Maker Learned the Five Keys to Closing America's Education Gap," which was published in 2013 by Simon and Schuster. The book explores Shyamalan's interest in improving the American education system, sparked during the making of his film "The Happening."
2013: Golden Raspberry Award Nomination for "After Earth"
Shyamalan's film "After Earth" received a Golden Raspberry Award nomination in 2013.
January 2014: Collaboration with Bruce Willis Announced
In January 2014, Shyamalan announced a new film project with Bruce Willis titled "Labor of Love."
September 11, 2015: Release of "The Visit"
Shyamalan's low-budget horror-comedy "The Visit" was released on September 11, 2015, by Universal. The film, shot in secret and initially passed on by studios, became a surprise box office success, grossing $98 million worldwide against a $5 million budget.
2015: Premiere of "Wayward Pines"
Shyamalan served as executive producer and directed the pilot episode of the Fox science fiction series "Wayward Pines," which premiered in 2015.
2015: Return to Twist Endings
After years of avoiding plot twists, Shyamalan reintroduced them in his 2015 film "The Visit."
2015: The Visit
In 2015, Shyamalan's film The Visit marked a resurgence in his career, earning critical and commercial success.
2015: Wayward Pines
From 2015 to 2016, Shyamalan was an executive producer and occasional director for the science fiction series, Wayward Pines.
2016: "Tales from the Crypt" Reboot Announcement
TNT announced in 2016 that Shyamalan would be responsible for a reboot series of "Tales from the Crypt."
2016: "Wayward Pines" Concludes
"Wayward Pines" concluded its run in 2016.
2016: Wayward Pines
From 2015 to 2016, Shyamalan was an executive producer and occasional director for the science fiction series, Wayward Pines.
2016: Split
Shyamalan directed Split, released in 2016, which continued his career resurgence with positive reception.
2016: Razzie Redeemer Award Nomination
Shyamalan was nominated for the Razzie Redeemer Award in 2016, recognizing a filmmaker's return to form after critical or commercial disappointments.
June 2017: Cancellation of "Tales from the Crypt" Reboot
The planned reboot series of "Tales from the Crypt," which Shyamalan was set to helm for TNT, was canceled in June 2017 due to legal complications.
2017: Discussions of Racism and Mockery of Shyamalan's Name
By 2017, publications like Vice acknowledged the widespread mockery of Shyamalan's name, with "Shamalamadingdong" becoming a common derogatory phrase. This sparked discussions about potential racism and the different treatment of filmmakers of color. The Guardian and the British Film Institute also examined the role of race in Shyamalan's career, highlighting the frequent mispronunciations of his last name and suggesting a possible double standard in criticism.
2017: Release of "Split"
Shyamalan's film "Split" was released in 2017, achieving both critical and commercial success. The film, made on a budget of $9 million, grossed $279 million worldwide.
2018: Rolling Stone Acknowledges Shyamalan's Return to Form
By 2018, Rolling Stone recognized Shyamalan's resurgence as a filmmaker.
2019: Release of "Glass"
"Glass," the final installment in Shyamalan's trilogy that began with "Unbreakable" and continued with "Split," was released in 2019. The film grossed over $247 million globally.
2019: Critical Analysis of Shyamalan's Career
In 2019, publications like The Washington Post and BFI examined the trajectory of Shyamalan's career, attributing the shift in critical reception to a combination of his self-assured statements and the stark contrast between his early successes and later films. Some critics argued that his confidence was perceived as arrogance, particularly after his acting role in "Lady in the Water." Others, like Howard, praised Shyamalan's originality and drive, suggesting that his early success might have made him a target for harsher criticism.
2019: Servant
Shyamalan worked as an executive producer, occasional director, and showrunner for the Apple TV+ psychological horror series, Servant, from 2019 to 2023.
2019: Glass
Shyamalan's film Glass was released in 2019.
2020: "Servant" Season Two Completion
Filming for the second season of "Servant," an Apple TV series with Shyamalan as executive producer and director of several episodes, including the pilot, was finished in the fall of 2020 under COVID-19 safety protocols. Notably, the series was renewed for a second season before the first season premiered.
July 23, 2021: Release of "Old"
M. Night Shyamalan's thriller "Old," about a group of tourists who age rapidly on a secluded beach, was released on July 23, 2021. The film, shot in the Dominican Republic and starring Gael García Bernal, Eliza Scanlen, and Thomasin McKenzie, received mixed reviews from critics.
October 2021: "Knock at the Cabin" Release Date Announcement
In October 2021, Shyamalan revealed that his film "Knock at the Cabin" would be released in cinemas on February 3, 2023.
2021: Old
Shyamalan directed the film Old, released in 2021.
March 2022: Unproduced Project with Bruce Willis
As of March 2022, the film "Labor of Love" remained unproduced.
February 3, 2023: Release of "Knock at the Cabin"
Shyamalan's film "Knock at the Cabin" was released in theaters on February 3, 2023.
February 2023: Blinding Edge Pictures Signs Deal with Warner Bros.
In February 2023, Shyamalan's production company, Blinding Edge Pictures, signed a multi-year first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures. This deal includes the Shyamalan-directed film "Trap," slated for theatrical release on August 2, 2024.
2023: Knock at the Cabin
In 2023, Shyamalan released his film Knock at the Cabin.
2023: Purchase of Rockefeller Estate
Shyamalan purchased a 218-acre estate in Willistown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, from the Rockefeller family in 2023 for $24 million. The property boasts five historic houses and two barns.
2023: Servant
Shyamalan worked as an executive producer, occasional director, and showrunner for the Apple TV+ psychological horror series, Servant, from 2019 to 2023.
August 2, 2024: Release of "Trap" Announced
In February 2023, it was announced that Shyamalan's next film, "Trap," would be released in theaters on August 2, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.