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!

Documentaries and feature films

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.

Die Geschichte des deutschen Fußballs © funk © funk

2011, thriller, 85 min, OV with German subtitles

Das System - alles verstehen heißt alles verzeihen

While searching for the truth about his deceased father, petty criminal Mike finds himself drawn into a parallel world of international lobbyists and former East German secret agents. Starring Jakob Matschenz, Bernhard Schütz (directed by Marc Bauder).
Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 18.04.2025.

Das System - alles verstehen heißt alles verzeihen © ZDF/STEPHANIE KULBACH © ZDF/STEPHANIE KULBACH

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.

Better Than Human? - Leben mit KI © MDR/DRIVE beta/Benjamin Kahlmeyer © MDR/DRIVE beta/Benjamin Kahlmeyer

2022, documentary, 13 min, 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.
 

Lohnt sich das @ BR/Montage: BR/Julia Müller @ BR/Montage: BR/Julia Müller

2023, documentary, 30 min, 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.

Es geht um die Wurst @ NDR @ NDR

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.

Bier, Blech, Bavaria © ZDF / Thomas Kerbhol © ZDF / Thomas Kerbhol

2021, documentary, 9 min, 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.

Mr Wissentogo © funk © funk

2016, documentary, 43 min, 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.

Deutschlands Schätzchen © ZDF / Gruppe 5 © ZDF / Gruppe 5

2022, documentary, 25 min, 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.

Reise durch den Herbst © SWR © SWR

2023, documentary, 45 min, German subtitles

Unterwegs in der Uckermark

Documentary about the Uckermark and the people who live there. 
Watch on ADR Mediathek until 21.05.2025

Unterwegs in der Uckermark © rbb/Stefanie Stoye © rbb/Stefanie Stoye

2022, documentary, 43 min, 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.

Spießer oder Rebellen? © ZDF/Fabian Uhlmann © ZDF/Fabian Uhlmann

2015, documentary, 43 min, 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.

Deutschland von oben - Stadt © ZDF / Peter Thompson © ZDF / Peter Thompson

2021, documentary, 45 min, 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.

Die Wannseekonferenz. Die Dokumentation © ZDF / Konrad Waldmann © ZDF / Konrad Waldmann

2016, documentary, 58 min, 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.

Deutschland von oben - Ein Wintermärchen © ZDF/Goggi Strauß, colourField. © ZDF/Goggi Strauß, colourField.

2022, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles

Entlang der Oder - Flussgeschichten

A documentary about life along the Oder, the border river between Germany and Poland.
Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 22.07.2027.

Entlang der Oder - Flussgeschichten © ZDF/M. Ruuck © ZDF/M. Ruuck

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.

Frühling in Schwaben © BR/Michael Zehetmair © BR/Michael Zehetmair

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.

Verbotene Liebe - Queere Opfer der NS-Diktatur © ZDF/Bianca Büdenbender, Autorenkombinat © ZDF/Bianca Büdenbender, Autorenkombinat

2022, documentary, 110 min, OV with German subtitles

Raus aufs Land

A documentary series about families, couples and singles who have moved from the city to the country: They swapped metropopolitan Berlin for rural  Brandenburg to make a new start in the countryside.
Watch on ARD Mediathek until 08.01.2026.

Raus auf's land © rbb/Matthias Neumann © rbb/Matthias Neumann

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.

 

Willi auf der Suche nach der ewigen Liebe © BR/Filmbüro Münchner Freiheit GmbH/Zeno Legner © BR/Filmbüro Münchner Freiheit GmbH/Zeno Legner

2010. comedy, 96 min, OV with German subtitles

Die Relativitätstheorie der Liebe

In this comedy, Katja Riemann and Olli Dittrich play five different couples searching for happiness across five intertwined episodes. Directed by Otto Alexander Jahrreiss.
Watch in ARD Mediathek until 26.07.2025. 

Die Relativitätstheorie der Liebe © HR/Degeto/UFA Cinema © HR/Degeto/UFA Cinema

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.

Heimat ist kein Ort @ ARD Degeto / Arvid Uhlig @ ARD Degeto / Arvid Uhlig

DE 2010. drama, 90 minutes, OV with German subtitles

Shahada

In this episodic film by director Burhan Qurbani, three young Muslims meet in Berlin during the fasting month of Ramadan and have different attitudes towards their religion.
Watch on ARD Mediathek until 03.03.2025.

Shahada © ZDF/Yoshi Heimrath © ZDF/Yoshi Heimrath

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.

Tore für die Umwelt © ZDF/Julian Prahl © ZDF/Julian Prahl

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.

Ein Tag im Leben eines Schiedsrichters! © funk © 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.

Fußballprofi - Traum und Wirklichkeit © NDR © NDR

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.

Fußball im Nationalsozialismus © funk © 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.

Das dunkle Erbe – Nazis im deutschen Fußball © ZDF/Wolfgang Morell © ZDF/Wolfgang Morell

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.

Beckenbauer - Triumphe, Affären und Skandale © ZDF © ZDF

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