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?

Die Feuerzangenbowle

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

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

Rick Pitino 'Feels Bad' For Tom Thibodeau After Knicks Firing - Sports Illustrated

Metropolis

Lola rennt

Das Haus in Montevideo

How could NASA possibly land on the moon when it's impossible to reach the moon through the Earth's dome? Why are they making up such an obvious lie?

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

In jenen Tagen

Man spricht Deutsh

DF Weekly: Why would Microsoft "sideline" its next generation handheld? - Eurogamer

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):

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Why did it take seven days for troops with helicopters, equipment, supplies, food, and water to be dispatched to southeast storm zones?

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.

Nackt

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.

Michaels acquires Joann’s intellectual property, private label brands - WSB-TV

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

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!

Why doesn't speeding significantly decrease one’s commute time? I've done a lot of road trips and driving and have experimented by increasing speed by 10–20%, but somehow this never equates to arriving 20% sooner, even on clear roads.