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: 22.06.2025 00:25

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?

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.

Das Haus in Montevideo

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

A child had measles at Mall of America, concerning state health officials who don’t know source - Star Tribune

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

Metropolis

Didi - alles im Eimer

What are some of your shocking stories?

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Nackt

Will friendly dogs protect their owners?

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

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

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Do you agree that all President Trump needs to do during tonight's 6/27/24 debate is to stand quietly at the podium and simply allow Mr. Biden to go down in flames?

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

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!

Robots run out of energy long before they run out of work to do − feeding them could change that - The Conversation

Man spricht Deutsh

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.

Lola rennt

Apple’s Music app in iOS 26 gains my favorite feature from the Mac - 9to5Mac