Movie

The Lives of Others

“Before the Fall of the Berlin Wall, East Germany's Secret Police Listened to Your Secrets.”

★ 8.0(4,165)20062h 17m

The Lives of Others is streaming on Joyn Plus, Kabel Eins Classics Amazon Channel, Seven Entertainment Amazon Channel, Magenta TV+, HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel in Germany, and available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky Store, Rakuten TV, maxdome Store, MagentaTV, Kino on Demand, Videoload and Freenet meinVOD. Availability checked 24 July 2026.

Good to know

Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Release date: 2006-03-23
Runtime: 2h 17m
Language: German
Box office: $77,672,685
Budget: $2,000,000
Status: Released
Country: Germany
Studio: Creado Film

The Lives of Others — trailer

About The Lives of Others

The Lives of Others is a 2006 movie in the Drama and Thriller genres, directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe and Sebastian Koch. It has a runtime of 2 hours 17 minutes. It holds an average rating of 8.0/10 from 4,165 viewers. Below you can see where to watch The Lives of Others in Germany — across streaming, rental and purchase options — along with the full cast, trailer and viewer reviews.

Synopsis

In 1984 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler begins spying on a famous playwright and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, and faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria.

Cast

Martina Gedeck

Christa-Maria Sieland

Ulrich Mühe

Gerd Wiesler

Sebastian Koch

Georg Dreyman

Ulrich Tukur

Anton Grubitz

Thomas Thieme

Bruno Hempf

Hans-Uwe Bauer

Paul Hauser

Volkmar Kleinert

Albert Jerska

Matthias Brenner

Karl Wallner

Charly Hübner

Udo

Herbert Knaup

Gregor Hessenstein

Bastian Trost

Häftling 227

Marie Gruber

Frau Meineke

Themes & keywords

berlin, germanygovernmentcorruptionespionagegermanyberlin wallgerman democratic republiccold warblackmailstasisoviet unionfreedom of speechhouse searchartists' lifeinterrogation

Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch The Lives of Others in Germany?+

In Germany, you can stream The Lives of Others on Joyn Plus, Kabel Eins Classics Amazon Channel, Seven Entertainment Amazon Channel, Magenta TV+, HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel. It's also available to rent or buy on Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky Store, Rakuten TV, maxdome Store, MagentaTV, Kino on Demand, Videoload and Freenet meinVOD.

Is The Lives of Others on Netflix?+

The Lives of Others is not on Netflix in Germany right now, but you can stream it on Joyn Plus, Kabel Eins Classics Amazon Channel, Seven Entertainment Amazon Channel, Magenta TV+, HBO Max and HBO Max Amazon Channel.

How long is The Lives of Others?+

The Lives of Others has a runtime of 2 hours 17 minutes (137 minutes).

Who stars in The Lives of Others?+

The Lives of Others stars Martina Gedeck, Ulrich Mühe, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur and Thomas Thieme.

When did The Lives of Others come out?+

The Lives of Others is a 2006 movie directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.

What genre is The Lives of Others?+

The Lives of Others is Drama and Thriller film.

Who directed The Lives of Others?+

The Lives of Others was directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.