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: 29.06.2025 03:02

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):

Nackt

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

Join Our next Developer Update Livestream — Diablo IV - Blizzard News

Didi - alles im Eimer

In jenen Tagen

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

‘The Boys’ star Erin Moriarty reveals Graves’ disease diagnosis, urges fans to go get checked: ‘I felt the light coming back on’ - Yahoo

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Das Haus in Montevideo

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Did Obito ever fully redeem himself in everyone's eyes?

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!

Die Feuerzangenbowle

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.

Supercomputer simulation reveals how merging neutron stars form black holes and powerful jets - Phys.org

Metropolis

Lola rennt

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

Kevin Costner and ex-wife Christine Baumgartner keep their distance in awkward family reunion at son’s graduation - Page Six

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.

Man spricht Deutsh

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

10 Video Game Companions Everyone Hated At First (But Ended Up Loving) - WhatCulture.com