When I wrote a similar list of films set in Paris, I was spoiled for choice. There was a plethora of Hollywood films and dozens of local filmmakers from the past 100 years who had all made amazing films about the French capital. But creating a decent list of films set in Amsterdam? Not so much.

Of course, Paul Verhoeven is a famous Dutch film director who has made waves at home and abroad, so he’s an exception. But the English speaking films set in Amsterdam generally fit into two categories: historical flicks or drug running/dealing/growing/smoking.

I just feel like there’s a lot more to Amsterdam, you know?

Nevertheless, you can only work with the hand you’re dealt. So here is my list of films set in Amsterdam and, I can say without a doubt, you should find one or two gems that will get you excited before your trip!

Or, keep the party going after you come back. It’s all one big party in Amsterdam (apparently)!

21 Films set in Amsterdam you MUST watch

1. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)

Director: George Stevens

Language: English/German

2. Diamonds are Forever (1971)

Director: Guy Hamilton

Language: English/German

3. Turkish Delight/The Sensualist (1973)

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Language: Dutch/English

4. Soldier of Orange (1977)

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Language: Dutch/English/German

5. Still Smokin (1983)

Director: Tommy Chong

Language: English

6. Dutch Girls (1985)

Director: Giles Foster

Language: English

7. Hawks (1988)

Director: Robert Ellis Miller

Language: English

8. Amsterdammed (1988)

Director: Dick Maas

Language: Dutch

9. Rembrandt (1999)

Director: Charles Matton

Language: German/Dutch

10. The Invisible Circus (2001)

Director: Adam Brooks

Language: English

11. The Discovery of Heaven (2001)

Director: Jeroen Krabbé

Language: English

12. Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003)

Director: Peter Webber

Language: English

13. Layer Cake (2004)

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Language: English/Romanian

14. Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Language: English/French/Italian/Dutch/Mandarin

15. Eurotrip (2004)

Director: Jeff Schaffer, Alec Berg, David Mandel

Language: English/German/French/Italian/Japanese

16. Mindhunters (2004)

Director: Renny Harlin

Language: English

17. Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005)

Director: Mike Bigelow

Language: English/Dutch

18. Black Book (2006)

Director: Paul Verhoeven

Language: Dutch/German/English/Hebrew

19. The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Director: Josh Boone

Language: English

Check out my blog post all of the The Fault in Our Stars filming locations in Amsterdam.

20. Kidnapping Mr Heineken (2015)

Director: Daniel Alfredson

Language: English/German/Dutch

21. American Animals (2018)

Director: Bart Layton

Language: English

And those are top films set in Amsterdam you should watch before you go! Would you add any other films to the list? Let me know in the comments below!

Read next:

Hollywood Film Locations in Amsterdam: Ocean’s Twelve, Diamonds are Forever & More!