Holocaust movies are difficult to watch, but they offer an insightful perspective of the brutal realities that occurred during World War II. You can’t go through a lifetime without watching at least one cinematic portrayal, so we’ve listed some of the most popular and less obvious choices below. Have the tissues handy. You’re about to experience some of the best and most harrowing actor performances of a lifetime.
Schindler’s List
Steven Spielberg’s haunting portrayal of Oskar Schindler’s (Liam Neeson) efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust is a poignant reminder of the human cost of hatred and prejudice. The cinematography is stunning, and the performances are alarmingly real.
Murderers Amongst Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story
In this lesser-known biographical portrayal of Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal (Sir Ben Kingsley), the movie follows his liberation and transition into becoming one of the leading Nazi hunters in the world. While the movie offers a sense of justice, particularly in his capture of Adolf Eichmann, injustice still prevails in the lives that were ultimately lost.
The Pianist
Roman Polanski’s film follows the true story of Władysław Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a Jewish pianist who survived the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. It’s a harrowing tale of resilience and survival amidst unimaginable horrors, with some particularly graphic scenes of violence. A tough watch.
Life is Beautiful
This foreign-language movie masterpiece, winner of three Academy Awards, tells the story of a father who uses humor and imagination to shield his son from the horrors of a concentration camp. It is a comedic and deeply moving tribute to the power of love and hope in the face of darkness.
The Devil’s Arithmetic
A modern American Jewish girl falls asleep and wakes up back in Nazi-occupied Poland in this time-leaping portrayal of the Holocaust. It isn’t the greatest story outside the historical perspective, but the fantasy aspect at least spares a few tears.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
This heart-wrenching film explores the friendship between a young German boy and a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp. It’s a poignant reminder of the innocence lost during the Holocaust. Be prepared for gruesome scenes and a difficult ending that is tough to comprehend.
The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler
With its slightly more uplifting premise, The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler depicts the true story of social worker Irena Sendler (Anna Paquin), who rescued more than two thousand Jewish children by sneaking them out of the Ghetto. It’s a happier story, but you must keep tissues close to hand.
Sophie’s Choice
Meryl Streep delivers a devastating Oscar-winning performance as Sophie, a Polish immigrant haunted by her past experiences in a Nazi concentration camp. The film’s exploration of guilt, trauma, and impossible choices is profoundly affecting. There’s one scene in particular that you can’t quite escape post-viewing.
The Diary of Anne Frank
Based on Anne Frank’s diary, this film recounts the experiences of a Jewish family hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. While we’re familiar with the story of Anne Frank and her eventual demise, it doesn’t make viewing any less distressing.
Son of Saul
This Hungarian film from debut director László Nemes follows a Jewish prisoner tasked with disposing of the bodies of fellow inmates in a concentration camp. It is a harrowing depiction of the horrors of the Holocaust, and Nemes‘ was keen to depict a story that went beyond the fight for survival.
The Counterfeiters
Based on a true story, this film follows a group of Jewish prisoners forced to produce counterfeit money for the Nazis during World War II. It highlights the impossible lengths that humans go to survive.
The Grey Zone
Set in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the story outlines a group of Jewish prisoners who revolt against their captors. The movie premiered on September 11th, 2001, and unsurprisingly, slipped through the net subsequently.
The Holocaust
This acclaimed miniseries follows the experiences of a Jewish family before, during, and after the Holocaust. It is a comprehensive and deeply moving portrayal of one of the darkest chapters in human history and marks another outstanding performance from Meryl Streep.
Europa Europa
This true story centers around a Jewish boy who survived the Holocaust by passing himself off as a Nazi German. The lack of suspicion rose from the improbability of believing such an unviable story at the time. He later became a valuable interpreter and war hero. A great watch with an alternative perspective.
The Book Thief
The movie is based on Markus Zusak’s novel about a young girl living in Nazi Germany who finds solace in books during the chaos of war. Book lovers felt the movie was incomparable to the written story, but it would still leave you heartbroken.
The Round Up
This devastating French film depicts the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup, in which French police arrested thousands of Jews in Paris during World War II. It is deemed an authentic account of French Jews who were arrested in Paris in 1942.
The Pawnbroker
Taking an unusual post-account perspective on World War II, the story surrounds a Holocaust survivor living in New York City who grapples with survivor’s guilt and PTSD. The story uses flashbacks to portray his internal pain with a stunning performance from Rod Steiger as Sol Nazerman.
The Truce
If you’ve read Primo Levi’s memoir, you’ll know his extraordinary example of human resilience in surviving Auschwitz. The film follows the author’s journey home to Italy in this introspective exploration of survivor’s guilt.
