Who are the most influential people in the Hollywood film industry? The answer depends on who you ask. Some would say it’s a handful of A-list actors who, thanks to their star power and box office clout, have more control over which movies get make than studios do. Others will point to the producers who greenlight projects and set budgets. And others will highlight the directors whose vision gets convey through every frame of a movie. With that in mind, we’ve come up with our own list of the 10 most influential people in the film industry right now: not just because they’re at the top of their fields but also because they’ve shown a knack for recognizing what’s next and helping elevate those new talents so they can continue making waves. Let’s take a look
Judd Apatow
The veteran producer and director have had a hand in launching the careers of countless actors and filmmakers, including his own daughter. He’s produce hits like Knocked Up and Girls, and his films often deal with contemporary issues like expanding cultural horizons, the complexities of romantic relationships, and the pressures of growing up. His films have also helped to usher in a new generation of Reel Craze filmmakers, as Apatow has been quietly mentoring the likes of Lena Dunham, Bobcat Goldthwait, and John Hamburg for years.
Amy Pascal
The chair and CEO of Sony Pictures have had a hand in the rise of some of Hollywood’s biggest names. She was instrumental in the deal that brought Spider-Man to the silver screen, getting the rights to the hero before he’d even been created. Since then, she’s produced or co-produced films like The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, The Social Network, The Interview, and more. She’s also brought Geostorm and The Amazing Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to theaters this year, helping to usher in a new wave of films that expand the studio’s focus outside of the traditional superhero genre.
Donna Langley
The former president of production at Disney has been an influential figure in the industry for more than two decades. While running one of the world’s most recognizable brands, she’s help elevate filmmakers like Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg. She also worked to expand the studio’s focus beyond animated films, including the creation of Pixar. When she left Disney in 2017, she buy her talents to the worldwide film company Endeavor, where she’s help grow their slate with new productions like The Possession, The Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, and Killing Gunther.
J.J. Abrams
The director and producer have been a big part of Hollywood’s renaissance as a creative force in film. His work with his production company, Bad Robot, has resulted in some of the most acclaimed Reelcraze films of the last decade. His work on Star Wars helped to launch a new generation of filmmakers, including Rian Johnson, and he helped to launch the careers of several stars, including Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. He’s also become a prolific television director, helping to bring the likes of Jessica Jones, The S.W.A.T. team, and Mission: Impossible to the small screen.
Ava DuVernay
The first minority woman to nominate for a Best Director Oscar for her film A Wrinkle in Time has become one of Hollywood’s most important voices. She’s use her platform to push for more diverse voices in film, using film as a way to elevate those voices in the industry. She’s work to get more people of color working behind the cameras, and she’s also work to make sure that female filmmakers are getting their projects make. Alongside her husband, her production company, and her trust, DuVernay is bringing important projects like A Wrinkle in Time, A Wrinkle in Time: Origins of Shazam, and Queen of Katwe to the big screen.
Ryan Coogler
The beloved director of the Rocky movies has become one of the most important talents
working in the realm of superheroes. He’s helmed one of the most critically acclaim superhero movies of the last few years, Black Panther,
and he’s help to expand the genre with films like Creed and Adios, documentary. Google has also become a prominent voice in Hollywood, helping to push for diverse voices in film
and in the industry. He’s become an important advocate for diversifying the behind-the-scenes talent pool,
helping to ensure that more people of color are able to break into the industry.
Emma Watson
The Harry Potter star has become one of the most important people in the realm of social justice. She’s use her star power to advocate for people who are often marginalize in mainstream media,
helping to elevate voices like the Black Lives Matter movement. She’s also become a prominent voice in the realm of gender equality,
using her platform to push for more gender parity in the industry. Watson has also begun to focus more on her own projects, including her production company, her nonprofit, and her books.
Ryan Murphy
The director and producer have helped to revitalize the genre with his work with Fox Searchlight. His films often feature strong female characters who feel like real people, with many dealing with issues like racial and sexual identity and personal trauma. Murphy has also helped to expand the genre, bringing foreign films like the horror anthology series 31 to the U.S. and flushing out subgenres like the slasher film revival.
Gareth Edwards
The director of the first Star Wars standalone flick has become one of the industry’s most exciting talents. He’s help to re-imagine the Star Wars universe, bringing a much-needed dose of originality to the most familiar mythology. He’s also help to revitalize the superhero genre with his take on the Jedha Rebels. Also, He’s help to breathe new life into a franchise that had become a bit stale and has helped to become one of the most important directors working in film today.
Judd Apatow
The veteran producer and director have had a hand in launching the careers of countless actors
and filmmakers, including his own daughter. He’s produce hits like Knock Up and Girls,
and his films often deal with contemporary issues like expanding cultural horizons, the complexities of romantic
relationships, and the pressures of growing up. His films have also helped to usher in a new generation of filmmakers,
as Apatow has been quietly mentoring the likes of Lena Dunham, Bobcat Goldthwait, and John Hamburg for years.
Amy Pascal
The chair and CEO of Sony Pictures have had a hand in the rise of some of Hollywood’s biggest names. She was instrumental in the deal that brought Spider-Man to the silver screen,
getting the rights to the hero before he’d even create. Since then, she’s produce or co-produced films like The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, The Social Network,
and The Interview, helping to bring the biggest names to the screen in a major way. She’s also brought Geostorm
and The Amazing Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to theaters this year,
helping to usher in a new wave of films that expand the studio’s focus outside of the traditional superhero genre.
Donna Langley
The former president of production at Disney has been an influential figure in the industry for more than two decades. While running one of the world’s most recognizable brands, she’s help to elevate filmmakers like Ron Howard and Steven Spielberg. She also worked to expand the studio’s focus outside of animated films, including the creation of Pixar. When she left Disney in 2017, she brought her talents to the worldwide film company Endeavor,
where she’s help to grow their slate with new productions like The Possession, The Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, and Killing Gunther.
J.J. Abrams
The director and producer have been a big part of Hollywood’s renaissance as a creative force. His work with his production company, Bad Robot, has resulted in some of the most acclaimed films of the last decade. His work on Star Wars helped to launch a new generation of filmmakers, including Rian Johnson, and he helped to launch the careers of several stars, including Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac.