Highest rated as cast or director
Biography
Werner Herzog (German: [ˈvɛɐ̯nɐ ˈhɛɐ̯tsoːk]; born 5 September 1942) is a German film director, screenwriter, author, actor, and opera director, regarded as a pioneer of New German Cinema. His films often feature ambitious protagonists with impossible dreams, people with unique talents in obscure fields, or individuals in conflict with nature. He is known for his unique filmmaking process, such as disregarding storyboards, emphasizing improvisation, and placing the cast and crew into similar situations as characters in his films. Herzog started work on his first film Herakles in 1961, when he was nineteen. Since then he has produced, written, and directed more than sixty feature films and documentaries, such as Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972), The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974), Heart of Glass (1976), Stroszek (1977), Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), Fitzcarraldo (1982), Cobra Verde (1987), Lessons of Darkness (1992), Little Dieter Needs to Fly (1997), My Best Fiend (1999), Invincible (2000), Grizzly Man (2005), Encounters at the End of the World (2007), Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009), and Cave of Forgotten Dreams (2010). He has published more than a dozen books of prose, and directed as many operas. French filmmaker François Truffaut once called Herzog "the most important film director alive." American film critic Roger Ebert said that Herzog "has never created a single film that is compromised, shameful, made for pragmatic reasons, or uninteresting. Even his failures are spectacular." He was named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2009. Description above from the Wikipedia article Werner Herzog, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Directed 79
2020s
- 2026
- 2024
Theater of Thought
Director
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
Family Romance, LLC
Director
Meeting Gorbachev
Director
- 2016
- 2015
- 2013
From One Second to the Next
Director
- 2012
The Killers: Unstaged
Director
- 2011
Into the Abyss
Director
Ode to the Dawn of Man
Director
- 2010
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Director
Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
Director
2000s
- 2009
La Bohème
Director
- 2008
Encounters at the End of the World
Director
Lohengrin: Bayreuth Festival Opera
Stage Director
- 2007
- 2005
- 2004
The White Diamond
Director
- 2003
Wheel of Time
Director
- 2002
Ten Thousand Years Older
Director
Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet
Director
- 2001
Invincible
Director
Pilgrimage
Director
- 2000
Tannhäuser
Stage Director
1990s
- 1999
2000 Years of Christianity
Director
Wings of Hope
Director
- 1997
Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Director
- 1996
The Transformation of the World Into Music
Director
- 1995
Gesualdo: Death for Five Voices
Director
- 1993
Bells from the Deep
Director
- 1992
Lessons of Darkness
Director
- 1991
Film Lesson
Director
Jag Mandir: The Eccentric Private Theatre of the Maharaja of Udaipur
Director
Scream of Stone
Director
- 1990
Echoes from a Sombre Empire
Director
1980s
- 1989
Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun
Director
Giovanna d'Arco
Director
- 1988
The French as Seen by…
Director
The Gauls
Director
- 1987
- 1986
Portrait: Werner Herzog
Director
- 1985
The Dark Glow of the Mountains
Director
- 1984
Ballad of the Little Soldier
Director
- 1983
God's Angry Man
Director
Huie's Sermon
Director
- 1982
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
La Soufrière: Waiting for an Inevitable Catastrophe
Director
- 1976
How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck
Director
No One Will Play with Me
Director
- 1974
The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
Director
- 1972
- 1971
Handicapped Future
Director
- 1970
The Flying Doctors of East Africa
Director
1960s
- 1969
Precautions Against Fanatics
Director
- 1968
Last Words
Director
- 1967
The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz
Director
- 1962
Herakles
Director
No release date
The Twilight World
Director
Wrote 63
2020s
- 2026
- 2024
Theater of Thought
Screenplay
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
Family Romance, LLC
Writer
Meeting Gorbachev
Writer
- 2016
- 2015
- 2012
- 2011
Into the Abyss
Writer
- 2010
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Screenplay
Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
Writer
2000s
- 2008
Encounters at the End of the World
Writer
- 2007
- 2005
- 2004
The White Diamond
Screenplay
- 2003
Wheel of Time
Writer
- 2002
Ten Thousand Years Older
Screenplay
Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet
Writer
- 2001
Invincible
Writer
1990s
- 1999
Wings of Hope
Writer
- 1997
Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Writer
- 1996
The Transformation of the World Into Music
Writer
- 1995
Gesualdo: Death for Five Voices
Writer
- 1993
Bells from the Deep
Writer
- 1992
Lessons of Darkness
Writer
- 1991
Jag Mandir: The Eccentric Private Theatre of the Maharaja of Udaipur
Screenplay
- 1990
Echoes from a Sombre Empire
Writer
1980s
- 1989
Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun
Writer
- 1987
- 1986
Portrait: Werner Herzog
Writer
- 1985
The Dark Glow of the Mountains
Writer
- 1984
Ballad of the Little Soldier
Writer
- 1983
God's Angry Man
Writer
- 1982
- 1980
Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe
Writer
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
- 1976
No One Will Play with Me
Writer
- 1974
The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
Screenplay
- 1972
- 1971
Handicapped Future
Writer
- 1970
The Flying Doctors of East Africa
Writer
1960s
- 1969
Precautions Against Fanatics
Writer
- 1968
Last Words
Screenplay
- 1967
The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz
Screenplay
- 1962
Herakles
Screenplay
No release date
The hunger in the world explained to my son
Writer
The Twilight World
Novel
Produced 50
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
Felicidad
Producer
Reeling
Executive Producer
- 2024
Theater of Thought
Executive Producer
- 2023
The Arc of Oblivion
Executive Producer
- 2022
Flores del precipicio
Producer
El Poso
Producer
2010s
- 2019
- 2017
A Gray State
Executive Producer
- 2016
- 2015
Red Army
Executive Producer
- 2014
- 2012
- 2011
Into the Abyss
Producer
- 2010
Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
Executive Producer
2000s
- 2004
- 2003
Wheel of Time
Producer
- 2001
Invincible
Producer
1990s
- 1996
The Transformation of the World Into Music
Executive Producer
- 1995
Gesualdo: Death for Five Voices
Producer
- 1992
Lessons of Darkness
Executive Producer
- 1991
Jag Mandir: The Eccentric Private Theatre of the Maharaja of Udaipur
Producer
- 1990
Echoes from a Sombre Empire
Producer
1980s
- 1989
Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun
Co-Producer
- 1987
Location Africa
Producer
- 1985
The Dark Glow of the Mountains
Producer
- 1984
Ballad of the Little Soldier
Producer
- 1982
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
La Soufrière: Waiting for an Inevitable Catastrophe
Producer
- 1976
How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck
Producer
- 1974
The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
Producer
- 1972
- 1971
Handicapped Future
Producer
- 1970
The Flying Doctors of East Africa
Producer
1960s
- 1969
Precautions Against Fanatics
Producer
- 1968
Last Words
Producer
- 1962
Herakles
Producer
Acted in 42
2020s
- 2027
Ally
(voice)
- 2026
Al borde del abismo: la aventura peruana de Werner Herzog
Movie
- 2025
Sirena
Movie
- 2024
About a Hero
Movie
- 2020
The Andinist
The Painter (Narrator)
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #2: Later in L.A.
(archive footage)
The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault
(archive footage)
2010s
- 2019
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
Home from Home – Chronicle of a Vision
Alexander von Humboldt
- 2012
Strawberryfields
Turnlehrer
2000s
- 2009
Plastic Bag
Plastic Bag (voice)
- 2008
Mister Lonely
Father Umbrillo
- 2007
The Grand
The German
All In This Tea
Movie
- 2006
The Henry Rollins Show
TV
- 2005
1990s
- 1999
Julien Donkey-Boy
Father
- 1998
- 1997
- 1995
Burning Heart
Movie
- 1991
Scream of Stone
TV-Regisseur
- 1990
Hard to Be a God
Mita / Richard
1980s
- 1989
Bride of the Orient
Businger
- 1984
- 1983
Man of Flowers
The Father
1970s
- 1978
- 1976
- 1974
Tales of the Dumpster Kid
Hurenmörder
- 1971
Handicapped Future
Interviewer (voice) (uncredited)
1960s
- 1968
Die Erben von Papas Kino
Movie
- 1967
Neuer Deutscher Film Report
Movie
Sound 9
2010s
- 2011
Ode to the Dawn of Man
Sound
2000s
- 2008
Encounters at the End of the World
Sound
1970s
- 1977
La Soufrière: Waiting for an Inevitable Catastrophe
Sound Engineer
- 1976
How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck
Sound
- 1972
- 1971
Handicapped Future
Sound
- 1970
The Flying Doctors of East Africa
Sound Recordist
1960s
- 1969
Precautions Against Fanatics
Sound
- 1962
Herakles
Sound
Other crew 5
2020s
- 2022
Notes from a Dromedary
Creative Consultant
2010s
- 2011
Ode to the Dawn of Man
Cinematography
2000s
- 2007
The Devil's Muse
Creative Consultant
1970s
- 1971
Handicapped Future
Sound Recordist
Edited 4
2020s
- 2025
Mi casa amarilla
Consulting Editor
2000s
- 2003
Wheel of Time
Editor
1960s
- 1967
The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz
Editor
- 1962
Herakles
Editor
Camera 1
2010s
- 2019
Family Romance, LLC
Director of Photography, Camera Operator
Created 1
2010s
- 2012
Appearances123
2020s
- 2026
Soccer Meets America
Self · 3 episodes
- 2024
Celebrating the Rice Media Center
Self (archival footage)
- 2023
The Arc of Oblivion
Narrator (voice)
- 2022
Tegoyo
Self (Voice)
Nosferatu: A Film Like a Vampire
Self (archive footage)
- 2021
The Extravagant Little Life of Jean-Claude D. Dreyfus
Self (archive footage)
Hannelore Elsner: More Than One Life
Self (archive footage)
A Life for Movies: Lotte Eisner
Self
Meteor: Sohrab Shahid Saless
Self
- 2020
Dear Werner (Walking on Cinema)
Narrator (voice)
Wim Wenders, Desperado
Self
2010s
- 2019
90 Years of the Music Box Theatre
Self
Tattoo Uprising
Self
Meeting Gorbachev
Self
Jihad in Hollywood
Self
- 2018
Manaslu: Mountain of Souls
Self
Paradox Bullets
Narrator (voice)
I'm a Soldier
Self
Film Beyond Cinema: The Dumpster Kid Experiment and Other Utopias
Self
- 2017
Werner We Love You
Self
The Man Who Killed John Wayne
Self (archive footage)
- 2016
Jihad in Hollywood
Self
- 2015
- 2014
Atari: Game Over
Self (archival)
Alfonso Sansone: Producer by Chance
Self (archive footage)
- 2013
The Unbelievers
Self
Werner Herzog and Errol Morris on 'The Act of Killing'
Self
An Appreciation of Les Blank by Werner Herzog
Self
Mistaken for Strangers
Self (uncredited)
Jack Reacher: When the Man Comes Around
Self
- 2012
Close Up
Self (archive footage)
10 Questions for Werner Herzog
Self
The Killers: Unstaged
Self
Dubai Winter Diary VI: Light and Reflections
Self
No Mr. Werner Herzog, this isn't your Cinématon
Self
- 2011
I, I, I José Lewgoy
Self
Into the Abyss
Narrator (voice)
On Borrowed Time
Self
Champions: A Comic Tale
Self
Hans Zimmer: The Sound of Hollywood
Self
- 2010
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Narrator (voice)
Anyone who dares will take the cold off their horse
Self
Happy People: A Year in the Taiga
Narrator (voice)
I am My Films, Part 2... 30 Years Later
Self
The Making of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Himself
2000s
- 2008
Capturing Reality
Self
Encounters at the End of the World
Narrator (voice)
40 x 15: The Forty Years of the Directors' Fortnight
Self
BLAST!
Narrator (voice)
Bierbichler
Self
Counter Shot: Departure of the Filmmakers
Self
- 2007
Making of a True Story: Rescue Dawn
Self
Pierre Rissient: Man of Cinema
Self
- 2006
50 Films to See Before You Die
Self
- 2005
In the Edges: The 'Grizzly Man' Session
Self
- 2004
The White Diamond
Narrator (voice)
The Best of Tromadance Film Festival: Volume 3
Self (voice) ("Dribble" short)
- 2003
Wheel of Time
Narrator (voice)
- 2002
The Boxing Prince
Self
- 2001
The 100 Greatest Films
Self
- 2000
Klaus Kinski: I'm not an actor
Self
The Ball Is a Scumbag
Self
1990s
- 1999
Wings of Hope
Self
- 1997
Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Narrator (voice)
- 1996
Stardust Stricken: Mohsen Makhmalbaf, A Portrait
Self
The Transformation of the World Into Music
Self
- 1995
Gesualdo: Death for Five Voices
Narrator (voice)
- 1993
Bells from the Deep
Narrator (voice)
- 1992
Lessons of Darkness
Self - Narrator (voice)
- 1991
Film Lesson
Self · 4 episodes
Jag Mandir: The Eccentric Private Theatre of the Maharaja of Udaipur
Narrator (voice)
SnowwhiteRosered
Self
- 1990
Echoes from a Sombre Empire
Self
1980s
- 1989
Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun
Narrator (voice)
To the End of the World... and Then a Little Bit Further
Self
- 1987
Location Africa
Self
- 1986
Portrait: Werner Herzog
Self
- 1985
Tokyo-Ga
Self
The Dark Glow of the Mountains
Self (voice)
Room 666
Self
- 1984
Ballad of the Little Soldier
Self (voice)
- 1983
God's Angry Man
Narrator (voice)
- 1982
- 1980
Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe
Self
Garlic Is as Good as Ten Mothers
Self - Film Director: Nosferatu
1970s
- 1979
The Making of 'Nosferatu'
Self
I Am My Films: A Portrait of Werner Herzog
Self
Scénario de 'Sauve qui peut la vie'
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1978
- 1977
La Soufrière: Waiting for an Inevitable Catastrophe
Narrator (voice)
Journey Through History
Self
- 1976
Signs of Vigorous Life: The New German Cinema
Self
How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck
Self
- 1975
Lost in the Garden of the World
Self
- 1974
The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
Self
1960s
- 1968
Thanked in the credits4
2010s
- 2018
The Empty Goal
Thanks
- 2016
The Blimp-Maker
Thanks
- 2013
The Last Shepherd
Thanks
2000s
- 2005
What Is It?
Thanks