Streaming Recommendations

Suitable for children © Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank

We have compiled a fantastic selection of German films and series for you to enjoy that are currently available in the media libraries of the public broadcasters and on various streaming services in Germany. And best of all, they can be streamed for free, without registration or geoblocking.

What's new?

2020, drama, 90 min, OV with German subtitles
Altes Land

Altes Land is a film adaptation of Dörte Hansen's novel, directed by Sherry Hormann. It follows the intertwined stories of three women across generations, exploring themes of family, home, displacement, and confronting the past. Starring Iris Berben, Milan Peschel, and Nina Kunzendorf.
Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 02.10.2024.

© ZDF / Boris Laewen
2023, documentary, 13 min, OV with German subtitles
Straßenslang - wie Rap Deutschland verändert

This episode of HYPECULTURE explores the phenomenon of street slang and its close connection to German rap culture. Watch on funk until 13.03.2028.

© 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
2011, fantasy, 59 min, OV with German subtitles
Aschenputtel

New adaptation of the Grimm fairytale by Uwe Janson starring Aylin Tezel, Florian Bartholomai, Barbara Auer: Despite enduring cruelty from her stepmother and stepsister, Cinderella refuses to be defeated. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 05.04.2028.

© WDR/Hardy Spitz
2024, drama, 260 min, OV with German subtitles
Push

The drama series provides a realistic portrayal of the daily lives of three midwives in a hospital, navigating constant stress amid prematurely starting contractions, babies in breech position, and anxious parents. Starring: Anna Schudt, Mariam Hage, Lydia Lehmann, among others. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 10.03.2025.

© ZDF / Richard Kranzin, Bantrybay, [M] Serviceplan
2015, documentary, 360 min, OV with German subtitles
Ein Sommer in Brandenburg

With an old Robur bus, the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb) team travels Brandenburg for a summer, exploring the countryside and encountering its people. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 116.06.2025.

© rbb/Johannes Unger
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
2017, drama, 212 min, OV with German subtitles
Landgericht - Geschichte einer Familie

Based on the novel by Ursula Krechel, the film tells the story of a Jewish-Christian family that survived persecution and exile during the Nazi era. After years of separation and the end of the war, they try to rebuild their lives in West Germany. Starring Ronald Zehrfeld, Johanna Wokalek and directed by Matthias Glasner. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 11.01.2025.

© ZDF / Walter Wehner
2024, drama, 105 min, OV with German subtitles
Testo

Created by and starring Kida Ramadan, the series is about five convicts who commit a bank robbery that results in a hostage situation. Also starring Frederick Lau, Veysel Gelin, Nicolette Krebitz and Ronald Zehrfeld. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 02.02.2025.

© ARD Degeto/Marco Fischer/Grafik: Niklas Hail

Find more streaming recommendations by topic below

Art and Culture

© Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank
Series

© Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank
Germany in all its diversity

© Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank
Suitable for children

© Goethe-Institut / Tobias Schrank

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

A SELECTION OF FOOTBALL DOCUMENTARIES

2021, documentary, 14 min, OV with German subtitles
Die Geschichte des deutschen Fußballs

This episode of MrWissen2go Geschichte explores the history of German football from its origins to the present day. Watch on funk until 05.08.2026.

© funk
2020, documentary, 7 min, OV with German subtitles
Bevor Jürgen Klopp berühmt wurde

Der Biograph explores the question of how Jürgen Klopp not only achieved sporting success, but also won the admiration of both players and fans. Watch on funk until 05.11.2025.

© funk
2024, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Beckenbauer - Triumphe, Affären und Skandale

Franz Beckenbauer - a German football legend and World Cup winner as both player and coach. However, allegations of corruption have clouded his legacy. What public view will remain of him? Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 06.09.2025.

© ZDF
2023, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles
Tore für die Umwelt

In the Bundesliga, the call for more sustainability is ever growing louder. This concerns issues like waste management, mobility, and energy. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 13.01.2028.

© ZDF/Julian Prahl
2022, documentary, 19 min, OV with German subtitles
FIFA, Rapper und Trikots - Woher der Hype um Fussball?

This episode of HYPECULTURE is focused on football, rappers, and jerseys: featuring rappers playing football, footballers rapping, and the tracksuit as the street's tuxedo. Watch on funk until 28.11.2027.

© funk
2021, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles
Das dunkle Erbe – Nazis im deutschen Fußball

This episode of Terra X-History explores a dark chapter in the post-war history of German football: the legacy of the Nazi era. Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 27.11.2026.

© ZDF/Wolfgang Morell
2022, documentary, 15 min, OV with German subtitles
Fußball im Nationalsozialismus

This episode of MrWissentogo Geschichte sheds light on how football was used as a propaganda tool and to suppress specific groups under the Nazi regime. Watch on funk until 11.08.2027.

© funk
2021, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles
Fußballprofi - Traum und Wirklichkeit

This documentary follows young football talents in Germany on their way to becoming professional football players, highlighting the challenges, opportunities, risks and realities of the football industry. Watch on ARD Mediathek until 01.01.2099.

© NDR
2023, documentary, 9 min, OV
Ein Tag im Leben eines Schiedsrichters!

Einfach Fußball follows referee Felix Zwayer on a match day, providing insights into his daily life on and off the pitch. Watch on funk until 05.10.2033.

© funk

Streaming Recommendations

What's new?

2020, drama, 90 min, OV with German subtitles Altes Land

2023, documentary, 13 min, OV with German subtitles Straßenslang - wie Rap Deutschland verändert

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

2011, fantasy, 59 min, OV with German subtitles Aschenputtel

2024, drama, 260 min, OV with German subtitles Push

2015, documentary, 360 min, OV with German subtitles Ein Sommer in Brandenburg

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

2017, drama, 212 min, OV with German subtitles Landgericht - Geschichte einer Familie

2024, drama, 105 min, OV with German subtitles Testo

Find more streaming recommendations by topic below

Art and Culture

Series

Germany in all its diversity

Suitable for children

EUROPEAN FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

2021, documentary, 14 min, OV with German subtitles Die Geschichte des deutschen Fußballs

2020, documentary, 7 min, OV with German subtitles Bevor Jürgen Klopp berühmt wurde

2024, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles Beckenbauer - Triumphe, Affären und Skandale

2023, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles Tore für die Umwelt

2022, documentary, 19 min, OV with German subtitles FIFA, Rapper und Trikots - Woher der Hype um Fussball?

2021, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles Das dunkle Erbe – Nazis im deutschen Fußball

2022, documentary, 15 min, OV with German subtitles Fußball im Nationalsozialismus

2021, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles Fußballprofi - Traum und Wirklichkeit

2023, documentary, 9 min, OV Ein Tag im Leben eines Schiedsrichters!

You may also be interested in

2020, drama, 90 min, OV with German subtitles
Altes Land

2023, documentary, 13 min, OV with German subtitles
Straßenslang - wie Rap Deutschland verändert

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

2011, fantasy, 59 min, OV with German subtitles
Aschenputtel

2024, drama, 260 min, OV with German subtitles
Push

2015, documentary, 360 min, OV with German subtitles
Ein Sommer in Brandenburg

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

2017, drama, 212 min, OV with German subtitles
Landgericht - Geschichte einer Familie

2024, drama, 105 min, OV with German subtitles
Testo

2021, documentary, 14 min, OV with German subtitles
Die Geschichte des deutschen Fußballs

2020, documentary, 7 min, OV with German subtitles
Bevor Jürgen Klopp berühmt wurde

2024, documentary, 45 min, OV with German subtitles
Beckenbauer - Triumphe, Affären und Skandale

2023, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles
Tore für die Umwelt

2022, documentary, 19 min, OV with German subtitles
FIFA, Rapper und Trikots - Woher der Hype um Fussball?

2021, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles
Das dunkle Erbe – Nazis im deutschen Fußball

2022, documentary, 15 min, OV with German subtitles
Fußball im Nationalsozialismus

2021, documentary, 44 min, OV with German subtitles
Fußballprofi - Traum und Wirklichkeit

2023, documentary, 9 min, OV
Ein Tag im Leben eines Schiedsrichters!