Streaming recommendations

Germany in all its diversity

The media libraries of the public broadcasters and various streaming services offer a rich collection of informative films about Germany, covering social, political and historical topics as well as regional studies and everyday life. Enjoy streaming!

Germany in all its diversity

2022, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles
Berge, Seen und wilder Wald - Traumziele in Bayern

The documentary shows Bavaria at its most beautiful: the Alps, picturesque lakes and untouched forests. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 30.12.2024.

© HR/Dagmar Hase
2015, comedy, 88 Min, OV with German subtitles
Besuch für Emma

In this heartwarming comedy by Ingo Rasper, a lonely cashier in her early fifties resorts to stealing her customers' wallets, only to invite them over for dinner as the lucky discoverer. However, her scheme is unraveled by a perceptive homeless man. Starring Dagmar Manzel and Henry Hübchen. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 03.01.2025.

© ARD Degeto/Conny Klein
2023, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Better Than Human? - Leben mit KI

The documentary raises the question whether artificial intelligence can assume the role of a personal caregiver, potentially replacing traditionally interpersonal roles like therapist, priest, or best friend. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 29.12.2028.

© MDR/DRIVE beta/Benjamin Kahlmeyer
2015, drama, 88 min, OV with German subtitles
Das Gewinnerlos

A grieving widower wants to prevent his disenfranchisement. A fake lottery win and his friends from the retirement home help him. A touching tragicomedy by Patrick Winczewski starring Matthias Habich and Angela Winkler. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 10.01.2025.

© ARD Degeto/Conny Klein
2015, documentary, 43 min, OV with German subtitles
Deutschland von oben 4: Stadt

A bird’s eye view of Germany: this episode focuses on Germany's big cities and small towns. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 17.05.2025.

© ZDF / Peter Thompson
2016, documentary, 58 min, OV with German subtitles
Deutschland von oben - Ein Wintermärchen

A bird’s eye view of Germany in winter: the landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland and the cities are aglow with Christmas lights. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 24.12.2026.

© ZDF/Goggi Strauß, colourField.
2016, documentary, 43 min, OV, no German subtitles
Deutschlands Schätzchen

From the series Die Glorreichen 10: A documentary presenting a subjective top ten of Germany’s treasures, including the North Sea, Dresden’s Frauenkirche, the Rhine, pets, Lake Constance, Hamburg, the forest and last but not least – home sweet home. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 13.03.2025.

© ZDF / Gruppe 5
2022, documentary, 25 min, OV with German subtitles
Eine Reise durch den Herbst

A documentary about autumn. This film captures the spectacular colours and enchanting atmosphere of this season, which is anything but simply grey, cold and wet. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 13.11.2025.

© SWR
2023, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles
Es geht um die Wurst

Andreas Dreymann is a sausage sommelier and employs traditional methods from a century ago, using only the meat of pasture-raised animals. As part of his work, he visits grazing pastures and farms, markets, and also stadiums. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 12.06.2025.

@ NDR
2012, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Frühling in Schwaben

The documentary tells short stories and incidents about the culture, nature and way of life in Bavarian Swabia in spring. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 2099.

© BR/Michael Zehetmair
2021, documentary, 9 min, OV with German subtitles
Die Geschichte des Döners

The kebab is closely linked to Germany’s history of guest workers and migration and it is also become one of the nation’s favourite fast foods. Watch on funk until 14.07.2026.

© funk
2015, comedy, 86 min, OV with German subtitles
Heimat ist kein Ort

In this road movie, three siblings, Inge, Klaus and Uwe, are sent on an odyssey through Poland to fulfil their father's last wish. Starring Marie Gruber, Jörg Schüttauf, Sönke Möhring, Karolina Lodyga and Piotr Witkowski. Directed by Udo Witte. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 14.04.2025.

@ ARD Degeto / Arvid Uhlig
2022, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles
Ich bin deutsch

What does it feel like to be German 32 years after reunification? In this documentary, the generation who grew up after the fall of the wall discuss how they feel about their homeland.
Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 30.09.2024.

© ZDF / Julian Vogel
2022, documentary, 13 min, OV with German subtitles
Was verdient ein Bäckermeister?

From the series Lohnt sich das? which looks into how people make a living from their vocations. This episode follows master baker Sebastian for a day. He speaks openly about his income, how he lives on it, and what his job involves. Watch on BR@Youtube.

@ BR/Montage: BR/Julia Müller
2022, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles
Meine Oma, der SS-Mann und ich

What does the Holocaust have to do with me today? This documentary asks this question from the perspective of a 21-year-old Jew and shows how the trauma of the survivors haunts future generations. Directed by Jana Matthes and Andrea Schramm. Watch on WDR Doku@youtube.

© WDR/Schramm Matthes Film
2023, comedy, 90 min, OV with German subtitles
Merz gegen Merz - Hochzeiten

A comedy about a divorced couple who, after their separation, compete to see which of them will lead a more fulfilling life. Starring Christoph Maria Herbst and Annette Frier, directed by Felix Stienz. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 22.11.2024.

© ZDF / Martin Valentin Menke
2022, documentary, 43 min, OV with German subtitles
Spießer oder Rebellen? Die Geschichte der Schrebergärten

From the ZDF series Terra X History: In Germany, owning a Schrebergarten (allotment) has been viewed as rather an uncool and stuffy pastime, although that view is changing. This programme looks at the German allotment’s eventful 150-year history, and how these small gardens enrich Germany’s cities. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 17.06.2027.

© ZDF/Fabian Uhlmann
2015, comedy, 90 min, OV with German subtitles
Süßer September

A man and a woman engage in philosophical discussions about the age-old question whether men and women can truly be just friends. A delightful comedy, directed by Florian Froschmayer and starring Caroline Peters and Misel Maticevic. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 16.03.2025.

© WDR/Britta Krehl
2023, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Unterwegs in der Uckermark

Documentary about the Uckermark and the people who live there. Watch on ADR Mediathek until 20.05.2025.

© rbb/Stefanie Stoye
2023, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Verbotene Liebe - Queere Opfer der NS-Diktatur

The documentary presents three narratives that highlight the oppression of homosexuals during the Nazi era, while also portraying their resilience, survival and way of life in the midst of adversity. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 28.01.2029.

© ZDF/Bianca Büdenbender, Autorenkombinat
2021, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Die Wannseekonferenz - Die Dokumentation

This 45-minute documentary explores the Wannsee Conference, which was held on 20 January 1942, where officials from the Nazi party gathered to plan the ‘final solution’. The documentary looks at the role that the Conference played in the subsequent Holocaust. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 20.01.2027.

© ZDF / Konrad Waldmann
2023, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles
Willi auf der Suche nach der ewigen Liebe

In this episode of Willi wills wissen, Willi explores the topic of love and asks himself whether there is a love that lasts forever? Watch on ARD Mediathek until 17.12.2025.

© BR/Filmbüro Münchner Freiheit GmbH/Zeno Legner
2023, documentary, 60 min, German subtitles
Wir sind hier - Muslime in Ostdeutschland

This documentary tells the stories of five Muslims living in East Germany and their work as hairdressers, a restaurant owner, a mosque builder and a member of the German parliament.
Watch on ARD Mediathek until 26.06.2024.

© MDR/Chiara Battaglia
2023, documentary, 13 min, OV with German subtitles
Bier, Blech, Bavaria

A scooter tour along the "Franconian Beer Route" - from the smallest brewery in Bavaria to the beer capital of Bamberg. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 16.05.2025.

© ZDF / Thomas Kerbhol
2021, documentary, 12 min, OV with German subtitles
Die Geschichte der deutschen Dialekte

In this episode of MrWissen2go Geschichte, we delve into the diversity of German dialects and their historical origins, such as Swabian, Franconian, and Frisian. Watch on funk until 31.03.2026.

© funk
2023, documentary, 26 min, OV with German subtitles
Arbeiten in der Pflege: Traum oder Albtraum?

Toni and Louisa give us an insight into their day-to-day work as intensive care nurses and surgical assistants. What do they like about their jobs? Watch on funk until 20.12.2028.

© funk
2017, comedy, 89 min, OV with German subtitles
Zwei Bauern und kein Land

A comedy about an indebted farmer in the remote countryside of Mecklenburg who has just sold his farm when his estranged son unexpectedly returns and announces his intention to become a farmer. Starring Ernst Stötzner, Katharina Thalbach, Christoph Schechinger, and directed by Sibylle Tafel. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 15.01.2025.

© ARD Degeto/Thorsten Jander
2023, documentary, 172 min, OV with German subtitles
Buchstäblich leben!

The long-term documentary follows eight individuals on their quest to learn reading and writing. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 16.12.2028.

© ZDF/Jennifer Jakobs
2023, drama, 89 min, OV with German subtitles
Der Fall Marianne Voss

After almost 50 years of seemingly harmonious marriage, Marianne is found dead in the woods and her husband Karsten is suspected of murder. The subsequent trial unveils the truth about their relationship. Starring Jörg Schüttauf, Valerie Koch, directed by Uljana Havemann. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 22.03.2025.

© ZDF/Stefan Erhard
2020, documentary, 60 min, OV with German subtitles
24 Stunden Dachau

A documentary about the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp by the US Army on April 29, 1945. It also sheds light on how today's residents deal with the difficult legacy of this place. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 04.04.2025.

© ZDF/Kathrin Beck
2023, crime, 90 min. OV with German subtitles
Der Millionen Raub

An armoured car robbery is staged, but after an argument one of the drivers disappears with the €8 million worth of loot. When he's arrested, police, lawyers and family members pressure him to reveal the whereabouts of the money. Starring Inaam Al Battat, Karim Ben Mansur, Anja Kling, directed by Lars Becker. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 29.03.2025.

© ZDF/Thomas Leidig

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