Why are German films often so formulaic even though Germany is a European culture? I love them but they follow formula very closely like Hollywood. What are the best German films?

Here is a list of some (by no means all) German movies that are considered Classics (and a few that should be, in my opinion):

Metropolis

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Can the right person make a narc want to change their ways? Is love that powerful? Has anyone seen this or experience it?

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

Das Haus in Montevideo

In jenen Tagen

What's your take on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? How has it affected you?

Lola rennt

Didi - alles im Eimer

And many I can't think of at the moment.

What are the pros and cons of banning homosexuality?

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

I have seen some very good German movies. It is not that they don't exist, but they hardly ever achieve much fame. Especially since people have been accustomed to the dominance of US popular culture.

What do bad boys know that nice guys don't?

In Wirtschaftswunder times, most Western German movies were junk but the GDR produced some very good ones, e.g. Western movies and Spur der Steine; in the 70s Paul und Paula. I definitely recommend both!

What is of absolutely horrible quality is the “movies” that are produced for TV. They are famously bad.

Man spricht Deutsh

If Iran’s Oil Is Cut Off, China Will Pay the Price - WSJ

Besides these, there are some really good children's movies: More recently, the Bibi und Tina series as just one example. Looking back into the 80s and 70s, as well as into the present, I would even say that movies for children are what the German Film industry excels at. There is much less screaming and cake throwing and slimy monsters and much more discussing of matters that affect children in real life (even in phantasy plots) than in most US children's movies as far als I know them. The GDR was particularly well known for excellent children's movies but the west was and is good at it, too.

Nackt

Die Feuerzangenbowle

What are some things that children used to wait for, but are no longer common in today's society?