Kino aus Deutschland

In a towering future city, the son of its ruler discovers the workers who keep it running underground.

Why it matters: A founding work of science-fiction cinema and a landmark of Weimar-era film.

A city hunts a child murderer — and the criminal underworld joins the search.

Why it matters: One of the first great sound films; pioneered the use of a sound motif for a character.

The claustrophobic patrol of a German U-boat crew in the Second World War.

Why it matters: An unglamorous portrait of war that became an international success.

In 1984 East Berlin, a Stasi officer spying on a playwright begins to question his loyalties.

Why it matters: Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film; opened global conversation about the Stasi.

After the Wall falls, a son hides reunification from his mother, a devoted socialist, to protect her health.

Why it matters: A warm, funny look at 'Ostalgie' and how fast life changed in 1990.

Lola has twenty minutes to find 100,000 marks to save her boyfriend — told three ways.

Why it matters: Kinetic, techno-scored cinema that defined post-Wall Berlin energy.

Mysterious cruelties disturb a north German village on the eve of the First World War.

Why it matters: Palme d'Or winner by the Austrian director, asking where authoritarianism grows.

A Spanish newcomer meets four Berliners at dawn; the night turns into a heist — filmed in one continuous take.

Why it matters: Shot in a single 140-minute take; much dialogue is in English, ideal for learners.

A prankster father invades the life of his driven consultant daughter in Bucharest.

Why it matters: Acclaimed satire of corporate life and family — essential for business learners.

A teenage volunteer experiences the horror of the trenches in the First World War.

Why it matters: Four Oscars; adapted from Erich Maria Remarque's 1929 novel.

Children vanish in a small German town, revealing a time-travel mystery spanning generations.

Why it matters: Netflix's first German original series and a worldwide hit.

A police inspector navigates crime, politics and nightlife in 1929 Berlin.

Why it matters: The most expensive German-language series, co-produced by ARD and Sky.

A young East German border guard is sent undercover into the West German army.

Why it matters: Cold War thriller with an 80s soundtrack; great for history learners.

An orphan girl loves the Swiss Alps with her grandfather — until she is sent to Frankfurt.

Why it matters: Swiss adaptation of Johanna Spyri's classic; features Swiss German alongside standard German.