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?

16.06.2025 09:14

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?

Didi - alles im Eimer

Man spricht Deutsh

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Have you been with a stranger yet?

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):

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

Das Haus in Montevideo

My son is possessed, now he has psychosis. Can someone help me?

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.

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Is Trump a complete idiot?

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

In jenen Tagen

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.

Can the belief of not worshipping Christ held by Jehovah's Witnesses be disproven using scripture alone?

Nackt

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!

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Why did my 2001 4.6 liter Mustang GT V8 make "only" 260 HP while today's base Dodge 3.6 liter V6 churns out almost 300 HP? Both benefit from fuel injection and ECUs.

Lola rennt

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Metropolis

What song are you listening to right now? What does it mean to you?