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Lars Ulrich

Lars Ulrich

Actor, also writer and producer · Born December 26, 1963 (62) · Gentofte, Denmark

Grammy Award nominee

Lars Ulrich, R (Order of the Dannebrog) is a Danish musician, songwriter, record producer, and podcaster. He is best known as the drummer and co-founder of American heavy metal band Metallica. The son of tennis player Torben Ulrich and grandson of tennis player Einer Ulrich, he also played tennis in his youth and moved to Los Angeles at age 16 to train professionally. However, rather than playing tennis, Ulrich began playing drums. After publishing an advertisement in The Recycler, Ulrich met vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield and formed Metallica. Along with Hetfield, Ulrich has songwriting credits on almost all of the band's songs. He was the face of the band during the Napster controversy. Later in his career, Ulrich began hosting the It's Electric podcast, in which he speaks with other prominent musicians. This page is based on a Wikipedia article written by contributors. Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 26, 1963 (62)
From
Gentofte, Denmark
Works as
Actor, also writer and producer
Titles
12 on Motif · 84 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 24% in 30 days

What are Lars Ulrich's films like?

Across their 14 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Society and Bonds.

Genres

Documentary7 titlesTypical Motif score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Music3 titlesTypical Motif score: 98th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Music movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Motif score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Society
28%
Bonds
26%
Self
21%
Ideas
11%
Survival
5%
Power
4%
Morality
4%
Friendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 11 · Serious 0 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 4 · Intense 7

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 9 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Herald
1 of 3
Hero
1 of 3
Ally
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Thrilling
7
Joyful
6
Tense
3
Hopeful
4
Warm
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Rousing8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lars Ulrich's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 12 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lars Ulrich's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

84 credits, 12 with a Motif page; 142 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Metallica: Helping Hands Concert & Auction (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Breinholts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Sig selv

  • Carol Doda Topless at the Condor(2023)

    Producer

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • On the Roam(2024)

    Show 8 episodes · Theme Song Performance

    Motif score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Metallica - Global Citizen Festival 2022 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Metallica Download Festival Germany (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Campo Argentino de Polo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 2) (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    as drums

  • Metallica: 40th Anniversary - Live at Chase Center (Night 1) (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    as drums

  • Metallica - Live At Festivalpark, Werchter, Belgium - July 4th, 1993 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Live At Frankenhalle, Nuremberg, Germany - November 29th, 1992 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Metallica - The Black Album - Music Videos + Halfin’s Home Movies (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Year and a Half in the Life of Metallica Outtakes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Wherever We May Roam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2021)

    as drums

  • Metallica - The All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert & Auction (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Live in Berlin, Germany - June 6, 2006 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    as Cast

  • Metallica: Live in Munich, Germany - May 31, 2015 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    as drums

  • Metallica: Live at Slane Castle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    as drums

  • Metallica : Live in Moscow 2019 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Live in Berlin 2019 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Live Metallica: Barcelona, Spain - May 5, 2019 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Live in Paris, France - Sept 8, 2017 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Live from Edmonton, Canada - August 16, 2017 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    as drums

  • Metallica - Live at Outside Lands (San Francisco, CA - August 12, 2017) (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Live at Rock on the Range, Columbus 2017 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Metallica WorldWired North American Tour 2017 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Writer

  • Metallica: Lollapalooza Brazil 2017 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Making of Hardwired... to Self-Destruct (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Hardwired... To Self-Destruct Videos (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Drum

  • The Architect(2016)

    Producer

    Motif score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Metallica: The Night Before (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Billions(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Metallica

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • How Metallica Raised Hell in De Westereen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2014 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: This Monster Lives (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    as Swlf

  • Metallica Through the Never(2013)

    Composer · Producer · Writer · as Self

    Motif score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Metallica: Quebec Magnetic(2012)

    Writer · as Drums

    Motif score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Hemingway & Gellhorn(2012)

    as Joris Ivens

    Motif score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Metallica: Live at Orion Music And More 2012 (1st Night) (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Metallica: The Black Album (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Rock in Rio (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Rock In Rio 2011 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Fan Can 6 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: The Big 4 Live in Sofia (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Drums

  • The Big 4: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria(2010)

    as Drums

    Motif score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Metallica: Pride, Passion and Glory - Three Nights in Mexico City (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Hall of Fame 2009 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Fan Can Six Copenhagen (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Making Magnetic (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Metallica Touring Europe (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Metallica - Sick of the Studio Tour - LIVE in Wien 2007 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    as Drums

  • Rock Milestones: Metallica: Master of Puppets (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    Actor

  • Metallica: The Videos 1989-2004 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Drummer

  • Metallica Korea (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Rock AM Ring 2006 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Fan Can 5 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    as Drums

  • Linkin Park: Live in Texas(2003)

    as Green Fisted Bunnyman

    Motif score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Woodstock '99(1999)

    Actor

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Metallica: S&M(2000)

    Writer · as Self

    Motif score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Metallica: Woodstock '94 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Metallica: [1993] Basel, Switzerland (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: [1993] Santiago, Chile (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Mexico City, Mexico (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: [1992] Den Bosch, Netherlands (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Drums

  • For Those About to Rock - Monsters In Moscow (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Live Moscow - Monsters of Rock (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • Metallica: [1990] Zwolle, Netherlands (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Lars Ulrich (voice)

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Metallica - Live in Irvine, California - September 23, 1989 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: [1989] Middletown, NY (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Drums

  • MTV Rockumentary (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Metallica: Nagoya, Japan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Drums

  • Metallica - Roskilde Festival (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: [1986] Uniondale, NY (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Detroit, Michigan (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Metal Hammer Festival (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: Day on the Green (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1985)

    as Drums

  • Metallica - Kill 'Em All in Chicago 1983 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Drums

  • Metallica: [1983] Kiss the Stone (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Drums

  • Metallica - Beyond Magnetic [Full EP LIVE at the Fillmore] (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Metallica - The Big 4 Live in Gothenburg, Sweden (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Metallica: 40th Anniversary Shows Live at Chase Center 2021 (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge (not in the Motif catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 84th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles, 79 of them dated from 1983 to 2024; peak year 1989.

Biggest box office

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

$92M worldwide

Highest rated

Linkin Park: Live in Texas (2003)

Most popular right now

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

Film career

19832024

Peak 1989 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1989Screen debut· Metallica: Live Shit - Binge & Purge, Seattle 1989

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting77 of 83: 76 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Motif score96thWriting4 of 83: 2 only writing, 2 with another roleProducing2 of 83: 2 only producing, 0 with another roleMusic1 of 83: 0 only music, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 83: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1980s13 · acting1990s9 · 8 acting · 1 crew2000s12 · acting2010s27 · 24 acting · 4 crew2020s18 · 16 acting · 2 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

Awards

Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2017, Best Rock Song.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Lars Ulrich's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 82nd percentile, the median of all 9; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 93rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

93rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Motif score across 12 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th1
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 12 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Woodstock '99 (1999)

61st percentile spread · 15% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, writer

Metallica: S&M (2000)

92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lars Ulrich's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 52 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 31
Profanity3 titlesmedian 57 · moderateMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 69 · intenseMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Lars Ulrich work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lars Ulrich's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Hetfield shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Editors

Producers