This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.

List of Lars von Trier Movies: Ranked Best To Worst

1. Dogville (2003)
22
5
Dogville
R
22
5

Grace Mulligan is given refuge from gangsters by the people of Dogville, an American town, in exchange for doing small chores. But things take a darker turn when chores turn into torture and rape. When Grace finally accepts her identity of being the gang leader’s daughter she burns the town and its people to the ground. 

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
2. Dancer in the Dark (2000)
19
5
Dancer in the Dark
R
19
5

Dancer in the Dark is the story of a young East European immigrant, who comes to the USA with her young son with a dream in her eyes. Struggling to survive, herself suffering from degenerating eye condition, she continues to save money so that her son can undergo surgery to save his eyesight. But fate is not kind to her and she ends up being labeled as a communist sympathizer and murderer. 

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
3. Breaking the Waves (1996)
21
5
Breaking the Waves
R
21
5

A religious Scottish young woman Bess McNeil, who is naïve in her beliefs, falls in love and marries Jan Nyman, a Danish oil-rig worker. When an accident aboard the rig paralyses him, Bess blames herself for praying for his return. Jan impels her to have sex with other men, which initially shocks her but she starts believing that God is guiding her. 

Starring:
Emily Watson, Udo Kier, Stellan Skarsgård, Adrian Rawlins, Jean-Marc Barr
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
4. Europa (1991)
14
4
Europa
R
14
4

Europa is a drama thriller film which takes us to the time after the end of the Second World War. A young idealistic American of German descent tries to help the German people, and takes up a railway job in Germany. However, he soon gets involved in a terrorist conspiracy.

Starring:
Max von Sydow, Udo Kier, Jean-Marc Barr, Barbara Sukowa
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
6. Melancholia (2011)
21
2
Melancholia
R
21
2

The second installment of Lars von Trier’s Depression Trilogy, Melancholia follows the two sisters Justine and Claire. The severely depressed Justine and the fearful Claire must come to terms with their destinies as a rogue planet named Melancholia heads on a direct collision course towards Earth.

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
7. A Royal Affair (2012)
14
5
A Royal Affair
R
14
5

This Danish historical drama film, tells the story of a young queen, married to an insane king. She falls in love with her physician, and the two eventually start a revolution that leads to the nation changing. 

Starring:
Mads Mikkelsen, Alicia Vikander, David Dencik, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Trine Dyrholm
Directed By:
Nikolaj Arcel
8. Manderlay (2005)
14
4
Manderlay
14
4

In 1933, while traveling through Alabama, Grace Mulligan and her father come across a plantation, ‘Manderley,’ where slavery still persists. Repulsed by the owner’s rules for the slaves, Grace intervenes. Although some of her suggestions backfire, but by harvest time, she succeeds in applying rules of democracy to white owners and black slaves. Eventually, it is Grace who learns the most from the experience. 

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
9. The Element of Crime (1984)
14
4
The Element of Crime
14
4

When a mysterious killer takes the lives of several young girls, a former detective named Fisher decides to take up one final case. Unable to find the culprits, he turns to Osborne, a writer who is known for his contribution to the field of criminology. Following the theories put forward in a book named ‘The Element of Crime’, Fisher tries to retrace the steps of the suspect.  

Starring:
Esmond Knight, Michael Elphick, Me Me Lai, Jerold Wells
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
10. The Five Obstructions (2003)
13
5
The Five Obstructions
13
5

Jorgen Leth has created a striking short film ‘The Perfect Human’ in 1967, which revolved around a man and a woman sitting in a box, while the narrator poses questions regarding their relationship and humanity. Danish director Lars von Trier challenges Jorden years later, to remake the film using a different set of circumstances.

Starring:
Patrick Bauchau, Jacqueline Arenal, Claus Nissen, Majken Algren Nielsen, Daniel Hernandez Rodriguez
Directed By:
Lars von Trier, Jørgen Leth
11. Nymphomaniac: Vol. I (2013)
16
2
Nymphomaniac: Vol. I
16
2

A young woman Joe, badly injured from a beating, is found unconscious in a dark lane by a man named Seligman. She refuses his offer to call an ambulance and police and he ultimately takes her to his apartment. While he takes care of her, she reveals that she is a nymphomaniac and tells him about her erotic experiences since adolescence.

Starring:
Christian Slater, Connie Nielsen, Shia LaBeouf, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Uma Thurman, Stellan Skarsgård, Stacy Martin
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
12. Italian for Beginners (2000)
12
4
Italian for Beginners
R
12
4
Starring:
Anders W. Berthelsen, Ann Eleonora Jørgensen, Anette Støvelbæk, Peter Gantzler, Lars Kaalund
Directed By:
Lone Scherfig
13. Nymphomaniac: Vol. II (2013)
16
2
Nymphomaniac: Vol. II
16
2

This is the second volume of a two part erotic art film created by Lars von Trie.  In this volume, Joe, a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac, continues to recount her erotic experiences to Seligman, a bachelor who has brought her home after she was assaulted. In this volume, she delves deeper into her adulthood before recounting how she came to be assaulted, which finally helps her to find peace.   

Starring:
Charlotte Gainsbourg, Udo Kier, Christian Slater, Willem Dafoe, Shia LaBeouf, Uma Thurman, Stellan Skarsgård
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
14. The Idiots (1998)
14
2
The Idiots
R
14
2

Karen is dining in a restaurant when few mentally disturbed people enter and disrupt everyone’s peace. Soon it seems that the group is behaving like ‘idiots’ in public, just to prove a point.

Starring:
Bodil Jørgensen, Jens Albinus, Anne Louise Hassing, Troels Lyby
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
15. Antichrist (2009)
18
3
Antichrist
18
3

While a couple is busy having sex, their toddler son dies falling from the bedroom window, leaving the mother grief-stricken. The father, a therapist, decides to treat her himself and takes her to an isolated cabin in a woods where she spent a previous summer with the boy. However, she becomes maniacal amidst ominous natural occurrences.

Starring:
Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Storm Acheche Sahlstrøm
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
16. Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence (2007)
12
3
Chacun son cinéma ou Ce petit coup au coeur quand la lumière s'éteint et que le film commence
12
3

This anthology film is a collection of 33 different short films, where the directors expresses their ideas and feelings regarding cinema.

Starring:
David Cronenberg, Isabelle Adjani, Jeanne Moreau, Josh Brolin, Bradley Walsh, Michael Lonsdale, Takeshi Kitano
17. The Boss of It All (2006)
13
3
The Boss of It All
13
3

For years, the owner of an IT company has pretended that the real boss lives in America, and communicates with all their staff only by email. The purpose of this is to attribute all the unpopular decisions to the 'absentee boss'. However, things get complicated when a prospective buyer wants to meet the ‘real boss’ in person, and the owner is forced to hire an actor to portray him.

Starring:
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, Iben Hjejle, Jens Albinus, Peter Gantzler
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
18. Dear Wendy (2005)
13
3
Dear Wendy
13
3

In a small town in the US, a group of teens sharing an interest in guns, decides to form a gang named the Dandies led by Dick Dandelion. Despite the fact that they all carry guns, they all follow a code of pacifism. Along with his gang, Dick tries to protect his childhood nanny Clarabelle, when she is threatened by other gangs.

Starring:
Alison Pill, Bill Pullman, Novella Nelson, Michael Angarano, Danso Gordon
Directed By:
Thomas Vinterberg
19. Epidemic (1987)
12
2
Epidemic
12
2
Starring:
Ole Ernst, Allan De Waal, Michael Gelting, Colin Gilder, Svend Ali Hamann
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
20. Nocturne (1980)
10
2
Nocturne
10
2
Role:
Masked Man Bashing Through Window (uncredited)
Starring:
Yvette, Solbjørg Højfeldt, Anne-Lise Gabold
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
21. A Chess Game (1969)
10
2
A Chess Game
10
2
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
22. Befrielsesbilleder (1982)
10
2
Befrielsesbilleder
10
2

This war drama film tells the story of a German Officer, who, after the occupation of Denmark ends, pays a visit to his Danish mistress. 

Starring:
Edward Fleming, Kirsten Olesen
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
23. A Flower (1971)
9
2
A Flower
9
2

This short film shows us a boy planting a flower on a plot of empty land, even though construction trucks are driving all around, hinting that the flower may be end up destroyed in some way soon.

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
24. Why Try to Escape from Which You Know You Can't Escape from? Because You Are a Coward (1970)
9
2
Why Try to Escape from Which You Know You Can't Escape from? Because You Are a Coward
9
2

This short film revolves around a man who finds himself being haunted by a masked stranger.

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
25. A Dead Boring Experience (1969)
8
2
A Dead Boring Experience
8
2
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
26. Good Night, Dear (1968)
8
2
Good Night, Dear
8
2

Good Night, Dear is one of the first short films by Lars von Trier, where a bank employee is shown being subjected to a brutal robbery.

Directed By:
Lars von Trier
27. Menthe - la bienheureuse (1979)
8
2
Menthe - la bienheureuse
8
2

Menthe - la bienheureuse is a short film based on a novel which tells the story of a voluntary female submission.

Role:
The Driver
Starring:
Inger Hvidtfeldt, Annette Linnet, Carl-Henrik Trier, Jenni Dick
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
28. The Orchid Gardener (1978)
7
1
The Orchid Gardener
7
1

Victor Marse is a young artist of Jewish descent, who has shunned his heritage, and soon arrives at the realization that he is alone. He starts doubting humanity’s willingness to help each other, and meanwhile, he starts falling for a young nurse named Eliza.

Starring:
Inger Hvidtfeldt, Karen Oksbjerg, Brigitte Pelissier, Maurice Drouzy
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
29. The Last Detail (1981)
7
1
The Last Detail
7
1
Starring:
Otto Brandenburg, Torben Zeller, Gitte Pelle, Ib Hansen, Michael Simpson
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
30. Kaptajn Klyde og hans venner vender tilbage (1980)
6
1
Kaptajn Klyde og hans venner vender tilbage
6
1
Starring:
Jesper Klein, Jess Ingerslev, Tom McEwan, Lykke Nielsen
Directed By:
Jesper Klein, Per Holst
31. Hemmelig sommer (1969)
4
1
Hemmelig sommer
4
1
Role:
Lars (as Lars Trier)
Starring:
Jens Okking, Maria Edström, Elin Bing, Charlotte Vøhtz
Directed By:
Thomas Winding
32. The Early Years: Erik Nietzsche Part 1 (2007)
11
3
The Early Years: Erik Nietzsche Part 1
11
3
Starring:
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, David Dencik, Jonatan Spang, Carl Martin Norén
Directed By:
Jacob Thuesen
33. Visions of Europe (2004)
10
2
Visions of Europe
10
2
Starring:
Johanna Troell, Safia Aggoune, Abel Alves, Benzirar Baroudi, Ina-Marija Bartare
Directed By:
Aki Kaurismäki, Peter Greenaway, Fatih Akin, Barbara Albert
34. South (2004)
10
2
South
10
2
Starring:
Monic Hendrickx, Frank Lammers, Oksana Akinshina, Olga Louzgina, Nazmiye Oral
Directed By:
Martin Koolhoven
35. The Erotic Man (2010)
8
2
The Erotic Man
8
2
Starring:
Jørgen Leth, Angeli Bayani, Sue Prado, Marie Marthe Dorothie Laguerre, Giovanna Biotto
Directed By:
Jørgen Leth
36. A World of Difference (1989)
7
1
A World of Difference
7
1
Starring:
Adam Kozlowski, Boguslaw Linda, Hilda Jensen, Mirek Dymitrow
Directed By:
Leif Magnusson
37. The Exhibited (2000)
7
1
The Exhibited
7
1
Starring:
Carsten Bjørnlund, Regitze Estrup, Lotte Aske Fredskov, Betina Henriette Grove, Niels Peter Johansen
Directed By:
Jesper Jargil
38. Lars from 1-10 (1998)
6
1
Lars from 1-10
6
1
Role:
Himself
Directed By:
Sophie Fiennes, Shari Roman

TV Movie(s)

1. Medea (1988)
13
3
Medea
13
3
Starring:
Udo Kier, Solbjørg Højfeldt, Kirsten Olesen, Henning Jensen, Preben Lerdorff Rye
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
2. D-dag (2000)
7
1
D-dag
7
1
Starring:
Nicolaj Kopernikus, Jesper Asholt, Bjarne Henriksen, Charlotte Sachs Bostrup, Dejan Cukic
Directed By:
Lars von Trier, Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, Kristian Levring, Thomas Vinterberg
3. D-dag - Den færdige film (2001)
6
1
D-dag - Den færdige film
6
1
Starring:
Nicolaj Kopernikus, Jesper Asholt, Bjarne Henriksen, Charlotte Sachs Bostrup, Dejan Cukic
Directed By:
Lars von Trier, Søren Kragh-Jacobsen, Kristian Levring, Thomas Vinterberg
4. D-dag - Lise (2000)
5
1
D-dag - Lise
5
1
Starring:
Stellan Skarsgård, Nicolaj Kopernikus, Bjarne Henriksen, Charlotte Sachs Bostrup, Dejan Cukic
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
5. Kayaking on the Top of the World (2000)
4
1
Kayaking on the Top of the World
4
1
Starring:
John Andersen, Frederik Jacobi
Directed By:
Andreas Hvidt

Animation(s)

The Trip to Squash Land (1967)
The Trip to Squash Land
Plot:

The stop motion, cardboard animation which is Lars von Trier’s directorial debut, features a Super Sausage. When a group of bunnies are frolicking around, one of them gets abducted by some strange troll-like creatures. Then the anthropomorphized sausage, the Super Sausage, comes to the rescue and rides a whale with other two bunnies as they travel underwater to save the kidnapped one. 

Directed By:
Lars von Trier

TV Shows and Videos

Klovn (2005)
Klovn
TV-MA
Starring:
David Dencik, Melinda Kinnaman, Iben Hjejle, Casper Christensen, Frank Hvam
Selma Jezková (2011)
Selma Jezková
Starring:
Ulla Kudsk Jensen, Guido Paevatalu, Gert Henning-Jensen, Hanne Fischer, Palle Knudsen
Directed By:
Uffe Borgwadt
Hollywood's Best Film Directors (2009)
Hollywood's Best Film Directors
Starring:
Danny Boyle, John Woo, Francis Ford Coppola, John Boorman
Morten Korch - Ved stillebækken (1999)
Morten Korch - Ved stillebækken
Starring:
Iben Hjejle, Sanne Grangaard, Henrik Ipsen, Morten A. Korch, Stig Hoffmeyer
Kingdom Hospital (2004)
Kingdom Hospital
Starring:
Evangeline Lilly, Andrew McCarthy, Diane Ladd, Ed Begley Jr., Stephen King, Bruce Davison
Laid Back: Bakerman (1989)
Laid Back: Bakerman
Starring:
Laid Back, John Guldberg, Tim Stahl
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
The Teacher's Room (1994)
The Teacher's Room
Starring:
Klaus Rifbjerg, Jarl Friis-Mikkelsen, Ulla Dahlerup, Søren Gericke, Claes Kastholm Hansen
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
HotMen CoolBoyz (2000)
HotMen CoolBoyz
X
Starring:
Billy Herrington, Rune Gärtner, Michael Thomsen, Bo Larsen, Taus Stanley Borgquist
Directed By:
Knud Vesterskov
Dimension 1991-2024 (2010)
Dimension 1991-2024
Starring:
Udo Kier, Eddie Constantine, Jean-Marc Barr, Jens Okking, Katrin Cartlidge
Directed By:
Lars von Trier
All About Anna (2005)
All About Anna
Starring:
Eileen Daly, Gry Bay, Adrian Bouchet, Thomas Raft, Ovidie
Directed By:
Jessica Nilsson
Pink Prison (1999)
Pink Prison
Starring:
Sussi Dollenz la Cour, Mark Duran, Anders Nyborg, Alberto Rey, Mr. Marcus
Directed By:
Lisbeth Lynghøft
Constance (1998)
Constance
Starring:
Sussi Dollenz la Cour, Anaïs, Mark Duran, Niels Dencker, Michael Larsen
Directed By:
Knud Vesterskov
Marathon (1996)
Marathon
Starring:
Svend Ali Hamann, Jens Arentzen, Anne Marie Helger, Peter Øvig Knudsen, Tine Bryld