Matthew Robbins

Matthew Robbins (born July 15, 1945, in New York City) is an American screenwriter, producer, and director whose career is closely tied to some of modern cinema’s most influential creative circles. Best known for his work as a writer, Robbins has long moved between mainstream filmmaking and behind-the-scenes storytelling about how movies get made.

Over the years, Robbins has been associated with filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro, and editor/sound designer Walter Murch, reflecting his deep roots in the New Hollywood era and its legacy. He also frequently collaborated with writer-director Hal Barwood, forming a productive partnership that helped shape several projects.

Robbins has occasionally stepped in front of the camera as well, including a small on-screen role in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (credited as Returnee #3, Flight 19). He is also a familiar face in documentary and retrospective features, appearing as himself in titles like Artifact from the Future: The Making of 'THX 1138', A Legacy of Filmmakers: The Early Years of American Zoetrope, and Jaws, a Monstrous Success.

Extending beyond Hollywood, Robbins co-wrote the screenplay for the Bollywood thriller 7 Khoon Maaf with Vishal Bhardwaj, underscoring his versatility across industries and storytelling traditions.