Renny Harlin
Biography
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (45)
Black Tides
Director (Directing)
2026
Deep Water
Director (Directing)
2026
The Strangers: Chapter 3
Director (Directing)
2026
The Strangers: Chapter 2
Director (Directing)
2025
The Strangers: Chapter 1
Director (Directing)
2024
The Bricklayer
Director (Directing)
2023
Refuge
Director (Directing)
2023
Reunion 3: Singles Cruise
Director (Directing)
2021
The Misfits
Director (Directing)
2021
The Dinosaur
as Self (archive footage)
2021
Bodies at Rest
Director (Directing)
2019
Legend of the Ancient Sword
Director (Directing)
2018
Skiptrace
Director (Directing)
2016
The Legend of Hercules
as Officer Linus (uncredited)
2014
The Dyatlov Pass Incident
Director (Directing)
2013
Hard Time: The Making of Prison
as Himself
2013
Fear Himself: The Life and Crimes of Freddy Krueger
as Self
2012
5 Days of War
Director (Directing)
2011
The Resident
Executive Producer (Production)
2011
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
as Self
2010
12 Rounds
Director (Directing)
2009
Cleaner
Director (Directing)
2007
The Covenant
Director (Directing)
2006
Exorcist: The Beginning
Director (Directing)
2004
Mindhunters
Executive Producer (Production)
2004
Wreckage and Rage: Making 'Alien³'
as Self
2003
Driven
as Replacement Driver
2001
Deep Blue Sea
Director (Directing)
1999
Blast from the Past
Producer (Production)
1999
Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro pisnismies
as Renny Harlin
1998
Mistrial
Executive Producer (Production)
1996
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Director (Directing)
1996
Cutthroat Island
Director (Directing)
1995
A Night to Die For
as Self
1995
Speechless
Producer (Production)
1994
The Foot Shooting Party
Executive Producer (Production)
1994
Cliffhanger
Director (Directing)
1993
Slash & Burn: The Freddy Krueger Story
as Self
1991
Rambling Rose
Producer (Production)
1991
Raptori Moe!
1990
The Adventures of Ford Fairlane
Director (Directing)
1990
Die Hard 2
Director (Directing)
1990
The Making of 'Nightmare on Elm Street IV'
as Self
1989
A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master
as Student (uncredited)
1988
Prison
Director (Directing)
1987
