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?

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

Lola rennt

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!

What is the nastiest thing you had your wife do and she loved it?

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Metropolis

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.

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In jenen Tagen

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):

Didi - alles im Eimer

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Nackt

Die Feuerzangenbowle

Das Haus in Montevideo

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Es geschah am helllichten Tag

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

Man spricht Deutsh

What would happen if the US government told the British government in no uncertain terms all RAF bases with USAF personnel now must follow the Constitution and us law, and if the UK tried to defy this, the US military would directly attack the UK?

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

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.

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Was Jimmy Carter a good President of the United States?