M (1931): cast, story & where to watch
1931 · Film · ★ 8.1
Released in 1931, M is an action, thriller, drama and crime film directed by Fritz Lang, running about 117 minutes. “Who is the murderer?” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s 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’s in it. M stars Peter Lorre as Hans Beckert, Ellen Widmann as Frau Beckmann, Inge Landgut as Elsie Beckmann and Otto Wernicke as Inspector Karl Lohmann, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 8.1/10, M sits among the best-reviewed titles in the catalogue.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Criterion Channel and TCM and rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch M page.
If you liked it. Fans of M tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch M (1931)?
- In US, M is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, YouTube TV and Criterion Channel, and rent or buy from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is M worth watching?
- M holds an audience score of 8.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy action, thriller, drama and crime. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in M?
- M stars Peter Lorre, Ellen Widmann, Inge Landgut, Otto Wernicke and Theodor Loos.
- When was M released?
- M was released in 1931, with a runtime of about 117 minutes.