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    Home/Browse/TV Shows/German TV Shows/German Documentary TV Shows

    German Documentary TV Shows

    The 40 most popular german documentary TV shows, ranked. Click any show for ratings, reviews, trailers, and where to watch.

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    Bares für Rares
    TMDB3.8

    Bares für Rares

    2013 · DE

    In the show, selected applicants each present a curiosity, rarity or antique they have brought with them. Once they have received their expertise, they will have the opportunity on site to offer their exhibit to a changing five-person podium for sale and, ideally, to sell it to the highest bidder for „Bares“ ("cash").

    Eisenbahn-Romantik
    TMDB4.5

    Eisenbahn-Romantik

    1991 · DE

    Railway-related documentary covering modern railway systems, museum railways and their facilities as well as items on model railway layouts. Politics and criticism is not left out; the series reports on closures, controversial model ideas, delays to reconstruction plans or smart commuter transport concepts.

    Galileo
    TMDB2.4

    Galileo

    1998 · DE

    This daily German magazine show delivers interesting facts on numerous topics centering around technology, life, and bizarre knowledge.

    Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin
    TMDB2.0

    Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin

    1994 · DE

    Exclusiv: das Starmagazin reports on the latest news and topics from the world of celebrities on a regular weekly basis. It covers the latest headlines relating to the stars as well as rumors and insights into the everyday lives of famous personalities around the globe. In addition to the 15-minute weekday magazine, there is a particularly detailed one-hour weekend edition on Sundays with additional reports and background reports on the celebrities.

    Quarks
    TMDB4.7

    Quarks

    1993 · DE

    No overview available

    Wir in Bayern
    TMDB3.5

    Wir in Bayern

    2003 · DE

    No overview available

    Terra X History
    TMDB3.4

    Terra X History

    2000 · DE

    The spectrum of topics ranges from political history with a focus on contemporary history (especially National Socialism and post-war history) to cultural history and social history. In addition, ZDF-History also regularly deals with pre-modern history, art and cultural history.

    Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst
    TMDB4.0

    Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst

    1967 · DE

    Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst is a German television programme broadcast since October 1967 on ZDF that aims to combat and solve crimes. Until 2003 it was produced in co-operation with the Austrian public service broadcaster ORF and Schweizer Fernsehen, a division of the Swiss public broadcaster SRG SSR idée suisse. It was the basis for the BBC show Crimewatch, the Dutch show Opsporing Verzocht and its US equivalent America's Most Wanted.

    RE: European Stories
    TMDB3.5

    RE: European Stories

    2017 · DE

    Discover Europe in all its diversity of viewpoints

    For Heaven's Sake
    TMDB3.9

    For Heaven's Sake

    2002 · DE

    Sister Hanna is a spirited, witty, resolute, warm-hearted, and - attractive nun. With her wit and street cred, she takes charge of Kaltenthal Cloister, transforming it into a popular refuge for all those seeking help of one kind or another. She also brings new life to the sleepy provincial community, proving herself quite a match for her great rival and opponent, the mayor Wolfgang Wöller.

    Xenius
    TMDB2.0

    Xenius

    2009 · DE

    No overview available

    aspekte

    TMDB4.3

    aspekte

    1965 · DE

    A 30-minute weekly cultural magazine program. The head of aspekte, Wolgang Herles, describes the program as follows: "For 40 years, "aspekte" has repeatedly set out to enrich television with cultural contrasts. "aspekte" understands culture not as the sum of facts and events, but as the taste, the sound, the rhythms of the times. It has proven itself as a journal of true luxury and fashions as well as an instrument of public education and information."

    Through the Night with...
    TMDB4.0

    Through the Night with...

    2002 · DE

    Durch die Nacht mit … is a German documentary film television series produced by ZDF for Franco-German television channel ARTE. Locations are mainly in France or Germany. The title of the French version is Au cœur de la nuit. Two Celebrities spend an filmed evening together. One of them is the host who sets the location and the program. There is no moderator.

    Extra 3
    TMDB3.9

    Extra 3

    2004 · DE

    Extra 3 is a political satirical magazine from Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR).

    Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell
    TMDB4.1

    Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell

    2013 · DE

    Kurzgesagt (German for "in a nutshell") is a Munich based design studio with a distinctive perspective on design and animation within the fields of education, science and commerce. Founded in 2012 by Philipp Dettmer & Stephan Rether, the studio engages in information design projects of all kinds. We love science, minimalism, colors and music. But most of all combining them to tell stories.

    Elefant, Tiger & Co.
    TMDB3.7

    Elefant, Tiger & Co.

    2003 · DE

    No overview available

    Familie Dr. Kleist
    TMDB3.3

    Familie Dr. Kleist

    2004 · DE

    Examining different species of animals as they grow to adulthood and learn life lessons that are sometimes difficult.

    Planet Wissen
    TMDB3.5

    Planet Wissen

    2002 · DE

    No overview available

    With the Train Through...
    TMDB4.0

    With the Train Through...

    2006 · DE

    No overview available

    Wissen macht Ah!
    TMDB4.1

    Wissen macht Ah!

    2001 · DE

    No overview available

    42: The Answer to Almost Everything
    TMDB4.8

    42: The Answer to Almost Everything

    2021 · DE

    What would we be without mucus? Can we live on water? How much does life weigh? Finding out the answers is the aim of ARTE's new science show. In a nod to Douglas Adams's "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", where the figure 42 is the ultimate answer to all questions, 42 tries to provide the answers.

    ARD Crime Time
    TMDB4.7

    ARD Crime Time

    2020 · DE

    In Crime Time, the public prosecutor's office, forensic medicine, police and profilers talk about Hessian criminal cases that they won't soon forget. How do they manage to catch the perpetrators? How do real murderers think?

    360° Reportage
    TMDB3.8

    360° Reportage

    1999 · DE

    Stories of extraordinary lives and extraordinary lands across the globe.

    Wunderschön!
    TMDB4.0

    Wunderschön!

    2008 · DE

    No overview available

    Karambolage
    TMDB5.0

    Karambolage

    N/A · FR

    Words, rituals, objects, references... Karambolage offers an amused comparative anthropology of the locals on both sides of the Rhine.

    Nano - Die Welt von morgen
    TMDB4.2

    Nano - Die Welt von morgen

    2000 · DE

    NANO searches for the latest research findings and provides up-to-date scientific background information.

    Game Two
    TMDB4.5

    Game Two

    2016 · DE

    At Game Two, we show our love for video games in a charmingly silly way: The latest game reviews, gaming news, a lot of humor and a good pinch of punch & cardboard - whether for full-blooded gamers, casual gamers or noobs. Game Two is a gaming show, information from the gaming cosmos and comedy. Packed into three entertaining videos per week. Be there when we test games, discuss games news with you and don't take ourselves too seriously again.

    7 vs. Wild
    TMDB4.1

    7 vs. Wild

    2021 · DE

    Abandoned in the swedish wilderness seven candidates struggle to survive for seven days. Everybody has to get along with seven previously selected items and the clothes they are wearing. Who remains after seven days and collected the most points in the challenges of the day wins. No camera crew, no contact to the outer world, complete isolation.

    Women Who Made History
    TMDB3.7

    Women Who Made History

    2013 · DE

    This series explores both the personal lives and careers of a series of influential women, examining their lives in a modern context.

    MaiThink X – Die Show
    TMDB3.9

    MaiThink X – Die Show

    2021 · DE

    No overview available

    V.I.P. Schaukel

    TMDB4.0

    V.I.P. Schaukel

    1971 · DE

    V.I.P.-Schaukel is a 45 minute documentary-family-news-talk show starring Margret Dünser as Host. The series premiered on Sun May 09, 1971 on ZDF and Folge 37 - Final Show last aired on Fri May 09, 1980.

    Julia – Eine ungewöhnliche Frau

    Julia – Eine ungewöhnliche Frau

    1999 · DE

    Julia – Eine ungewöhnliche Frau is a German television series.

    Rosins Restaurants – Ein Sternekoch räumt auf!
    TMDB3.3

    Rosins Restaurants – Ein Sternekoch räumt auf!

    2009 · DE

    No overview available

    37 Grad
    TMDB4.5

    37 Grad

    1994 · DE

    37° reports on typical life situations in our society from an unusual perspective: the camera accompanies a group or individual people, usually in a particularly exposed social situation. The reportage often outlines a turning point or a decision-making phase in the biography under review.

    Hobbythek

    TMDB3.8

    Hobbythek

    1974 · DE

    No overview available

    Cuisines des terroirs
    TMDB5.0

    Cuisines des terroirs

    2001 · DE

    A sensual approach to culinary art "on the ground", meeting farmers, winegrowers, restaurateurs and cooks, where gastronomy and the art of living have their roots.

    112 - Sie retten dein Leben
    TMDB4.0

    112 - Sie retten dein Leben

    2008 · DE

    Whether it's a fire disaster or a car accident - every operation demands everything from the 112 team and brings them closer together.

    Experte für alles
    TMDB2.5

    Experte für alles

    2025 · DE

    No overview available

    auto mobil - Das VOX-Automagazin

    TMDB4.5

    auto mobil - Das VOX-Automagazin

    2020 · DE

    No overview available

    Die Ratgeber

    TMDB5.0

    Die Ratgeber

    2019 · DE

    No overview available

    About German Documentary TV Shows

    German television

    German television has found an international audience through high-concept genre serials and historical drama, backed by some of the largest production budgets in continental Europe.

    Documentary

    Documentary series use length the way films can't — returning to subjects, following developments, and building cases across many hours. Streaming turned the format into a genuine cultural force.

    In this list

    Years covered
    1965–2025
    Often also
    Reality, Talk, Comedy
    Longest run
    60 seasons

    Common questions

    What are the best German documentary TV shows?
    By popularity across Flickfolio and TMDB, the top picks right now are Bares für Rares, Eisenbahn-Romantik, and Galileo. The full ranked list of 40 sits above — open any show for ratings, reviews, and streaming availability.
    How is this list ranked?
    German documentary TV shows are ordered by overall popularity, which blends how often a title is viewed, searched, and logged. It updates as viewing habits shift, so the list reflects what people are actually watching rather than a fixed critical canon.
    Where can I watch these TV shows?
    Every show page lists current streaming, rental, and purchase options for your region, alongside community ratings and reviews from Flickfolio members.

    Keep browsing

    Other Genres

    AnimationDramaComedyWesternCrimeMysteryFamilyAction & AdventureKidsRealitySci-Fi & FantasySoap
    War & Politics

    Other Countries

    JapaneseKoreanFrenchItalianBritishSpanishIndianChineseHong KongSwedishMexicanBrazilianRussian

    In Theaters Too

    German Documentary Movies