GoodWatchSign up

The Tin Drum

1979·Movie
2h 42min·R

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Tin Drum fingerprint

Funny, immersive world.

Energy

Tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Tension7
  • Spectacle6
  • Violence6

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Pathos9
  • Coming of Age9
  • Melancholy8

Humor

Some absurdist humor and dark humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Absurdist Humor7
  • Dark Humor7
  • Wit & Wordplay6

World

History, growing up, and the mind

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • Novelty8

Craft

Standout direction, performances, and characters

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Direction9
  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9

Style

Standout cinematography and visual style

A distinctive visual signature.

  • Cinematography9
  • Visual Stylization8
  • Editing7

Who it's for

AdultsPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodYou want fast pacingYou want to half-watch while scrolling

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A savage, sweeping epic of society in chaos.

In 1924, Oskar Matzerath is born in the Free City of Danzig. At age three, he falls down a flight of stairs and stops growing. In 1939, World War II breaks out.
German New WaveHistorical AllegorySurreal DramaComing-of-Age StoryAnti-War FilmDisturbing & ProvocativePsychological StudyPolitical SatireAutobiographical Adaptation

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Tin Drum

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Tin Drum legally?

The Tin Drum is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Tin Drum worth watching?

74
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 75/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 84%, and Metacritic 63). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Tin Drum rated?

RViolenceNuditySexual contentDisturbing imagery

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, nudity, sexual content, and disturbing imagery.

How long is The Tin Drum?

2 h 42 min

The Tin Drum runs 2 h 42 min.

Is The Tin Drum based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Tin Drum?

Critics74
Audiences79

Yes. Critics average 74 and audiences 79 out of 100, so both groups see The Tin Drum much the same way.

Was The Tin Drum a box office hit?

Budget$3 million
Box office$17 million

Yes, a big one. It cost about $3 million to make and earned $17 million worldwide, 5.7 times its budget.

What language is The Tin Drum in?

GermanHebrewItalianPolishRussian

It was made in German, with some Hebrew, Italian, Polish, Russian. Produced in France, Germany, Poland.

In how many countries can I watch The Tin Drum?

21ATAUBEBRCACHDEDKESFIFRGBIEJP+7

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Tin Drum in 21 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Tin Drum use?

Never Found the BodyGlass-Shattering SoundMama's Baby, Papa's MaybeLeft HangingStalker with a CrushToo Dumb to LiveRefusal of the CallBookendsInvisible PresidentFootsie Under the TableP.O.V. CamBlowing Smoke Ringsand 23 more

TV Tropes lists 35 storytelling tropes for The Tin Drum, including Never Found the Body, Glass-Shattering Sound, Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe.