Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

Metropolis

Released Mar 13, 1927 2h 3m Sci-Fi Drama TRAILER for List
97% Tomatometer 138 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
This influential German science-fiction film presents a highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. When the privileged youth Freder (Gustav Fröhlich) discovers the grim scene under the city, he becomes intent on helping the workers. He befriends the rebellious teacher Maria (Brigitte Helm), but this puts him at odds with his authoritative father, leading to greater conflict.
Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Metropolis

Metropolis

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A visually awe-inspiring science fiction classic from the silent era.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (138) Critics Reviews
Times (UK) Staff Times (UK) The film has, in consequence, a remarkable pictorial power, and, in spite of its occasional solemnities, is one which will well repay study by those who are interested in the development of a separate cinematographic technique. Jul 8, 2020 Full Review H.G. Wells New York Times It gives in one eddying concentration almost every possible foolishness, cliché, platitude, and muddlement about mechanical progress and progress in general, served up with a sauce of sentimentality that is all its own. Mar 31, 2020 Full Review SMH Staff Sydney Morning Herald Often enough it is exciting in a broad, elemental way, just as an earthquake or a loud clap of thunder would be exciting; but when individual characters come on to the screen they rouse little Interest for their own sakes. Apr 2, 2019 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Lang’s visionary visual creation remains impressive a century later, from the densely imagined cityscape to the massive sets that dwarf the actors and the swarms of extras, and its socio-political themes are just as soft-headed and simplistic. Oct 5, 2023 Full Review Brian Susbielles InSession Film With its memorable sets and special effects courtesy of Eugen Schüfftan, the film remains a landmark of global cinema nearly 100 years later. Mar 6, 2023 Full Review David Bromwich The Nation The movie is a period piece, with roots in dystopian novels like H.G. Wells's When the Sleeper Wakes and The Time Machine; yet the stark and garish black-and-white staging here engenders an emotion oddly stronger than words. Oct 7, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews
Mix R This movie shows that you can write a simple story and still make it riveting. Watching it felt like time travel and I must say, this movie aged really well! Even the special effects! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/29/24 Full Review M'lagroOG D It can drag a bit, butttt this is a movie you really do wanna see. Super innovative to the sci-fi genre and has a pretty unique world, even by todays standards. Sets are massively impressive for the time, especially with the flooding scene and the machine man costume. Definitely watch this if you're studying film Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/02/24 Full Review Alejandro E Igual que Tiempos Modernos, de Charles Chaplin, puso sobre la mesa los riesgos del totalitarismo y la mecanización. Una de las indispensables del cine mudo. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/09/24 Full Review Alex L A masterpiece still relevant to this day Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/14/24 Full Review 雅苏 典 反派有的演得够邪,音乐也挺贴,立意和情节倒谈不上绝,只能说看着不无聊倒是 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/14/24 Full Review Joe E One of the most visually stunning movies ever made! The storyline and plot are average, but the characters and sets are fabulously memorable. Everyone should see this film at least once in their lives (just like the Grand Canyon, the Great Barrier Reef, the Eiffel Tower, and the other great wonders)! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Metropolis

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Make Way for Tomorrow 100% 93% Make Way for Tomorrow The Racket 100% 68% The Racket Applause 80% 75% Applause Wings 94% 79% Wings Skippy 86% 55% Skippy Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis This influential German science-fiction film presents a highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by mistreated workers. When the privileged youth Freder (Gustav Fröhlich) discovers the grim scene under the city, he becomes intent on helping the workers. He befriends the rebellious teacher Maria (Brigitte Helm), but this puts him at odds with his authoritative father, leading to greater conflict.
Director
Fritz Lang
Producer
Erich Pommer
Screenwriter
Fritz Lang, Thea von Harbou, Thea von Harbou
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount
Genre
Sci-Fi, Drama
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 13, 1927, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 14, 2011
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 21, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.2M
Runtime
2h 3m
Sound Mix
Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now