Matthew Robbins is an American filmmaker best known for his writing work within the American New Wave movement.
He collaborated with numerous filmmakers within the movement including George Lucas, Walter Murch and Steven Spielberg, on films like The Sugarland Express, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Jaws. He has also worked frequently with Guillermo del Toro, writing his films Mimic, Crimson Peak and Pinocchio. Robbins has frequently worked with writer Hal Barwood.
Prior to attending USC School of Cinematic Arts, Robbins graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1965 where he was classmate and friends with Walter Murch and Caleb Deschanel. He is a graduate of the AFI Conservatory. In 2004, Robbins received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Johns Hopkins.
In 2011, he made his debut in Indian cinema by writing the screenplay for the Bollywood thriller 7 Khoon Maaf, along with director Vishal Bhardwaj. His second Indian film, Rangoon, was also directed by Bhardwaj.
Filmography Year Title Director Writer Notes1974The Sugarland Express 1976The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings 1977MacArthur 1978Corvette Summer 1981Dragonslayer 1985Warning Sign Also executive producerThe Legend of Billie Jean Amazing Stories Episode: "The Main Attraction"1987Batteries Not Included 1989Mothers, Daughters and Lovers TV movie1991Bingo 1993"Off the Ground" Music video by Paul McCartney1997Mimic 2007Blood Brothers Short film2009Le Concert 2010Don't Be Afraid of the Dark 20117 Khoon Maaf 2013Vijay and I Ek Thi Daayan 2015Crimson Peak Chatô: O Rei do Brasil 2017Rangoon Madame 2022Pinocchio 2026Ray Gunn
Uncredited writer Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB (1967, short film) THX 1138 (1971, also cameo as "THX 1138 in end scene") Jaws (1975) Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977, also second unit director and cameo as "Returnee #3 Flt. 19") E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) Haunted Mansion (2023)
Awards and nominations 1974 Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay: The Sugarland Express (won) 1974 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: The Sugarland Express (nomination) 1976 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (nomination) 1981 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation: Dragonslayer (nomination) 1997 Saturn Award for Best Writing: Mimic (nomination) 2010 César Award for Best Original Screenplay: Le Concert (nomination) 2015 Saturn Award for Best Writing: Crimson Peak (nomination)
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