Best Austrian family movies

Woodwalkers (2024)

Humans who can shapeshift into animals struggle to integrate with others without giving away their special abilities. As a group, they strive to inform and institute change in the world perspective of deforestation and the importance of natural habitats. However, when that can’t happen, they are forced to take matters into their own hands.

Beauty and the Beast (2012)

German/Austrian TV adaptation of the famous fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast“. There is only one way to break the spell which has turned the prince into a horrible beast: a beautiful girl has to fall in love with the creature. As time is running out, the beast abducts the girl Elsa and takes her prisoner. He puts all his efforts into charming the girl. Elsa does not accept her fate, and the beast is not at all a gentleman with fine manners. The transformative power of love, which frees Elsa of her feelings of guilt towards her parents and which returns the beast to his former humanity, is at the heart of the film. Aimed at a family audience, the film's eerie scenes are balanced with humor and poetry.

The Scary House (2020)

When a big-city family moves to a remote town, two young brothers and their new friends try to solve the menacing mystery that haunts their home.

Madison (2020)

At the center of the family story is 13-year-old titular protagonist Madison, for whom cycle racing means just everything! She gives her all to emulate her cool and successful cycle-pro father. But when the talented and ambitious young racer has to unwillingly swap saddles for a mountain bike, things go haywire.

Requiem for a Robot (2013)

Rob, a worn out robot with a corrupt memory, drowns his sorrows of his 'screwed' existence in alcohol and asks himself the essential question: what did he do wrong? He needs to remember...

The Frog King (2008)

A king without a son invites eligible royals and other high aristocrats for his eldest daughter princess Sophie's 18th birthday party.

Oma wider Willen (2012)

A new collaboration between director Sigi Rothemund (Siggi Götz) and writer Erich Tomek.

Nelly (2015)

A car drives through the snow. Behind the wheel is Nelly. She is thirteen years old. Nelly wants to go home. Separating her from her goal are three questions, two keys, a diving tower and a racing heart.

Die Liebe eines Priesters (2005)

Michael, a hardened petty criminal, has made a hot score with two accomplices. On a hectic escape through the streets of Prague, he notices a young woman who is about to throw herself off a bridge into the Vltava. Quick-witted, he jumps in after her and saves Klara's life - and his own. For Michael, it is a moment of enlightenment that leads him back to his fatherly friend Father Christoph. The priest prays hard for him and hides his protégé in a monastery, where Michael enters the seminary and develops his talent as a restorer. Six years later, Michael returns to Prague and meets Klara again by chance. He has never forgotten her, but she does not recognize her former rescuer.

Die Zeit der Kraniche (2010)

In the loneliness of the Lower Havel lowlands, one of the last bird paradise in Germany, twelve-year-old Lea lives alone with her father Lutz, a passionate environmentalist. She is on the cusp of adulthood, confronted with the challenges of the present and the pains of the past. She often feels lonely in the childhood-remote world in which she lives, in which schools are closed and people leave. Even the father, who has withdrawn from the world, is increasingly becoming a problem for Lea, who longs for fellowship.

Little Lady (2012)

Nine-year-old streetwalker Emily lives with her widowed mother in 19th century New York. Her life changes abruptly when she learns that she has been appointed sole heiress by an aging, wealthy Austrian countess. It is not only an heiress who causes turbulence, but also the countess's attempt to raise Emily as a member of the aristocracy.

Nicht ohne meinen Enkel (2013)

Franziska only wants the best for her bright grandson Tobias. That's why the retired teacher is very worried when the boy starts to drop off at school. His mother Silke, a hands-on woman from a modest background, is not worried. She doesn't want to raise Tobias to be a bookworm anyway, but is annoyed that her dedicated grandmother spoils the little boy rotten. The fronts harden. After an ugly argument, Silke forbids her grandmother to have any contact with Tobias. Franziska doesn't want to put up with this and goes to court.

All for Uma (2021)

After taking a job at a family’s previously thriving vineyard, a young woman looks to save its dysfunctional owners from debt and themselves.

Lisa und die Säbelzahntiger (1995)

Lisa has grown up in an orphanage. She is looking forward to her adoption, as she doesn't know that her new parents are about to divorce. The Saber-toothed cat which she meets in a museum intervenes as a "feles ex machina".

Treasure from Heaven (1999)

Flori and Lucy are on holiday in Turkey. By accident they meet their class mate Ali, who is visiting his grandfather. Ahmet, a genie, sends the three kids on a treasure hunt near an old castle. They find real jewels and the hunt turns into a real adventure when it becomes apparent that a German gangster duo is looking for the treasure as well.

Ein Rucksack voller Lügen (1996)

Professor Niedlich (2001)

After a cunning escape from the boarding school, Oliver and Peter find their way to the back parts of Gastein Valley, where they fall into the hands of the paranoid Professor Niedlich. He gives the boys compulsory lessons, far worse than at school.

Ein himmlisches Weihnachtsgeschenk (2002)

Little Jacob has just one wish for Christmas: he wants to finally meet his grandfather. But he has been missing for years and nobody in the family knows where he is. When Jacob confides his heartfelt wish to a Santa Claus at the Vienna Christmas market, he has no idea what turbulent developments he is setting in motion.

Herrn Josefs letzte Liebe (1959)

Four Women Are Just Too Much (1992)

Tommy can't take it anymore. At home, the 14-year-old Vienna boy is the only man among many women: Sister, mom, grandma and great-grandma tugging at Tommy's nerves, also the schoolboy suffers from lovesickness. Nothing left to do but get out so Tommy travels to his father Hubert. Shortly after Tommy arrives there, grandma Lore-Mu and the rest of the clan join…

Schicksal am Lenkrad (1954)

Salzburg Marionette Theatre: The Magic Flute (1994)

The Queen of the Night has begged Prince Tamino to free her daughter Pamina from the clutches of the High Priest Sarastro, who has abducted her. Together with the bird-catcher Papageno, Tamino enters Sarastro's realm to seek her. When he finds her, the two fall in love, but they have to have to undergo ordeals before they can be together. At the end, Papageno is also rewarded with his Papagena.

Ferien mit Silvester (1990)

Das Herz einer Frau (1951)

Was kostet der Sieg? (1980)

The students of a Vienna High School participate in the games of a newly formed student's soccer league. After winning their first game, all they can think of is sport; they are encouraged by their gym teacher and school director who feel it's good for the school and its prestige. Coming of age film

Auf allen Straßen (1960)

Mariandl's Homecoming (1962)

Zwei Weihnachtshunde (2005)

A year ago, Katrin and Max got to know and love each other with the support of the phlegmatic bass dog Kurt. Should they now match their friends and marry? At first it doesn't look promising: Katrin is fighting for a job in London and Max is constantly gone, he seems to meet other women. The help of a second Christmas dog is needed to steer fate in the right direction.

Mariandl (1961)

Der Ruf der Pferde (2014)

Hansi Bruckner is the owner of a riding stable in the Austrian Alps. His wife, who used to work as a doctor at a local orphanage, and who had left him after the death of their child, is now returning home and they want to try to overcome their differences and come to terms with past events.