Not many genres cast a spell on audiences like the Holocaust. Since the 1990’s, the Holocaust has made unforgettable movies. Whether it’s pianist survivors, Nazi commanders or child soldiers, the genre has created several characters. Given the humongous number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the greatest Holocaust movies which deserve to be celebrated.
1. Schindler’s List
The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a teacher that possessed immense knowledge about mass genocides causing damage. Several years ago, I was taught about the mass genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. He would often take great pride in teaching students about a grim mass genocide in which his people died. My teacher always held beliefs that movies were an inferior art that could never capture a mass genocide which tore lives apart. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the mass genocide in which people perished as powerfully as “Schindler’s List”. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest Holocaust film ever made. With the greatest film of his career, Spielberg used innovative cinematic techniques to capture a mass genocide that caused despair. Drawing from his own personal experience as a Jew with strong ancestral ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg painted a portrait of the genocide that’s compelling. Spielberg has an aptitude for using symbolism in his movies to convey emotions, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, the scene in which Oskar Schindler reacts with horror at seeing the girl in the red coat face grim warfare causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the Holocaust genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ralph Fiennes, who embodied a despicable Nazi commander that evokes terror. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” my favourite Holocaust film of all-time is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust which are targeted to a small audience, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. The film delivers a meaningful message about trauma which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a grim mass genocide in which Jewish civilians died, it’s a great reminder of a genre that has made bold movies which have always left audiences satisfied.
2. The Pianist
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced grim bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parents’ strong drive, I made it out of the bombing without a scratch to the skin alive. I felt grateful for my family’s survival. As someone that miraculously survived a disaster which was missed, I adored “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie captured hardships that a Jewish pianist in WWII went through. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, what makes “The Pianist” stand out is its Jewish perspective. Polanski effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture hardships a Jewish pianist in the Holocaust went through. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents causing trauma is one of the the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodies a downtrodden pianist that survived catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Wladyslaw Szpilman survived ghettos in WWII, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that has made films which audiences value.
3. The Zone of Interest
Nazis are rarely portrayed with sympathy in Holocaust movies. I remember a friend that criticized movies depicting Nazis in a villainous manner. An impassioned German, he often criticized movies that depicted Nazis as villains without compassion. He argued movies could never capture the complexity of Nazis in history. As someone treasuring a friend that took great interest in Nazis, I adored “The Zone of Interest”. Released in 2023, Jonathan Glazer’s movie depicted Germans families that participated in genocide tragedy. Glazer effectively uses diegetic sounds to capture German families that ignored atrocities in history. For instance, the scene in which Hedwig has a meeting with her mother in her home ignoring killings causing a dilemma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Sandra Huller, who embodies a German woman participating in mass murder. Ultimately, what makes “The Zone of Interest” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about mass genocide which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of Nazis that participated in mass murder, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies which audiences treasure.
4. Inglorious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino is a legendary filmmaker that my cousin grew up to treasure. Several years ago, my cousin was once a huge fan of Tarantino. He would always speak fondly about a filmmaker whose pulp movies shaped his identity. In 2009, Tarantino courageously tackled the Holocaust through his sharp words in his movie “Inglorious Basterds”. Tarantino is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for writing sharp dialogue, and “Inglorious Basterds” showcased his strengths as a director. Tarantino’s decision to infuse satire into the serious subject of the Holocaust is risky but it paid off tremendously. For instance, the opening scene in which Colonel Hans Landa investigates the home of a Jewish farmer causing trauma is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Christoph Waltz, who embodies a despicable Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” a glorious Holocaust movie is its bravery. Tarantino took a huge risk by tackling the subject of warfare with comedy, but it paid off tremendously. A glorious depiction of a war that was inglorious, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has produced movies audiences consider precious.
5. Jojo Rabbit
Comedy is a rare quality that’s seldom seen in Holocaust movies. Several years ago, my brother was fascinated with Jews that died in the ghetto. He often believed the Holocaust was a mass genocide tragedy that wasn’t funny. My brother criticized movies that tackled the sensitive subject of the Holocaust with humour. In a serious genre where humour doesn’t always fit, it’s worth praising “Jojo Rabbit”. Released in 2019, Taika Waititi’s movie proved it was possible to capture a mass genocide tragedy with comedy. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, what makes “Jojo Rabbit” stand out is its sharp sense of humour. Waititi effectively used humour to capture a mass genocide disaster. For instance, the opening scene in which Jojo is issued orders by Hitler causing a dilemma is one of the funniest moments of the genre. Ultimately, what makes “Jojo Rabbit” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about impact of war on children which would resonate with everyone. A hilarious portrait of Nazi Germany, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured timeless movies audiences love dearly.
6. A Real Pain
Stories about the Holocaust are rarely told from a Jewish point-of-view. Hollywood has often ignored perspective of Jews whose accounts are misunderstood. In an industry that has often failed to capture Jewish pain, it’s worth praising “A Real Pain”. Released in 2024, Jesse Eisenberg’s movie captured Jews reflecting on the Holocaust. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, what makes “A Real Pain” stand out is its unique Jewish perspective. Eisenberg used captivating montages to capture a pair of Jewish cousins visiting Holocaust sites that are engaging. Assisted by Kieran Culkin who is superb in the lead role, Eisenberg created a powerful Jewish portrait of the Holocaust. A powerful portrait of Jewish cousins reflecting on genocide causing pain, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies which entertain.
7. Sophie’s Choice
When it comes to the greatest books ever written about the Holocaust, it’s worth discussing Sophie’s Choice. Since its publication in 1979, William Styron’s book has become timeless literature. In 1982, Alan J. Pakula honoured the book about Jewish women making a choice in his film “Sophie’s Choice”. Unlike most movies in the Holocaust genre, what makes “Sophie’s Choice” stand out is its feminist perspective. Pakula effectively used voice-over narration to capture Jewish women facing genocide destruction. Assisted by Meryl Streep who is extraordinary in the lead role, Pakula captured a genocide causing lives to spiral out of control. As powerful as Sophie’s decision, it’s a spectacular reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured memorable movies providing valuable education on the Holocaust which deserve celebration.
8. Life is Beautiful
Happiness is a rare emotion that’s seldom seen in Holocaust movies. Most movies about the genocide are often defined by a downbeat mood. It’s rare to find joy in a genre capturing a genocide that sought to destroy. In a downbeat genre in which life is rarely beautiful, its worth praising “Life is Beautiful”. Released in 1997, Roberto Benigni’s movie offered a hopeful portrait of the Holocaust. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Life is Beautiful” stand out is its optimistic mood. Benigni effectively uses tragicomedy to capture a traumatic mass genocide in history. Assisted by Giorgio Catarini who is amazing in the lead role, Benigni painted a unique portrait of genocide. A powerful portrait of a mass genocide in which life was rarely beautiful, it’s a remarkable reminder of a genre producing movies which are educational.
9. Downfall
Adolf Hitler is a powerful political leader that changed history forever. During WWII, Hitler organized a grim mass genocide that changed history. A frightening dictator, Hitler built a legacy which is enduring. In 2004, Oliver Hirschbiegel honoured the dictator that faced a downfall in his movie “Downfall”. Unlike most movies about the Holocaust, what makes “Downfall” stand out is its strong attention to detail. Hirschbiegel used breathtaking visuals to recreate the final days leading up to Hitler’s downfall. Assisted by Bruno Ganz who is spectacular in the lead role, Hirschbiegel honoured a dictator that achieved power years ago. Nearly 90 years after Adolf Hitler faced a devastating downfall, it’s a dazzling reminder of a genre that has produced commemorated movies which enthral that are always easy for audiences to recall.
10. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
Few movies ever made about dilemmas people faced in the Holocaust are as beloved as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Since its release in 2008, Mark Sherman’s movie has become a classic. Sherman uses captivating visuals to capture the impact of mass genocide on children. Assisted by Asa Butterfield who is amazing in the lead role, Sherman created a portrait of genocide that’s compelling. However, the film’s depiction of genocide has aged poorly. It couldn’t capture realities children faced in the genocide. Nevertheless, it remains a strong addition to the genre. 90 years after a genocide causing issues affected Jews, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made memorable movies that use art to educate audiences about the Holocaust that I will forever treasure for inspiring my passion for writing movie reviews.
The Film Buff 