Movies About the Holocaust

Last updated: March 13, 2026

During the Holocaust—one of the darkest periods in human history—Jews were the objects of unimaginable brutality and withstood unbearable tragedy. Our curated list of Holocaust movies (developed in partnership with experts at the Anti-Defamation League) delves into this harrowing period, exploring stories of bravery, survival, and the unbreakable human will to overcome tyranny. These films include profound dramas based on true events, like Schindler's List, poignant narratives that highlight the struggles and triumphs of individual Jews, such as The Pianist, and explorations of the Jewish postwar world, like Woman in Gold. Each offers a unique lens that we can use to understand both the horrors of the Holocaust and the incredible courage and resilience that emerged in response to it. These films are ideal for educational purposes or to foster reflection and discussion. Looking for more Jewish movies? Take a look at Movies That Illustrate and Celebrate the Jewish Experience.

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Where is Anne Frank movie poster
MOVIE

Where Is Anne Frank

age 9+

Profound animation tackles heavy themes with positivity.

March 18, 2022 2022 NR (99 minutes)
Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter, and Johnny Flynn on the One Life movie poster
MOVIE

One Life

age 11+

Moving war-time biopic celebrates the best of humanity.

March 15, 2024 2024 PG (110 minutes)
People gather on the streets of a small Polish town, looking into camera, on the poster for Three Minutes: A Lengthening
MOVIE

Three Minutes: A Lengthening

age 11+

Holocaust references in haunting found-footage documentary.

August 19, 2022 2022 PG (69 minutes)
UnBroken movie poster: Black and white image of family facing a forest
MOVIE

UnBroken (2023)

age 11+

Seven siblings survive Nazis with aid of brave Germans.

December 12, 2023 2023 NR (97 minutes)
White Bird: A Wonder Story Movie Poster: Young characters walk hand in hand, a large face in profile behind them
MOVIE

White Bird

age 11+

Touching but violent WWII-themed Wonder spin-off.

October 4, 2024 2024 PG-13 (122 minutes)
Au Revoir Les Enfants Poster Image
MOVIE

Au Revoir Les Enfants

age 12+

Poignant subtitled WWII story about kids and loss.

August 29, 1987 1987 PG (104 minutes)
The Diary of Anne Frank Poster Image
MOVIE

The Diary of Anne Frank

age 12+

Poignant adaptation is still powerful decades later.

March 18, 1959 1959 NR (180 minutes)
Woman in Gold Poster Image
MOVIE

Woman in Gold

age 12+

Helen Mirren is best part of fact-based historical drama.

April 1, 2015 2015 PG-13 (110 minutes)
Denial Poster Image
MOVIE

Denial

age 13+

Compelling film about truth deals with intense subject.

September 30, 2016 2016 PG-13 (110 minutes)
Judgment at Nuremberg movie poster: A group of headshots of some of the different characters
MOVIE

Judgment at Nuremberg

age 13+

WWII courtroom drama includes disturbing archive footage.

December 19, 1961 1961 NR (179 minutes)
One Survivor Remembers documentary poster: Gerda Weissmann Klein's face as a teenage girl is superimposed behind Nazi soldiers
MOVIE

One Survivor Remembers

age 13+

Upsetting content in Oscar-winning Holocaust docu short.

May 7, 1995 1995 NR (39 minutes)
The Juggler movie poster: Illustrations of Kirk Douglas and Milly Vitale
MOVIE

The Juggler

age 13+

Sensitive 1950s drama explores Holocaust survivor's PTSD.

May 5, 1953 1953 NR (84 minutes)
The Last Days Poster Image
MOVIE

The Last Days

age 13+

Oscar-winning docu about Holocaust survivors; violence.

October 23, 1998 1998 PG-13 (87 minutes)
The Long Way Home film poster: Black-and-white photograph of young Jewish men in a concentration camp looking solemn but determined
MOVIE

The Long Way Home

age 13+

Powerful Holocaust aftermath docu has disturbing footage.

September 19, 1997 1997 NR (120 minutes)
The Optimist Movie Poster: Herbert and Abby, their backs to viewers, walk and talk through a vision of the wreckage of the Holocaust
MOVIE

The Optimist

age 13+

Moving post-Holocaust story about communication, honesty.

March 11, 2026 2026 NR (102 minutes)
Who Will Write Our History Poster Image
MOVIE

Who Will Write Our History

age 13+

Powerful Holocaust docu has disturbing images, stories.

January 18, 2019 2019 NR (95 minutes)
Sarah's Key Poster Image
MOVIE

Sarah's Key

age 14+

Powerful drama includes horrifying Holocaust violence.

July 22, 2011 2011 PG-13 (111 minutes)
Defiance Poster Image
MOVIE

Defiance

age 15+

Brave brothers risk all in brutal, graphic WWII epic.

December 31, 2008 2008 R (137 minutes)
Europa Europa movie poster: A drawing of a young man looking down at his bare feet
MOVIE

Europa Europa

age 15+

Upsetting scenes in true WWII tale of Jewish boy's survival.

June 28, 1991 1991 R (112 minutes)
Fateless movie poster: a teen boy holds his hand to the sky
MOVIE

Fateless

age 15+

Essential Holocaust drama has upsetting themes, language.

January 6, 2006 2006 R (140 minutes)
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