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Balloon

Balloon

One of the most daring escapes of the Cold War.

20187.52h 5m

Overview

Two families attempt a daredevil plan to escape the GDR with a homemade hot air balloon, but it crashes just before the border. The Stasi finds traces of this attempt to escape and immediately starts investigations, while the two families are forced to build a new escape balloon. With each passing day the Stasi is closer on their heels – a nerve-wracking race against time begins.

Directed by Michael Herbig
Written by Kit Hopkins, Thilo Röscheisen, Michael Herbig
Produced by Michael Herbig
Box Office0Revenue: $11.9M

Top Cast

Karoline Schuch

Karoline Schuch

Doris Strelzyk

Friedrich Mücke

Friedrich Mücke

Peter Strelzyk

Alicia von Rittberg

Alicia von Rittberg

Petra Wetzel

David Kross

David Kross

Günter Wetzel

Jonas Holdenrieder

Jonas Holdenrieder

Frank Strelzyk

Tilman Döbler

Tilman Döbler

Andreas 'Fitscher' Strelzyk

Thomas Kretschmann

Thomas Kretschmann

Lieutenant Colonel Seidel

Ronald Kukulies

Ronald Kukulies

Erik Baumann

Emily Kusche

Emily Kusche

Klara Baumann

Ulrich Brandhoff

Ulrich Brandhoff

Lieutenant Colonel Tornow

Themes & Keywords

berlin wallgerman democratic republicstasiborder patrolgerman-german borderhot air balloonbased on true storyescape from german democratic republic east germanyescape plansuspensefulfugaguerra friamuro de berlimbalão de ar quente

About Balloon

Balloon is a thriller, drama, history film released in 2018 exploring themes of berlin wall, german democratic republic, stasi, border patrol, german-german border, hot air balloon. Directed by Michael Herbig, it stars Karoline Schuch, Friedrich Mücke, Alicia von Rittberg. Two families attempt a daredevil plan to escape the GDR with a homemade hot air balloon, but it crashes just before the border. The Stasi finds traces of this attempt to escape and immediately starts investigations, while the two families are forced to build a new escape balloon. With each passing day the Stasi is closer on their heels – a nerve-wracking race against time begins.

Movies Similar to Balloon

Discover titles like Balloon — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Balloon

If you enjoyed Balloon, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Balloon.

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In 1984 East Berlin, dedicated Stasi officer Gerd Wiesler begins spying on a famous playwright and his actress-lover Christa-Maria. Wiesler becomes unexpectedly sympathetic to the couple, and faces conflicting loyalties when his superior takes a liking to Christa-Maria.

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Inspired by true events, Olympic swimmer Harry Melchior defects from East Germany in the 1960s and hatches a daring plot to help his sister and others flee East Berlin through a 145-yard underground tunnel.

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Movie6.6/10

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Führer Ex(2002)

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Ingo Hasselbach, whose parents were Communist Party members in East Germany during his childhood, has lived at both ends of the political seesaw. The question of how people reach a change of heart is a profound one; Hasselbach describes the external forces that led to his founding Germany's first neo-Nazi political party and the internal ones that led him away from it five years later.

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Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.

The People vs. Fritz Bauer
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Barbara(2012)

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In 1980s East Germany, Barbara is a Berlin doctor banished to a country medical clinic for applying for an exit visa. Deeply unhappy with her reassignment and fearful of her co-workers as possible Stasi informants, Barbara stays aloof, especially from the good natured clinic head, Andre.