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 07:06

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)

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Are today’s baseball pitchers faster than a few years ago, or is it that radar guns have improved and get the pitch speed as it is released rather than as it reaches the plate?

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.

Nackt

Lola rennt

I want to have anal sex, but my wife refuses. What do I do?

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

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.

Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton stuns Thunder in last second to open NBA Finals - The Washington Post

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

Didi - alles im Eimer

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):

FDA Gives Tomato Recall Over Salmonella Highest Risk Warning - TODAY.com

Die Feuerzangenbowle

In jenen Tagen

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

You won’t believe how much each Nvidia employee is worth as the company rides the AI gold rush - The Economic Times

Metropolis

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Das Haus in Montevideo

Its year 2041, and president Hunter Biden has ordered every republican who sweared at him to be arrested and shot. I am on my way to the death row listening to the cheer of the Liberal mob chanting death death death. How can I escape?