Downfall (2004)
Kernel Score: 87% · 4,214 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History, War
Released: 2004-09-16
Runtime: 155 minutes
Is Downfall worth watching?
Must-watch. The last days of Hitler's Berlin bunker, seen mostly through the people around him. It's tense, claustrophobic and carefully restrained, and the lead performance is chilling because it's so human.
Watch it if you
- want serious history done well
- can handle a long, heavy film
- like claustrophobic dramas
Skip it if you
- want light viewing
- dislike subtitles
Best for: Serious history night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Downfall
- Stream: Prime Video
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.
Downfall parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that Downfall is an R-rated war drama depicting the final days of Hitler and Nazi Germany's collapse, including suicide and wartime death.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — The film depicts the violent collapse of the Third Reich, including suicide and wartime death in a bunker setting.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Downfall
If you liked Downfall, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Conspiracy (2001) — 82%: Tense drama of Nazi officials planning the Holocaust.
- Judgment at Nuremberg (1961) — 87%: Moral weight and a trial of Nazi judges.
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%: The definitive Holocaust drama.
- Das Boot (1981) — 89%: Claustrophobic German war drama.
- All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) — 87%: Gruelling war drama from the German side.
- The Imitation Game (2014) — 89%: Tense wartime drama.
Director
Oliver Hirschbiegel
Cast
- Bruno Ganz as Adolf Hitler
- Alexandra Maria Lara as Traudl Junge
- Corinna Harfouch as Magda Goebbels
- Ulrich Matthes as Joseph Goebbels
- Juliane Köhler as Eva Braun
- Heino Ferch as Albert Speer
- Christian Berkel as Prof. Dr. Ernst-Günter Schenck
- Thomas Kretschmann as SS-Gruppenführer Hermann Fegelein
- Ulrich Noethen as Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler
- Birgit Minichmayr as Gerda Christian
Downfall FAQ
Is Downfall worth watching?
Must-watch. The last days of Hitler's Berlin bunker, seen mostly through the people around him. It's tense, claustrophobic and carefully restrained, and the lead performance is chilling because it's so human.
Where can I watch Downfall?
In the US you can stream Downfall on Prime Video, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Fawesome, Pluto TV and Shout! Factory TV and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is Downfall OK for kids?
Downfall is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that Downfall is an R-rated war drama depicting the final days of Hitler and Nazi Germany's collapse, including suicide and wartime death.
What movies are like Downfall?
If you liked Downfall, try Conspiracy, Judgment at Nuremberg, Schindler's List and Das Boot.