Are you planning on visiting Berlin soon? To get you started, here are some films, novels, series and movies set in the German capital that feature its history, atmosphere and landmarks at the center of their stories. From the Nazi era to the Weimar Republic, and from the spy intrigues of the Cold War to the modern metropolis, these works weave tales that will inspire your visit. Enjoy!
Run Lola Run
Set in 1998, Run Lola Run is a groundbreaking German film directed by Tom Tykwer. Its inventive plot revolves around Lola racing against time through Berlin, with iconic landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate and Potsdamer Platz in focus. Run Lola Run‘s frenetic pace mirrors Berlin’s energy, making it an exciting prelude to exploring the city.
Good Bye Lenin!
This award-winning 2003 comedy-drama offers a heartfelt look at family and identity in East Berlin’s prominently featured Karl-Marx-Allee following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Directed by Wolfgang Becker, the film portrays a mother’s nostalgia for life under the socialist regime, sparking both laughter and tears. It’s an evocative exploration of Berlin’s transformation during reunification.
The Lives of Others — one of the best 80s Cold War spy films shot in Berlin
Released in 2006, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s The Lives of Others examines the pervasive surveillance in East Berlin during the Cold War. The haunting plot of the 77th Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film winner follows a Stasi agent whose life changes when he monitors a playwright. Its poignant storytelling captures the weight of the Second World War’s aftermath and the Berlin Wall’s impact.
Mission Impossible: Fallout
In 2018, Tom Cruise brought his daring escapades to Germany in Mission Impossible: Fallout. With scenes filmed near the Brandenburg Gate, the action-packed plot weaves Berlin’s modern and historic landmarks into its thrilling narrative. A must-watch for fans of espionage and cinematic drama.
Atomic Blonde
Charlize Theron stars in this 2017 spy thriller set in Berlin during the fall of the Berlin Wall. Directed by David Leitch, Atomic Blonde features high-octane action and showcases West Berlin’s gritty streets and shadowy underworld. The film’s vivid cinematography and intense plot encapsulate the city’s tumultuous 1980s.
Downfall
This 2004 film by Oliver Hirschbiegel immerses viewers in the final days of Nazi Germany, depicting Adolf Hitler’s collapse through the eyes of his secretary, Traudl Junge. The award-winning movie was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 77th Academy Awards. Set in a bunker beneath Berlin, the harrowing true story captures the psychological unraveling of the Nazi Party during the Second World War’s Battle of Berlin. Watching Downfall deepens the impact of visiting Berlin’s WWII sites, where the city’s dark past comes vividly to life.
Berlin Calling
Directed by Hannes Stöhr, this documentary takes you deep into Berlin’s electronic music scene, offering a gritty portrayal of the city’s creative underbelly. Starring DJ Paul Kalkbrenner as an artist navigating fame and personal struggles, the film encapsulates Berlin’s raw energy, making it an essential watch for anyone looking to understand why the city remains the world’s techno capital.
Bridge of Spies
Directed by Steven Spielberg and co-written by the Coen brothers, Bridge of Spies stars Tom Hanks in a true Cold War espionage story. Set against the tense Berlin backdrop, the 2015 film’s pivotal scene—set at the Glienicke Bridge—shows the high-stakes exchange of spies. This gripping tale highlights Berlin’s role as a geopolitical hotspot during the Cold War, and visiting its iconic sites adds context to the story’s dramatic portrayal of espionage and diplomacy.
Babylon Berlin
This Netflix mega-production plunges viewers into the heart of 1930s Berlin, during the chaotic final years of the Weimar Republic. With lavish sets and mesmerizing cinematography, Babylon Berlin exposes a city teeming with hedonism, political unrest, and criminal intrigue. The series immerses audiences in a world of decadence, exploring both the glamorous and dark sides of pre-Nazi Berlin. Its gripping storylines and period-perfect attention to detail offer a powerful gateway to understanding the city’s vibrant yet volatile history.
Deutschland 83/86/89 — one of the best series based in Berlin, Germany
This gripping trilogy explores Cold War spy expertise and family drama in both East and West Berlin. Through vivid portrayals of the divided city, it reveals the complexities of life during the Cold War. A compelling watch that enriches your understanding of Berlin’s political and cultural landscape during this tense era.
Eldorado: Everything the Nazis Hate
This documentary revisits Berlin’s vibrant LGBTQ+ culture in the early 1930s, which Germany’s Nazi Party sought to suppress. The film celebrates the city’s defiance and resilience, a spirit still alive in its inclusive neighborhoods today.
Berlin Trilogy by David Bowie
Between 1977 and 1979, David Bowie recorded Low, “Heroes”, and Lodger at Hansa Studios, just steps from the Berlin Wall. These albums, infused with Berlin’s raw energy and political tension, encapsulate the city’s divided spirit and its creative resilience. Each track reflects Bowie’s immersion into the city’s avant-garde music scene. Visiting Hansa Studios today feels like a pilgrimage to the birthplace of musical genius, where Berlin’s influence transformed Bowie forever.
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra: Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 1–9
The 1962 recording of Beethoven’s symphonies under Herbert von Karajan, released by Deutsche Grammophon—the iconic Germany classical music label founded in 1898—showcases the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s brilliance. With its timeless precision and emotive depth, this recording reflects Berlin’s rich musical heritage. A visit to the Philharmonie near Potsdamer Platz makes experiencing their live performances an unforgettable part of any cultural itinerary.
Goodbye to Berlin by Christopher Isherwood
This semi-autobiographical novel captures Berlin at a pivotal moment in the early 1930s, immersing readers in its hedonistic nightlife, smoky cabarets, and the ominous shadow of the Nazi Party’s rise throughout Germany. Christopher Isherwood’s vivid prose conjures a city bursting with creativity and tension, inspiring the iconic musical Cabaret. A seductive and haunting portrait of a city on the brink of transformation.
The Short End of the Sonnenallee by Thomas Brussig
This novel offers a humorous yet touching look at family life in East Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Its lighthearted tone provides a refreshing perspective on divided Germany, enhancing any visit to Berlin’s Wall Memorial sites.
Book of Clouds by Chloe Aridjis
This contemplative graphic novel follows a woman’s introspective journey through Berlin. It captures the city’s ever-changing identity, from its historic scars to its vibrant present. A poetic companion for exploring Berlin’s layered narrative.
Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht
First performed in 1928, Bertolt Brecht’s Threepenny Opera is a sharp, satirical masterpiece that unveils societal inequalities in Berlin during the tumultuous early 1930s. Its haunting melodies, including “Mack the Knife,” and acerbic critique of capitalism vividly evoke the tension between opulence and poverty. Brecht’s work remains a cornerstone of Berlin’s theatrical and political legacy, embodying the city’s fearless creativity.
Walk Berlin
This 2022 guidebook invites readers to uncover Germany’s capital soul through meticulously curated self-guided tours. From the majestic Brandenburg Gate to the dynamic Potsdamer Platz, it blends iconic landmarks with hidden gems, weaving in the stories that shaped them. A companion for those who want to truly walk in the city’s footsteps along with thoughtful commentary.
Cover photo credit: DZT/Dagmar Schwelle
