6 Best Taxidermy and Taxidermist Movies

By Vlad Zakh · August 17, 2026

Taxidermy and the strange people who practise it make for darkly comic and unsettling films. The House That Jack Built has a serial killer recounting twelve years of murders, Dinner for Schmucks has an executive bringing a taxidermy hobbyist to a mocking dinner, and Ernie Biscuit has a deaf Parisian taxidermist travelling to Australia. The Embalmer, Motel Hell and The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales round out the six.

The House That Jack Built (2018)

TMDB ★ 6.2

Over twelve years, a meticulous serial killer recounts his most memorable and disturbing murders.

Directed by Lars von Trier · 2h 32m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Sundance Now · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Ernie Biscuit (2015)

TMDB ★ 6.5

A deaf Parisian taxidermist travels to Australia in search of love and a rare, elusive creature.

Directed by Adam Elliot · 0h 21m

Where to watch

Stream: ShortsTV Amazon Channel

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

TMDB ★ 6.2

An ambitious executive brings an eccentric taxidermy hobbyist to a dinner designed to mock its guests.

Directed by Jay Roach · 1h 54m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Embalmer (2002)

TMDB ★ 6.0

A lonely taxidermist forms an obsessive, manipulative bond with a young man he grooms as his apprentice.

Directed by Matteo Garrone · 1h 41m

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Motel Hell (1980)

TMDB ★ 6.2

A rural motel owner's secret smokehouse recipe hides a horrifying and murderous secret.

Directed by Kevin Connor · 1h 42m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+ Roku Premium Channel, AMC+ · Rent: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, FlixFling · Buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, FlixFling

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (1960)

TMDB ★ 7.6

A meek taxidermist plots the perfect murder of his overbearing, tyrannical wife.

Directed by Rogelio A. González · 1h 24m

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Taxidermy and Taxidermist Movies

The House That Jack Built (2018)

Ernie Biscuit (2015)

Dinner for Schmucks (2010)

The Embalmer (2002)

Motel Hell (1980)

The Skeleton of Mrs. Morales (1960)

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