M
M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder
“Who is the murderer?”
Synopsis
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.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2014-08-19
Top Cast
Explore Star Directory →
Peter Lorre
Hans Beckert
Ellen Widmann
Frau Beckmann
Inge Landgut
Elsie Beckmann
Otto Wernicke
Inspector Karl Lohmann
Theodor Loos
Inspector Groeber
Gustaf Gründgens
Schränker
Friedrich Gnaß
Franz
Fritz Odemar
The Cheater
Paul Kemp
Pickpocket with Six Watches
Theo Lingen
Bauernfänger
Rudolf Blümner
Becker's 'Attorney'
Georg John
Blind Panhandler
Franz Stein
Minister
Ernst Stahl-Nachbaur
Police Chief
Gerhard Bienert
Criminal Secretary
Karl Platen
Damowitz
Rosa Valetti
Bartender
Hertha von Walther
Prostitute
Release History & Theatrical Window
Vienna International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
March 15, 2013
Wide Cinema Exhibition
May 11, 2010
Physical Home Media
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$35K
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Fritz Lang
- Screenplay & Story
- Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
- Original Title
- M - Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder
- Country of Origin
- Germany
- Spoken Languages
- German
- Runtime
- 1h 50m
- Worldwide Gross
- $35K
- Production Studios
- Nero-Film AG
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Fritz Lang
Thea von Harbou, Fritz Lang
Fritz Arno Wagner
Paul Falkenberg
Seymour Nebenzal
Department Leadership Roster
Fritz Lang
Director
Thea von Harbou
Screenplay
Paul Falkenberg
Editor
Fritz Arno Wagner
Director of Photography
Fritz Lang
Screenplay
Seymour Nebenzal
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for M.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring M.
Movie Collection
Movies Watchlist
Slashers & Psychopaths
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (All editions 2003-2024). A cumulative list including films subsequently removed in later editions. Totaling 1,260 films as of Nov 2024. 《1001部死前必看的电影》（2003-2024 全版本累积版）： 包含自2003年首版至2024年11月德语版修订的所有影片。即使在后期版本中被剔除的电影也予以保留。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#019] Lovers Rock (2020) • [#418] Dekalog (1989) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:40:36 UTC+8)*
Roger Ebert's Great Movies
Every film from Roger Ebert's 'Great Movies' essays. 罗杰·伊伯特的伟大电影： 收录了已故美国著名国民级影评人罗杰·伊伯特（Roger Ebert）在其经典的《伟大电影》（Great Movies）系列专栏文章中推荐、评论过的所有影史经典佳作。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#092] Dekalog (1989) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:39:08 UTC+8)*
S&S Critics - Greatest Films
Sight and Sound Greatest Films of All Time 2022 (Critics' Poll). Every decade the Sight and Sound team asks critics to name the greatest films of all time. Here are the results of the 2022 poll – the largest ever, with 1,639 critics, programmers, curators, archivists and academics each submitting their top ten ballot - and now updated with the complete list. 《视与听》2022年影评人评选影史百大电影（含并列完整版）： 由 1639 位影评人、策展人及学者共同票选的影史最伟大电影。 *注：榜单源数据中包含部分剧集/迷你剧，由于本片单只收录纯电影，故不再收录以下非电影条目：* • [#152] Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) • [#171] Out 1 (1971) *(Updated via Automated ETL Pipeline: 2026-10-18 07:37:09 UTC+8)*
Similar Titles to M
Movies sharing stylistic DNA, tone, and thematic storytelling
8.0
6.7
7.4
6.6
6.7
6.3
5.9
6.8
6.6
6.7
5.5
10.0
5.9
4.3
7.4
7.0
7.4
7.1
8.7
More Like M
Recommended titles matching themes, cast, and genres.
Frequently Asked Questions About M
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is M about?
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.
Who directed M?
M was directed by Fritz Lang.
Who stars in M?
The principal cast of M includes Peter Lorre, Ellen Widmann, Inge Landgut, Otto Wernicke, Theodor Loos.
When was M released and how long is it?
M was released in 1931 with a total runtime of 1h 50m.
How much did M make at the box office?
M grossed $35K in worldwide ticket sales.
What is the age rating and content advisory for M?
M holds official age classifications: AU: PG (Parental Guidance — Recommended for mature viewers.); DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); FR: TP; GB: PG (Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.).