The Book Thief (2013)
Kernel Score: 85% · 4,480 ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama
Released: 2013-11-08
Runtime: 131 minutes
Is The Book Thief worth watching?
Worth watching. A young girl in wartime Germany finds comfort in stolen books while her foster family hides a Jewish man. It's a polished, humane story seen through a child's eyes, though it's gentler than the history it depicts.
Watch it if you
- want a wartime drama told through a child's eyes
- like stories about the power of books
- enjoy earnest, tear-jerking dramas
Skip it if you
- want an unflinching look at the war
- dislike sentimental storytelling
Best for: Quiet evening in
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch The Book Thief
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
While subjected to the horrors of WWII Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. Under the stairs in her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.
The Book Thief parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Book Thief is a PG-13 WWII drama depicting the horrors faced by a girl and a hidden Jewish refugee under Nazi Germany.
- Violence & scariness: Some — Depicts wartime hardship and the dangers of Nazi Germany, rated PG-13, though not graphically violent.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Book Thief
If you liked The Book Thief, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Jojo Rabbit (2019) — 88%: Another child's-eye view of Nazi Germany, funnier and sharper.
- The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008) — 87%: Another child caught up in the war, with a devastating turn.
- Empire of the Sun (1987) — 85%: A boy's wartime coming-of-age told with scale and feeling.
- Au Revoir les Enfants (1987) — 87%: Quiet, moving story of friendship among children in wartime.
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%: The definitive Holocaust drama, much harder hitting.
- The Zookeeper's Wife (2017) — 83%: True-life story of ordinary people hiding the persecuted.
Director
Brian Percival
Cast
- Geoffrey Rush as Hans Hubermann
- Sophie Nélisse as Liesel Meminger
- Emily Watson as Rosa Hubermann
- Nico Liersch as Rudy Steiner
- Ben Schnetzer as Max Vandenburg
- Heike Makatsch as Liesel's mother
- Barbara Auer as Ilsa Hermann
- Roger Allam as Narrator / Death (voice)
- Rainer Bock as Mayor Hermann
- Gotthard Lange as Grave Digger
The Book Thief FAQ
Is The Book Thief worth watching?
Worth watching. A young girl in wartime Germany finds comfort in stolen books while her foster family hides a Jewish man. It's a polished, humane story seen through a child's eyes, though it's gentler than the history it depicts.
Where can I watch The Book Thief?
In the US you can rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is The Book Thief OK for kids?
The Book Thief is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Book Thief is a PG-13 WWII drama depicting the horrors faced by a girl and a hidden Jewish refugee under Nazi Germany.
What movies are like The Book Thief?
If you liked The Book Thief, try Jojo Rabbit, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Empire of the Sun and Au Revoir les Enfants.