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?

12.06.2025 09:52

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?

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!

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

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

Reports: Thomas Frank to become new Tottenham Hotspur head coach - NBC Sports

In jenen Tagen

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

Metropolis

What World Does Bitcoin Want To Build For Itself? - Defector

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.

Man spricht Deutsh

What do you think of Hegseth calling The Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg, "a deceitful and highly discredited so-called journalist who has made a profession of peddling hoaxes” after team Trump texted him their top-secret war plans on Yemen?

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.

Das Haus in Montevideo

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Does anyone wear see-through clothes to show off underwear?

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):

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Nackt

What does "feeling like your life is over" mean and why is it not in any dictionary online?

Lola rennt

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Walmart quietly jacks up prices — despite Trump’s demand for retailer to ‘eat the tariffs’ - New York Post