Adam Wingard
DirectorAdam Wingard is an American filmmaker who directed Netflix's live-action Death Note film in 2017, one entry in a career built largely around horror, action, and franchise blockbusters.
Death Note Role
Wingard directed the 2017 live-action Death Note adaptation released by Netflix, one of the bigger-budget franchise projects he took on after establishing himself in independent horror. The film reimagined the manga's premise for an American setting and cast, arriving the same stretch of his career that included the found-footage horror hit Blair Witch a year earlier. It marked one of several studio franchise efforts he would go on to direct, alongside the Godzilla vs. Kong films that followed.
Career and Notable Roles
Wingard began as part of the low-budget mumblecore scene before breaking out with the horror and action films You're Next in 2011 and The Guest in 2014, both of which built his reputation within genre filmmaking. He has taken on directing, producing, writing, editing, and even acting and composing credits across his projects. That versatility carried him into studio tentpole work, directing 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong and returning in 2024 for its follow-up, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Adam Wingard?
Adam Wingard is an American filmmaker born in 1982 who directed Netflix's live-action Death Note film in 2017. His career has been built largely around horror, action, and franchise blockbusters, with credits stretching from independent genre work to major studio tentpoles.
What are Adam Wingard's most notable movies?
Wingard broke into genre filmmaking with the horror and action films You're Next in 2011 and The Guest in 2014, after starting out in the low-budget mumblecore scene. Those two films built the reputation that carried him into bigger studio projects.
What Death Note movie did Adam Wingard direct?
Wingard directed the 2017 live-action Death Note adaptation released by Netflix, reimagining the manga's premise for an American setting and cast. The film arrived the same stretch of his career as his found-footage horror hit Blair Witch, released a year earlier.
What Godzilla movies has Adam Wingard directed?
Wingard directed 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong and returned in 2024 to direct its follow-up, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Both were major studio franchise entries that came after his Death Note adaptation for Netflix.
What other roles has Adam Wingard taken on besides directing?
Beyond directing, Wingard has taken on producing, writing, editing, and even acting and composing credits across his projects, reflecting a hands-on, multi-hyphenate approach to filmmaking throughout his career.
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Sources & Information
This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Death Note anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
- Movie pages: theatrical posters and key visuals, credited to Nippon Television and Warner Bros. Japan.
- Game pages: official box art, credited to Konami and other publishers.
- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha, Tsugumi Ohba, and Takeshi Obata.
Official resources:
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