Richard W. Haines is an American independent filmmaker and film historian. He graduated from New York University's film school in 1979. Haines directed cult films such as Splatter University (1984) and Alien Space Avenger (1989). He also worked as an editor on The Toxic Avenger (1984) and Class of Nuke 'Em High (1986). As a film historian, Haines authored Technicolor Movies (1993) and The Moviegoing Experience, 1968-2001 (2003), exploring the evolution of film technology and audience experiences.