
Josef von Sternberg
Explore the best Josef von Sternberg movies ranked by Movie Rankings users. Browse biography, ranked filmography, and movie detail links for Josef von Sternberg.
Josef von Sternberg, born Jonas Sternberg (29 May 1894 – 22 December 1969) was an Austrian-born film director and is among the few whose career successfully spanned the transition from the silent to the sound era. He is considered one of the earliest 'auteur' filmmakers, having filled many other roles on his films including those of cinematographer, screenwriter, and editor. Sternberg's style influenced later directors, particularly those of the film noir period. He is particularly noted for his distinctive mise en scène, use of lighting and soft lens, and collaboration with actress Marlene Dietrich. Among his most important works are The Blue Angel (1930), Morocco (1930), Shanghai Express (1932) and The Scarlet Empress (1934). Andrew Sarris in his influential book of film criticism The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929–1968 included him in the "pantheon" of the 14 greatest film directors who had worked in the United States.
What is the best Josef von Sternberg movie?
Movie Rankings is still collecting enough aggregate data to name a definitive top Josef von Sternberg movie.
How many Josef von Sternberg movies are ranked here?
This page tracks every ranked credit we currently have for Josef von Sternberg, and expands as more titles and comparisons are added.
How often do Josef von Sternberg rankings update?
These rankings refresh whenever Movie Rankings recomputes global results. This page was last generated from site data on May 5, 2026.
Sources & freshness
Last refreshed from site data on May 5, 2026.











































