The Tin Drum (1979)
Kernel Score: 75% · 520 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Drama, History, War
Released: 1979-05-02
Runtime: 162 minutes
Where to watch The Tin Drum
- Stream: HBO Max
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
In 1924, Oskar Matzerath is born in the Free City of Danzig. At age three, he falls down a flight of stairs and stops growing. In 1939, World War II breaks out.
The Tin Drum parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that The Tin Drum is an R-rated historical drama set during WWII Germany with disturbing and explicit adult content.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Set against the backdrop of Nazi Germany and WWII, including suicide and disturbing wartime imagery.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Strong — Rated R with content including adultery and controversial sexualized material involving a character whose growth has stopped, drawing significant historical controversy.
- Drinking, drugs & smoking: Some — Includes scenes of toxication as part of the story's darker, satirical elements.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like The Tin Drum
If you liked The Tin Drum, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Schindler's List (1993) — 97%
- The Captain (2018) — 79%
- Inglourious Basterds (2009) — 89%
- Conspiracy (2001) — 82%
- Where Hands Touch (2018) — 89%
- All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) — 87%
- Europa Europa (1990) — 80%
- Nuremberg (2025) — 83%
Director
Cast
- Mario Adorf as Alfred Matzerath
- Angela Winkler as Agnes Matzerath
- David Bennent as Oskar Matzerath
- Katharina Thalbach as Maria Matzerath
- Daniel Olbrychski as Jan Bronski
- Tina Engel as Young Anna Koljaiczek
- Berta Drews as Anna Koljaiczek
- Roland Teubner as Joseph Koljaiczek
- Tadeusz Kunikowski as Uncle Vinzenz
- Andréa Ferréol as Lina Greff
The Tin Drum FAQ
Is The Tin Drum good?
The Tin Drum has a 75% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 520 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Tin Drum?
In the US you can stream The Tin Drum on HBO Max and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is The Tin Drum OK for kids?
The Tin Drum is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that The Tin Drum is an R-rated historical drama set during WWII Germany with disturbing and explicit adult content.
What movies are like The Tin Drum?
If you liked The Tin Drum, try Schindler's List, The Captain, Inglourious Basterds and Conspiracy.