The City of Lost Children (1995)
Kernel Score: 80% · 1,188 TMDB ratings · Rated R
Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Adventure
Released: 1995-05-17
Runtime: 112 minutes
Where to watch The City of Lost Children
- Free with ads: The Roku Channel
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-11-12.
Overview
A scientist in a surrealist society kidnaps children to steal their dreams, hoping that they slow his aging process.
The City of Lost Children parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The City of Lost Children is a dark surrealist fantasy (rated R) centered on a scientist kidnapping children to steal their dreams.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — A villain kidnaps and menaces children, and the film has a disturbing, nightmarish tone throughout.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The City of Lost Children
If you liked The City of Lost Children, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Total Recall (1990) — 83%
- Serenity (2005) — 84%
- Big Trouble in Little China (1986) — 80%
- Petite Maman (2021) — 77%
- Wild Strawberries (1957) — 88%
- Avanti! (1972) — 77%
- Summer 1993 (2017) — 76%
- Coraline (2009) — 90%
Director
Cast
- Ron Perlman as One
- Dominique Pinon as The Diver / The Clones
- Judith Vittet as Miette
- Daniel Emilfork as Krank
- Jean-Claude Dreyfus as Marcello
- Geneviève Brunet as The Octopus
- Odile Mallet as The Octopus
- Mireille Mossé as Miss Bismuth
- Serge Merlin as Gabriel Marie
- Rufus as Peeler
The City of Lost Children FAQ
Is The City of Lost Children good?
The City of Lost Children has an 80% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels, our own critic-informed editorial score.
Where can I watch The City of Lost Children?
In the US you can watch it free with ads on The Roku Channel and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is The City of Lost Children OK for kids?
The City of Lost Children is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The City of Lost Children is a dark surrealist fantasy (rated R) centered on a scientist kidnapping children to steal their dreams.
What movies are like The City of Lost Children?
If you liked The City of Lost Children, try Total Recall, Serenity, Big Trouble in Little China and Petite Maman.