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Schindler's List

Schindler's List

Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.

1993196 minRMidcredits score: 99th percentile of all films
Director
Steven Spielberg
Starring
Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall

The true story of how businessman Oskar Schindler saved over a thousand Jewish lives from the Nazis while they worked as slaves in his factory during World War II.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Schindler's List?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Schindler's List to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Schindler's List?

Schindler's List earns 17 badges, led by Top 1% of films and Stood the test of time.

Show 9 more
  • Rank
  • Reception
  • Craft and mood
  • Awards and box office
  • Content
  • Cast

Reception

Is Schindler's List worth watching?

Schindler's List's Midcredits score is the 99th percentile of all films, from 3.2M ratings across 6 sources. 94% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

99th percentile

Better received than 99% of films

99th percentile among Biography99th percentile among 1990s
Acclaim (how much people like it)99th
Approval (how many liked it)99th

89 /100

99th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Biography99th percentile among 1990s

Critics 95 · Audience 89

Critics liked it more than audiences did.

Rating distribution

Ratings pile up at 9–10 with almost no detractors — near-universal love.

94% liked it

99th percentile of all films

99th percentile among Biography99th percentile among 1990s
94% rated it 7–106% rated it 1–6

Critics 98% · Audience 97%

On Rotten Tomatoes, critics and audiences approve at similar rates.

Awards

7 Oscars won · 5 Oscar noms · 63 wins / 28 noms overall

  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
  • WonAcademy Awards· Best Cinematography

99th percentile

3.2M ratings across platforms

99th percentile among Biography99th percentile among 1990s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 25% in 30 days

Box office

Budget$22M
Opening weekend$657K
Domestic gross$97M
Worldwide gross$322M

Returned 14.6× its budget — 99th percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

Both camps agree the film is a technically accomplished, emotionally powerful depiction of the Holocaust that focuses on Oskar Schindler's rescue of Jews.

Fans praised

  • Liam Neeson's transformative performance as Oskar Schindler
  • Black-and-white cinematography with sparing use of color
  • John Williams' haunting and emotionally resonant score

Detractors panned

  • Overly sentimental and manipulative melodrama
  • Simplistic black-and-white morality in character portrayal
  • Historical inaccuracies and lack of nuance about the Holocaust

What stands out

Cinematography95

Black-and-white photography with striking use of red coat praised universally

Atmosphere94

Bleak, immersive, harrowing tone captures Holocaust horror

ActingDivisive93

Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley praised as superb; some detractors call Neeson wooden or one-note

Sound and music93

John Williams' violin theme widely acclaimed as deeply moving

Emotional impactDivisive92

Heart-wrenching, leaves audiences speechless; detractors call it manipulative tearjerker

EndingDivisive85

Schindler's breakdown and modern-day epilogue moving; detractors find epilogue overly sentimental

Plot and storyDivisive80

Strong narrative arc from profit-seeking to humanitarian rescue

CharactersDivisive75

Schindler's moral transformation compelling but detractors find it abrupt and saintly; Goeth seen as caricature by some

Preferred by

No notable difference between any of the groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Women vs men even
  • Under-30s vs over-30s even
  • Critics vs users even
  • US vs non-US 1 point apart

Watch experience

What is Schindler's List like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Harrowing: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you are ready for a hard story that does not look away.

It is intense, takes its time and leaves you devastated. Skip it when you want an easy night or you want things to move fast.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Room for heavy feelings and patience.

What it feels like

Harrowing.

Moods
DreadMelancholicHopeful
Heaviest: late
Register
Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.Bleak · 8% of films
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Frame story · 5% of films: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.
ToneThe film presents the Holocaust with unflinching gravity, treating its subject matter with solemn respect and never undercutting the drama.
The rideThe film sustains dread through most of its runtime, with a brief hopeful note at liberation followed by Schindler's devastating emotional collapse.
StructureThe story is told linearly with bookended present-day scenes at Schindler's grave.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Devastated.

The answer rests on this: Devastating · 3% of filmsHopeful
Why it leaves you this wayThe emotional weight of the Holocaust leaves one devastated, but the story of Schindler's rescue effort offers a glimmer of hope.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 2% (this title) · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Oppressive state: A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).

21% of films fit this archetype

Why this archetypeSchindler's journey from profiteer to savior is driven by the escalating threat of the Nazi regime, which he works against through bribery and manipulation.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% (this title) · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16% (this title): Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% (this title) · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9%
  • Survival 15%: Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Morality

Redemption · 6% of filmsSurvivalPower · 2% of films
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film tracks Schindler's moral awakening and his attempt to redeem himself by using his wealth and influence to save Jewish workers from the Holocaust.
StanceThe film celebrates Schindler's moral redemption and the courage of those he saved, set against the societal horror of the Holocaust.

The world

Mid 20th centuryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalSupportive music · original score · John Williams
SettingKrakow ghetto, Plaszow concentration camp, and Schindler's factory during World War II
MusicThe main theme, featuring a solo violin by Itzhak Perlman, is mournful and haunting, yet with a note of dignity.

Content guide

Is Schindler's List okay for kids?

R

Schindler's List is rated R: “Rated R for language, some sexuality and actuality violence” (MPAA). As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at severe (96/100), sexual content at severe (86/100), language at intense (62/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (58/100) and frightening material at severe (97/100). Overall it is heavier than 97% of R-rated films.

Ratings in 27 other countries
  • UK15
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland15
  • New ZealandM
  • JapanR15+
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Czechia12+
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK-16
  • Greece16
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaA
  • ItalyT
  • Netherlands12
  • Norway15
  • Poland12
  • PortugalM/12
  • RO18
  • Russia18+
  • SK15
  • Spain12
  • Sweden15
  • Switzerland12
  • UA16+
Overall
Severe · all five categories
Heavier than 98% of all filmsHeavier than 97% of R-rated films
Violence & Gore
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 97%
Sex & Nudity
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 99%
Profanity
Intense
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 41%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for an R-rated film
heavier than 74%
Frightening / Intense
Severe
heavy for an R-rated film
heavier than 99%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Heavy almost across the board: frightening material, violence, sexual content, and language. Everything else sits at or below what R-rated films usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Schindler's List have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Schindler's List?

Cast

3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Liam Neeson
as Oskar Schindler
Oscar nominee: Academy Award nomination — Best Actor in a Leading RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ben Kingsley
as Itzhak Stern
BAFTA nominee: BAFTA Award nomination — Best Actor in a Supporting RoleTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Ralph Fiennes
as Amon Goeth
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
newcomer then · star now
Caroline Goodall
as Emilie Schindler
Breakout: Their highest-reaching film role at the time, and they went on to a career at least 3 times their standing then.
Jonathan Sagall
as Poldek Pfefferberg
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Embeth Davidtz
as Helen Hirsch
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Malgorzata Gebel
as Victoria Klonowska
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Shmuel Levy
as Wilek Chilowicz
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Mark Ivanir
as Marcel Goldberg
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Béatrice Macola
as Ingrid
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Schindler's List?

Movies like Schindler's List include The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008), Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Warsaw 44 (2014). Of the 12 closest matches, two are films by Steven Spielberg, and several are films set inside an institution.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

11 of these 12 share its world: World War II. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Schindler's List?

425 other films share the rarest tag below, kind of film: prestige drama. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.