Robert Houston Eggers (born July 7, 1983) is an filmmaker known for writing and directing the films The Witch (2015), The Lighthouse (2019), The Northman (2022), and Nosferatu (2024).
His films are all set before the 20th century and noted for their historical authenticity, as well as blending elements of horror, folklore, and mythology.
Robert Houston Eggers, born in New York City on July 7, 1983, does not know his biological father. He and his mother Kelly Houston moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where she met and married Walter Eggers, an English literature professor at the University of Wyoming. The couple had twin sons named Max and Sam, who also became filmmakers.
In 1990, the family relocated to Lee, New Hampshire, after Walter became a provost at the University of New Hampshire.
Eggers returned to New York to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in 2001.[1] He gained an interest in designing, directing, and theater while there, and interest in filmmaking by directing and designing short films.
His childhood in New England often inspires his work; while writing his first feature film, he frequently visited the Plimoth Patuxet in Massachusetts. He still has family in Epping, New Hampshire.
Eggers began his career as a designer and director of theatre productions in New York, primarily in experimental and street theatre, before transitioning to working in film.
He wrote and directed the horror film The Witch (2015) in his feature film directorial debut, and it premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival before A24 acquired it. It was released theatrically on February 19, 2016. Critical reception was largely positive, and the film earned over $40 million against a budget of $4 million.
The Lighthouse (2019), was also a period piece and received critical acclaim. He directed the film from a screenplay he co-wrote with his brother, Max, and it stars Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe.
In 2022, the Amleth-inspired Viking epic film The Northman was released, starring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe. Critical reception was largely positive, but the film underperformed at the box office and did not make a profit until it was released on VOD.
Nosferatu was set to be produced by Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen for Studio 8.[12] In November 2016, Eggers expressed surprise that the Nosferatu remake was going to be his second film, saying, “It feels ugly and blasphemous and egomaniacal and disgusting for a filmmaker in my place to do Nosferatu next. I was really planning on waiting a while, but that’s how fate shook out.” Eggers had previously directed his high school’s performance of the Nosferatu play, and was hired to direct a professional version of the play due to his work. Eggers credited this as the event that inspired him to pursue a career in filmmaking.[13] Eggers eventually opted to delay his version of the film, going on to direct The Lighthouse and The Northman first. The Witch star Anya Taylor-Joy was attached to the cast alongside Harry Styles, but both dropped out in 2022.[1][14] In September 2022, it was reported that the film would star Bill Skarsgård in the title role alongside Lily-Rose Depp.[15] Nosferatu became his fourth film.[1]
In January 2025, it was reported Eggers would direct Werwulf, a werewolf horror film set in 13th-century England. The film’s American release is currently set for Christmas Day 2026. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was confirmed to star in Werwulf in July 2025, with Lily Rose-Depp and Willem Dafoe in talks.
Eggers was developing a miniseries based on the life of Grigori Rasputin. However, he stated in 2024 that development has stalled as he would be unable to film in Russia. He has also developed a medieval film called The Knight, which has yet to be produced.
In June 2025, it was reported Eggers was writing and directing a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol for Warner Bros., with Willem Dafoe to play Ebenezer Scrooge
It was also reported that he will write and direct a sequel to the 1986 film Labyrinth.
Additionally, Eggers started writing an “Elizabethan” script and expressed interest in making a Western
One of the major traits of films is his strict attention to detail. All of his films are period dramas, and have been noted for their historical accuracy, and their use of specific language and period-appropriate dialogue.
Eggers stated that he is not interested in making films set in the contemporary era, claiming that photographing modern technology disgusts him. When asked what is the latest era he is willing to film, he answered that he will go as far as the 1950s.
Eggers is married to clinical psychologist Alexandra Shaker, whom he has known since childhood. They have a son together. They lived in Brooklyn from 2001 to 2023, when they relocated to London.
Filmography
Year Title Director Writer Producer
2015 The Witch Yes Yes No
2019 The Lighthouse Yes Yes Yes
2022 The Northman Yes Yes Yes
2024 Nosferatu Yes Yes Yes
2026 Werwulf Yes Yes Yes
Short films
Year Title Director Writer Notes Ref.
2007 Hansel and Gretel Yes Yes Also production designer
2008 The Tell-Tale Heart Yes Yes
2015 Brothers Yes Yes
Costume designer
Year Title Notes
2009 Drawing from Life Short film
2010 Prelude and Fugue
Confessional Stories: Voluntary Damnation
Confessional Stories: First Confession
Monster
YellowBrickRoad Feature
2011 The Tailor Short film
The Five Stages of Grief
Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film! Documentary
In the Pines Short film
2012 Anemone
Legacy
Esther
2013 The House at the Edge of the Galaxy
Vivace!
Spirit Cabinet Feature film
2014 Rose Short film
Reception: Critical and Commercial
Year Film RT Budget Box office
2015 The Witch, 91% (337 reviews); $4 million, $40.4 million
2019 The Lighthouse, 90% (396 reviews) $11 million; $18.3 million
2022 The Northman, 90% (382 reviews) $70–90 million; $69.4 million
2024: Nosferatu, 85% (372 reviews), $50 million; $181.2 million
