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?

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

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.

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):

Compass psilocybin therapy shown to be effective in largest-ever study in depression - STAT

Die Feuerzangenbowle

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

Didi - alles im Eimer

Alan Alda, Mike Farrell Among Those Paying Tribute to Loretta Swit: “A Supremely Talented Actor” - The Hollywood Reporter

Man spricht Deutsh

Es geschah am helllichten Tag

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!

Mariners' vibes turn ugly after sweep: 'Nobody feels sorry for us' - The Seattle Times

Metropolis

Lola rennt

Zur Sache, Schätzchen (and its sequel)

Pia26559 Curiositys First 360 Degree View Of Boxwork Patterns - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (.gov)

Es war eine rauschende Ballnacht

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.

Das Haus in Montevideo

Cher’s Son Elijah Blue Allman Hospitalized After ‘Acting Erratically’ - Rolling Stone

Berlin - Sinfonie einer Großstadt

Nackt

In jenen Tagen

Tooth fossil analysis upends current theory of prehistoric human evolution - Earth.com