Movies Like Emil and the Detectives (2001)

Emil and the Detectives is a 2001 comedy, family film from Franziska Buch with a MovieMagicScore of 6.2/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Mad Money and The Kid Brother.

Comedy Family

Mad Money

2008

Three female employees of the Federal Reserve plot to steal money that is about to be destroyed.

6.5

MagicScore

The Kid Brother

1927

The timid youngest son of the most important family in town must use his wits to win the respect of his strong father and the love of a beautiful new woman in town.

6.9

MagicScore

Off Course

2015

Two young Spanish men, with a university education, are tired of unemployment and decide to move to Germany. But soon they will find out that finding a better living is not as easy as they expected.

6.3

MagicScore

Summer in Berlin

2005

An intimate study of two women friends who come to each other because of troubles with everyday life and with men and thus try to enjoy a life based on their ideas.

6.2

MagicScore

A Dog's Life

1918

The Tramp and his dog companion struggle to survive in the inner city.

7.3

MagicScore

In the Heat of the Night

1967

African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.

7.6

MagicScore

Kuhle Wampe or Who Owns the World?

1932

Kuhle Wampe takes place in early-1930s Berlin. The film begins with a montage of newspaper headlines describing steadily-rising unemployment figures. This is followed by scenes of a young man looking for work in the city and the family discussing the unpaid back rent. The young man, brother of the protagonist Anni, removes his wristwatch and throws himself from a window out of despair. Shortly thereafter his family is evicted from their apartment. Now homeless, the family moves into a garden colony of sorts with the name “Kuhle Wampe.”

6.9

MagicScore

Tough Enough

2006

From the youth directed novel of the same name by Greogor Tressnow comes a film by Detlev Buck that is a realistic portrait of life in the section of Berlin called Neukölln. It’s about power and weakness, delinquents and victims, and the difficulties a 15-year-old faces in a poor and criminal environment.

6.8

MagicScore

Fabian: Going to the Dogs

2021

In 1930s Berlin, Dr. Jakob Fabian, who works by day in advertising for a cigarette company and by night wanders the streets of the city, falls in love with an actress. As her career begins to blossom, prospects for his future begin to wane.

6.5

MagicScore

#10

Effi Briest

1974

When 17-year-old Effi Briest marries the elderly Baron von Instetten, she moves to a small, isolated Baltic town and a house that she fears is haunted. Starved for companionship, Effi begins a friendship with Major Crampas, a charismatic womanizer.

6.6

MagicScore

#11

Bicycle Thieves

1948

Unemployed Antonio is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. However on his first day, his bicycle—essential to his work—gets stolen. His job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his son, Antonio combs the city, becoming desperate for justice.

8.2

MagicScore

#12

Emil and the Detectives

1964

When Emil travels by bus to Berlin to visit his family, his money is stolen by a crook who specializes in digging tunnels. While following the thief, Emil runs into Gustav, a young boy who gathers up all his friends to help Emil find the money. However, they get into more trouble than they bargained for when Emil's pickpocket turns out to be mixed up with a couple of notorious bank robbers.

6.1

MagicScore

#13

The Art of the Steal

2013

Crunch Calhoun, a third-rate motorcycle daredevil and part-time art thief, teams up with his snaky brother to steal one of the most valuable books in the world. But it's not just about the book for Crunch — he's keen to rewrite some chapters of his own past as well.

6.2

MagicScore

#14

The Saint

1997

Simon Templar (The Saint), is a thief for hire, whose latest job to steal the secret process for cold fusion puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret.

6.1

MagicScore

#15

Once Upon a Time in Venice

2017

Steve Ford is a private detective in Venice Beach, Calif., who's good with the ladies, bad with the punches and wild about his dog Buddy. When local thugs steal Buddy, Ford turns to Spyder, their devious leader, and forges an unlikely alliance. With help from his best friend, Steve pulls out the big guns to retrieve Spyder's stolen cash and cocaine and save Buddy.

5.2

MagicScore

#16

Reservoir Dogs

1992

A botched robbery indicates a police informant, and the pressure mounts in the aftermath at a warehouse. Crime begets violence as the survivors -- veteran Mr. White, newcomer Mr. Orange, psychopathic parolee Mr. Blonde, bickering weasel Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie -- unravel.

8.1

MagicScore

#17

Heat

1995

Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.

7.9

MagicScore

#18

Le Cercle Rouge

1970

When French criminal Corey gets released from prison, he resolves to never return. He is quickly pulled back into the underworld, however, after a chance encounter with escaped murderer Vogel. Along with former policeman and current alcoholic Jansen, they plot an intricate jewel heist. All the while, quirky Police Commissioner Mattei, who was the one to lose custody of Vogel, is determined to find him.

7.6

MagicScore

#19

Babe: Pig in the City

1998

Babe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm.

5.7

MagicScore

#20

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein

2001

The Chipmunks work in an amusement park attraction. After Alvin drives a crazy tour group, they miss their next performance and are locked in the park after closing time. Little do they know that the real Dr. Frankenstein has been hired in a new attraction called, "Frankenstein's Castle"; figuring that the castle isn't scary enough, the mad scientist recreates the real Monster.

6.8

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Emil and the Detectives?

The top films similar to Emil and the Detectives by MovieMagicScore are Mad Money (6.5), The Kid Brother (6.9), Off Course (6.3). Each shares comedy/family themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Emil and the Detectives worth watching?

Emil and the Detectives holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.2/10 from 37 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Emil and the Detectives?

Emil and the Detectives (2001) is a comedy, family film directed by Franziska Buch, starring Tobias Retzlaff, Anja Sommavilla, Jürgen Vogel.

Where can I find more recommendations like Emil and the Detectives?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more comedy recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Mad Money Movies like The Kid Brother Movies like Off Course Movies like Summer in Berlin Movies like A Dog's Life Movies like In the Heat of the Night

About movies like Emil and the Detectives

This ranked list pairs Emil and the Detectives (2001), a comedy and family film from Franziska Buch, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Tobias Retzlaff take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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