The Reader_
OSCAR WINNER
"Behind the mystery lies a truth that will make you question everything you know."
The story of Michael Berg, a German lawyer who, as a teenager in the late 1950s, had an affair with an older woman, Hanna, who then disappeared only to resurface years later as one of the defendants in a war crimes trial stemming from her actions as a concentration camp guard late in the war. He alone realizes that Hanna is illiterate and may be concealing that fact at the expense of her freedom.
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels
5 countries
Britbox Apple TV Channel
1 country
Fandango at Home Free
FREE
1 country
Plex
FREE
1 country
Hoopla
FREE
1 country
Molotov TV
1 country
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
The Reader earned $108.9M worldwide on a $32.0M budget — a 240% return on investment.
Stephen Daldry →
Year context
The Reader was released 18 years ago in 2008.
CAST (20)
Ralph Fiennes
Michael Berg
Kate Winslet
Hanna Schmitz
David Kross
Young Michael Berg
Lena Olin
Rose Mather
Bruno Ganz
Professor Rohl
Jeanette Hain
Brigitte
Hannah Herzsprung
Julia
Karoline Herfurth
Marthe
Volker Bruch
Dieter Spenz
Alexandra Maria Lara
Young Ilana Mather
Fabian Busch
Hanna's Defense Council
Vijessna Ferkic
Sophie
Susanne Lothar
Carla Berg
Matthias Habich
Peter Berg
Burghart Klaußner
Judge
Sylvester Groth
Prosecuting Council
Jürgen Tarrach
Gerhard Bade
Florian Bartholomäi
Thomas Berg
Moritz Grove
Holger
Kirsten Block
Female Judge
CREW
Director
Writer
BOX OFFICE
$32.0M
Budget
$108.9M
Revenue
+240%
ROI
BLOCKBUSTER
Verdict
STUDIOS (2)
The Weinstein Company
Babelsberg Film GmbH
AWARDS (12)
G
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
2009
WON
G
Academy Award for Best Actress
2009
WON
B
2009
WON
B
2009
WON
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
124 min (2h 4m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
7.5/10 (3,320 votes)
Popularity
5
Budget
$32,000,000
Box Office
$108,902,486
Profit
+$76,902,486
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is The Reader about?
The story of Michael Berg, a German lawyer who, as a teenager in the late 1950s, had an affair with an older woman, Hanna, who then disappeared only to resurface years later as one of the defendants in a war crimes trial stemming from her actions as a concentration camp guard late in the war. He alone realizes that Hanna is illiterate and may be concealing that fact at the expense of her freedom.
How long is The Reader?
The Reader has a runtime of 124 minutes (2h 4m).
Who directed The Reader?
The Reader was directed by Stephen Daldry.
Who stars in The Reader?
The cast of The Reader includes Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, David Kross, Lena Olin, Bruno Ganz.
How much did The Reader make at the box office?
The Reader earned $108,902,486 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $32,000,000.
What is the rating of The Reader?
The Reader has a rating of 7.5 out of 10 based on 3,320 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (2)
Drama
Romance
KEYWORDS (26)
based on novel or book
germany
war crimes
women's prison
trial
female prisoner
reading aloud
love affair
cynical
law student
teenage sexuality
older woman younger man relationship
reading to someone
secret lover
shame
literacy
frantic
west germany
courtroom drama
complex
cautionary
depressing
cruel
disheartening
embarrassed
tragic