What's included here
Discover three German documentary recommendations, including ARTE and ZDF's 37 Grad. We've included suggested learning levels, topics and tips for watching with German subtitles.
German documentaries are a wonderful way to improve your language skills while learning something new.
From fascinating scientific questions to the everyday lives of people in Germany, there's plenty to explore. And unlike fictional German TV shows, documentaries often include narration, interviews and visual explanations that make the language easier to follow.
Why Watch German Documentaries?
Documentaries are particularly useful for German learners because they introduce vocabulary in a meaningful context. You're not just learning words in isolation: you're hearing people use them to explain ideas, experiences and events.
Narrated documentaries can also be easier to follow than fast-paced dramas, although interviews and regional accents may be more challenging, so keep that in mind!
Our advice is to choose a topic you're interested in, start with something short and turn on German subtitles when they're available.
3 German Documentary Recommendations
#1 ARTE Documentaries
Suggested level: B1–C1, depending on the documentary
Are you interested in history, science or culture? If so, ARTE might be a wonderful recommendation for you.
It's a Franco-German public cultural broadcaster that produces and distributes documentaries on a vast range of topics, from ancient civilisations to modern social issues.
For German learners, ARTE is particularly useful because many documentaries feature clear narration, interviews and helpful visual context. German subtitles are available for many programmes, although availability varies.
Start with a familiar topic and choose a shorter documentary if you're around B1. More abstract subjects, such as philosophy or politics, may be better suited to B2–C1 learners.
Where to watch: ARTE
#2 37 Grad Documentaries
Suggested level: B1–C1, depending on the episode
If you're curious about how people in Germany actually live, 37 Grad is a useful place to start.
37 Grad is a ZDF documentary series that explores personal stories and social issues, including relationships, family, work, health and unusual life circumstances.
Unlike documentaries that rely heavily on formal narration, 37 Grad often features people speaking naturally about their own experiences.
This makes it especially valuable for learners who want to understand everyday spoken German, including different accents, speaking styles and colloquial expressions.
The conversations can be challenging, so B1 learners may benefit from subtitles.
Where to watch: 37 Grad on ZDF
#3 Freizeit or: The Opposite of Doing Nothing
Suggested level: B2
In a world obsessed with productivity, is doing absolutely nothing such a bad thing?
This thoughtful documentary explores leisure, idleness and our relationship with free time.
We think it's an interesting choice for German learners because the subject connects to everyday life, work and wellbeing. You'll encounter vocabulary related to how people spend their time, alongside more abstract ideas about productivity, happiness and what makes free time meaningful.
Watch the documentary:
Tips for Watching German Documentaries
You don't need to understand every sentence to benefit from watching documentaries in German. Here are a few ways to make the most of them:
- Choose familiar subjects. If you already know something about the topic, you'll find it easier to follow the German.
- Use German subtitles. They can help you with comprehension, especially when people talk quickly.
- Watch short sections twice. Try watching once for the general meaning and again to catch unfamiliar expressions.
- Don't look up every word. Focus instead on vocabulary that appears repeatedly or seems particularly useful.
For more ideas, explore our German listening resources.
What Else Can You Watch in German?
Of course, documentaries aren't the only way to practise your comprehension skills. If you enjoy series and cinema, have a look at our recommendations for German movies and German TV shows.
Mixing different formats is a great way to get used to the many ways German is spoken, from carefully narrated documentaries to everyday conversations.