David Lynch, the visionary filmmaker renowned for works like Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, Eraserhead and Blue Velvet, has died. He was 78.
In 2024, Lynch disclosed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema, a condition linked to his lifelong smoking habit. His family announced his passing in a heartfelt Facebook post on Jan. 16: “There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole.’”
Once called the “first populist surrealist” by New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael, Lynch was one of cinema’s most unique auteurs, leaving an indelible mark on both film and television. With a career spanning nearly five decades, his signature style — eerie, dreamlike and layered with mysteries — pushed the boundaries of surreal storytelling and created a genre all its own, often referred to as “Lynchian.”
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Born in Missoula, Mont., in 1946, Lynch pursued painting before transitioning to filmmaking in the 1970s. His feature debut, Eraserhead (1977), became a cult phenomenon and catapulted him to the forefront of the independent film scene. He followed this with The Elephant Man (1980), which received eight Academy Award nominations, including Lynch’s first for Best Director, and solidified his reputation in Hollywood.
Lynch’s early success ultimately paved the way for him to direct such classics as Dune (1984), Blue Velvet (1986), Mulholland Drive (2001), Inland Empire (2006) and many more.
Lynch and actress Naomi Watts on the set of Mulholland Drivecirca 2001. (Everett Collection)
In 1990 Lynch changed the landscape of television with Twin Peaksa series that combined murder mystery with surrealist horror and quirky humor. The show spawned a cult following that persisted through the prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992) and the 2017 revival series Twin Peaks: The Return.
Throughout his career, Lynch earned four Academy Award nominations for his work as a director and screenwriter, and he received an honorary Oscar in 2020 for his contributions to cinema. Beyond filmmaking, Lynch’s creative genius extended to music, painting and philanthropy, including his promotion of transcendental meditation through the David Lynch Foundation.
His life and career inspired the documentary David Lynch: The Art Life. At the age of 76, he made a small but memorable cameo in Steven Spielberg’s 2022 film The Fabelmans — his main request for the role being a simple bag of Cheetos for portraying filmmaker John Ford.
Lynch’s films remain timeless and continue to captivate audiences. Here’s a guide to some of his most beloved projects and where you can stream them.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Naomi Watts and Laura Harring in a scene from Mulholland Drive. (Universal/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
Lynch’s haunting neo-noir explores the underbelly of Hollywood through the fragmented journey of an aspiring actress (Naomi Watts) and an amnesiac (Laura Harring). Often cited as a masterpiece, the film weaves a hypnotic tale of identity, obsession and broken dreams. It was also the last film performance of Ann Miller, who played Coco, the eccentric and kindhearted landlady.
Where to watch: Streaming on the Criterion Channel. Also available to rent or purchase on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play.
Eraserhead (1977)
Jack Nance in Eraserhead. (Everett Collection)
Lynch’s feature debut is a surrealist nightmare about Henry Spencer (Jack Nance), a man grappling with his anxieties over fatherhood after the birth of his deformed child. Shot in haunting black and white, Eraserhead remains a midnight movie staple.
Where to watch: Streaming on Max, Hulu and the Criterion Channel. Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
Blue Velvet (1986)
Kyle MacLachlan and Isabella Rossellini in Blue Velvet. (De Laurentis Group/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
In small-town America, college student Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) uncovers a disturbing world of violence after finding a severed ear in a field. With performances by Isabella Rossellini and Dennis Hopper, Blue Velvet remains a landmark of American cinema.
Where to watch: Available to stream on Max and Hulu. Rent or buy on Apple TV, Plex and Fandango at Home.
The Elephant Man (1980)
John Hurt (center) in The Elephant Man. (Paramount/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
This poignant drama, based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (renamed John in the film), stars John Hurt as a disfigured man navigating life in Victorian England with the help of a compassionate doctor (Anthony Hopkins). It was nominated for eight Academy Awards.
Where to watch: Streaming on Kanopy.
Dune (1984)
Kyle MacLachlan and Sean Young in Dune (1984). (Universal/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
Lynch’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic may have been a commercial failure upon release, but it’s since gained a cult following. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, the film chronicles a power struggle over the desert planet Arrakis and its valuable spice.
Where to watch: Streaming on Max and Hulu. Available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home.
Twin Peaks franchise (1990-1992, 2017)
Michael Ontkean, left, and Kyle MacLachlan in a scene from Twin Peaks. (ABC/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
From the original 1990 series to the feature-length prequel Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992) and the 2017 revival Twin Peaks: The ReturnLynch’s Twin Peaks is a mix of melodrama, horror and surrealism. FBI agent Dale Cooper’s (Kyle MacLachlan) investigation of Laura Palmer’s murder became a cultural phenomenon.
Where to watch: The original series and The Return are streaming on Paramount+ and Hulu. Fire Walk With Me is streaming on Max, Hulu and the Criterion Channel.
Lost Highway (1997)
Patricia Arquette and Balthazar Getty in Lost Highway. (October Films/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
This mind-bending thriller stars Bill Pullman and Patricia Arquette in a tale of identity and paranoia that shifts between two seemingly disconnected stories.
Where to watch: Streaming on the Criterion Channel. Available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
The Straight Story (1999)
Richard Farnsworth in a scene from The Straight Story. (Buena Vista Pictures Distribution/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
A departure from Lynch’s typical style, the drama tells the true story of Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth), an elderly man who travels more than 200 miles on a riding lawnmower to reconcile with his ailing brother.
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney+ and the Criterion Channel. Available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home.
Inland Empire (2006)
Laura Dern, left foreground, stars in Inland Empire. (Studio Canal/Courtesy of Everett Collection)
One of Lynch’s most experimental films, shot entirely on digital video, Inland Empire follows an actress, played by Laura Dern, who spirals into psychological chaos as she takes on a demanding role.
Where to watch: Streaming on Max, Hulu and the Criterion Channel. Rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.
