Renny Harlin

Director

Renny Harlin (born Renny Lauri Mauritz Harjola on March 15, 1959) is a Finnish film director and producer, known for his prolific work in the action and horror genres. The peak of his success spanned from the late 1980s to the late 1990s, during which period he directed numerous hits, including A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, and Deep Blue Sea. The commercial performance of his films has waned since the mid 2000s, but Harlin remains 86th on the list of highest-grossing directors of all time (based on U.S. domestic gross revenue). He has primarily worked in the Hollywood studio system, in addition to time spent in his native Finland and a brief stint in China.

Known For

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master Not in library

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master

1988

The Legend of Hercules Not in library

The Legend of Hercules

2014

Driven Not in library

Driven

2001

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy Not in library

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

2010

Born American Not in library

Born American

1986

Wreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³' Not in library

Wreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³'

2003

Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies Not in library

Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies

1998

The Making of 'Nightmare on Elm Street IV' Not in library

The Making of 'Nightmare on Elm Street IV'

1989

The Dinosaur Not in library

The Dinosaur

2021

Slash & Burn: The Freddy Krueger Story Not in library

Slash & Burn: The Freddy Krueger Story

1991

Acting

2021 The Dinosaur as Self (archive footage)
2014 The Legend of Hercules as Officer Linus (uncredited)
2013 Hard Time: The Making of Prison as Himself
2012 Fear Himself: The Life and Crimes of Freddy Krueger as Self
2010 Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy as Self
2003 Wreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³' as Self
2001 Driven as Replacement Driver
1998 Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies as Renny Harlin
1995 A Night to Die For as Self
1991 Slash & Burn: The Freddy Krueger Story as Self
1990 Raptori Moe!
1989 The Making of 'Nightmare on Elm Street IV' as Self
1988 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master as Student (uncredited)
1986 Born American as Man's Voice from Ship's Loudspeakers (uncredited) (voice)
1981 The Breakthrough as Police officer (uncredited)
1981 Kohtauspaikka 33 as Self (voice)

Directing

2026 The Strangers: Chapter 3 Director
2026 Deep Water Director In Library
2026 Black Tides Director
2026 The Strangers Director
2025 The Strangers: Chapter 2 Director
2024 The Strangers: Chapter 1 Director
2023 The Bricklayer Director
2023 Refuge Director
2021 The Misfits Director
2021 Reunion 3: Singles Cruise Director
2019 Bodies at Rest Director
2018 Legend of the Ancient Sword Director
2016 Skiptrace Director
2014 The Legend of Hercules Director
2013 The Dyatlov Pass Incident Director
2013 Graceland Director
2011 5 Days of War Director
2010 Covert Affairs Director
2009 12 Rounds Director
2009 White Collar Director
2007 Cleaner Director
2007 Burn Notice Director
2006 The Covenant Director
2004 Exorcist: The Beginning Director
2004 Mindhunters Director
2001 Driven Director
1999 Deep Blue Sea Director
1996 The Long Kiss Goodnight Director
1995 Cutthroat Island Director
1993 Cliffhanger Director
1993 Gladiaattorit Director
1990 Die Hard 2 Director
1990 The Adventures of Ford Fairlane Director
1988 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master Director
1987 Prison Director
1986 Born American Director
1981 Kohtauspaikka 33 Director
1980 Custody Director
— Inspector Palmu Director
— The Beast Director
— Trial by Combat Director

Writing

2021 Reunion 3: Singles Cruise Screenplay
2014 The Legend of Hercules Writer
1986 Born American Screenplay
1980 Custody Writer
— Inspector Palmu Writer

Production

2023 Refuge Producer
2014 The Legend of Hercules Producer
2013 The Dyatlov Pass Incident Producer
2011 5 Days of War Producer
2011 The Resident Executive Producer
2004 Mindhunters Executive Producer
2001 Driven Producer
1999 Blast from the Past Producer
1996 The Long Kiss Goodnight Producer
1996 Mistrial Executive Producer
1995 Cutthroat Island Producer
1994 The Foot Shooting Party Executive Producer
1994 Speechless Producer
1993 Cliffhanger Producer
1991 Rambling Rose Producer
1981 Kohtauspaikka 33 Producer
— Carrier Producer

Crew

1986 Born American Stunt Double