Emil Jannings
ActingAbout Emil Jannings
Emil Jannings (1884–1950) was a German actor, the first to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Between 1926 and 1929, he worked in Hollywood. Upon returning to Germany, he sympathized with the Nazi regime and was one of the advisors to Universum Film-Aktiengesellschaft (UFA), the film studios controlled by Goebbels as a propaganda weapon. With the end of World War II and Germany's defeat, his career fell into disgrace.
Emil Jannings Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Emil Jannings reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Emil Jannings's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 36% of Emil Jannings's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Emil Jannings Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Emil Jannings's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Emil Jannings has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 100 Years of the UFA | Self - Actor (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2017 | Hitler's Hollywood | Self - Actor (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films | Himself (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | The Making of 'The Last Laugh' | Hotelportier (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Los 5 Faust de F. W. Murnau | Himself / Mephisto (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Where Is Mr. Belling? | Eberhard Belling | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | Altes Herz wird wieder jung | Friedrich Hoffmann, Seniorchef | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Dismissal | Fürst Otto von Bismarck | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Uncle Krüger | Ohm (Paul)Krüger | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | Cavalcade of the Academy Awards | Self (archive footage) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Robert Koch, der Bekämpfer des Todes | Dr. Robert Koch | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Broken Jug | Adam | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Sovereign | Matthias Clausen | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Traumulus | Prof. Niemeyer, gen. Traumulus | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Old and The Young King | König Friedrich Wilhelm I. | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Tempest | Gustav Bumke | Flop | Similar → |
| 1930 | Darling of the Gods | Albert Winkelmann | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Blue Angel | Immanuel Rath | Hit | Similar → |
| 1928 | Sins of the Fathers | Wilhelm Spengler | Average | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Movie City of Hollywood | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Patriot | Czar Paul I | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Last Command | Gen. Dolgorucki / Grand Duke Sergius Alexander | Hit | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Way of All Flesh | August Shilling | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | Faust | Mephisto | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | Love is Blind | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | Tartuffe | Tartüff | Hit | Similar → |
| 1925 | Variety | Boss Huller | Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Last Laugh | Hotel Doorman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | Husbands or Lovers | Ehemann | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | Waxworks | Harun al Raschid | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | Quo Vadis? | Nerone | Average | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Film in the Film | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | All for Money | S. I. Rupp | Flop | Similar → |
| 1922 | The Loves of Pharaoh | Pharao Amenes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1922 | Othello | Othello | Hit | Similar → |
| 1921 | Die Brüder Karamasoff | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1921 | Danton | Danton | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | Anna Boleyn | Henry VIII, King of England | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | Algol: Tragedy of Power | Robert Herne | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Great Light | Lorenz Ferleitner | Average | Similar → |
| 1920 | Kohlhiesel's Daughters | Peter Xaver | Average | Similar → |
| 1919 | Madame DuBarry | Ludwig XV. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1919 | The Daughter of Mehemed | Vaco Juan Riberda | Flop | Similar → |
| 1918 | The Eyes of the Mummy | Radu | Flop | Similar → |
| 1918 | Keimendes Leben. 2. Teil | James Fraenkel/John Smith | Flop | Similar → |
| 1917 | The Merry Jail | Quabbe - der Gaoler | Average | Similar → |
| 1917 | Lulu | Alfredo, a clown | Flop | Similar → |
| 1917 | When Four Do the Same | Segetoff | Flop | Similar → |
| 1917 | A Night of Horror | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1917 | Stein unter Steinen | Göttlingk | Flop | Similar → |
Emil Jannings - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Emil Jannings?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Emil Jannings is "Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films" with a rating of 9.0/10.
How many movies has Emil Jannings acted in?
Emil Jannings has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Emil Jannings?
Other notable films include "The Making of 'The Last Laugh'", "Faust", and "The Last Laugh".