German Phrase
Was für Filme laufen?
Meaning
Literally “What kind of movies are running?” It is the idiomatic way to ask which movies are currently being shown in a cinema or on a streaming platform. The verb laufen is used figuratively for films that are being screened.
When to use
Use this question when you’re at a cinema, checking a program board, or chatting with friends about what’s on the big screen. It works for both theatrical releases and TV/streaming line‑ups.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WasfürFilmelaufen?
Was für
A compound interrogative meaning “what kind of”. It is followed by a noun in the appropriate case (here nominative plural).
Filme (Plural)
Plural of Film. In questions with was für, the noun stays in the case required by the verb – here nominative because it is the subject.
laufen (verb)
When used with movies, laufen means “to be shown/playing” in a cinema, not the literal “to run”. It conjugates as laufen → laufen (3rd person plural).
Verb‑Subject Order
In German yes‑no and wh‑questions the finite verb moves to the second position, so laufen follows the subject phrase Was für Filme.
🗨In Conversation
Was für Filme laufen heute im Kino?
What kind of movies are playing today at the cinema?
Es läuft ein neuer Action‑Thriller und ein romantisches Drama.
There’s a new action thriller and a romantic drama playing.
✕Common Mistakes
Was für ein Film läuft?
Singular ein Film doesn’t match the plural Filme in the question; use the plural form when you want to ask about multiple movies.
Was für Filme läuft?
The verb must agree with the plural subject; use laufen instead of läuft.
Was für Filme zeigen?
While zeigen means “to show”, the idiomatic verb for movies in a cinema is laufen.
↔Alternatives
Welche Filme laufen?
Which movies are playing?
Was wird gerade im Kino gezeigt?
What is being shown in the cinema right now?
Welche Filme laufen gerade?
Which movies are currently playing?
Cultural Tip
In German, laufen is the standard verb for movies that are being screened, whereas English uses “play”. The phrase is neutral and works in both formal (e.g., asking a ticket clerk) and informal (chatting with friends) contexts. In southern Germany you might also hear auf dem Programm stehen (“to be on the program”).