German movies and TV shows have a distinct style that’s hard to overlook. From gripping crime dramas like Tatort to thought-provoking films such as The Lives of Others.
So, where can you watch German TV shows and movies online?
In this article, we’ll introduce the 7 best free German streaming sites, along with a few trusted paid platforms. Whether you’re trying to figure out how to watch German television abroad or searching for German movies with subtitles, these services provide legal and reliable ways to stream.
ZDF Mediathek
Best Free German Streaming Site
ZDF Mediathek is the official on-demand platform of ZDF, one of Germany’s largest public broadcasters. You can watch German TV series, movies, documentaries, live news, and cultural programs online for free.
As a public broadcaster, it is completely legal, safe, and reliable, offering high-quality content from Germany. Many programs are subtitled in German, and some also offer English subtitles for international viewers.
Due to regional licensing restrictions, some content is available internationally, while others require a German IP address. Simply visit the ZDF Mediathek website or download the mobile app, browse the program catalog, and start watching premium German programming immediately.
- Website: https://www.zdf.de/
- Is it legal? Yes, it is ZDF’s official streaming platform.
- Is it free? Yes, all content is free, and no subscription is required.
- English subtitles: Limited, available only for select programs.
ARD Mediathek
Best Free German Streaming Site for News, Drama
ARD Mediathek is the official on-demand platform of the German public broadcaster ARD. The platform offers free German dramas, crime dramas, documentaries, political programs, children’s programs, and live news.
ARD Mediathek is known for its long-running series like “Tatort” and trusted news programs such as “Tagesschau”. If you want to watch authentic German everyday television programming, ARD Mediathek offers a great view of what Germans actually watch.
For viewers looking to watch German television programs online, ARD Mediathek offers a completely legal, free solution. No subscription fee is required, and most content can be watched directly in a browser or mobile application.
However, due to copyright restrictions, some programs are geographically restricted. While some programs can be watched internationally, a German IP address is usually required for full access.
- Website: https://www.ardmediathek.de/
- Is it legal? Yes, it is ARD’s official streaming platform.
- Is it free? Yes, it’s completely free to watch.
- English subtitles: Limited; most content only offers German subtitles.
RTL+
Best German Streaming Platform for Reality Shows
RTL+ is the streaming service of RTL Germany, one of Germany’s largest commercial broadcasters. RTL+ primarily offers entertainment content, including reality shows, talent shows, dramas, and exclusive original programming.
You can find popular German shows here, such as Deutschland sucht den Superstar, as well as various reality shows, dating shows, and soap operas. Compared to public broadcasters, RTL+ focuses more on commercial entertainment and lifestyle programming.
RTL+ operates on a subscription model. Some preview clips and limited content are free, but full access requires a paid subscription.
- Website: https://plus.rtl.de/
- Is it legal? Yes, it is RTL’s official streaming service.
- Is it free? Partially free; full access requires a subscription.
- English subtitles: Rare; most content is only available in German.
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Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR)
MDR is a public broadcaster serving eastern Germany. Its Mediathek library offers free documentaries, regional news, cultural programs, and a selection of television films.
If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of Germany, the MDR Mediathek library provides perspectives on German daily life and regional culture.
The service is completely free and legal, supported by the Public Broadcasting Fund. No subscription is required, and most programs are available for instant online streaming.
- Website: https://www.mdr.de/
- Is it legal? Yes, it is an official public broadcaster.
- Is it free? Yes, completely free.
- English subtitles: Very limited; primarily for German programs.
YouTube
Best Free Platform for German TV Clips and Live Streams
YouTube isn’t a traditional television network, but it has become one of the most convenient ways to watch German television programs online. Many official television stations, including ARD, ZDF, and some private channels, upload full episodes, highlights, interviews, and live news broadcasts directly to their officially certified channels.
If you’re looking for a way to watch German television programs without registering for a new platform, YouTube is the best option. You can find news programs, documentaries, and even a selection of full-length German dramas here.
YouTube is accessible to a global audience, making it a useful option for those who want to watch German television programs in the US. YouTube usually provides subtitles, and the automatically generated subtitles can help learners better understand the content.
- Website: https://www.youtube.com/
- Is it legal? Yes, watching content from officially certified channels is legal.
- Is it free? Yes, but ads will be displayed.
- English subtitles: Some videos offer English subtitles.
Joyn
Best Free & Premium German Streaming Site
Joyn is a German streaming platform powered by ProSiebenSat. 1 and Warner Bros. Discovery. It integrates live TV channels, on-demand programming, movies, and exclusive original content onto a single platform.
Joyn offers a free, ad-supported version and a premium subscription plan (Joyn PLUS+). The free version includes live German TV channels and a rich library of shows and programs, making it attractive for viewers exploring how to watch German TV shows without paying upfront.
Premium subscribers can access more international dramas, early access programming, and exclusive content.
- Website: https://www.joyn.de/
- Is it legal? Yes, it is an official commercial streaming platform.
- Is it free? Yes, a free version is available; a premium subscription plan is also available.
- English subtitles: Limited; primarily German content.
3sat
3sat is a cultural television channel jointly operated by the public broadcasters of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Its programming covers art, science, philosophy, literature, and high-quality documentaries.
Here you can find in-depth discussions, theatrical works, historical documentaries, and European films rarely seen on mainstream streaming services.
3sat Mediathek allows viewers to watch content for free, legally, and without a subscription. Some programs may be restricted outside of German-speaking countries. Users watching German television programs in the United States may encounter some geographic restrictions.
- Website: https://www.3sat.de/
- Is it legal? Yes, it is an official public cultural channel.
- Is it free? Yes, completely free.
- English subtitles: Limited; primarily broadcasts German-language programs.
Where to Watch German Movies?
Besides these top German streaming services, several paid platforms offer even more options:
- Netflix: Boasts a constantly updated library of German films, including international hits and award-winning series. You’ll often find well-known German films and Netflix original German dramas here, but it’s not free.
- Amazon Prime Video: Offers a wide variety of German films, including rentals, purchases, and free viewing for Prime members. You can often find classic German films, art films, and newer theatrical releases, with English subtitles available.
- Apple TV+: You can search for and watch German films directly on Apple TV+ in HD. Pay-per-view or a subscription is required.
- MUBI: If you’re interested in art films and critically acclaimed German cinema, MUBI is ideal. The platform features a curated selection of independent films, classic European films, and festival favorites, including works by German directors and co-productions.
Conclusion
Whether you prefer free public broadcasters like ARD or ZDF, hybrid platforms like Joyn, or paid services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, there are many ways to watch German movies and TV shows online.
Choose a platform that suits your needs now and start watching German entertainment today!
