Legacy Lang considered M to be his favorite of his own films because of the social criticism in the film. In 1937, he told a reporter that he made the film "to warn mothers about neglecting children". The film has appeared on multiple lists as one of the greatest films ever made. It was voted the best German film of all time with 306 votes in a 1994 poll of 324 film journalists, film critics, filmmakers, and cineastes organized by the . It is included in Empire's 100 Best Films of World Cinema in 2010. It is listed in the film reference book 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die, which says: "Establishing conventions still being used by serial killer movies, Lang and scenarist Thea von Harbou intercut the pathetic life of the murderer with the frenzy of the police investigation into the outrageous crimes, and pay attention to issues of press coverage of the killings, vigilante action, and the political pressure that comes down from the politicians and hinders as much as encourages the police." In 2018, it was voted the thirteenth greatest foreign-language film of all time in BBC's poll of 209 critics in 43 countries. The film is also referenced in the song "In Germany Before the War" by American songwriter Randy Newman in his 1977 album Little Criminals.
legacy lang considered m to be his favorite of his own films because of the social criticism in the film in 1937 he told a reporter that he made the film "to warn mothers about neglecting children" the film has appeared on multiple lists as one of the greatest films ever made it was voted the best german film of all time with 306 votes in a 1994 poll of 324 film journalists film critics filmmakers and cineastes organized by the  it is included in empire's 100 best films of world cinema in 2010 it is listed in the film reference book 1001 movies you must see before you die which says "establishing conventions still being used by serial killer movies lang and scenarist thea von harbou intercut the pathetic life of the murderer with the frenzy of the police investigation into the outrageous crimes and pay attention to issues of press coverage of the killings vigilante action and the political pressure that comes down from the politicians and hinders as much as encourages the police" in 2018 it was voted the thirteenth greatest foreign-language film of all time in bbc's poll of 209 critics in 43 countries the film is also referenced in the song "in germany before the war" by american songwriter randy newman in his 1977 album little criminals