Michael Dougherty facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Dougherty
Dougherty at the Godzilla Minus One premiere in 2023
Born	Michael Patrick Dougherty (1974-10-28) October 28, 1974 (age 50) Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Occupation	Film director screenwriter producer comic book creator
Years active	1996–present

Michael Patrick Dougherty (born October 28, 1974) is an American writer, director, and producer. He is known for making exciting movies, especially those with a mix of horror, fantasy, and action.

He started his career as an animator. Later, he helped write big movies like X2 and Superman Returns. Michael Dougherty then directed his first movie, the horror comedy Trick ‘r Treat (2009). He also directed and co-wrote the holiday horror film Krampus (2015).

More recently, he co-wrote and directed Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019). He also helped write the story for its sequel, Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). Movies he has worked on have earned over two billion dollars worldwide.

Early Life and Education

Michael Dougherty was born and grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He went to New York University to study film. There, he attended the Tisch School of Arts. In 1996, he made a short film called Season's Greetings.

His mother's family is from Vietnam, and his father's family is from Ireland and Hungary. He was raised in the Catholic faith.

Filmmaking Career

Michael Dougherty started his directing and writing journey with the animated short film Season's Greetings in 1996. This hand-drawn film introduced "Sam," a small Halloween spirit. Sam later became the main character in the movie Trick 'r Treat. Michael also worked as an animator for children's TV shows like Blue's Clues and Little Bill.

Writing for Big Movies

Dougherty helped write several movie scripts. One of his first big projects was the superhero movie X2, released in 2003. He also co-wrote the script for Superman Returns, which came out in 2006.

Directing Trick 'r Treat

His first full-length movie as a director was Trick 'r Treat. This horror film came out on DVD in 2009. It became very popular and gained a strong fan base over time. The short film Season's Greetings was included as an extra on the DVD. Trick ‘r Treat is now a favorite movie for many people around Halloween. It has even led to toys, comic books, and theme park attractions. A sequel is currently being developed.

Dougherty at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con

Creating Krampus

In 2014, Michael Dougherty started working on Krampus. This movie is a mix of holiday cheer and horror. It was released in December 2015. Like Trick ‘r Treat, Krampus has become a popular movie to watch every year during the holiday season.

Working with Godzilla

Dougherty also helped write the story for X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). He then directed the science fiction movie Godzilla: King of the Monsters. He wrote the script with Zach Shields. This film, released in 2019, featured famous actors like Millie Bobby Brown. It earned $386 million worldwide.

He and Zach Shields also helped rewrite parts of Godzilla vs. Kong. This movie came out in 2021. They also provided extra writing for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which was released in 2024.

Film Projects

Comic Books

Michael Dougherty enjoys comic books as a fan and a writer. Some of his early movie scripts, like X-Men 2 and Superman Returns, were based on classic Marvel and DC characters. His own original movies have also inspired graphic novels.

Trick 'r Treat: Days of the Dead (2015)

Dougherty co-wrote this comic book with Todd Casey, Zach Shields, and Marc Andeyko. It features four new short stories. These stories show the film's mascot, Sam, in different times and cultures. They explore how Halloween has been celebrated through history, going back to its roots in ancient Ireland. Trick 'r Treat: Days of the Dead became a best-seller on the New York Times list for graphic novels.

Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas (2015)

This comic book was released to go along with the movie Krampus. It includes three stories that tell more about the Krampus creature. Michael Dougherty co-wrote it with Todd Casey, Zach Shields, and Laura Shields.

Awards and Recognition

See also

In Spanish: Michael Dougherty para niños