Discover the best of German cinema, film, and television

Discover the definitive list of popular and critically-acclaimed movies and TV shows from Germany. Find your next binge-watch, streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!

The cinema of Germany

German cinema has gifted the world two distinct golden ages, a legacy of staggering artistic innovation and profound intellectual depth. Its first revolution was German Expressionism in the 1920s. In the vibrant Weimar Republic, directors like Fritz Lang created masterpieces like Metropolis and M. With their haunting shadows and tilted angles, films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari didn't just tell stories; they invented the visual language of horror and science fiction that Hollywood would adopt for decades. This creative fire erupted again in the 1970s with the New German Cinema, led by intellectually daring auteurs like Werner Herzog, who famously hauled a steamship over a mountain for a film, and Wim Wenders. This era of artistry was followed by modern international hits like the kinetic Run Lola Run and the Oscar-winning historical drama The Lives of Others. Now, Germany is at the forefront of prestige television. The mind-bending sci-fi epic Dark became a global phenomenon, while the stylish Weimar-era crime series Babylon Berlin earned worldwide acclaim, both building on a rich domestic TV tradition anchored by the beloved Sunday night institution, Tatort. What defines German screen culture is this masterful precision, a willingness to tackle the most complex ideas, and a legacy of visual innovation that has shaped cinema for over a century.

Best German series

  • Poster for Unfamiliar

    Unfamiliar 2026

    When the past catches up with two former spies, their biggest challenge isn't car chases, shootouts or fistfights — it's telling each other the truth.

    Netflix
    70
  • Poster for Dark

    Dark 2017

    A missing child causes four families to help each other for answers. What they could not imagine is that this mystery would be connected to innumerable other secrets of the small town.

    Netflix
    85
  • Poster for 1899

    1899 2022

    When mysterious events change the course of an immigrant ship headed for New York in 1899, a mind-bending riddle unfolds for its bewildered passengers.

    Netflix
    73
  • Poster for How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)

    How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast) 2019

    To win back his ex-girlfriend, a nerdy teen starts selling ecstasy online out of his bedroom -- and becomes one of Europe's biggest dealers.

    Netflix
    75
  • Poster for Unorthodox

    Unorthodox 2020

    A Hasidic Jewish woman in Brooklyn flees to Berlin from an arranged marriage and is taken in by a group of musicians -- until her past comes calling.

    Netflix
    77
  • Poster for The Amazing World of Gumball

    The Amazing World of Gumball 2011

    The life of Gumball Watterson, a 12-year old cat who attends middle school in Elmore. Accompanied by his pet, adoptive brother, and best friend Darwin Watterson, he frequently finds himself involved in various shenanigans around the city, during which he interacts with various family members: Anais, Richard, and Nicole Watterson, and other various citizens.

    Hulu
    83

Best German movies

  • Poster for Brick

    Brick 2025

    When a mysterious brick wall encloses their apartment building overnight, Tim and Olivia must unite with their wary neighbors to get out alive.

    59
  • Poster for Regretting You

    Regretting You 2025

    Morgan Grant and her daughter Clara explore what's left behind after a devastating accident reveals a shocking betrayal and forces them to confront family secrets, redefine love, and rediscover each other.

    66
  • Poster for The Tank

    The Tank 2025

    A German Tiger tank crew is sent on a dangerous mission to rescue the missing officer Paul von Hardenburg from a top-secret bunker behind enemy lines. As they make their way through the lethal no-man's land, they must confront not only the enemy, but also their own fears and inner demons. Fueled by the Wehrmacht's methamphetamine, their mission increasingly becomes a journey into the heart of darkness.

    65
  • Poster for Ballad of a Small Player

    Ballad of a Small Player 2025

    Amid the glittering casinos of Macau, a gambler running from his past—and his debts—becomes fascinated by an enigmatic woman at the baccarat table.

    58
  • Poster for Fall for Me

    Fall for Me 2025

    Lilli is suspicious of her sister's new fiance, but when an attractive stranger enters her life, she's suddenly distracted by the thralls of desire.

    59
  • Poster for Manitou's Canoe

    Manitou's Canoe 2025

    Abahachi, the Apache chief, and his white blood brother Ranger fight tirelessly for peace and justice - but a new, up-and-coming gang is making life particularly difficult for them! They lure Abahachi and Ranger into a trap in order to get their hands on the legendary “Canoe of Manitou”.

    64