They cost millions and were rarely successful: the 7 most expensive German series

Expensive is not always better – or even good. This is especially true for series productions. And unfortunately almost always when it comes to very, very expensive German onesgoes. There are some big productions from which we expected a lot. Thewere in the headlines, and what followed was mostly sobering. But there are also exceptions in which a lot of money was invested successfully.We'll get an overview and list the most expensive German series productions of all time.

The German oneNetflix-Serie1899could have been a huge success. The eight episodes of the first season were filmed outside Berlin. The story: A group of people from all over Europe board the shipKerberosfrom London on the way toto seize the chance for a better life in the USA. In the middle of the ocean they come across another ship that has been missing for months and is unable to maneuver, which will turn their journey into a nightmare. The series, which was produced in Germany among other places, had a budget of an estimated 60 million euros - making it the most expensive German series of all time - and was canceled after the first season.

The seriesThe swarmis based on the novel of the same name by Frank Schätzing and couldn't be scarier. An unknown and previously undiscovered life form from theposes a threat to humanity. A team of scientists and journalists is trying to find out what this life form is all about and try to combat the threat - before it is too late. This German and damn expensive series has that, among other thingsZDFCost a whopping 40 million euros. After all: the reviews were mixed.

BeforeThe swarmand1899appeared, wasBabylon Berlinthe most expensive German series ever. It is set in Berlin in the 1920s and has won numerous German awards such as, the German Television Prize, the Golden Camera, the Romy and the Grimme Prize.Babylon Berlinis a perfect example of how Germany can also produce quite successful series. The series can be aboutSky Go and WOWbe streamed in Germany. International rights are held by Netflix. It is assumed that the series has devoured around 40 million euros over its four seasons so far.

We were able to find another German series that was really convincing, at least in the first few seasons.Darkwas one of the first GermansNetflix-Achievements. The series is about a small town where children disappear. Ultimately, you should definitely watch this series carefully; it is quite complicated and takes place in different time levels. The series hasIt cost around 20 million euros – so it was quite expensive.

Netflixprobably has trust in Germany and also did the seriesBarbariansa big budget easy. The series is set at the time of the famous Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, where Germanic tribes led by Arminius fought against the Roman Empire. The series tells the story of the Germanic resistance movement, particularly through the characters Arminius, Thusnelda and Folkwin, and highlights the personal and political conflicts of the protagonists as they rebel against the Roman occupation. Heard with a budget of around 10 million eurosBarbariansalso one of the most expensive German productions.

The seriesThe boatis a series remake of the one of the same nameThe boat. It begins in 1942 on the maiden voyage of the U-612 with the young captain Klaus Hoffmann (Rick Okon) in the occupied. But resistance against the occupiers is forming in the port of La Rochelle: attacks and riots are increasing. The German war series is one of the most expensive German series and cost a mere 26 million euros. But: TheSkyseries is absolutely brilliant and a must for fans of the original.