M (1931)
Kernel Score: 90% · 2,421 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Thriller, Crime
Released: 1931-05-11
Runtime: 110 minutes
Is M worth watching?
Must-watch. A city hunts a child killer, and the police and the underworld both want him caught. Fritz Lang's 1931 thriller is tense and surprisingly modern, and Peter Lorre is unforgettable. Viewers rate it very highly.
Watch it if you
- like classic crime thrillers
- enjoy early cinema at its best
- want a manhunt story with a moral edge
Skip it if you
- dislike old black-and-white films
- find stories about harm to children too disturbing
Best for: Classic film night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch M
- Stream: The Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Fawesome, Plex, Mometu
- Rent: Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In this classic German thriller, Hans Beckert, a serial killer who preys on children, becomes the focus of a massive Berlin police manhunt. Beckert's heinous crimes are so repellant and disruptive to city life that he is even targeted by others in the seedy underworld network. With both cops and criminals in pursuit, the murderer soon realizes that people are on his trail, sending him into a tense, panicked attempt to escape justice.
M parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that M is a classic 1931 crime thriller about the manhunt for a child murderer, with disturbing themes though little graphic violence shown.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Centers on a serial killer who preys on children; disturbing themes are implied rather than graphically shown, per classic-era style.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like M
If you liked M, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) — 85%: Fritz Lang's follow-up crime thriller about a sinister mastermind.
- Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler (1922) — 85%: Fritz Lang's earlier crime epic with a criminal mastermind.
- Metropolis (1927) — 90%: Fritz Lang's visually astonishing silent classic.
- The Night of the Hunter (1955) — 89%: Shadowy classic about a menacing killer and children.
- Memories of Murder (2003) — 89%: Slow, realistic hunt for a serial killer.
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) — 89%: Tense hunt for a killer with a chilling villain.
Director
Cast
- Peter Lorre as Hans Beckert
- Ellen Widmann as Frau Beckmann
- Inge Landgut as Elsie Beckmann
- Otto Wernicke as Inspector Karl Lohmann
- Theodor Loos as Inspector Groeber
- Gustaf Gründgens as Schränker
- Friedrich Gnaß as Franz
- Fritz Odemar as The Cheater
- Paul Kemp as Pickpocket with Six Watches
- Theo Lingen as Bauernfänger
M FAQ
Is M worth watching?
Must-watch. A city hunts a child killer, and the police and the underworld both want him caught. Fritz Lang's 1931 thriller is tense and surprisingly modern, and Peter Lorre is unforgettable. Viewers rate it very highly.
Where can I watch M?
In the US you can stream M on The Criterion Channel and HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Fawesome, Plex and Mometu and rent it from Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is M OK for kids?
M is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that M is a classic 1931 crime thriller about the manhunt for a child murderer, with disturbing themes though little graphic violence shown.
What movies are like M?
If you liked M, try The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler, Metropolis and The Night of the Hunter.