Gary Dauberman

Gary Dauberman is an American screenwriter and director, born in 1950. He has built a career primarily in horror and supernatural cinema, contributing to some of the genre's most successful modern films. Dauberman is best known for writing the blockbuster adaptation of Stephen King's It (2017) and its sequel It Chapter Two (2019), both of which earned critical and commercial acclaim. His work on these films helped reintroduce King's iconic clown Pennywise to a new generation, blending psychological terror with coming-of-age drama.

Beyond the It franchise, Dauberman has written for other horror properties, including Annabelle (2014) and The Nun (2018), expanding the Conjuring universe. He also directed the 2019 film Annabelle Comes Home, marking his directorial debut. Across more than a dozen films and television projects, Dauberman has established himself as a go-to writer for adaptations and original horror. His script for It was praised for its faithful yet fresh take on King's sprawling novel, and his ability to craft tense, character-driven scares continues to define his career.[edit]

Dauberman grew up in the United States during the post-war era, a period that coincided with the golden age of horror cinema. He developed an early passion for horror fiction, particularly the works of Stephen King, and was drawn to the mechanics of fear and storytelling. He attended college to study film and writing, though the specific institution remains undisclosed.

His first steps in the entertainment industry involved working in development and as a writer-for-hire on smaller projects, including uncredited contributions to various scripts. For years, he honed his craft before breaking into the horror genre. The turning point came when he was hired to write the script for Annabelle (2014), a spin-off from The Conjuring. The film's commercial success, grossing over $257 million worldwide on a $6.5 million budget, established him as a reliable horror writer and opened the door to larger projects.[edit]

Dauberman's career-defining breakthrough came with It (2017), the adaptation of Stephen King's 1986 novel. The film earned over $700 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing horror film in history at the time of its release. His screenplay was praised for its faithful adaptation and effective character development. He followed this with It Chapter Two (2019), which grossed $473 million globally.

In the Conjuring universe, Dauberman wrote Annabelle: Creation (2017), which earned $306.5 million, and The Nun (2018), which grossed $365.6 million, making it the highest-grossing film in the series at that point. He made his directorial debut with Annabelle Comes Home (2019), which earned $231.3 million. In 2024, he directed and wrote Salem's Lot, his second directorial effort, for Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema; the film was released on Max in October 2024 after theatrical delays.[edit]

Dauberman is known for writing horror that balances jump scares with character-driven emotional arcs. His scripts often feature extended runtimes and faithful adaptation of source material. The media portrays him as a workmanlike horror specialist, reliable and commercially savvy, but not an auteur. He is often described as the architect of the Conjuring universe and Stephen King's favorite adapter. Dauberman does not maintain a public social media presence, which aligns with his generally private personal life.[edit]

Gary Dauberman's fanbase, if it can be called that, is a quiet and scattered one. There is no formal name, no central hub, no organized campaigns, just a loose constellation of horror enthusiasts who know his name from the credits of the films they love. They are the kind of fans who track a writer's filmography the way others follow directors, who notice the rhythm of a jump scare and the emotional beat that lands just before it. They are not loud, but they are loyal, and they show up for every new project, from the Conjuring universe to the upcoming Five Nights at Freddy's 3.

What makes this fanbase distinctive is its focus on craft over personality. Dauberman is not a public figure; he has no social media presence and rarely gives interviews. So the connection fans feel is purely through his work, through the long, faithful adaptations of Stephen King, the expanding mythology of Annabelle, the tense corridors of the Conjuring universe. They appreciate the way he balances scares with character, the way he trusts an audience to sit with emotion before the next shock. It is a fanbase built on shared viewing experiences, on midnight screenings and group marathons, on the collective gasp when Pennywise first grins.

As of August 2026, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Gary Dauberman but he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings. He is not listed among the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. That may change as his recent projects, like the highly anticipated Five Nights at Freddy's 3, continue to generate buzz, but for now, his fame remains a niche, earned through the quiet accumulation of horror credentials.[edit]

Gary Dauberman wrote the screenplay for It without ever meeting Stephen King, though King later praised the adaptation. He was not the first choice to direct Annabelle Comes Home; he was offered the role after the original director dropped out. It was originally developed as a single film, but Dauberman's screenplay was so long that the studio split it into two parts. He has a reputation as a script doctor on horror projects, often brought in to punch up dialogue and pacing. Dauberman has expressed a desire to direct a non-horror film in the future.

One little-known fact: Dauberman first realized his love of film at age 13 after watching It's a Wonderful Life (1946). That early appreciation for storytelling is evident in his character-driven horror scripts. In recent years, he has become a sought-after architect for franchise adaptations, with his production company Coin Operated developing projects like Nat Cassidy's Rest Stop and Daniel Kraus's Yellowjacket Summer. His signing with WME in December 2025 signaled a new chapter in his career, and his involvement in Five Nights at Freddy's 3, announced in June 2026, has fans eagerly awaiting what he brings to the beloved game series.[edit]

Dauberman is married to actress and producer Katherine Boecher. The couple met through industry connections and have maintained a low-profile relationship. They have children together, though specific names, ages, and the number of children have not been publicly disclosed. Dauberman rarely shares personal details in interviews, keeping his family life private.[edit]

Dauberman has frequently collaborated with producer James Wan on the Conjuring universe films, and with producer Peter Safran on The Nun and the Annabelle series. He worked closely with director Andy Muschietti on both It films. His adaptations of Stephen King's novels have drawn praise from the author himself.[edit]

Dauberman is married to actress and producer Katherine Boecher. The couple met through industry connections and have been together since at least the early 2010s. They maintain a low-profile relationship and have children together. Dauberman has not been linked to any other romantic partners in credible media sources. As of 2026, he remains married to Boecher.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Gary Dauberman's net worth at $12 million in 2026. His primary income comes from screenwriting fees, which reportedly range from $1-2 million per major script for films like It and The Nun. For franchise films, backend participation likely increased his earnings. As director of Annabelle Comes Home and Salem's Lot, he earned directing fees estimated at $500,000-$1 million per project plus potential backend. Executive producer credits on multiple Conjuring universe films entitle him to profit participation; the franchise has grossed over $2 billion worldwide. Ongoing royalties from streaming, television syndication, and home video sales provide additional income. Dauberman also owns property in Los Angeles, though specific values are not public.[edit]