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Lars von Trier

Lars von Trier

Director, writer, actor and producer, also cinematographer and editor · Born April 30, 1956 (70) · Copenhagen, Denmark

Oscar nominee · Golden Globe nominee · 3 other major award bodies

Lars von Trier (born Lars Trier; 30 April 1956) is a Danish film director and screenwriter. He is closely associated with the Dogme 95 collective, although his own films have taken a variety of different approaches. He is known for his female-centric parables and his exploration of controversial subject matter. Von Trier began making his own films at the age of 11 after receiving a Super-8 camera as a gift, and his first publicly released film was an experimental short called The Orchid Gardener, in 1977. His first feature film came seven years later, The Element of Crime, in 1984. As of 2010, he has directed a further 10 feature films, 5 short films and 4 television productions. He has been married twice and is currently married to Bente Frøge. Von Trier suffers periodically from depression, as well as various fears and phobias, including an intense fear of flying. As he himself once put it, "Basically, I'm afraid of everything in life, except filmmaking".

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 30, 1956 (70)
From
Copenhagen, Denmark
Works as
Director, writer, actor and producer, also cinematographer and editor
Titles
23 on MovieCove · 73 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 15% in 30 days

What are Lars von Trier's films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Ideas.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 92nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
22%
Ideas
20%
Self
16%
Power
13%
Survival
12%
Society
11%
Bonds
5%
Art11 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt4 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMortality4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 4 · Dark 15

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 9

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 9 · Charged 6 · Intense 13

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 13 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 5

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 19 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 11

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 10 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 13

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 11

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Contemplative
14
Dread
9
Melancholic
12
Tense
11
Cold
8
Other
20

How their films linger

Thought-provoking18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic8
  • Ambiguous10

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lars von Trier's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 23 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on MUBI (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lars von Trier's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

73 credits, 23 with a MovieCove page; 34 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Lars von Trier: The Burden From Donald Duck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Lars von Trier

  • Idioterne der startede Festen(2020)

    as Sig selv

  • The House That Jack Built(2018)

    Director · Idea · Writer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • En invitation fra Lars von Trier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Too Many Cooks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Pie

  • Colors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Fuck Putas Edition

  • Nymphomaniac: Vol. I(2013)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Nymphomaniac: Vol. II(2013)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • A Royal Affair(2012)

    Executive Producer · Script Supervisor

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Melancholia(2011)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Dimension 1991-2024(2010)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Antichrist(2009)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Early Years: Erik Nietzsche Part 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Screenplay · as Narrator (voice)

  • To Each His Own Cinema(2007)

    Director · as The filmmaker (segment "Occupations")

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Cinema 16: European Short Films (U.S. Edition) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director

  • The Boss of It All(2006)

    Director · Writer · as Narrator (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Cinema 16: European Short Films (European Edition) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Le court des grands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Director

  • All About Anna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Executive Producer

  • A Conversation with Lars von Trier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Interviewee

  • Idiotic Filters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Manderlay(2005)

    Director · Camera Operator · Writer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Looking Back At The Idiots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Actor

  • Klovn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 10 episodes · Writer · as Lars von Trier

  • Dear Wendy(2005)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Visions of Europe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Producer

  • Kingdom Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Writer

  • Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 13 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · Story

  • The South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Producer

  • Dogville: The Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Writer

  • The Five Obstructions(2003)

    Director · Idea · Writer · as Self / Obstructor (segment "The Conversations")

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Obstruction #1 - The Perfect Human: Cuba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Idea

  • Dogville(2003)

    Director · Camera Operator · Writer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Screaming Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Thanks

  • Wag the Dogma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Actor

  • Kayaking On The Top Of The World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Executive Producer

  • Italian for Beginners(2000)

    Associate Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Dancer in the Dark(2000)

    Director · Camera Operator · Lyricist · Writer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • 100 Cameras: Capturing Lars von Trier's Vision (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • HotMen CoolBoyz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Producer

  • The Exhibited (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • 100 Cameras: Capturing Lars von Trier's Vision (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • D-Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Writer

  • The Humiliated (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • The Kingdom II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Director · Screenplay · as Self (uncredited)

  • The Idiots(1998)

    Director · Cinematographer · Screenplay · as Interviewer (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Constance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Producer

  • Lars From 1 - 10 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Tranceformer: A Portrait of Lars von Trier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Actor

  • Breaking the Waves(1996)

    Director · Writer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Kingdom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director · Screenplay · as Self (uncredited)

  • The Kingdom(1994)

    Show 13 episodes · Director · Creator · Idea · Screenplay · Script · Writer

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Eurotrash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Europa(1991)

    Director · Continuity · Screenplay · as Jew

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Medea(1988)

    Director · Adaptation

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Epidemic(1987)

    Director · Camera Operator · Editor · Screenplay · as Lars von Trier / Dr. Mesmer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Sauna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Director

  • The Element of Crime(1984)

    Director · Screenplay · as Schmuck of Ages

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Images of Liberation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Director · Writer

  • Kaptajn Klyde og hans venner vender tilbage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Nocturne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Director · Writer

  • Menthe: The Benefactor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer · as The Driver

  • The Orchid Gardener (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Director · Writer · as Victor Morse

  • A Flower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director

  • Why Try to Escape from That Which You Know You Can't Escape From? Because You Are a Coward (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Writer

  • Clandestine Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 4 episodes · as Lars

  • Goodbye, I'm Kurt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Børge

  • Clandestine Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Lars Johansen

  • Good Night, Dear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer · Actor

  • The Trip to Squash Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director

  • After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · Writer

  • Descendant - curated by Lars von Trier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Études (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 73 titles, 70 of them dated from 1967 to 2020.

Biggest box office

Dancer in the Dark (2000)

$40M worldwide

Highest rated

Dogville (2003)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Nymphomaniac: Vol. II (2013)

Film career

MilestoneAward win

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting32 of 73: 21 only acting, 11 with another role · typical Midcredits score70thDirecting37 of 73: 7 only directing, 30 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thWriting35 of 73: 3 only writing, 32 with another role · typical Midcredits score77thProducing9 of 73: 7 only producing, 2 with another roleCinematography3 of 73: 0 only cinematography, 3 with another roleEditing3 of 73: 0 only editing, 3 with another roleOther crew9 of 73: 1 only other crew, 8 with another role · typical Midcredits score92nd

73 titles, 34 with more than one role — directing and writing overlap on 29 of them.

By decade

1960s5 · 4 acting · 2 crew1970s4 · 2 acting · 4 crew1980s7 · 3 acting · 6 crew1990s11 · 6 acting · 7 crew2000s32 · 11 acting · 25 crew2010s9 · 3 acting · 6 crew2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 20% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

7 major awards from 21 major nominations, 1984–2012.

WinNomination
  1. 2012
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best International Film
  2. 2011
    • Cannes award, nominated
  3. 2009
    • Cannes award, nominated
  4. 2005
    • Cannes award, nominated
  5. 2003
    • Cannes award, nominated
    • Venice award, nominated · Best Film
  6. 2001
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Music, Original Song
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Original Song - Motion Picture
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Independent Spirit Award, won · Best Foreign Film
  7. 2000
    • Cannes award, won
  8. 1998
    • Cannes award, nominated
Show 5 earlier years
  1. 1997
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Foreign Film
  2. 1996
    • Cannes award, won
    • Cannes award, nominated
  3. 1991
    • Cannes award, won ×3
    • Cannes award, nominated
  4. 1987
    • Cannes award, nominated
  5. 1984
    • Cannes award, won
    • Cannes award, nominated

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Lars von Trier's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 77th percentile, the median of the 21 of 22 with a score; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 74th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

85thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 22 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 22 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · director, writer

Dimension 1991-2024 (2010)

73rd percentile spread · 54% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, writer

Dogville (2003)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 72/100 and the pacing 42/100 in their films, across 24 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lars von Trier's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore14 titles41–91 · median 63 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles36–87 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity11 titles33–85 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs12 titles24–40 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense13 titles44–89 · median 73 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Lars von Trier work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lars von Trier's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Peter Aalbæk Jensen shares the most, 18.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles