Metropolis
In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
Directed by Fritz Lang · Drama · Sci-Fi · 153 min · 1927
Trailer
Director
Fritz Lang
Studio
UFA
Release
13 Mar 1927
Runtime
153 min
Genres
Drama, Sci-Fi
Full Plot
Sometime in the future, the city of Metropolis is home to a Utopian society where its wealthy residents live a carefree life. One of those is Freder Fredersen. One day, he spots a beautiful woman with a group of children, she and the children quickly disappear. Trying to follow her, he is horrified to find an underground world of workers who apparently run the machinery that keeps the Utopian world above ground functioning. One of the few people above ground who knows about the world below is Freder's father, John Fredersen, who is the founder and master of Metropolis. Freder learns that the woman is called Maria, who espouses the need to join the "hands" - the workers - to the "head" - those in power above - by a mediator who will act as the "heart". Freder wants to help the plight of the workers in their struggle for a better life. But when John learns of what Maria is advocating and that Freder has joined their cause, with the assistance of an old colleague. an inventor called Rotwang, who turns out to be But their nemesis goes to works towards quashing a proposed uprising, with Maria at the centre of their plan. John, unaware that Rotwang has his own agenda., makes plans that include shutting down the machines, with the prospect of unleashing total anarchy both above and below ground.
Cast & Characters
Maria / the Machine Human
Brigitte Helm
Joh Fredersen, the master of Metropolis
Alfred Abel
Freder, Joh Fredersen's son
Gustav Fröhlich
Rotwang, the inventor
Rudolf Klein-Rogge
the Thin Man, Fredersen's spy
Fritz Rasp
Josaphat, Fredersen's assistant and Freder's friend
Theodor Loos
11811, a worker, also known as Georgy
Erwin Biswanger
Grot, guardian of the Heart Machine
Heinrich George
Master of Ceremonies in Pleasure Gardens (uncredited)
Heinrich Gotho
Four roles (The Creative Man, the Machine Man, Death, the Seven Deadly Sins) are included in the opening credits but do not list any actors' names.
Among the uncredited actors are Margarete Lanner, Helen von Münchofen, Olaf Storm, Georg John, Helene Weigel and Fritz Alberti.
Did You Know?
Made on an estimated budget of $5.3M, Metropolis has grossed $1.4M worldwide — about 0.3x its budget.
Source: TMDb API · verified 2026-08-02
On 22 May 1925, Metropolis began principal photography with an initial budget of 1.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
Metropolis holds 8.2/10 on IMDb (199,601 votes), 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98/100 on Metacritic.
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.2/10 on IMDb (199,601 votes), 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98/100 on Metacritic), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Metropolis's Rotten Tomatoes score?+
Metropolis holds a 97% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Metropolis's IMDb rating?+
Metropolis has a 8.2/10 rating on IMDb from 199,601 votes.
What is Metropolis's Metacritic score?+
Metropolis has a Metascore of 98/100 on Metacritic.
Is Metropolis good? What are critics saying?+
Metropolis holds 8.2/10 on IMDb (199,601 votes), 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98/100 on Metacritic.
How long is Metropolis?+
Metropolis has a runtime of 153 min.
Who directed Metropolis?+
Metropolis was directed by Fritz Lang.
Where can I watch Metropolis?+
Metropolis is available to stream, rent, or buy on fuboTV, Brew, FlixFling, Eternal Family, Kino Film Collection, Artiflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Amazon Prime Video, BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, BFI Player Apple TV Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "Metropolis" is overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers praising its set design, cinematography, and special effects. The film's futuristic story is also widely regarded as a classic, with some reviewers calling it the ultimate cinematic illustration of human existence. Additionally, fans are enthusiastic about watching the movie, indicating its importance in cinema history.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
Metropolis is one of the greatest films ever made. It's amazing set design, brilliant cinematography, groundbreaking special effects and futuristic story truly makes it one of the must-sees in cinema! It is set in the future, in a city called Metropolis where the citizens are div…
Gurre · 10/10This has got to be the ultimate cinematic illustration of the strata of human existence. Whether it be a story of the survival of the fittest; the cleverest; the most devious; most beautiful - or a hybrid of some/all - it reflects poignantly how humanity always seeks to exist wit…
CinemaSerf · 8/10
From the trailer's comments
Love this movie!
@freddiedred · 6 likesMust watch movie
@viratkohlifan321 · 5 likes
