Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany is a European culture? I love them but they follow formula very closely like Hollywood. What are the best German films?

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Nackt

In jenen Tagen

In Italy, how do people greet each other when they meet for the first time (e.g., on the street)? What's a good response to that greeting if you're not from Italy or don't speak Italian fluently yet?

Metropolis

Besides these, there are some really good children's movies: More recently, the Bibi und Tina series as just one example. Looking back into the 80s and 70s, as well as into the present, I would even say that movies for children are what the German Film industry excels at. There is much less screaming and cake throwing and slimy monsters and much more discussing of matters that affect children in real life (even in phantasy plots) than in most US children's movies as far als I know them. The GDR was particularly well known for excellent children's movies but the west was and is good at it, too.

Here is a list of some (by no means all) German movies that are considered Classics (and a few that should be, in my opinion):

OpenAI reportedly ‘recalibrating’ compensation in response to Meta hires - TechCrunch

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

I have seen some very good German movies. It is not that they don't exist, but they hardly ever achieve much fame. Especially since people have been accustomed to the dominance of US popular culture.

Do North Koreans have access to K-Pop?

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Lola rennt

What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.

Common daily vitamin could slow biological aging, major study suggests - AOL.com

Das Haus in Montevideo

Didi - alles im Eimer

In Wirtschaftswunder times, most Western German movies were junk but the GDR produced some very good ones, e.g. Western movies and Spur der Steine; in the 70s Paul und Paula. I definitely recommend both!

Florida farmers now plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as Trump’s tariff policies cause prices to plummet - Yahoo

Die Feuerzangenbowle

And many I can't think of at the moment.

Man spricht Deutsh

'Strawberry Moon' 2025: June's full moon is about to break an annual record - Live Science