Peter Lorre, with his distinctive voice and haunting screen presence, has left an indelible mark on the film industry. Often cast as the villain or the flawed character driven by obsession, Lorre’s performances remained unforgettable across a wide range of genres. Here we take a look at the ten best Peter Lorre movies as rated by users on Letterboxd.

1. “M” (1931) – Directed by Fritz Lang, this film features Lorre in his breakthrough role as Hans Beckert, a serial killer preying on children in Berlin. His riveting performance laid bare the torments of a man pursued by both the law and the underworld.

2. “Casablanca” (1942) – In this timeless classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, Lorre plays Ugarte, an opportunist dealing in transit letters which are crucial to refugees fleeing the war.

3. “The Maltese Falcon” (1941) – Under the direction of John Huston, Lorre portrays Joel Cairo, a slippery character tangled up in the search for a priceless statuette alongside Bogart’s private detective Sam Spade.

4. “Mad Love” (1935) – Starring as Dr. Gogol, Lorre delivers a chilling performance of a surgeon whose obsession with an actress leads him down a dark path.

5. “The Mask of Dimitrios” (1944) – Playing the mysterious Dimitrios Makropoulos, whose past is uncovered posthumously through flashbacks and investigations, Lorre captivates audiences with his layered portrayal.

6. “Secret Agent” (1936) – Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Lorre shines as ‘The General’ helping to prevent World War I in this espionage thriller.

7. “Stranger on the Third Floor” (1940) – Considered by many as one of the first film noirs, Lorre plays an eerie stranger suspected of murder in this groundbreaking film.

8. “Arsenic and Old Lace” (1944) – Demonstrating his ability for comedy, Lorre plays Dr. Einstein, an alcoholic surgeon involved in questionable moral activities alongside Cary Grant’s character.

9. “Crime and Punishment” (1935) – In this adaptation of Dostoevsky’s novel, Peter Lorre stars as Roderick Raskolnikov, bringing depth to the conflicted protagonist struggling with guilt after committing murder.

10. “The Beast with Five Fingers” (1946) – Showing his versatility once again, Lorre stars as Hilary Cummins, an astrologer who delves into suspicion when a severed hand seems to take on a life of its own.

These films showcase not only Peter Lorre’s flexibility as an actor but also his ability to leave audiences with performances that resonate long after the screen goes black. His work continues to be admired and respected by cinephiles around the world thanks to platforms like Letterboxd that keep his legacy alive.