Chris Columbus Timeline Project 2025

By Emma K.
  • Chris Columbus is Born

    He was born in Spangler, Pennsylvania on September 10, 1958 to Irene and Alex Columbus.
  • Film-making Inspiration

    Chris Columbus’s passion for film-making began in 1972. When he was 15 years old, he saw “The Godfather,” this sparked his desire to become a film maker.
  • Chris Columbus Graduates from NYU

    Chris Columbus graduated from NYU (New York University) Film School in 1980 with his Bachelor of Arts degree.
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    Known For

    Chris Columbus is known for leading characters who are underage and develops through difficult situations. He is known for working well with children and directing them well. Additionally, he is known for brief, humorous end credit scenes.
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    Scripts for Steven Spielberg

    Columbus wrote a few scripts that did not get produced, but his fourth script “Gremlins” was picked up by Steven Spielberg. Chris was then asked to write two more scripts for Spielberg “The Goonies” and “Young Sherlock Holmes.”
  • Chris and Monica’s First Child is Born

    Chris and Monica’s first child, Eleanor Columbus, is born on October 12, 1989.
  • Home Alone

    Home Alone

    He directed “Home Alone” (1990). This movie was largely considered a failure when it was initially released. However, it was a premature consideration as it became widely popular and to this day it remains one of the most popular and iconic Christmas movies.
  • Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

    Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

    He directed the sequel to “Home Alone,” “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” which was a success. Earning $359 million across the globe in box office, making it the second highest grossing film of that year.
  • Chris and Monica’s Second Child

    Chris and Monica’s child child, Brendan Columbus, is born during the year 1992.
  • Mrs. Doubtfire

    Mrs. Doubtfire

    Chris Columbus directed “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993) a comedy which was a major box office success.
  • Monica and Chris’s Third Child is Born

    Chris and Monica’s third child, Violet, is born on February 15, 1994.
  • Chris and Monica’s Fourth Child is Born

    Chris and Monica’s fourth child, Isabella, is born in 1996.
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

    He directed the first Harry Potter movie, which was a success. He earned this role by being the last applicant and showing them a script he wrote for the movie. Showcasing his ability to take a book and transform it into movie format. It impressed them enough to choose him as the director out of the many other applicants. His daughter played Susan Bones (an extra role) in this film.
  • 9/11

    On September 11, 2001, there was a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Three planes were hijacked by terrorists who crashed their planes into important buildings. This event shifted how security at airports worked, which impacted many people, including Chris Columbus who flew internationally for projects.
  • Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

    Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

    Chris Columbus was the director of the second Harry Potter movie. Additionally, some of his children played as extras in this film. However, after this film he chose to step down from the role of director as it was a taxing role and he wanted to spend more time with his family.
  • Christmas with the Kranks

    Christmas with the Kranks

    This film was considered a box office flop. Additionally, the Stinkers Bad Movies awarded “Christmas with the Kranks” (2004) the award for worst screenwriting. Chris Columbus was the screenwriter and producer of this film.
  • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

    Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

    Despite directing the first two Harry Potter films, he chose to step down from being the director to producer for the third film. This allowed him to not need to be on set all of the time, allowing him to be with his family more.
  • Night at the Museum

    Night at the Museum

    He was the producer for “Night at the Museum,” this role allowed him to spend time with his family while still being involved in working on this film. This film was considered success.
  • Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

    Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian

    He was the producer for the “Night at the Museum” sequel, “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.”
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

    Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

    He was the director for the first Percy Jackson film. Additionally, one of his daughters played an extra (a nymph warrior) in this film.
  • The Help

    The Help

    The Black Reels Award announced the winner of “Best Film” for 2012 was “The Help.” He also received an Academy nomination for his role in this project. Chris Columbus was the producer of “The Help.”
  • Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

    Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

    He was the executive producer for “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters.” Which was considered a moderate success in the box office.
  • 2012 Winner of “Contribution to Cinematic Imagery” Award

    2012 Winner of “Contribution to Cinematic Imagery” Award

    The Harry Potter series won the “Contribution to Cinematic Imagery” award in 2012. Chris Columbus was the director for the first two Harry Potter films. In addition, he was the producer for the third film.
  • Covid

    Covid

    In 2020, there was a global pandemic which in most parts of the world caused a lockdown. This event impacted Chris Columbus as he was the director for a film that released in 2020 and was a part of several other projects that released in 2021-2023. Some of which were impacted on when they released by because of Covid. Additionally, during this year, the film industry slowed to a halt because of lockdowns.
  • Citations

    Fandago Media. Chris Columbus Movies TV shows | Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/chris_columbus
    IMDb. Chris Columbus - Biography. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001060/bio/
    Chris Columbus. NYU Tisch School of the Arts. https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv/alumni/chris-columbus.html
    Chris Columbus -Director, Producer. TV Insider. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/chris-columbus/
    Films directed by Chris Columbus. Letterboxd. https://letterboxd.com/director/chris-columbus/