Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
Jesús "Jess" Franco was a Spanish film director, writer, cinematographer and actor. His career took off in 1961 with his cult classic The Awful Dr. Orloff, which received wide distribution in the United States and England. Though he had some American box office success with Necronomicon, his first women-in-prison film Ninety-Nine Women, and his two Christopher Lee films, The Bloody Judge and Count Dracula, he never achieved wide commercial success. Franco moved from Spain to France in 1970 so that he could make more violent and sexual films, and it was at this point that his career began to go downhill commercially, as he turned to low-budget filmmaking with a heavier accent on adult-oriented films. Although he produced a few well-received, low budget horror films in the early 70's, many people in the industry considered him a porn director due to the huge number of X-rated adult films he began churning out. Franco returned to low-budget horror in a brief comeback period from 1980-1983, but after 1983, his career took a second downturn. With the exception of Faceless and Killer Barbies, his films after 1984 are quite disliked and obscure due to their incredibly low budgets. Franco has nevertheless retained a large cult following through the years with his sexually-charged horror films, some of which are regarded as masterpieces by his avid followers.
Directed 195
2010s
- 2013
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Director
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Director
- 2012
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Director
La cripta de las condenadas
Director
- 2010
Paula-Paula
Director
2000s
- 2008
A Bad Day at the Cemetery
Director
- 2006
Montes de Venus
Director
- 2005
Snakewoman
Director
Jess Franco's Passion
Director
Jess Franco's Perversion
Director
- 2002
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula
Director
- 2001
- 2000
Helter Skelter
Director
1990s
- 1999
Vampire Blues
Director
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Director
- 1998
Lust for Frankenstein
Director
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Director
- 1997
Tender Flesh
Director
- 1996
Vampire Killer Barbys
Director
- 1994
- 1992
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Director
1980s
- 1989
Night of the Eagles
Director
Esmeralda Bay
Director
- 1988
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil
Director
Faceless
Director
- 1987
Slave of Crime
Director
Falo Crest
Director
Thong Girls
Director
Phollastía
Director
- 1986
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Director
Alone Against Terror
Director
Entre pitos anda el juego
Director
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist
Director
Lulu's Talking Ass
Director
The Last from Philippines
Director
Girl with the Red Lips
Director
- 1985
Dirty Game in Casablanca
Director
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included
Director
White Jungle Slave
Director
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Director
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Director
- 1984
The Sexual Story of O
Director
A Crack for Two
Director
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Director
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Director
How Much Does a Spy Make?
Director
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Director
Lonely Road
Director
Bahia Blanca
Director
- 1983
Macumba Sexual
Director
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Director
The House of Lost Women
Director
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist
Director
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Director
Revenge in the House of Usher
Director
The Night Of Open Sex
Director
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Director
Blood on My Shoes
Director
En busca del dragón dorado
Director
The Blues of Pop Street
Director
Claire
Director
- 1982
Mansion of the Living Dead
Director
Oasis of the Zombies
Director
Lake of the Virgins
Director
The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle
Director
- 1981
Pick-Up Girls
Director
Jailhouse Wardress
Director
Lola 2000
Director
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Director
The Girls of the Copacabana
Director
Sadomania
Director
- 1980
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie
Director
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Director
What a Honeymoon
Director
1970s
- 1979
Justine and the Whip
Director
Convoy of Girls
Director
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Director
Burning Up Inside
Director
They Do Everything
Director
- 1978
Cocktail spécial
Director
Women Without Innocence
Director
- 1977
Sexy Sisters
Director
Slaves
Director
Love Letters of a Portuguese Nun
Director
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Director
Doriana Grey
Director
- 1976
Silence of the Grave
Director
Around the World in 80 Beds
Director
Shining Sex
Director
Girls in the Night Traffic
Director
White Skin Black Thighs
Director
Downtown
Director
The Troublemakers
Director
Barbed Wire Dolls
Director
Golden Jail
Director
- 1975
Countess Perverse
Director
Rolls-Royce Baby
Director
Exorcism
Director
The Hot Nights of Linda
Director
Sexy Erotic Job
Director
A Virgin for St. Tropez
Director
Women Behind Bars
Director
Sexorcismes
Director
- 1974
Lorna, the Exorcist
Director
Celestine
Director
How to Seduce a Virgin
Director
The Greedy Ones
Director
The Lustful Amazons
Director
- 1973
Lovers of Devil's Island
Director
The Other Side of the Mirror
Director
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Director
Female Vampire
Director
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Director
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Director
The Demons
Director
Nightmares Come at Night
Director
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Director
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle
Director
- 1972
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Director
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Director
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
Director
Virgin Report
Director
- 1971
X312 - Flight to Hell
Director
The Devil Came from Akasava
Director
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Director
99 Women
Director
- 1968
A Man, Eight Girls
Director
The Blood of Fu Manchu
Director
Succubus
Director
Residence for Spies
Director
- 1967
Lucky, the Inscrutable
Director
- 1966
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Director
Attack of the Robots
Director
- 1965
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Director
- 1964
Rififi in the City
Director
- 1963
Jaguar
Director
- 1962
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Director
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Director
- 1960
Queen of the Tabarin Club
Director
1950s
- 1959
We Are 18 Years Old
Director
- 1958
Historias de Madrid
Assistant Director
- 1957
Fulano y Mengano
Assistant Director
El hombre que viajaba despacito
Assistant Director
The Tree from Spain
Director
- 1956
The Coyote's Justice
Assistant Director
- 1955
Death of a Cyclist
Assistant Director
The Coyote
Assistant Director
- 1954
Merry Christmas
Assistant Director
Comedians
Script Supervisor
No release date
Fly Story
Director
Shining Sex
Director
Wrote 164
2010s
- 2013
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Writer
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Writer
- 2012
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Writer
La cripta de las condenadas
Writer
- 2010
Paula-Paula
Screenplay, Dialogue
2000s
- 2008
A Bad Day at the Cemetery
Screenplay
- 2005
Snakewoman
Writer
Jess Franco's Passion
Writer
Jess Franco's Perversion
Writer
- 2002
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula
Story, Screenplay
- 2001
- 2000
Helter Skelter
Writer
1990s
- 1999
Vampire Blues
Screenplay
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Writer
- 1998
Lust for Frankenstein
Screenplay
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Screenplay
- 1997
Tender Flesh
Screenplay
- 1996
Vampire Killer Barbys
Writer
- 1994
- 1992
Don Quixote
Dialogue
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Screenplay
1980s
- 1989
Night of the Eagles
Screenplay
Esmeralda Bay
Writer
- 1988
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil
Writer
Faceless
Writer
- 1987
Slave of Crime
Screenplay
Falo Crest
Writer
Thong Girls
Writer, Screenplay
Phollastía
Story
- 1986
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Screenplay, Story
Alone Against Terror
Screenplay
Entre pitos anda el juego
Screenplay
The Voyeur and the Exhibitionist
Writer
Lulu's Talking Ass
Screenplay, Story
Girl with the Red Lips
Screenplay
The Last from Philippines
Story
- 1985
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included
Screenplay
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Screenplay
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Screenplay
- 1984
The Sexual Story of O
Screenplay
A Crack for Two
Screenplay
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Screenplay
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Screenplay
How Much Does a Spy Make?
Writer
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Writer
Lonely Road
Writer
Bahia Blanca
Writer, Story, Screenplay
- 1983
Macumba Sexual
Screenplay, Story
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Screenplay
The House of Lost Women
Screenplay
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Screenplay
Revenge in the House of Usher
Screenplay
The Night Of Open Sex
Novel, Adaptation
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Writer
Blood on My Shoes
Screenplay
En busca del dragón dorado
Screenplay
The Blues of Pop Street
Screenplay
- 1982
Mansion of the Living Dead
Screenplay, Novel
Oasis of the Zombies
Screenplay
Lake of the Virgins
Writer
The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle
Screenplay
- 1981
Pick-Up Girls
Screenplay
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Writer
Zombie Lake
Writer
The Girls of the Copacabana
Screenplay, Story
Sadomania
Screenplay
- 1980
Cannibal Terror
Writer
Wicked Memoirs of Eugenie
Writer
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Screenplay, Story
What a Honeymoon
Screenplay
1970s
- 1979
Justine and the Whip
Writer
Convoy of Girls
Writer
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Writer
Burning Up Inside
Writer
They Do Everything
Writer
- 1978
Women Without Innocence
Writer
- 1977
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Writer
Doriana Grey
Writer
- 1976
Silence of the Grave
Screenplay
Shining Sex
Story
White Skin Black Thighs
Screenplay
Downtown
Writer
The Troublemakers
Screenplay
Barbed Wire Dolls
Writer
- 1975
Countess Perverse
Writer
Exorcism
Screenplay
The Hot Nights of Linda
Screenplay, Story
Sexorcismes
Adaptation, Dialogue, Writer
- 1974
Lorna, the Exorcist
Writer
Celestine
Writer
The House of the Lost Dolls
Screenplay
How to Seduce a Virgin
Writer
The Greedy Ones
Screenplay
The Lustful Amazons
Screenplay
- 1973
Lovers of Devil's Island
Story, Screenplay
The Other Side of the Mirror
Screenplay
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Scenario Writer
Female Vampire
Writer
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Screenplay, Story
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Writer
The Demons
Writer
Nightmares Come at Night
Writer
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Screenplay
Tender and Perverse Emmanuelle
Writer
- 1972
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Screenplay
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Screenplay
- 1971
X312 - Flight to Hell
Screenplay
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
99 Women
Story, Screenplay
- 1968
The Blood of Fu Manchu
Story, Screenplay
Residence for Spies
Writer
- 1967
Lucky, the Inscrutable
Screenplay
- 1966
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Screenplay
Attack of the Robots
Screenplay
- 1965
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Dialogue, Screenplay
- 1964
Rififi in the City
Writer
- 1963
Jaguar
Story
- 1962
Zorro the Avenger
Story, Screenplay
The Sadistic Baron Von Klaus
Screenplay, Story
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Story, Screenplay
- 1960
Queen of the Tabarin Club
Dialogue
Ama Rosa
Writer
1950s
- 1959
We Are 18 Years Old
Writer
Llegaron los franceses
Writer
- 1957
Fulano y Mengano
Screenplay
The Tree from Spain
Screenplay
- 1956
The Mysterious Melody AKA Ce soir les souris dansent
Writer
The Coyote's Justice
Screenstory, Lyricist, Screenplay, Dialogue, Adaptation
- 1955
The Coyote
Adaptation, Dialogue, Lyricist, Screenplay
Acted in 94
2010s
- 2013
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
The Director
- 2012
La cripta de las condenadas
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Martes de Carnaval
Don Manolito · 3 episodes
- 2008
Ellos robaron la picha de Hitler
Padre del Dr. Weissman
- 2007
Angel of Death 2: The Prison Island Massacre
Pete
- 2005
- 2003
Death Karate in Torremolinos
Miyagi
Red Venice
Jess Franco
1990s
- 1999
Vampire Blues
The Merchant
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Dr. James Wong
- 1993
- 1992
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Movie
1980s
- 1989
Esmeralda Bay
Boat Captain
- 1988
Flesh-Eating Mothers
Policeman
Esa cosa con plumas
Movie
- 1986
Girl with the Red Lips
Professor Karame
- 1985
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included
Rose Hotel's recepcionist (uncredited)
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Dr. Wong
- 1984
A Crack for Two
Tom
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Bernardo
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Manolo
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Psychiatrist (uncredited)
Lonely Road
Doctor Callman
Bahia Blanca
The Miseries (uncredited)
- 1983
Macumba Sexual
Recepcionist
The Night Of Open Sex
Count
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Matón en cementerio de coches (voice) (uncredited)
En busca del dragón dorado
Blind Old Man
The Blues of Pop Street
Sam Chesterfield
Blood on My Shoes
Abductor
- 1981
Jailhouse Wardress
Uncle Jess
Sadomania
Lucas
- 1980
What a Honeymoon
Dying Man (uncredited)
1970s
- 1979
Justine and the Whip
Strange Guy
The Sadist of Notre Dame
Mathis Vogel
- 1977
Slaves
Radeck's Assistant
Greta, the Mad Butcher
Dr. Milton Arcos (as Jess Franco)
- 1976
Shining Sex
Dr. Seward
White Skin Black Thighs
Graf Anastasio
Downtown
Al Pereira
The Troublemakers
Movie
Barbed Wire Dolls
Maria's Father (uncredited)
- 1975
Exorcism
Mathis Vogel, aka Laforgue
The Hot Nights of Linda
Dr. Roberts (as Jess Franck)
Women Behind Bars
Bill
Sexorcismes
Mathis Vogel
- 1974
Lorna, the Exorcist
Doctor (uncredited)
Celestine
Sleeping Man
- 1973
The Other Side of the Mirror
Roger (uncredited)
Sinner: The Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac
Inspecteur Hernandez
Female Vampire
Dr. Roberts
The Erotic Rites of Frankenstein
Morpho
The Sinister Eyes of Dr. Orloff
Lord Comfort (uncredited)
- 1972
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Crosby / Drunk Man in Nightclub
The Corpse Packs His Bags
Gonzales
Robinson and His Tempestuous Slaves
Director
- 1971
X312 - Flight to Hell
Man at John Somers'
The Devil Came from Akasava
Tino Celli
- 1970
1960s
- 1969
Your Caresses
Movie
The Castle of Fu Manchu
Insp. Ahmet
99 Women
Official (uncredited)
- 1968
The Blood of Fu Manchu
Movie
Succubus
Writer
Residence for Spies
Casino Piano Player (uncredited)
- 1967
Lucky, the Inscrutable
Ciego / Zoltan / Guitarrista
- 1966
The Diabolical Dr. Z
Inspector Tanner
Attack of the Robots
Piano Player, Pianist (uncredited)
- 1965
Dr. Orloff's Monster
Piano Player
- 1964
Strange Voyage
Don Venancio
- 1962
The Awful Dr. Orlof
Pianist (uncredited)
1950s
- 1958
Anna Said Yes
Pianista (uncredited)
- 1956
Sound 57
2010s
- 2013
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Music
- 2012
La cripta de las condenadas
Original Music Composer
2000s
- 2005
Snakewoman
Original Music Composer
- 2002
Killer Barbys vs. Dracula
Original Music Composer
- 2001
- 2000
Helter Skelter
Original Music Composer
1990s
- 1999
Vampire Blues
Original Music Composer
Dr. Wong's Virtual Hell
Original Music Composer
- 1998
Lust for Frankenstein
Music
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Original Music Composer
- 1997
Tender Flesh
Original Music Composer
- 1992
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Original Music Composer
1980s
- 1987
Slave of Crime
Original Music Composer
- 1986
Para las nenas, leche calentita
Original Music Composer
Alone Against Terror
Original Music Composer
Entre pitos anda el juego
Original Music Composer
Lulu's Talking Ass
Original Music Composer
Girl with the Red Lips
Original Music Composer
- 1985
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included
Music
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Original Music Composer
Judoka Shadow versus Doctor Wong
Original Music Composer
White Jungle Slave
Music
- 1984
A Crack for Two
Original Music Composer
The Sinister Doctor Orloff
Music
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Music
- 1983
Macumba Sexual
Music
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Original Music Composer
Intimate Confessions of an Exhibitionist
Music
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Original Music Composer
Revenge in the House of Usher
Original Music Composer
The Night Of Open Sex
Music
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Music
Blood on My Shoes
Original Music Composer
The Blues of Pop Street
Original Music Composer
En busca del dragón dorado
Original Music Composer
- 1982
Mansion of the Living Dead
Original Music Composer
Oasis of the Zombies
Original Music Composer
Lake of the Virgins
Original Music Composer
- 1981
Pick-Up Girls
Original Music Composer
Sexual Perversions of a Married Woman
Music
Sadomania
Music
- 1980
Two Female Spies with Flowered Panties
Original Music Composer
What a Honeymoon
Original Music Composer
1970s
- 1978
- 1973
Fifteen Year Old Captain
Music
- 1972
The Vengeance of Dr. Mabuse
Original Music Composer
- 1971
- 1970
1950s
- 1959
We Are 18 Years Old
Original Music Composer
- 1958
Historias de Madrid
Music
- 1957
El hombre que viajaba despacito
Music
The Tree from Spain
Original Music Composer
- 1954
Comedians
Original Music Composer
Edited 28
2010s
- 2013
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Editor
- 2012
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Editor
La cripta de las condenadas
Editor
- 2010
Paula-Paula
Editor
1990s
- 1992
Don Quixote
Editor, Supervising Film Editor
El abuelo, la condesa y Escarlata la traviesa
Editor
1980s
- 1989
Night of the Eagles
Editor
- 1988
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil
Editor
- 1987
Slave of Crime
Editor
Thong Girls
Editor
- 1986
The Last from Philippines
Editor
- 1985
Bangkok, City of the Dead
Editor
- 1984
The Sexual Story of O
Editor
Lilian, the Perverted Virgin
Editor
- 1983
The Hotel of Love Affairs
Editor
The House of Lost Women
Editor
Black Boots, Leather Whip
Editor
En busca del dragón dorado
Editor
- 1982
Mansion of the Living Dead
Editor
Oasis of the Zombies
Editor
Lake of the Virgins
Editor
The Inconfessable Orgies of Emmanuelle
Editor
- 1981
Pick-Up Girls
Editor
Sadomania
Editor
1970s
- 1975
Women Behind Bars
Editor
- 1973
Female Vampire
Editor
Produced 22
2010s
- 2013
Al Pereira vs. the Alligator Ladies
Producer
- 2012
La cripta de las condenadas: Parte II
Producer
La cripta de las condenadas
Producer
1990s
- 1998
Lust for Frankenstein
Producer
Mari-Cookie and the Killer Tarantula
Producer
- 1997
Tender Flesh
Executive Producer
- 1994
1980s
- 1989
Esmeralda Bay
Producer
- 1988
Dark Mission: Flowers of Evil
Producer
- 1986
The Last from Philippines
Producer
- 1985
Dirty Game in Casablanca
Producer
Trip to Bangkok, Coffin Included
Producer
- 1984
The Sexual Story of O
Producer
How Much Does a Spy Make?
Producer
Bahia Blanca
Producer
- 1983
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Producer
Revenge in the House of Usher
Producer
1970s
- 1976
Silence of the Grave
Producer
1950s
- 1958
Anna Said Yes
Delegated Producer
Camera 18
2010s
- 2010
Paula-Paula
Director of Photography
1980s
- 1987
Phollastía
Director of Photography
- 1986
The Last from Philippines
Director of Photography
Girl with the Red Lips
Director of Photography
- 1984
Night Has a Thousand Desires
Director of Photography
Lonely Road
Director of Photography
- 1983
Macumba Sexual
Director of Photography
Diamonds of Kilimandjaro
Director of Photography
The Night Of Open Sex
Director of Photography
The Blues of Pop Street
Director of Photography
- 1982
Mansion of the Living Dead
Director of Photography
1970s
- 1976
White Skin Black Thighs
Director of Photography
Downtown
Director of Photography
Barbed Wire Dolls
Director of Photography
- 1975
Women Behind Bars
Director of Photography
- 1974
Celestine
Director of Photography
- 1973
Female Vampire
Director of Photography
Other crew 5
2010s
- 2010
Paula-Paula
Special Effects
1980s
- 1987
Falo Crest
Cinematography
1970s
- 1979
Justine and the Whip
Cinematography
- 1977
Doriana Grey
Cinematography
1960s
- 1965
Art department 2
1980s
- 1989
Night of the Eagles
Art Direction
- 1983
Costume and makeup 2
1980s
- 1987
¡Biba la banda!
Costumer
1970s
- 1971
Appearances23
2020s
- 2024
Exorcismo: The Transgressive Legacy of Clasificada “S”
Self - Archive footage
- 2021
2010s
- 2019
Wild Session
Self - Filmmaker (archive footage)
- 2017
Drácula Barcelona
Himself
- 2015
Soledad Miranda, Flower in the Desert
Himself (archive footage)
- 2014
Queridos monstruos
Self
Call Me Jess Redux
Himself
Clawing! A Journey Through the Spanish Horror
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2013
Revenge of the Alligator Ladies
Himself
La última película de Jess Franco
Self
The Rhythm of Jess
Self
- 2012
Tío Jess
Self
Debris Documentar
Himself
2000s
- 2009
Por la gracia de Luis
Himself
Coffins of Light
himself
- 2007
Jesús Franco, manera de vivir
Himself
- 2005
Jesús in Furs
Himself
- 2001
Journey into Perversion
Himself
- 2000
Orson Welles in the Land of Don Quixote
Self
1990s
- 1999
Eurotika!
Self · 1 episode
1970s
- 1972
Thanked in the credits1
1990s
- 1990
Mondo Weirdo
Thanks