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!
  • 2024, documentary,101 min, OV with German subtitles

    Sisterqueens

    The documentary follows three girls from Berlin-Wedding as they learn to find their voice and challenge societal norms through the rap project Sisterqueens.
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 04.01.2027.

    Sisterqueens © ZDF/Paola Calvo © ZDF/Paola Calvo

  • 2023, short film, 21 min, OV with German subtitles

    Der mit dem Krokodil tanzt

    A short film about the extraordinary relationship between Michael and his pet Billy, a spectacled caiman (directed by Leonard Mann).
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 05.04.2026.

    Der mit dem Krokodil tanzt © MDR/Leonard Mann © MDR/Leonard Mann

  • 2015, documentary, 88 min, OV with German subtitles

    Vom Glück, ein Frankfurter zu sein

    A documentary about the history and development of Frankfurt over the decades.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 24.12.2025.

    Vom Glück, ein Frankfurter zu sein © HR/Simone Jung © HR/Simone Jung

  • 2024, documentary, 94 min, OV with German subtitles

    Gefährlich nah · Wenn Bären töten

    A documentary about the complex relationship between humans and bears in the Trentino region, where the first ten bears were reintroduced into the wild 25 years ago.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 01.06.2032.

    Gefährlich nah · Wenn Bären töten © SWR/BR/Beetz Brothers Film Production/Martin Eichhorn, mit Hilfe von KI erstellt © SWR/BR/Beetz Brothers Film Production/Martin Eichhorn, mit Hilfe von KI erstellt

  • 2022, comedy, 100 min, OV with German subtitles

    Bis es mich gibt

    The film is about the big dream of show business. Ricky Sokatoni, an entertainer from rural Bavaria, is persuaded by his sister and manager Tanja to go on a big tour despite his stage fright. Starring Johannes Dullin, Karin Hanczewski (directed by Sabine Koder).
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 29.12.2026.

    Bis es mich gibt © BR/Elfenholz Film GmbH © BR/Elfenholz Film GmbH

  • 2023, documentary, 59 min, OV with German subtitles

    Stralsunds blaue Wunder

    The documentary introduces the Ozeaneum Stralsund, a natural history museum, aquarium and research center that offers fascinating insights into the underwater world of the Baltic and North Seas.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 26.12.2025.

    Stralsunds blaue Wunder © NDR/Deutsches Meeresmuseum Stralsund © NDR/Deutsches Meeresmuseum Stralsund

  • 2024, documentary, 90 min, OV with German subtitles

    Das falsche Versprechen vom Aufstieg: You can win if you want?

    The documentary examines the growing social inequality in Germany and the challenges of upward mobility associated with it.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 26.12.2026.

    Das falsche Versprechen vom Aufstieg: You can win if you want? © MDR/Hoferichter & Jacobs © MDR/Hoferichter & Jacobs

  • 2024, drama, 89 min, OV with German subtitles

    Allein zwischen den Fronten

    The crime drama tells the story of how a police operation at a protest spirals out of control in a heated atmosphere. An internal investigation aims to determine the role played by police officer Jan Vogt. Starring Justus Johanssen, Brigitte Hobmeier (directed by Nicolai Rohde).
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 08.11.2025. 

    Allein zwischen den Fronten © ZDF/ADRIAN GROSS © ZDF/ADRIAN GROSS

  • 2024, documentary, 60 min, OV with German subtitles

    Wildschweingeschichten

    A documentary about people whose profession and passion are closely linked to the wild boar. 
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 31.10.2025.

    Wildschweingeschichten © SWR © SWR

  • 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, 45 min, German subtitles

    Unterwegs in der Uckermark

    Documentary about the Uckermark and the people who live there. 
    Watch on ADR Mediathek until 12.02.2026

    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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 3sat Mediathek until 17.05.2027.

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

  • 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, 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

    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

  • 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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