Joachim Rønning is a multifaceted creative force from Sandefjord, Norway, a small coastal town situated south of Oslo. Growing up in the 1980s, he spent his formative years experimenting with short films using his family's home video camera. In 1992, he embarked on a journey to Stockholm Film School in Sweden, graduating in 1994, and later served his mandatory military service in the Royal Norwegian Army, utilizing his skills to create propaganda films.
After completing his military service, Rønning began his professional directing career in 1995, collaborating with his childhood friend Espen Sandberg under the pseudonym Roenberg. Their extensive and award-winning commercial work in Scandinavia garnered major international recognition, with notable campaigns for Capital One, Labatt's, and Budweiser, including the USA Today Superbowl Viewer's Poll-winning spot "Rex". In 2007, Roenberg won the prestigious Gold Lion in Cannes for Hydro's "Train Loop".
Rønning's first Norwegian feature film, MAX MANUS, premiered in December 2008, telling the true story of the infamous saboteur and war hero. The critically acclaimed WWII drama became the highest-grossing Norwegian movie of all time.
KON-TIKI, Rønning's next cinematic endeavor, was a true story about legendary explorer Thor Heyerdahl's epic crossing of the Pacific on a balsa wood raft. The film made history in 2013 by becoming the first Norwegian film to be nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in the best foreign language category.
The critical success of KON-TIKI led to Rønning directing the latest installment in the PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN franchise, starring Johnny Depp, which debuted theatrically in 2017. He followed with his next feature, MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL, starring Angelina Jolie as the titular Disney character, which premiered in 2019. These films collectively earned 1.3 billion dollars at the global box office.
Rønning continues to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling with upcoming projects. His next feature, YOUNG WOMAN AND THE SEA, starring Daisy Ridley, brings to life Trudy Ederle's awe-inspiring swim across the English Channel. The film premiered in May 2024 to widespread critical acclaim. He is currently in production on TRON: ARES, the highly anticipated next installment in Disney's TRON franchise, starring Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jodie Turner-Smith, slated for release in 2025.
In his personal life, Rønning resides in Los Angeles and London with his wife, Amanda Hearst, and their three children.
