Dr. Mabuse Collection
Dr. Mabuse the Gambler (German: Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler) is the first film in the Dr. Mabuse series about the character Doctor Mabuse who featured in the novels of Norbert Jacques. It was directed by Fritz Lang and released in 1922. The film is silent and would be followed by the sound sequels The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933) and The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse (1960). It is four and a half hours long and divided into two parts, originally released a month apart. The title, Dr. Mabuse, der Spieler, makes use of three meanings of the German Der Spieler which can mean gambler, puppeteer, or actor. The character Dr. Mabuse, who disguises himself, manipulates people, and is a notorious gambler, embodies all senses of the word. Therefore, the Player might be a more appropriate translation of the title. The film is included in the book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, being the first of five Lang films to be entered.
Franchise Evolution & Timeline Analysis
The Dr. Mabuse Collection has evolved significantly over a span of -29 years, growing from a singular narrative into a complex cinematic universe. With 8 interconnected entries, tracking the consistency of the franchise reveals fascinating trends in audience sentiment.
The "Series" Benchmark: 6.5/10
The franchise maintains a steady average rating of 6.5. While most series experience "Sequel Fatigue," Dr. Mabuse Collection has managed to keep its narrative quality relatively stable, with Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler standing out as the peak cinematic achievement.
Continuity vs. Commercial Appeal
Our data indicates that while the "Release Order" is preferred for first-time viewers, the "Chronological Order" provides a much deeper understanding of the world-building within the Dr. Mabuse Collection. The timeline highlights a clear three-act structure across all chapters.
Timeline & Watch Order
We recommend watching the Dr. Mabuse Collection franchise in the following order to fully experience the narrative expansion.
Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler
Dr. Mabuse and his organization of criminals are in the process of completing their latest scheme, a theft of information that will allow Mabuse to make huge pr...
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse
After a detective is assaulted by thugs and placed in an asylum run by Professor Baum, he observes the professor's preoccupation with another patient, the crimi...
The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse
A reporter is murdered while driving to his job. The Police are contacted by a clairvoyant who saw the death in a vision, but some dark force is preventing him ...
The Return of Dr. Mabuse
The supposedly dead and buried Mabuse returns to his criminal activities, as his longtime foe Police Inspector Lohmann, a dauntless girl reporter, and an Americ...
The Invisible Dr. Mabuse
Strange things happen in a revue theatre. The dancer Maria seems to be hunted by an invisible admirer. When the body of a probable FBI agent is found in a trunk...
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse
Dr. Mabuse has been locked away for years in an insane asylum. Suddenly crimes start occurring and no one knows the culprit. A detective goes to visit the Docto...
Scotland Yard Hunts Dr. Mabuse
The spirit of the evil Dr. Mabuse takes over the body of a famous professor. The professor/Dr. Mabuse then begins a new crime wave that terrorizes the city....
The Death Ray of Dr. Mabuse
The evil Dr. Mabuse develops a death ray with which he threatens the world....
Common Questions about Dr. Mabuse Collection
How many movies are in the Dr. Mabuse Collection?
There are currently 8 movies in the Dr. Mabuse Collection, starting from The Testament of Dr. Mabuse to the latest release, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse.
What is the best order to watch the Dr. Mabuse Collection?
The best way to watch the Dr. Mabuse Collection is usually in release order: starting with The Testament of Dr. Mabuse and ending with The Testament of Dr. Mabuse. Check our timeline for the full chronological breakdown.
Which is the highest-rated movie in the Dr. Mabuse Collection?
According to movieMx ratings, the fans have a strong preference for Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler in this franchise.