Streamingtipps

There are plenty of great films for children available in the media libraries of the public service broadcasters and on various streaming services. Here are our streaming tips for kids that adults can also enjoy.

Suitable for children

Documentaries and feature films

  • 2021, animation, 104 min, OV with German subtitles

    Wo ist Anne Frank

    Where Is Anne Frank is an animated film about Anne Frank's imaginary friend, Kitty, who comes to life in present-day Amsterdam and embarks on a quest to find Anne (directed by Ari Folman).
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 24.01.2030.

    Wo ist Anne Frank © hr/Purple Wale/Anne Frank Fonds Basel © hr/Purple Wale/Anne Frank Fonds Basel

  • 2014, documentary, 10 min, OV with German subtitles

    Thomas Mann · Dichter dran!

    This episode of the series Dichter dran sheds light on the life and work of Thomas Mann.
    Watch on planet schule until 01.01.2099.

    Thomas Mann - Dichter dran! © WDR/Heidi Kull © WDR/Heidi Kull

  • 2017, comedy, 90 min, OV with German subtitles

    Kein Herz für Inder

    The Neufund family is expecting a female exchange student called Sandy from England but instead of Sandy, a 13-year-old Indian boy shows up at the airport... Culture clash comedy starring Aglaia Szyszkowitz, Martin Brambach, Lena Urzendowsky, Mercedes Müller and Zayn Baig. Directed by Viviane Andereggen.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 17.09.2025.

    Kein Herz für Inder © ARD Degeto/Stephan Rabold © ARD Degeto/Stephan Rabold

  • 2018, documentary, 30 min, OV with German subtitles

    MausSpezial: Ein Sommer auf der Alpe

    A special episode of Die Sendung mit der Maus about Lena the cow, who spends the summer on a mountain pasture with her fellow cows and, of course, with the mouse and the elephant.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 2099.

    MausSpezial: Ein Sommer auf der Alpe © WDR © WDR

  • 2014, documentary, 10 min, OV with German subtitles

    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · Dichter dran!

    Short biography of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was already a legend in his own lifetime.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 01.01.2099.

    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · Dichter dran! © Heidi Kull / WDR © Heidi Kull / WDR

  • 2021, documentary, 12 min, OV with German subtitles

    Was bringt Gendern wirklich?

    From the Quarks TabulaRasa series: Gender-inclusive language: Some say it's unnecessary, others say that true equality can only be achieved when our language represents everyone equally.
    Watch on Quarks@Youtube.

    Was bringt Gendern wirklich? | Quarks TabulaRasa @ WDR @ WDR

  • 2021, documentary, 10 min, OV with German subtitles

    Sophie Scholl & die Weiße Rose: die 5 letzten Tage

    This video highlights the last days in the lives of members of Die Weiße Rose (White Rose) resistance group between their arrest and execution for their opposition to the Nazi state.
    Watch on funk until 22.06.2026.

    Sophie Scholl & die Weiße Rose: die 5 letzten Tage © funk © funk

  • 2022, fantasy, 89 min, OV with German subtitles

    Das Märchen vom Frosch und der goldenen Kugel

    Loosely based on The Frog King and Iron Henry by the Brothers Grimm. Unlike the classic fairy tale, the story is told from the frog's point of view. Starring Jan Liem, Viet Anh Alexander Tran, Alina Hidic and Götz Otto.
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 26.12.2029.

    Frosch und goldene Kugel Märchen © ZDF / [F] Jan Hromadko / [M] Ewald Ebers © ZDF / [F] Jan Hromadko / [M] Ewald Ebers

  • 2021, documentary, 24 min, OV with German subtitles

    Der Demokratie-Check

    From the series Checker Reportagen: In this fun series about facts aimed at children, presenter Tobi explains how a democracy works, who can vote and who can be elected in Germany.
    Watch on KiKA Mediathek.

    Checker Tobi Demokratie Check © BR/megaherz gmbh/Hans-Florian Hopfner © BR/megaherz gmbh/Hans-Florian Hopfner

  • 2015, documentary, 15 min, OV with German subtitles

    Carl - Ich werde Tänzer

    From the ZDF series stark!: This reportage follows 12-year-old Carl who is living his dream of being a dancer. Since the summer, he has been attending the Palucca School, a prestigious dance academy in Dresden.
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 09.12.2027.

    Carl - Ich werde Tänzer © ZDF © ZDF

  • 2019, fantasy, 6 min, OV, no German subtitles

    Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein

    Animated short film based on the Grimm brothers’ tale The Wolf and the Seven Little Goats.
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek.

    Wolf und sieben Geißlein Animation © ZDF / trikk17 © ZDF / trikk17

  • 2005, comedy, 68 min, OV with German subtitles

    Löwenzahn, der Film – die Reise ins Abenteuer

    In this television film, Peter Lustig is tricked into trading his small plot in Elchwinkel for a castle by a construction company. He realises his mistake and takes desperate measures to try and cancel the contract before it is too late... Starring Peter Lustig, Helmut Krauss, Dietmar Bär and Bettina Zimmermann. Directed by Hannes Spring.
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 26.10.2027.

    Löwenzahn Film © ZDF / Christiane Pausch © ZDF / Christiane Pausch

  • 2021, documentary, 12 min, OV with German subtitles

    Frauen & Männer: Wie unterschiedlich sind sie wirklich

    From Quark's TabulaRasa series: Boy or girl? Woman or man? Are the differences between the sexes biological or socially constructed? Quarks explores these questions.
    Watch on Quarks@Youtube.

    Frauen & Männer: Wie unterschiedlich sind sie wirklich? | Quarks TabulaRasa @ WDR @ WDR

  • 2009, fantasy, 60 min, OV with German subtitles

    Dornröschen

    Fynn arrives at the royal court as a stable boy and learns of his destiny to awaken the enchanted Princess Myrose from her 100-year sleep.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 18.04.2030.

    Dornröschen © SWR/Walter Wehner © SWR/Walter Wehner

  • 2019, documentary, 74 min, OV with German subtitles

    Anna auf der Alm

    Animal reporter Anna spends a summer with dairymaid Kati on the Steiner Alm, a grazing area in Tyrol, Austria.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 17.12.2028.

    Anna auf der Alm © BR/Text und Bild Medienproduktion GmbH & Co. KG © BR/Text und Bild Medienproduktion GmbH & Co. KG

  • 2014, fantasy, 58 min, OV with German subtitles

    Sechse kommen durch die ganze Welt

    This adaptation of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale tells the story of six outsiders who combine their individual strengths to become an unbeatable team. Starring Sebastian Bezzel, Laura Maria Heid and Rafael Gareisen. Directed by Uwe Janson.
    Watch on ZDF Mediathek until 15.12.2029.

    Sechse kommen durch die ganze Welt © rbb/Askania Media Filmproduktion/Daniela Incoronato © rbb/Askania Media Filmproduktion/Daniela Incoronato

  • 2022, documentary, 9 min, OV with German subtitles

    Hitler & Co.: Die großen Kunsträuber der Geschichte

    The bust of Nefertiti, paintings, mummies, Benin bronzes and other artefacts can be admired in museums all over the world, including Germany. Many of these artefacts were originally stolen, and as this documentary explains, cultural objects are still being ‘looted’ today.
    Watch on funk until 29.06.2027.

    MrWissen2go © funk © funk

  • 2011, fantasy, 59 min, OV with German subtitles

    Aschenputtel

    New adaptation of the Grimm fairytale by Uwe Janson starring Aylin Tezel, Florian Bartholomai, Barbara Auer: Despite enduring cruelty from her stepmother and stepsister, Cinderella refuses to be defeated.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 05.04.2028.

    Aschenputtel © WDR/Hardy Spitz © WDR/Hardy Spitz

  • 2023, documentary, 11 min, OV with German subtitles

    Was fliegt, wächst und krabbelt im Frühling?

    From Die Sendung mit dem Elefanten: This episode tells the story of a doodlebug flying in slow motion, portrays the song "Vogelhochzeit" as well as clover, dandelion and yarrow as food for rabbits.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 01.01.2099.

    Die Sendung mit dem Elefanten © WDR/Trickstudio Lutterbeck © WDR/Trickstudio Lutterbeck

  • 2019, animation, 3 min, OV

    Meine Schmusedecke: Der Schmetterling

    From Das Sandmännchen: The butterfly is not happy with his trunk. Can his friends convince him that it is great to have a trunk?
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 2099.

    Meine Schmusedecke: Der Schmetterling © rbb © rbb

  • 2016, fairytale, 60 min, OV with German subtitles

    Das Märchen vom Schlaraffenland

    In this reinterpretation of the popular fairy tale by Ludwig Bechstein, Paul embarks on a journey to the mystical Land of Plenty to help his sick sister, who is in desperate need of medicine. Starring Björn Ingmar Böske, Klara Deutschmann (directed by Carsten Fiebeler).
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 24.08.2029.

    Das Märchen vom Schlaraffenland © HR © HR

  • 2020, documentary, 25 min, OV with German subtitles

    Der Künstliche Intelligenz-Check

    In this episode of the series Checker Reportagen, Tobi wants to find out how artificial intelligence works.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek bis 06.10.2029.

    Der Künstliche Intelligenz-Check © BR/megaherz gmbh © BR/megaherz gmbh

  • 2025, documentary, 32 min, OV with German subtitles

    Y-History: War mein Uropa ein Nazi?

    In this documentary, Adrian Oeser explores how his great-grandfather’s Nazi past has influenced the history and dynamics of his own family.
    Watch on ARD Mediathek until 07.05.2030.

    Y-History: War mein Uropa ein Nazi? © HR © HR