
Biography
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.
Directed 242
2020s
- 2021
Méliès: Tales of Terror
Director
2000s
- 2008
Georges Méliès: The First Wizard of Cinema (1896-1913)
Director
1920s
- 1929
Gala Méliès
Director
1910s
- 1913
The Voyage of M. Bourrichon
Director
- 1912
The Knight of the Snow
Director
Cinderella or The Glass Slipper
Director
The Conquest of the Pole
Director
- 1911
The Hallucinations of Baron Munchausen
Director
The Diabolical Church Window
Director
1900s
- 1909
Whimsical Illusions
Director
The Diabolic Tenant
Director
The Spider and the Butterfly
Director
The Doctor's Secret
Director
- 1908
The Good Shepherdess and the Evil Princess
Director
Pharmaceutical Hallucinations
Director
A Tricky Painter’s Fate
Director
Grandmother's Tale and Child's Dream
Director
French Cops Learning English
Director
Les infortunes des patineurs
Director
Tribulations; or, The Misfortunes of a Cobbler
Director
Les malheurs d'un photographe
Director
His First Job
Director
Buncoed Stage Johnnie
Director
Not Guilty
Director
The Broken Violin
Director
Sideshow Wrestlers
Director
The Miser
Director
The New Lord of the Village
Director
In the Barber Shop
Director
The Prophetess of Thebes
Director
Long Distance Wireless Photography
Director
The Dream of an Opium Fiend
Director
The Genii of Fire
Director
Justinian's Human Torches
Director
Humanity Through the Ages
Director
- 1907
The Good Luck of a 'Souse'
Director
The King and the Jester
Director
In the Bogie Man's Cave
Director
The Knight of Black Art
Director
Sightseeing Through Whisky
Director
Satan in Prison
Director
Good Glue Sticks
Director
The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon
Director
Delirium in a Studio
Director
Tunneling the English Channel
Director
How Bridget's Lover Escaped
Director
The Skipping Cheese
Director
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Director
Rogues' Tricks
Director
- 1906
Robert Macaire and Bertrand
Director
The Witch
Director
The Mysterious Retort
Director
The Merry Frolics of Satan
Director
Soap Bubbles
Director
A Roadside Inn
Director
Punch and Judy
Director
The Hilarious Posters
Director
The Tramp and the Mattress Makers
Director
The Luny Musician
Director
Jack the Chimney Sweep
Director
A Mix-Up in the Gallery
Director
- 1905
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship
Director
The Scheming Gambler's Paradise
Director
Rip's Dream
Director
An Improvised Fireworks Display
Director
Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus
Director
An Adventurous Automobile Trip
Director
The Enchanted Sedan Chair
Director
A Crazy Composer
Director
The Palace of the Arabian Nights
Director
A Mesmerian Experiment
Director
The Lilliputian Minuet
Director
The Magic Dice
Director
The Black Imp
Director
The Living Playing Cards
Director
- 1904
The Christmas Angel
Director
The Firefall
Director
The Wandering Jew
Director
The Impossible Voyage
Director
The Mermaid
Director
The Devilish Plank
Director
The Cook in Trouble
Director
The Wonderful Living Fan
Director
Tchin-Chao, the Chinese Conjurer
Director
Faust and Marguerite
Director
A Miracle Under the Inquisition
Director
The Imperceptible Transmutations
Director
The Clockmaker's Dream
Director
The Untamable Whiskers
Director
The Fugitive Apparitions
Director
The Bewitched Trunk
Director
Every Man His Own Cigar Lighter
Director
A Wager Between Two Magicians, or, Jealous of Myself
Director
Tit for Tat
Director
The Wonderful Rose Tree
Director
- 1903
A Moonlight Serenade
Director
The Terrible Turkish Executioner
Director
Faust in the Underworld
Director
The Ballet Master's Dream
Director
The Magic Lantern
Director
Comical Conjuring
Director
Alcofribas, The Master Magician
Director
Extraordinary Illusions
Director
Bob Kick, the Mischievous Kid
Director
Jack Jags and Dum Dum
Director
Ten Ladies in an Umbrella
Director
Jupiter's Thunderballs
Director
Apparitions
Director
The Infernal Cauldron
Director
The Kingdom of the Fairies
Director
The Monster
Director
A Spiritualist Photographer
Director
The Oracle of Delphi
Director
The Witch's Revenge
Director
The Mystical Flame
Director
The Drawing Lesson
Director
The Inn Where No Man Rests
Director
The Enchanted Well
Director
Les Mousquetaires de la reine
Director
The Mysterious Box
Director
The Infernal Cake-Walk
Director
Misfortune Never Comes Alone
Director
The Marvellous Wreath
Director
- 1902
Robinson Crusoe
Director
Sure Cure for Indigestion
Director
An Impossible Balancing Feat
Director
The Coronation of Edward VII
Director
The Human Fly
Director
The Treasures of Satan
Director
The Magician and the Imp
Director
The Terrible Eruption of Mount Pelee and Destruction of St. Pierre, Martinique
Director
The Microscopic Dancer
Director
The Prolific Magical Egg
Director
The Colonel's Shower Bath
Director
- 1901
The Dwarf and the Giant
Director
The Man with the Rubber Head
Director
The Devil and the Statue
Director
Hat of Many Surprises
Director
Bluebeard
Director
Off to Bedlam
Director
The Prince of Magicians
Director
The Bachelor's Paradise
Director
The Magician's Cavern
Director
Little Red Riding Hood
Director
An Extraordinary Dislocation
Director
The Triple Headed Lady
Director
The Brahmin and the Butterfly
Director
- 1900
The Astronomer's Dream
Director
The Christmas Dream
Director
Joan of Arc
Director
The Artist and the Dummy
Director
The One-Man Band
Director
Addition and Subtraction
Director
The Rajah's Dream or The Bewitched Wood
Director
The Magic Book
Director
The Cook's Revenge
Director
The Wizard, the Prince and the Good Fairy
Director
How He Missed His Train
Director
Eight Girls in a Barrel
Director
The Triple Conjurer and the Living Head
Director
A Fantastical Meal
Director
The Doctor and the Monkey
Director
What Is Home Without the Boarder
Director
The Fat and Lean Wrestling Match
Director
Going to Bed Under Difficulties
Director
The Misfortunes of an Explorer
Director
Cooks fight
Director
The Flea
Director
The Coup of Pere Francois
Director
The Bath
Director
The Stick
Director
1890s
- 1899
Extravagant Struggles
Director
The Dreyfus Affair
Director
The Degradation of Dreyfus
Director
Dreyfus Leaving the Lycée for Jail
Director
Devil's Island - Within the Palisade
Director
An Up-to-Date Conjurer
Director
The Devil in a Convent
Director
The Pillar of Fire
Director
The Mysterious Portrait
Director
Dreyfus Put in Irons
Director
Dreyfus Meets His Wife at Rennes
Director
Landing of Dreyfus at Quiberon
Director
Dreyfus Court Martial - Arrest Of Dreyfus
Director
Suicide of Colonel Henry
Director
The Fight of Reporters
Director
The Court Martial at Rennes
Director
The Attempt Against the Life of Maitre Labori
Director
The Mysterious Knight
Director
A Midnight Episode
Director
Christ Walking on Water
Director
The Clown and Automobile
Director
- 1898
The Four Troublesome Heads
Director
Divers at Work on the Wreck of the "Maine"
Director
Adventures of William Tell
Director
The Temptation of St. Anthony
Director
Panorama from Top of a Moving Train
Director
The Damnation of Faust
Director
Pygmalion and Galatea
Director
A Woman Surprised
Director
The Bridegroom's Dilemma
Director
Carrefour de l'opéra
Director
- 1897
Bois de Boulogne
Director
The Last Cartridges
Director
After the Ball
Director
Between Calais and Dover
Director
The Bewitched Inn
Director
The Devil's Laboratory
Director
An Irritable Model
Director
Boxing Match
Director
Fencing at the Joinville School
Director
A Terrible Night (Remake)
Director
D. Devant, Conjurer
Director
Le château hanté
Director
Gugusse and the Automaton
Director
- 1896
Le manoir du diable
Director
Conjuring
Director
Playing Cards
Director
The Vanishing Lady
Director
A Terrible Night
Director
Post No Bills
Director
Arrival of a Train at Vincennes Station
Director
A Serpentine Dance
Director
Arrival of a Train (Joinville Station)
Director
Les tribulations d'un concierge
Director
Conjurer Making Ten Hats in Sixty Seconds
Director
Miss de Vère - English Jig
Director
A Soldier's Unlucky Salutation
Director
Acted in 131
2020s
- 2025
Satans Sacrilegious Saga
Devil
- 2024
Alcoléa & cie Documentary
Movie
- 2021
Méliès: Tales of Terror
The Melomaniac
2000s
- 2008
Georges Méliès: The First Wizard of Cinema (1896-1913)
Various Roles
1910s
- 1912
The Knight of the Snow
Devil
Cinderella or The Glass Slipper
Prince's Messenger
The Conquest of the Pole
Le professeur Mabouloff
- 1911
The Diabolical Church Window
Movie
1900s
- 1909
Whimsical Illusions
The Magician
The Diabolic Tenant
Le locataire diabolique
The Doctor's Secret
Movie
- 1908
French Cops Learning English
The Police Inspector
Les infortunes des patineurs
Passerby
Tribulations; or, The Misfortunes of a Cobbler
The Roman
Not Guilty
The Old Farmer
The New Lord of the Village
Le fantôme de César
In the Barber Shop
Movie
Long Distance Wireless Photography
Movie
- 1907
The Good Luck of a 'Souse'
Le commissaire de police
The King and the Jester
Tribolet
Satan in Prison
Satan
Good Glue Sticks
Movie
The Eclipse: Courtship of the Sun and Moon
Professor of Astronomy
Delirium in a Studio
Ali Barbouyou
Tunneling the English Channel
Movie
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Movie
- 1906
The Witch
The Fairy Carabosse
The Mysterious Retort
Movie
The Merry Frolics of Satan
Satan
A Roadside Inn
Drunk Traveler
The Hilarious Posters
The Bill Poster
- 1905
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship
Movie
Rip's Dream
Rip Van Winkle
Ulysses and the Giant Polyphemus
Ulysses (uncredited)
The Palace of the Arabian Nights
The Sorcerer Khalafar (uncredited)
A Mesmerian Experiment
Movie
The Lilliputian Minuet
Movie
The Black Imp
Movie
The Living Playing Cards
The Magician
- 1904
The Christmas Angel
The Rag-and-Bone Man / Beggar on Crutches / Coal Seller
The Firefall
Satan
The Wandering Jew
Movie
The Impossible Voyage
Mabouloff
The Mermaid
Movie
The Devilish Plank
Movie
The Cook in Trouble
Movie
The Wonderful Living Fan
Movie
Tchin-Chao, the Chinese Conjurer
Movie
Faust and Marguerite
Méphistophélès
The Imperceptible Transmutations
Prince
The Clockmaker's Dream
Movie
The Untamable Whiskers
Man with whiskers
The Fugitive Apparitions
Movie
Every Man His Own Cigar Lighter
Movie
A Wager Between Two Magicians, or, Jealous of Myself
The Magician / The Double
Tit for Tat
Movie
- 1903
A Moonlight Serenade
Movie
The Terrible Turkish Executioner
The Executioner
Faust in the Underworld
Mephistopholes
The Ballet Master's Dream
Movie
The Magic Lantern
Movie
Alcofribas, The Master Magician
Movie
Extraordinary Illusions
Movie
Bob Kick, the Mischievous Kid
Movie
Jupiter's Thunderballs
Movie
Apparitions
Movie
The Infernal Cauldron
Devil
The Kingdom of the Fairies
Принц Бель-Азор
The Monster
The priest
The Oracle of Delphi
Movie
The Mystical Flame
Movie
The Mysterious Box
Movie
The Infernal Cake-Walk
Devil
Misfortune Never Comes Alone
Lamplighter
The Marvellous Wreath
Movie
- 1902
Robinson Crusoe
Robinson Crusoé
Sure Cure for Indigestion
Doctor
An Impossible Balancing Feat
The Magician
The Human Fly
The Hindoo Magician
The Treasures of Satan
Movie
The Prolific Magical Egg
Movie
- 1901
The Dwarf and the Giant
Movie
The Man with the Rubber Head
Аптекар / Гумова голова
The Devil and the Statue
Movie
Hat of Many Surprises
Movie
Bluebeard
Barbe-bleue / The Devil / Kitchen's assistant
The Prince of Magicians
Excelsior
The Magician's Cavern
Movie
The Triple Headed Lady
Movie
The Brahmin and the Butterfly
The brahmin
- 1900
The Astronomer's Dream
Астроном
The Christmas Dream
Beggar
Joan of Arc
Père de Jeanne
The Artist and the Dummy
Artiste
The One-Man Band
All the members of the orchestra
The Fat and Lean Wrestling Match
Wrestler
Going to Bed Under Difficulties
The Man
The Wizard, the Prince and the Good Fairy
Prince
A Fantastical Meal
The Man
The Triple Conjurer and the Living Head
Conjurer
The Magic Book
The Magician
1890s
- 1899
The Dreyfus Affair
Fernand Labori
A Midnight Episode
The Sleeping Man (uncredited)
The Devil in a Convent
The Devil
An Up-to-Date Conjurer
Magician
The Mysterious Knight
Le chevalier mystère
The Mysterious Portrait
L'illusioniste
The Pillar of Fire
Movie
- 1898
The Four Troublesome Heads
Фокусник
The Temptation of St. Anthony
Saint Antoine
Pygmalion and Galatea
Pygmalion
The Bridegroom's Dilemma
Le marié
- 1897
Le château hanté
Mephisto
The Bewitched Inn
The Traveler
Between Calais and Dover
The Man in the Checked Suit
Gugusse and the Automaton
Gugusse
- 1896
Le manoir du diable
Мефістофель
Playing Cards
Un joueur de cartes
A Terrible Night
L'homme qui essaie de dormir
The Vanishing Lady
Фокусник
Produced 39
2020s
- 2021
Méliès: Tales of Terror
Producer
1910s
- 1912
The Conquest of the Pole
Producer
1900s
- 1909
Whimsical Illusions
Producer
The Diabolic Tenant
Producer
- 1907
Tunneling the English Channel
Producer
- 1906
The Witch
Producer
The Merry Frolics of Satan
Producer
The Hilarious Posters
Producer
- 1905
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship
Producer
Rip's Dream
Producer
The Palace of the Arabian Nights
Producer
The Black Imp
Producer
- 1904
The Christmas Angel
Producer
The Wandering Jew
Producer
The Impossible Voyage
Producer
- 1903
The Infernal Cauldron
Producer
The Kingdom of the Fairies
Producer
- 1902
Robinson Crusoe
Producer
An Impossible Balancing Feat
Producer
The Human Fly
Producer
- 1901
The Man with the Rubber Head
Producer
Bluebeard
Producer
The Prince of Magicians
Producer
- 1900
The Astronomer's Dream
Production Designer, Producer
Joan of Arc
Producer
The Wizard, the Prince and the Good Fairy
Producer
The One-Man Band
Producer
1890s
- 1899
The Pillar of Fire
Producer
A Midnight Episode
Producer
- 1898
The Four Troublesome Heads
Producer
Panorama from Top of a Moving Train
Producer
- 1897
The Bewitched Inn
Producer
Le château hanté
Producer
- 1896
Le manoir du diable
Producer
A Terrible Night
Producer
The Vanishing Lady
Producer
Wrote 32
2000s
- 2008
Georges Méliès: The First Wizard of Cinema (1896-1913)
Writer
1910s
- 1912
Cinderella or The Glass Slipper
Writer
The Conquest of the Pole
Screenplay
1900s
- 1909
Whimsical Illusions
Screenplay
The Diabolic Tenant
Screenplay
- 1908
Sideshow Wrestlers
Writer
Excursion to the Moon
Original Film Writer
- 1906
The Witch
Writer
The Merry Frolics of Satan
Screenplay
- 1905
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship
Screenplay
Rip's Dream
Screenplay
- 1904
The Impossible Voyage
Screenplay
The Imperceptible Transmutations
Writer
- 1903
Alcofribas, The Master Magician
Screenplay
The Infernal Cauldron
Screenplay
The Kingdom of the Fairies
Screenplay
- 1902
Robinson Crusoe
Screenplay
An Impossible Balancing Feat
Story
- 1901
Bluebeard
Adaptation, Writer
- 1900
The Astronomer's Dream
Screenplay
Joan of Arc
Screenplay
The Wizard, the Prince and the Good Fairy
Writer
1890s
- 1899
The Pillar of Fire
Screenplay
- 1898
The Four Troublesome Heads
Writer
- 1897
The Bewitched Inn
Screenplay
Le château hanté
Screenplay
- 1896
Le manoir du diable
Writer
Playing Cards
Writer
A Terrible Night
Writer
Art department 23
1900s
- 1909
Whimsical Illusions
Production Design
The Diabolic Tenant
Production Design
- 1907
Tunneling the English Channel
Production Design
- 1906
The Witch
Production Design
The Merry Frolics of Satan
Production Design
- 1905
The Inventor Crazybrains and His Wonderful Airship
Production Design
Rip's Dream
Production Design
The Palace of the Arabian Nights
Production Design
- 1904
The Impossible Voyage
Production Design
- 1903
The Infernal Cauldron
Production Design
The Kingdom of the Fairies
Production Design
- 1902
Robinson Crusoe
Production Design
- 1901
Bluebeard
Production Design
- 1900
Joan of Arc
Production Design
1890s
- 1899
The Pillar of Fire
Production Design
- 1897
The Bewitched Inn
Production Design
Le château hanté
Production Design
- 1896
Le manoir du diable
Production Design
A Terrible Night
Production Design
The Vanishing Lady
Production Design
Edited 7
1900s
- 1905
The Palace of the Arabian Nights
Editor
- 1902
- 1900
The Astronomer's Dream
Editor
1890s
- 1898
The Four Troublesome Heads
Editor
- 1897
The Bewitched Inn
Editor
- 1896
The Vanishing Lady
Editor
Other crew 5
1900s
- 1902
An Impossible Balancing Feat
Special Effects
- 1901
The Man with the Rubber Head
Special Effects
- 1900
The Astronomer's Dream
Special Effects
The One-Man Band
Special Effects
1890s
- 1898
The Four Troublesome Heads
Special Effects
Camera 5
1930s
- 1939
Violons d'Ingres
Additional Photography
1910s
- 1912
The Conquest of the Pole
Director of Photography
1900s
- 1908
Sideshow Wrestlers
Director of Photography
- 1904
The Imperceptible Transmutations
Director of Photography
1890s
- 1898
Panorama from Top of a Moving Train
Director of Photography
Appearances9
2020s
- 2021
The Méliès Mystery
Self (archive footage)
2010s
- 2014
El hombre que quiso ser Segundo
Self (archive footage)
- 2012
The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès
Self (archive footage)
- 2011
The Extraordinary Voyage
Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
1990s
- 1997
The Magic of Méliès
Self / Various Roles (archive footage)
1970s
- 1979
Cinematógrafo 1900
Self (archive footage)
1930s
- 1939
Violons d'Ingres
Himself (archive footage)
1920s
- 1929
Gala Méliès
Himself
1890s
- 1896
Conjuring
Himself
Thanked in the credits1
1970s
- 1979
ORG
Thanks