Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany is a European culture? I love them but they follow formula very closely like Hollywood. What are the best German films?
Last Updated: 30.06.2025 08:35
Das Haus in Montevideo
Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)
In Wirtschaftswunder times, most Western German movies were junk but the GDR produced some very good ones, e.g. Western movies and Spur der Steine; in the 70s Paul und Paula. I definitely recommend both!
Here is a list of some (by no means all) German movies that are considered Classics (and a few that should be, in my opinion):
What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.
Lola rennt
Amazon Offers Fire TV Soundbar for Practically Free to Clear Out Stock Before Prime Day - Gizmodo
And many I can't think of at the moment.
Besides these, there are some really good children's movies: More recently, the Bibi und Tina series as just one example. Looking back into the 80s and 70s, as well as into the present, I would even say that movies for children are what the German Film industry excels at. There is much less screaming and cake throwing and slimy monsters and much more discussing of matters that affect children in real life (even in phantasy plots) than in most US children's movies as far als I know them. The GDR was particularly well known for excellent children's movies but the west was and is good at it, too.
Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht
Defense Department signs OpenAI for $200 million 'frontier AI' pilot project - theregister.com
Es geschah am helllichten Tag
Metropolis
Man spricht Deutsh
US growth likely to slow to 1.6% this year, hobbled by Trump's trade wars, OECD says - ABC News
Didi - alles im Eimer
I have seen some very good German movies. It is not that they don't exist, but they hardly ever achieve much fame. Especially since people have been accustomed to the dominance of US popular culture.
In jenen Tagen
A spinning universe could crack the mysteries of dark energy and our place in the multiverse - Space
Nackt
Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt
Die Feuerzangenbowle
Common blood pressure drug slows aging and boosts lifespan, even in older animals - Earth.com