Logo

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: 19.06.2025 01:15

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?

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):

Das Haus in Montevideo

Lola rennt

How do you say "I don't speak French yet, but I hope to speak it well one day. It would be a pleasure to learn French with you. Would you like to teach me French?" in French? Could you add audio?

Nackt

Metropolis

Man spricht Deutsh

How do you feel about Donald Trump signing an executive order that says there are only two genders?

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

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!

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Why should we share our wife with others?

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Trump is shot, tackled by SS agents, yet then stands, defiant, with fist high, and 52 hours later, walks into the Republican Convention to thunderous applause. Is there anything that can stop this man, who loves his country? Does he get your vote?

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.

In jenen Tagen

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.

What are the easiest stores for shoplifting?

And many I can't think of at the moment.

What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.

Didi - alles im Eimer

Why did Donald Trump look so old during the debate?