13 Shows & Movies Worth Watching in 2020

As the days begin to blur into one and the snacking never seems to stop, we are in need of solid entertainment now more than ever. Fret not!

We here at Life in Düsseldorf are here to help with some suggestions of shows and movies worth watching your time in quarantine. We’ve got something for those of you who want to brush up on your German, for those of you who want to learn something new, and for those of you who just want to laugh! 

TIP: If you’re streaming videos, make sure you get a VPN to protect your online privacy. There are more and more online crimes happening at the moment now that we’re all staying home.

All of the movies and shows mentioned below can be accessed using German versions of streaming sites, but if you’re looking for more ways to access English TV programs while in Germany, you might enjoy our blog post: How to Get English TV Programs in Germany.

 

If you want to brush up on your German…

While indoors, we are often missing those vital opportunities to brush up on our German knowledge. Well, you’re in luck – there are many German TV shows and movies worth watching out there!

 

The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen)

You’ve probably heard of this widely acclaimed German film which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. Clocking in at over 2 hours, it is quite a commitment, but it is a must-watch focused on the secretive and high-level monitoring of East Berlin residents by the Stasi, East Germany’s secret police. It’s available on Netflix!

 

Goodbye Lenin!

Goodbye Lenin is another German classic focused on the country’s recent history. It follows the elaborate measures by Alex to protect his mother as she wakes up from a coma, having completely missed the fact that her beloved East German state no longer exists after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s available on Amazon Prime.

 

Issi und Ossi

A rom-com about an heiress from beautiful Heidelberg and a boxer from the wrong side of the tracks in Mannheim – need I say more. Available on Netflix.

 

Ku’Damm 56

Widely acclaimed TV series focused on the lives of a mother and three daughters who run a dance school in the centre of Berlin in the 1950s. There’s even a series 2 – Ku’Damm 59! Available on Prime and Netflix.

 

Unorthodox

Unorthodox is a new addition to Netflix but has created quite a stir since it dropped. Unlike the suggestions above, it is primarily in Yiddish! It is loosely based on a true story and describes the life of a 19-year-old Jewish woman who escapes her marriage and her Ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn and ends up in Berlin with her estranged mother.  

 

If you want to learn something new…

Endlessly scrolling through Instagram just ain’t cutting it anymore! A whole plethora of intriguing documentaries are available on all streaming series. Here are some that come recommended.

 

Pandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak

Released in the midst of a real pandemic, Pandemic eerily predicted the present-day crisis. It focuses on the creation of vaccinations, the anti-vaccination movement, and previous outbreaks. If you want to gain more of an understanding of the word that is constantly peppered in every news article, this is the documentary for you. On Netflix.

 

Blackfish

A documentary that is fascinating and heartbreaking in equal measure – learn the story of performing orca Tilikum and his life in captivity in the well-known Orlando Seaworld park. On Netflix.

 

Planet Earth

See the earth from the safety of your own home! A must-see. You can stream this series on TVNow. 

 

Explained

Short episodes explore a wide variety of topics you have always wanted to learn more about. Prepare for those group lunches back at the office with some off-the-wall facts on dreams, cryptocurrencies, and cults. There are 2 series available now on Netflix.

 

If you want to laugh…

Sometimes you just need a good chuckle. 

 

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

You won’t be able to avoid laughing at the antics of the eclectic cast of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Set in a police precinct, follow the crime-fighting adventures of Jake Paralta and his fellow detectives. Stream 5 seasons now on Netflix.

 

I Feel Pretty

Amy Schumer is at her best – and even shares an important message- with this comedy. Her character awakes from a gym class accident and more closely resembles a supermodel than her former self –  just like she had always dreamed of. The only catch? She looks the exact same as before to everybody else. Catch it on Prime.

 

Groundhog Day

This classic comedy suddenly becomes quite relatable. Meet Phil, the irritable weatherman who keeps waking up to find himself reliving the same day. This film is available on SkyGo.

 

About A Boy

This comedy stars Hugh Grant as a Will, a man who creates a fictional son who he discusses at length while attending single-parent meetings in an attempt to meet available women. However, when an awkward 12-year-old boy enters his life, Will’s priorities begin to change. Available on Maxdome.