German movies - German Language Workshop

If you search in the Internet you will certainly find many lists where someone recommends some German films. I cannot say if you can trust those lists or not, I only know that I saw many German films and not all of them were good. However, some of them I count to the best movies that I have ever seen if my life. Here is my top-ten list of German films which made a big impression on me, which are clever, funny or full of action and they are all certainly remarkable and worth watching. I just want to add that I included links that lead to Amazon next to the films because in most cases that is the only way to watch these films (they cannot be found on any illegal servers). However, some of them can be watched on YouTube and I added those links too.*

1. Fack ju Göhte (2013)

This modern, captivating comedy about the teachers every day life will make you laugh out loud. It will also touch you to tears. You will find out that high school students are challenging for teachers not only in your country but also in Germany. For more information about the film click here (IMDb). In order to watch a trailer with English subtitles click here. You can order your copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon:
You can also learn some German swearwords and every day words by clicking here.

2. Almanya – Willkommen in Deutschland (2010)

There are about 2 million Turks in Germany. They mostly live their lives and do not wish to interfere with the German state. You can here the term “parallel society” which is being tied to the Turks in Germany in order to describe their life style. This film depicts the family history of one of the first Turks who came to Germany as “Gastarbeiter” in a clever and funny way. It will touch you to tears, make you laugh and teach you at least one of the most important life lessons.

You can order your copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included).

3. Lola rennt

Lola runs whole the time during the film but with good purpose, because she is in love. This film is very clever and inspiring and it was my favourite German film for a long time.

You can order your copy here.

4. Das Leben der anderen

This is a drama about the Nazi time. The heart-warming highlight is a Nazi who unexpectedly switched the sides during the war.

You can order your copy here or you can watch it directly (for about 5 $) by Amazon – just click here: Das Leben der Anderen (English Subtitled)

5. Das weiße Band

This is one of the best films that I have watched ever. It unveils the twisted bourgeois values in a small town.

You can order your copy here.

6. Ein Tick anders

This comedy follows adventures of a girl who suffers from the Tourette syndrome.

You can order your copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included). If you prefer, you can watch it for free on YouTube – click here.

7. Lissi und der wilde Kaiser

This animated film is a comedy and was inspired by the real Bavarian history. Lissi is actually Sissi and ‘der wilde Kaiser’ ist Leopold II.

You can order you copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included).

8. Die Welle

This film is about a social experiment which was conducted by a teacher in a school and it did not end up well.

You can order you copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included)

9. Wer früher stirbt ist länger tot

This is an easy going Bavarian comedy which will make you laugh and evoke memories of your childhood.

You can order you copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included). If you prefer, you can watch it on Youtube – click here.

9. Goodbye Lenin

This comedy is about the time around the fall of the Berlin wall.

You can order you copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included)

10. Der Baader Meinhof Komplex

This film is a very loud and very brutal. I saw it in German cinema and since it follows the most famous terrorists in Germany it is definitely not for you if you have a week stomach.

You can order you copy here or you can watch it directly by Amazon – just click here (trailer included)

11. Hannah Arendt