Dr. Mabuse Movies: Lang Trilogy
Fritz Lang's three Mabuse films span four decades of the director's career, representing his personal exploration of the criminal mastermind across different eras of cinema and society. These films establish the character's iconic status and explore themes of hypnosis, surveillance, and psychological terror that would influence countless thrillers to come.
While not conceived as a traditional trilogy, Lang's return to Mabuse in 1960 after 27 years creates a fascinating artistic arc - from the silent epic that launched his career, through the anti-Nazi allegory that got him banned from Germany, to his final film that modernized the character for the Cold War era.
There are 2 other watch orders available – see the links up above.
Dr. Mabuse, the Gambler
Criminal mastermind Dr. Mabuse uses disguises and psychological manipulation to execute elaborate schemes involving stock market fraud and rigged gambling. When Police Commissioner von Wenk begins investigating the mysterious crime spree, he faces a formidable opponent in this early silent thriller.
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse
A detective discovers that the imprisoned criminal mastermind Dr. Mabuse is somehow orchestrating a new wave of crimes from his asylum cell. Commissioner Lohmann must uncover how the hypnotic genius is communicating with criminals on the outside and stop his reign of terror once and for all.
The Thousand Eyes of Dr. Mabuse
A reporter's murder sets off a mysterious investigation involving a clairvoyant who witnessed the crime in a vision, but dark forces prevent him from identifying the killer in this classic thriller featuring the return of the notorious Dr. Mabuse.
Other Film Series
Bryan Edgar Wallace
A series of German crime thrillers produced by CCC Filmkunst in the 1960s-70s, marketed under the name of Edgar Wallace's son Bryan, featuring standalone mysteries with gothic atmosphere and masked killers.
Escape Plan
An action trilogy following security expert Ray Breslin as he infiltrates and escapes from increasingly dangerous high-tech prisons.
Hercule Poirot
Agatha Christie's famous Belgian detective has been adapted across multiple eras, from early talkies to modern star-studded ensembles.
Saw
A horror franchise centered on the elaborate death traps and moral philosophy of serial killer John Kramer, known as Jigsaw.
Scream
A meta-horror franchise following Sidney Prescott and others as they face various Ghostface killers, known for its self-aware commentary on slasher film tropes.
Sherlock Holmes
Feature films based on Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective, spanning multiple eras, actors, and interpretations across nearly a century of cinema.