Georges Méliès
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- December 8, 1861
- Died
- January 21, 1938
- Birthplace
- Paris, France
Georges Méliès (December 8, 1861 - January 21, 1938), full name Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès, was a French illusionist and filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest days of cinema. One of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, tracking shots, dissolves, and hand-painted color in his work, Méliès pioneered effects that would define cinematic special effects for decades to come. A prolific innovator in the use of special effects, Méliès accidentally discovered the substitution stop trick in 1896, a method of creating seamless disappearing and/or appearing effects used throughout both films and television for decades to come. Because of his ability to seemingly manipulate and transform reality through cinematography, Méliès is sometimes referred to as the first "Cinemagician". Two of his best-known films are A Trip to the Moon (1902) and The Impossible Voyage (1904). Both stories involve strange, surreal voyages, somewhat in the style of Jules Verne, and are considered among the most important early science fiction films, though their approach is closer to fantasy. Méliès was also an early pioneer of horror cinema, which can be traced back to his Le Manoir du diable (1896). In early 1909 Méliès stopped making films to protest Thomas Edison's Motion Pictures Parents Company monopoly, and presided over the first meeting of the International Filmmakers Congress in Paris. Further financial hardships created by his opposition to Edison and diminishing influence, Méliès disappeared from public life. By the mid-1920s he made a meager living as a candy and toy salesma in Paris, with the assistance of funds collected by other filmmakers. Although he was recognized for his contributions in cinema, Méliès spent most of his later years in poverty before being accepted into La Maison du Retraite du Cinéma, the film industry's retirement home in Orly.
Filmography
- The Woes of Roller Skaters
The Woes of Roller Skaters TBA
Director
- An Angelic Servant
An Angelic Servant TBA
Director
Satans Sacrilegious Saga 2025
as Devil
Alcoléa & cie Documentary 2024
Actor
Méliès: Tales of Terror 2021
as The Melomaniac, Director, Producer
The Méliès Mystery 2021
as Self (archive footage)
El hombre que quiso ser Segundo 2014
as Self (archive footage)
The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès 2012
as Self (archive footage)
The Extraordinary Voyage 2011
as Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
Georges Méliès: The First Wizard of Cinema (1896-1913) 2008
as Various Roles, Director, Writer
The Magic of Méliès 1997
as Self / Various Roles (archive footage)
Cinematógrafo 1900 1979
as Self (archive footage)
ORG 1979
Thanks
Violons d'Ingres 1939
as Himself (archive footage), Additional Photography
Gala Méliès 1929
as Himself, Director
The Voyage of M. Bourrichon 1913
Director
The Knight of the Snow 1912
as Devil, Director
Cinderella or The Glass Slipper 1912
as Prince's Messenger, Director, Writer
The Conquest of the Pole 1912
as Le professeur Mabouloff, Director, Screenplay, Producer, Director of Photography
The Hallucinations of Baron Munchausen 1911
Director
The Diabolical Church Window 1911
Actor, Director
- Hypnotist's Revenge
Hypnotist's Revenge 1909
Director
Whimsical Illusions 1909
as The Magician, Producer, Screenplay, Production Design, Director
The Diabolic Tenant 1909
as Le locataire diabolique, Producer, Screenplay, Production Design, Director
The Spider and the Butterfly 1909
Director
The Doctor's Secret 1909
Actor, Director
- The Living Doll
The Living Doll 1908
Director
The Good Shepherdess and the Evil Princess 1908
Director
Pharmaceutical Hallucinations 1908
Director
- The Fortune Favors the Brave
The Fortune Favors the Brave 1908
as Gnome, Director
- Moitié de polka
Moitié de polka 1908
Director
- The Fairy Dragonfly
The Fairy Dragonfly 1908
Director
- Incident from Don Quixote
Incident from Don Quixote 1908
Director
- The Duke's Good Joke
The Duke's Good Joke 1908
Director
A Tricky Painter’s Fate 1908
Director
- Honeymoon in a Balloon
Honeymoon in a Balloon 1908
Director
- The Wonderful Charm
The Wonderful Charm 1908
Director
- The Old Footlight Favorite
The Old Footlight Favorite 1908
Director
- The Helping Hand
The Helping Hand 1908
Director
Grandmother's Tale and Child's Dream 1908
Director
- The Magic of Catchy Songs
The Magic of Catchy Songs 1908
Director
- Fun With the Bridal Party
Fun With the Bridal Party 1908
Director
French Cops Learning English 1908
as The Police Inspector, Director
- Two Talented Vagabonds
Two Talented Vagabonds 1908
Director
Les infortunes des patineurs 1908
as Passerby, Director
- Oriental Black Art
Oriental Black Art 1908
Director
- The Hotel Mix-Up
The Hotel Mix-Up 1908
Director
Tribulations; or, The Misfortunes of a Cobbler 1908
as The Roman, Director
- Two Crazy Bugs
Two Crazy Bugs 1908
Director
- The Indian Sorcerer
The Indian Sorcerer 1908
as The Fakir, Director
Les malheurs d'un photographe 1908
Director
His First Job 1908
Director
- The Forester's Remedy
The Forester's Remedy 1908
Director
- The Mystery of the Garrison
The Mystery of the Garrison 1908
Director
Buncoed Stage Johnnie 1908
Director
Not Guilty 1908
as The Old Farmer, Director
- Mishaps of the New York-Paris Auto Race
Mishaps of the New York-Paris Auto Race 1908
Director
- A Love Tragedy in Spain
A Love Tragedy in Spain 1908
Director
- The Little Peace Maker
The Little Peace Maker 1908
Director
- Hunting the Teddy Bear
Hunting the Teddy Bear 1908
Director
The Broken Violin 1908
Director
- Up-to-Date Clothes Cleaning
Up-to-Date Clothes Cleaning 1908
Director
- Pranks With a Fake Python
Pranks With a Fake Python 1908
Director
Sideshow Wrestlers 1908
Director, Writer, Director of Photography
The Miser 1908
Director
The New Lord of the Village 1908
as Le fantôme de César, Director
- Why That Actor Was Late
Why That Actor Was Late 1908
Director
- Why That Actor Was Late
Why That Actor Was Late 1908
Director
- Curiosity Punished
Curiosity Punished 1908
Director
- A Fake Diamond Swindler
A Fake Diamond Swindler 1908
Director
- A Lover's Hazing
A Lover's Hazing 1908
Director
- A Mistaken Identity
A Mistaken Identity 1908
Director
In the Barber Shop 1908
Actor, Director
The Prophetess of Thebes 1908
Director
Long Distance Wireless Photography 1908
Actor, Director
- A Night With Masqueraders in Paris
A Night With Masqueraders in Paris 1908
Director
The Dream of an Opium Fiend 1908
Director
The Genii of Fire 1908
Director
Justinian's Human Torches 1908
Director
Humanity Through the Ages 1908
Director
Excursion to the Moon 1908
Original Film Writer
- L'agent gelé
L'agent gelé 1908
Director
The Good Luck of a 'Souse' 1907
as Le commissaire de police, Director
The King and the Jester 1907
as Tribolet, Director
In the Bogie Man's Cave 1907
Director
The Knight of Black Art 1907
Director
Sightseeing Through Whisky 1907
Director
- Bakers in Trouble
Bakers in Trouble 1907
Director
Satan in Prison 1907
as Satan, Director
Good Glue Sticks 1907
Actor, Director
- Shakespeare Writing "Julius Caesar"
Shakespeare Writing "Julius Caesar" 1907
Director
- A Forester Made King
A Forester Made King 1907
Director
- Hamlet, Prince of Denmark
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark 1907
Director
- Chopin's Funeral March Burlesqued
Chopin's Funeral March Burlesqued 1907
Director
- The Bewildering Cabinet
The Bewildering Cabinet 1907
Director
The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon 1907
as Professor of Astronomy, Director
Delirium in a Studio 1907
as Ali Barbouyou, Director
- Drink! A Great Temperance Story
Drink! A Great Temperance Story 1907
Director
- A New Death Penalty
A New Death Penalty 1907
Director
Tunneling the English Channel 1907
Actor, Director, Producer, Production Design
How Bridget's Lover Escaped 1907
Director
The Skipping Cheese 1907
Director
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 1907
Actor, Director
Rogues' Tricks 1907
Director
- A Mischievous Sketch
A Mischievous Sketch 1907
Director
Robert Macaire and Bertrand 1906
Director
The Witch 1906
as The Fairy Carabosse, Production Design, Director, Writer, Producer
The Mysterious Retort 1906
Actor, Director
- A Seaside Flirtation
A Seaside Flirtation 1906
Director
The Merry Frolics of Satan 1906
as Satan, Screenplay, Director, Producer, Production Design
Soap Bubbles 1906
Director
A Roadside Inn 1906
as Drunk Traveler, Director
- A Spiritualist Meeting
A Spiritualist Meeting 1906
Director
Punch and Judy 1906
Director
A Desperate Crime 1906
Actor, Director
The Hilarious Posters 1906
as The Bill Poster, Director, Producer
The Tramp and the Mattress Makers 1906
Director
- Who Looks, Pays!
Who Looks, Pays! 1906
Director
- Old and New Style Conjurers
Old and New Style Conjurers 1906
Director
The Luny Musician 1906
Director
Jack the Chimney Sweep 1906
Director
A Mix-Up in the Gallery 1906
Director
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship 1905
Actor, Producer, Screenplay, Production Design, Director
The Scheming Gambler's Paradise 1905
Director
- Life-Saving Up-to-Date
Life-Saving Up-to-Date 1905
Director
- The Angler's Nightmare, or A Policeman's Troubles
The Angler's Nightmare, or A Policeman's Troubles 1905
Director
Rip's Dream 1905
as Rip Van Winkle, Producer, Production Design, Screenplay, Director
An Improvised Fireworks Display 1905
Director
Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus 1905
as Ulysses (uncredited), Director
An Adventurous Automobile Trip 1905
Director
The Enchanted Sedan Chair 1905
Director
- The Tower of London
The Tower of London 1905
Director
A Crazy Composer 1905
Director
The Palace of the Arabian Nights 1905
as The Sorcerer Khalafar (uncredited), Director, Producer, Editor, Production Design
- The Chloroform Fiends
The Chloroform Fiends 1905
Director
- The Venetian Looking-Glass
The Venetian Looking-Glass 1905
Director
- Mr. Dauber and the Whimsical Picture
Mr. Dauber and the Whimsical Picture 1905
Director
A Mesmerian Experiment 1905
Actor, Director
The Lilliputian Minuet 1905
Actor, Director
The Magic Dice 1905
Director
The Black Imp 1905
Actor, Director, Producer
- The King of Sharpshooters
The King of Sharpshooters 1905
Director
The Living Playing Cards 1905
as The Magician, Director
The Christmas Angel 1904
as The Rag-and-Bone Man / Beggar on Crutches / Coal Seller, Director, Producer
- The Grotto of Surprises
The Grotto of Surprises 1904
Director
The Firefall 1904
as Satan, Director
The Wandering Jew 1904
Actor, Director, Producer
The Impossible Voyage 1904
as Mabouloff, Director, Producer, Screenplay, Production Design
- A Wedding by Correspondence
A Wedding by Correspondence 1904
Director
- The Shadow Lady
The Shadow Lady 1904
Director
- The Astonishing Frame
The Astonishing Frame 1904
Director
- Simple Simon's Surprise Party
Simple Simon's Surprise Party 1904
Director
- The Animated Costumes
The Animated Costumes 1904
Director
- The Barber of Seville
The Barber of Seville 1904
Director
- Uncle Rube's Birthday
Uncle Rube's Birthday 1904
Director
- The Providence of the Waves
The Providence of the Waves 1904
Director
- The Mischances of a Drunkard
The Mischances of a Drunkard 1904
Director
The Mermaid 1904
Actor, Director
- The Impossible Dinner
The Impossible Dinner 1904
Director
The Devilish Plank 1904
Actor, Director
The Cook in Trouble 1904
Actor, Director
The Wonderful Living Fan 1904
Actor, Director
Tchin-Chao, the Chinese Conjurer 1904
Actor, Director
- The Fake Russian Prophet
The Fake Russian Prophet 1904
Director
Faust and Marguerite 1904
as Méphistophélès, Director
- Benvenuto Cellini or A Curious Evasion
Benvenuto Cellini or A Curious Evasion 1904
Director
A Miracle Under the Inquisition 1904
Director
The Imperceptible Transmutations 1904
as Prince, Director, Director of Photography, Writer
The Clockmaker's Dream 1904
Actor, Director
The Untamable Whiskers 1904
as Man with whiskers, Director
The Fugitive Apparitions 1904
Actor, Director
The Bewitched Trunk 1904
Director
- The Invisible Siva
The Invisible Siva 1904
Director
Every Man His Own Cigar Lighter 1904
Actor, Director
A Wager Between Two Magicians, or, Jealous of Myself 1904
as The Magician / The Double, Director
Tit for Tat 1904
Actor, Director
The Wonderful Rose Tree 1904
Director
A Moonlight Serenade 1903
Actor, Director
The Terrible Turkish Executioner 1903
as The Executioner, Director
Faust in the Underworld 1903
as Mephistopholes, Director
The Ballet Master's Dream 1903
Actor, Director
The Magic Lantern 1903
Actor, Director
Comical Conjuring 1903
Director
Alcofribas, The Master Magician 1903
Actor, Director, Screenplay
Extraordinary Illusions 1903
Actor, Director
Bob Kick, the Mischievous Kid 1903
Actor, Director
Jack Jags and Dum Dum 1903
Director
Ten Ladies in an Umbrella 1903
Director
Jupiter's Thunderballs 1903
Actor, Director
Apparitions 1903
Actor, Director
The Infernal Cauldron 1903
as Devil, Production Design, Screenplay, Director, Producer
The Kingdom of the Fairies 1903
as Принц Бель-Азор, Director, Screenplay, Producer, Production Design
The Monster 1903
as The priest, Director
The Melomaniac 1903
Actor, Director
A Spiritualist Photographer 1903
Director
The Oracle of Delphi 1903
Actor, Director
The Witch's Revenge 1903
Director
The Mystical Flame 1903
Actor, Director
The Drawing Lesson 1903
Director
The Inn Where No Man Rests 1903
Director
The Enchanted Well 1903
Director
Les Mousquetaires de la reine 1903
Director
The Mysterious Box 1903
Actor, Director
The Infernal Cake-Walk 1903
as Devil, Director
Misfortune Never Comes Alone 1903
as Lamplighter, Director
- Beelzebub's Daughters
Beelzebub's Daughters 1903
Actor, Director
The Marvellous Wreath 1903
Actor, Director
- The Enchanted Basket
The Enchanted Basket 1903
Actor, Director
Robinson Crusoe 1902
as Robinson Crusoé, Producer, Production Design, Screenplay, Director
Gulliver's Travels Among the Lilliputians and the Giants 1902
as Gulliver, Director, Writer
Sure Cure for Indigestion 1902
as Doctor, Director
- Drunkard and Inventor
Drunkard and Inventor 1902
Director
An Impossible Balancing Feat 1902
as The Magician, Director, Story, Producer, Special Effects
- Marvelous Suspension
Marvelous Suspension 1902
Director
The Coronation of Edward VII 1902
Director
The Human Fly 1902
as The Hindoo Magician, Director, Producer
The Treasures of Satan 1902
Actor, Director
The Magician and the Imp 1902
Director
A Trip to the Moon 1902
as Professeur Barbenfouillis / La Lune, Director, Screenplay, Producer, Production Design, Editor
- The Catastrophe of the Balloon "Le Pax"
The Catastrophe of the Balloon "Le Pax" 1902
Director
The Terrible Eruption of Mount Pelee and Destruction of St. Pierre, Martinique 1902
Director
The Microscopic Dancer 1902
Director
The Prolific Magical Egg 1902
Actor, Director
The Colonel's Shower Bath 1902
Director
- Wine Cellar Burglars
Wine Cellar Burglars 1902
Director
- Cabinet Trick of the Davenport Brothers
Cabinet Trick of the Davenport Brothers 1902
Director
The Dwarf and the Giant 1901
Actor, Director
The Devil and the Statue 1901
Actor, Director
The Man with the Rubber Head 1901
as Аптекар / Гумова голова, Director, Special Effects, Producer
- The Elastic Battalion
The Elastic Battalion 1901
Director
- The Dream of a Hindu Beggar
The Dream of a Hindu Beggar 1901
Director
- The Trials of a Schoolmaster
The Trials of a Schoolmaster 1901
Director
- The Dragon Fly
The Dragon Fly 1901
Director
- A Phrenological Burlesque
A Phrenological Burlesque 1901
Actor, Director
Hat of Many Surprises 1901
Actor, Director
Bluebeard 1901
as Barbe-bleue / The Devil / Kitchen's assistant, Adaptation, Producer, Production Design, Director, Writer
- The Sacred Fountain
The Sacred Fountain 1901
Director
Off to Bedlam 1901
Director
The Prince of Magicians 1901
as Excelsior, Director, Producer
- A Good Trick
A Good Trick 1901
Director
- Fun in Court
Fun in Court 1901
Director
- Painless Dentistry
Painless Dentistry 1901
Director
- The Temple of the Sun
The Temple of the Sun 1901
Actor, Director
The Bachelor's Paradise 1901
Director
- A Maiden's Paradise
A Maiden's Paradise 1901
as The Wizard, Director
The Magician's Cavern 1901
Actor, Director
Little Red Riding Hood 1901
Director
An Extraordinary Dislocation 1901
Director
The Triple Headed Lady 1901
Actor, Director
The Brahmin and the Butterfly 1901
as The brahmin, Director
The Astronomer's Dream 1900
as Астроном, Director, Editor, Production Designer, Special Effects, Screenplay, Producer
The Unexpected Bath 1900
Director
The Christmas Dream 1900
as Beggar, Director
Joan of Arc 1900
as Père de Jeanne, Producer, Production Design, Screenplay, Director
The Artist and the Dummy 1900
as Artiste, Director
The Stick 1900
Director
The Bath 1900
Director
The Coup of Pere Francois 1900
Director
The Flea 1900
Director
Cooks fight 1900
Director
- Les miracles du Brahmine
Les miracles du Brahmine 1900
Director
- China Versus Allied Powers
China Versus Allied Powers 1900
Director
- L'homme aux cent trucs
L'homme aux cent trucs 1900
Director, Writer
The Misfortunes of an Explorer 1900
Director
- The Two Blind Men
The Two Blind Men 1900
Director
What Is Home Without the Boarder 1900
Director
How He Missed His Train 1900
Director
The Doctor and the Monkey 1900
Director
Eight Girls in a Barrel 1900
Director
The Rajah's Dream or The Bewitched Wood 1900
Director
The Cook's Revenge 1900
Director
Addition and Subtraction 1900
Director
- Crying and Laughing
Crying and Laughing 1900
Director
The Magic Book 1900
as The Magician, Director
The Triple Conjurer and the Living Head 1900
as Conjurer, Director
A Fantastical Meal 1900
as The Man, Director
The Wizard, the Prince and the Good Fairy 1900
as Prince, Writer, Producer, Director
- Up-to-Date Spiritualism
Up-to-Date Spiritualism 1900
as Le comique excentrique, Director
Going to Bed Under Difficulties 1900
as The Man, Director
The Fat and Lean Wrestling Match 1900
as Wrestler, Director
The One-Man Band 1900
as All the members of the orchestra, Director, Producer, Special Effects
Extravagant Struggles 1899
Director
The Dreyfus Affair 1899
as Fernand Labori, Director
Cinderella 1899
as le gnome de la pendule / le suisse à l'entrée de l'église, Producer, Production Design, Director, Writer
Dreyfus Leaving the Lycée for Jail 1899
Director
The Degradation of Dreyfus 1899
Director
Devil's Island - Within the Palisade 1899
Director
- The Human Pyramid
The Human Pyramid 1899
Actor, Director
Summoning the Spirits 1899
Actor, Director
- Murder Will Out
Murder Will Out 1899
Director
- Le conférencier distrait
Le conférencier distrait 1899
Director
The Clown and Automobile 1899
Director
Christ Walking on Water 1899
Director
- Lightning Change Artist
Lightning Change Artist 1899
Director
- Fantastic Dining Room
Fantastic Dining Room 1899
Director
The Court Martial at Rennes 1899
Director
The Fight of Reporters 1899
Director
The Attempt Against the Life of Maitre Labori 1899
Director
Dreyfus Meets His Wife at Rennes 1899
Director
Landing of Dreyfus at Quiberon 1899
Director
Suicide of Colonel Henry 1899
Director
Dreyfus Put in Irons 1899
Director
Dreyfus Court Martial - Arrest Of Dreyfus 1899
Director
The Pillar of Fire 1899
Actor, Production Design, Screenplay, Producer, Director
Cleopatra's Tomb 1899
as un profanateur de la tombe de Cléopâtre, Director
The Mysterious Portrait 1899
as L'illusioniste, Director
The Mysterious Knight 1899
as Le chevalier mystère, Director
An Up-to-Date Conjurer 1899
as Magician, Director
The Devil in a Convent 1899
as The Devil, Director
A Midnight Episode 1899
as The Sleeping Man (uncredited), Producer, Director
- The Cave of the Demons
The Cave of the Demons 1898
Director
The Four Troublesome Heads 1898
as Фокусник, Director, Producer, Special Effects, Editor, Writer
- Guerre de Cuba et l'explosion du Maine à La Havane
Guerre de Cuba et l'explosion du Maine à La Havane 1898
Director
- A Novice at X-Rays
A Novice at X-Rays 1898
Director
Carrefour de l'opéra 1898
Director
A Woman Surprised 1898
Director
- Visite de l'épave du Maine
Visite de l'épave du Maine 1898
Director
The Damnation of Faust 1898
Director
Adventures of William Tell 1898
Director
Panorama from Top of a Moving Train 1898
Director, Director of Photography, Producer
Divers at Work on the Wreck of the "Maine" 1898
Director
The Bridegroom's Dilemma 1898
as Le marié, Director
The Magician 1898
as Le Sculpteur, Director
The Famous Box Trick 1898
as The Magician, Director
Pygmalion and Galatea 1898
as Pygmalion, Director
The Temptation of St. Anthony 1898
as Saint Antoine, Director
Bois de Boulogne 1897
Director
The Hallucinated Alchemist 1897
Director
The Last Cartridges 1897
Director
- On the Roof
On the Roof 1897
Director
- Passage dangereux au Mont-Blanc
Passage dangereux au Mont-Blanc 1897
Director
- A Twentieth Century Surgeon
A Twentieth Century Surgeon 1897
Director
D. Devant, Conjurer 1897
Director
A Terrible Night (Remake) 1897
Director
- The Grasshopper and the Ant
The Grasshopper and the Ant 1897
Director
Fencing at the Joinville School 1897
Director
Boxing Match 1897
Director
An Irritable Model 1897
Director
The Devil's Laboratory 1897
Director
After the Ball 1897
Director
The Surrender of Tournavos 1897
Director
Gugusse and the Automaton 1897
as Gugusse, Director
- A Funny Mahometan
A Funny Mahometan 1897
as The Funny Mahometan, Director
- Dancing in a Harem
Dancing in a Harem 1897
Actor, Director
Between Calais and Dover 1897
as The Man in the Checked Suit, Director
Naval Combat in Greece 1897
as The Captain, Director
The Bewitched Inn 1897
as The Traveler, Director, Screenplay, Producer, Production Design, Editor
Le château hanté 1897
as Mephisto, Director, Screenplay, Producer, Production Design
- Faust and Marguerite
Faust and Marguerite 1897
as Méphistophélès, Director
A Nightmare 1896
as Man, Director, Producer, Editor, Production Design
Le manoir du diable 1896
as Мефістофель, Director, Writer, Producer, Production Design
Conjuring 1896
as Himself, Director
Playing Cards 1896
as Un joueur de cartes, Director, Writer
A Soldier's Unlucky Salutation 1896
Director
Conjurer Making Ten Hats in Sixty Seconds 1896
Director
Miss de Vère - English Jig 1896
Director
Les tribulations d'un concierge 1896
Director
- Watering the Flowers
Watering the Flowers 1896
Director
A Serpentine Dance 1896
Director
Arrival of a Train (Joinville Station) 1896
Director
Arrival of a Train at Vincennes Station 1896
Director
Post No Bills 1896
Director
The Vanishing Lady 1896
as Фокусник, Director, Producer, Editor, Production Design
A Terrible Night 1896
as L'homme qui essaie de dormir, Director, Writer, Producer, Production Design
Credits from TMDB.