Movies like There Is a River (2020)
The best movies like There Is a River (2020) are Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018), The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) and Wild Style (1982). If There Is a River hooked you with its music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Dirt (2019)7.4/10 from 1,376 votes
- Newestbbno$ Australia Tour Documentary (2026)Released 2026
Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018)
Drawn from a never before seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, this is an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician who continues to shatter conventions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
An exploration of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles, with particular emphasis on glam metal. It features concert footage and interviews of legendary heavy metal and hard rock bands and artists such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Megadeth, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne and W.A.S.P..
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWild Style (1982)
Legendary New York graffiti artist Lee Quinones plays the part of Zoro, the city's hottest and most elusive graffiti writer. The actual story of the movie concerns the tension between Zoro's passion for his art and his personal life, particularly his strained relationship with fellow artist Rose.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKing of Jazz (1930)
A large-scale revue musical built around Paul Whiteman and his orchestra, presenting a series of musical performances, sketches, and staged tableaux in early two-color Technicolor, emblematic of Hollywood’s early sound-era “all-star” musical productions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSuburbia (1984)
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throw-away society. The runaways hold on to each other like a family until a tragedy tears them apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTo Write Love on Her Arms (2015)
The story follows 19-year-old Renee who has always loved fairy tales: the idea of a princess, a hero and a happily ever after. But Renee’s life is that of a darker tale: she’s a young woman battling addiction, depression and self-injury. In a creative blend of artistic fantasy balanced with harsh reality, the movie follows Renee on her courageous journey towards recovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMetallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 (2019)
S&M2, the live concert film from Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony is the concert event of the year! S&M2 features 20 songs from the two-night event that opened San Francisco’s new Chase Center, with many Metallica fan favourites and two unique classical songs chosen by San Francisco Symphony Musical Director, Michael Tilson Thomas. S&M2 is newly re-edited by the band, with re-mixed and remastered audio, for a whole new look and sound from the original theatrical run in October 2019.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBeyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)
An all-girl rock band moves to Hollywood in the hope of achieving success, only to fall into a whirlpool of wickedness and decadence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHeavy Metal (1981)
The embodiment of ultimate evil, a glowing orb terrorizes a young girl with bizarre stories of dark fantasy, eroticism and horror.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne More Time with Feeling (2016)
Andrew Dominik's One More Time With Feeling is a remarkable black and white documentary which chronicles the creation of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' album Skeleton Tree. Originally a performance based concept, the film evolved into something much more significant as Dominik delved into the tragic backdrop of the writing and recording of the album. The result is stark, fragile and raw, and a true testament to an artist trying to find his way through the darkness. It documents the writing, recording and performing of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ sixteenth studio album, Skeleton Tree.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMilli Vanilli (2023)
The story of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, who became fast friends during their youth in Germany. With Rob coming from a broken home and Fabrice having left an abusive household, they shared a similar upbringing, as well as a future goal: to become famous superstars. In a few short years, their dreams came true. Rob and Fab, better known as Milli Vanilli, became the world's most popular pop duo in 1990 and won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist. However, their ascension to success came with a devastating price that ultimately led to their infamous undoing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Dirt (2019)
The story of Mötley Crüe and their rise from the Sunset Strip club scene of the early 1980s to superstardom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSuck (2009)
The film follows a petty rock band called the Winners, consisting of vocalist Joey Winner, bassist Jennifer, guitarist Tyler, drummer Sam, and French-Canadian roadie Hugo, along with their sleazy manager Jeff, as they tour across Canada and the USA after Jennifer is turned into a vampire by Queeny. Meanwhile, a vampire hunter who is afraid of the dark named Eddie Van Helsing quickly chases them down.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStudio 666 (2022)
Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock and roll history to record their much anticipated 10th album. Once in the house, Dave Grohl finds himself grappling with supernatural forces that threaten both the completion of the album and the lives of the band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisBand Aid (2017)
A couple who can't stop fighting embark on a last-ditch effort to save their marriage: turning their fights into songs and starting a band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYoung at Heart (1954)
The lives and romances of three sisters in a musical family; the youngest daughter's life is complicated by the subsequent arrival of a charming composer and a cynical music arranger.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisO Lucky Man! (1973)
An ambitious coffee salesman has a series of improbable and ironic adventures seemingly designed to challenge his naive idealism.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHated: GG Allin and The Murder Junkies (1993)
An overview of the life of the most shocking, vile, and notorious of punk rock legends.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNotorious (2009)
"Notorious" is the story of Christopher Wallace. Through raw talent and sheer determination, Wallace transforms himself from Brooklyn street hustler (once selling crack to pregnant women) to one of the greatest rappers of all time: The Notorious B.I.G. Follow his meteoric rise to fame and his refusal to succumb to expectations - redefining our notion of "The American Dream."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHustle & Flow (2005)
With help from his friends, a Memphis pimp in a mid-life crisis attempts to become a successful hip-hop emcee.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisParamore: Austin City Limits Music Festival 2022 (2022)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
bbno$ Australia Tour Documentary (2026)
Documentary of bbno$’s concert tour through Australia and New Zealand
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Ni Por Mil Puñados De Oro (2022)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Kanayan Tour 2011 ～Summer～ (2011)
Concert film features her performance at Nippon Budokan on September 9th, 2011 from her one-man tour Kanayan Tour 2011 ~Summer~
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
BAD I+II (1992)
A collection of music videos by Big Audio Dynamite. Featuring videos for The Bottom Line, E=MC^2, Medicine Show, C'mon Every Beatbox, V-Thirteen, Sightsee M.C!, Just Play Music, James Brown, Contact, Rush, and The Globe.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
The Rise & Decline of Punk Rock (TBA)
A group of young punk rockers get swept up into the surge of third wave emo. Spiraling through the fame, fun, & ultimately extreme fallout as the scene gives way to changing times when larger genres taint the shine of a well loved scene.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
The Nowhere Inn (2021)
When St. Vincent sets out to make a documentary about her music, the goal is to both reveal and revel in the unadorned truth behind her on-stage persona. But when she hires a close friend to direct, notions of reality, identity, and authenticity grow increasingly distorted and bizarre.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisBilly Joel: VH1 Storytellers (1997)
Billy Joel performs some of his most iconic songs live and shares the stories behind the songs.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
K Canta, nos régions en chansons (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Antilopen Gang - Der große Punkrock Schwindel (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Like There Is a River and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like There Is a River?
The closest matches to There Is a River are Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018), The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) and Wild Style (1982). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after There Is a River?
Start with Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018), the closest match to There Is a River.
What is the highest-rated movie like There Is a River?
The Dirt (2019), rated 7.4/10 by 1,376 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like There Is a River?
bbno$ Australia Tour Documentary (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like There Is a River?
Yes: Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018), The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988) and Wild Style (1982).
How are movies similar to There Is a River chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside There Is a River, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.