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?

10.06.2025 23:31

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?

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

Nackt

Didi - alles im Eimer

How would you spank me if I had been sent home from a school camp because of my poor behavior?

Lola rennt

In jenen Tagen

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

‘Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Science Fact’ Review: An Education in Exoplanets - WSJ

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.

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Das Haus in Montevideo

Chris Hughes Posts Video With JoJo Siwa From Game Night With Her Parents - TODAY.com

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

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

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):

Why was the rock band Kiss so successful?

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Man spricht Deutsh

Metropolis

ispace's Resilience spacecraft lands on the moon this week: Here's how to see the landing zone on the lunar surface - Space

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

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 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!

Video: Street Fighter 6 Showcases Four New Character Outfits - Nintendo Life