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: 02.07.2025 00:59
And many I can't think of at the moment.
Nackt
Es geschah am helllichten Tag
Staying Positive Could Protect Against Middle-Aged Memory Loss, 16-Year Study Reveals - SciTechDaily
Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht
Didi - alles im Eimer
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.
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.
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):
In jenen Tagen
Why do girls in Indian top colleges wear shorts?
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!
Das Haus in Montevideo
New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life - Phys.org
Die Feuerzangenbowle
Man spricht Deutsh
What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.
Stranded dolphins on Oahu test positive for human-risk bacteria - KITV
Metropolis
Lola rennt
Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt