Can you watch movies online in Germany?
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Updated on: Feb 2025
Studying abroad comes with exciting new experiences, but also a few challenges. One of the most common challenges for international students is adjusting to a new environment, especially when it comes to entertainment. If you’re from Malaysia, it’s likely that you are subscribed to Netflix. If that is the case, then the good news is that you can subscribe to Netflix in Germany and have access to a platform which you are already familiar with.
There are other ways to watch movies online in Germany though. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Legal Streaming Services in Germany
Germany offers many legal streaming options. These services are reliable, and you’ll find a variety of movies and TV shows in different languages, including English. Some popular platforms include:
- Netflix: A go-to for international movies and TV shows. German Netflix has a wide range of content, including both local and global titles. The interface is in English, so you won’t get lost navigating it.
- Amazon Prime Video: Similar to Netflix, Amazon Prime offers a huge selection of movies. You’ll find both German and international movies. Prime also gives you the option to rent or buy movies that aren’t included in the subscription.
- Disney+: If you love Disney movies or shows from Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars, Disney+ has you covered. It’s widely available and has German subtitles, which can help you improve your German language skills, too!
- Joyn: A German-based service that offers movies, TV shows, and even some international content. It’s perfect if you want to explore more German cinema.
These platforms are easy to use and often have subtitles in multiple languages. If you’re missing Malaysia’s entertainment culture, look for international films that can make you feel at home.
2. Free and Legal Streaming Options
As a student, you might want to save money while watching movies online. There are several free, legal streaming services in Germany that are worth exploring:
- Youtube: You can find plenty of free movies here, especially older ones or independent films. Some channels upload full-length movies that are available legally.
- Arte.tv: A French-German TV network that offers a wide range of documentaries, movies, and art-house films for free online. Many films have English subtitles.
- Tubi: Tubi offers free movies and TV shows, though you’ll have to deal with ads. Still, it’s a great option for budget-conscious students.
These platforms offer great content without the need for a subscription. They’re perfect if you’re looking to explore new genres and save money.
3. Language and Subtitles
One of the challenges of watching movies in Germany is the language barrier. But, there’s an upside: watching German movies with subtitles can improve your language skills. You’ll find that many international movies come with German subtitles, which can help you understand the language better.
If you prefer to watch in English, most streaming services offer options to change subtitles or audio settings.
4. Cinema Experience
While online streaming is great, you might also want to experience a real cinema while you’re in Germany.
When it comes to cinema in Germany, you might encounter a bit of a culture shock, especially if you’re used to watching movies in their original language. In Germany, many movies—especially Hollywood blockbusters—are dubbed into German.
It’s done to make films more accessible to the German-speaking public, especially families and young children, who may not be comfortable reading subtitles.
While some might find this approach less authentic, it’s a huge part of German cinema culture. German dubbing is professionally done, and voice actors often give excellent performances that make the dubbed version feel just as engaging as the original.
If you prefer to watch movies in their original language, don’t worry. Larger cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg have cinemas that offer films in their original version (Originalversion or OV). These cinemas show movies in English (or other languages) with German subtitles.
Conclusion
Watching movies online in Germany doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re missing Malaysia or looking to dive into German cinema, there are plenty of options.
You might also like
Article title
Article title