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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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    Galileo
    TMDB2.4

    Galileo

    1998

    country: Germany

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

    Cuisines des terroirs
    TMDB5.0

    Cuisines des terroirs

    2001

    country: Germany

    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.

    Bares für Rares
    TMDB3.8

    Bares für Rares

    2013

    country: Germany

    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").

    mare TV
    TMDB4.2

    mare TV

    2001

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    kinokino

    TMDB5.0

    kinokino

    1978

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    RE: European Stories
    TMDB3.5

    RE: European Stories

    2017

    country: Germany

    Discover Europe in all its diversity of viewpoints

    Quarks
    TMDB4.7

    Quarks

    1993

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Die Ratgeber

    TMDB5.0

    Die Ratgeber

    2019

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Xenius
    TMDB2.0

    Xenius

    2009

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    History of the World
    TMDB3.3

    History of the World

    2020

    country: Australia

    It's about human history, how humans shaped the world we live in. A history through cultures and civilizations - from early Mesopotamia to the industrial revolution. Documentary series from various european production company’s like BBC, SVT, NRK, DR, ARTE, Covering serveral topics of war, Persons Like Cleopatra, Hitler, George Washington, etc

    Extra 3
    TMDB3.9

    Extra 3

    2004

    country: Germany

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

    Planet Wissen
    TMDB3.5

    Planet Wissen

    2002

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Terra X History
    TMDB3.4

    Terra X History

    2000

    country: Germany

    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.

    Eisenbahn-Romantik
    TMDB4.5

    Eisenbahn-Romantik

    1991

    country: Germany

    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.

    Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst
    TMDB4.0

    Aktenzeichen XY… ungelöst

    1967

    country: Germany

    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.

    Wunderschön!
    TMDB4.0

    Wunderschön!

    2008

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Wir in Bayern
    TMDB3.5

    Wir in Bayern

    2003

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    37 Grad
    TMDB4.5

    37 Grad

    1994

    country: Germany

    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.

    Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin
    TMDB2.0

    Exclusiv - Das Star-Magazin

    1994

    country: Germany

    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.

    Elefant, Tiger & Co.
    TMDB3.7

    Elefant, Tiger & Co.

    2003

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Checker Tobi
    TMDB4.5

    Checker Tobi

    2013

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Der Vorkoster
    TMDB3.0

    Der Vorkoster

    2010

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Through the Night with...
    TMDB4.0

    Through the Night with...

    2002

    country: Germany

    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.

    360° Reportage
    TMDB3.8

    360° Reportage

    1999

    country: Germany

    Stories of extraordinary lives and extraordinary lands across the globe.

    42: The Answer to Almost Everything
    TMDB4.8

    42: The Answer to Almost Everything

    2021

    country: Germany

    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.

    Nano - Die Welt von morgen
    TMDB4.2

    Nano - Die Welt von morgen

    2000

    country: Germany

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

    Game Two
    TMDB4.5

    Game Two

    2016

    country: Germany

    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.

    aspekte

    TMDB4.3

    aspekte

    1965

    country: Germany

    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."

    For Heaven's Sake
    TMDB3.9

    For Heaven's Sake

    2002

    country: Germany

    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.

    Wissen macht Ah!
    TMDB4.1

    Wissen macht Ah!

    2001

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Circle of Life
    TMDB3.3

    Circle of Life

    2004

    country: Germany

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

    Kesslers Expedition
    TMDB4.0

    Kesslers Expedition

    2010

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Ask Lesch
    TMDB3.5

    Ask Lesch

    2010

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    V.I.P. Schaukel

    TMDB4.0

    V.I.P. Schaukel

    1971

    country: Germany

    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.

    Karambolage
    TMDB5.0

    Karambolage

    N/A

    country: France

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

    Alpha Centauri
    TMDB4.3

    Alpha Centauri

    1998

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Woozle Goozle
    TMDB4.0

    Woozle Goozle

    2013

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Steel Buddies – Stahlharte Geschäfte
    TMDB4.5

    Steel Buddies – Stahlharte Geschäfte

    2014

    country: Germany

    No overview available

    Empire Builders
    TMDB0.5

    Empire Builders

    2018

    country: Germany

    Throughout the centuries great empires have been erected, whose creators have governed nations, regions and continents for hundreds and even thousands of years. From the great civilizations of antiquity to the first world powers of our days, this series reviews the legacy left to us by the great empires that have written the history of humanity. Combining computer-generated images with dramatic reconstructions, experts and historians analyze the role these civilizations have played and how their heritage has survived to this day.

    Hitlers Frauen
    TMDB5.0

    Hitlers Frauen

    2001

    country: Germany

    "Hitler's Women" - A six part series about some of the women Hitler enjoyed and adored.

    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
    1965–2021
    Often also
    Family, 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 Galileo, Cuisines des terroirs, and Bares für Rares. 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

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    In Theaters Too

    German Documentary Movies