Movies like Whatever It Takes (2023)
The best movies like Whatever It Takes (2023) are Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017), The Seat (2025) and Lionel Messi: Destiny (2023). If Whatever It Takes hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSenna (2010)8.1/10 from 1,263 votes
- NewestA Toxic Love Story (2026)Released 2026
Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017)
The late 1950s were known as golden years in the world of motor racing, champions were made and lost on a Sunday, and no losses were greater than those of Enzo Ferrari’s Scuderia. Based on Chris Nixon’s bestselling biography Mon Ami Mate, Ferrari: Race to Immortality tells the story of the loves and losses, triumphs and tragedy of a turbulent era that shook the motor racing world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Seat (2025)
'The Seat' is an unprecedented inside look that led to a once-in-a-generation driver change in Mercedes and F1 history. It reveals the private conversations that led the Mercedes team and Toto Wolff, its Team Principal and CEO, to its decision to promote 18-year-old Italian-born Kimi Antonelli to a Formula 1 Driver, making him the third-youngest rookie in the sport's history. The film follows Kimi, in the lead up to his first Formula 1 season as he takes on his destiny.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLionel Messi: Destiny (2023)
Behind-the-scenes documentary about how Lionel Messi succeeded in lifting the World Cup – the only trophy to have eluded him in an incredible career.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like this1 (2013)
Set in the golden era of Grand Prix Racing '1' tells the story of a generation of charismatic drivers who raced on the edge, risking their lives during Formula 1's deadliest period, and the men who stood up and changed the sport forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAvatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022)
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSenna (2010)
The remarkable story of Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, charting his physical and spiritual achievements on the track and off, his quest for perfection, and the mythical status he has since attained, is the subject of Senna, a documentary feature that spans the racing legend's years as an F1 driver, from his opening season in 1984 to his untimely death a decade later.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Class of ‘92 (2013)
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAs I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000)
A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNo Half Measures: Creating the Final Season of Breaking Bad (2013)
A documentary about the making of season five of the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Crystal Calls - Making The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019)
Go behind the scenes with stars, puppeteers and creators as they bring Jim Henson's magical world of Thra back to life in a sweeping fantasy series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCome See Me in the Good Light (2025)
In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRonaldo (2015)
Filmed over 14 months with unprecedented access into the inner circle of the man and the sport, this is the first official and fully authorised film of one of the most celebrated figures in football. For the first time ever, the world gets vividly candid and un-paralleled, behind-closed-doors access to the footballer, father, family-man and friend in this moving & fascinating documentary. Through in-depth conversations, state of the art football footage and never before seen archival footage, the film gives an astonishing insight into the sporting and personal life of triple Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at the peak of his career. From the makers of ‘Senna’ and ‘Amy’, Ronaldo takes audiences on an intimate and revealing journey of what it’s like to live as an iconic athlete in the eye of the storm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCristiano Ronaldo: World at His Feet (2014)
Cristiano Ronaldo: The World at His Feet follows the footballer from his beginnings in Portugal, breakthrough start with Manchester United and current career at Real Madrid.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHarmontown (2014)
A comedic, brutally honest documentary following self-destructive TV writer Dan Harmon as he takes his live podcast on a national tour.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Toxic Love Story (2026)
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God (2012)
Alex Gibney explores the charged issue of pedophilia in the Catholic Church, following a trail from the first known protest against clerical sexual abuse in the United States and all way to the Vatican.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSeduced and Abandoned (2013)
SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGilbert (2017)
The life and career of one of comedy's most inimitable modern voices, Mr. Gilbert Gottfried.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Making of 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' (1991)
Documentary of the making of the sequel to the popular Schwarzenegger film, The Terminator.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDirected by John Ford (1971)
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSuperswede: A film about Ronnie Peterson (2017)
Ronnie Peterson nicknamed “Superswede” was the fastest formula 1-driver in the 70s who never became a world champion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Fernando. Revealed (2024)
Through the images we review with Fernando a career of success but also of suffering. An icon who has touched glory although it has not been easy to fight with the best. But the Asturian's is, without a doubt, a career marked by an unbreakable passion for Formula 1. A passion that never went away and that today is more alive than ever.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Carlos Sainz: The Operator (2024)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Weekend of a Champion (2013)
Filmmaker Roman Polanski spends a weekend with world champion driver Jackie Stewart as he attempts to win the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix, offering an extraordinarily rare glimpse into the life of a gifted athlete at the height of his powers. "Re-cut and restored" version of the original "Weekend Of A Champion (1972)", with a 2011 post-film discussion between Jackie Stewart and Roman Polanski (begins at approx 71:15 minutes).
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Williams (2017)
This sports documentary tells the story of the Williams Formula 1 team founded by the legendary Sir Frank Williams
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSchumacher (2021)
Through exclusive interviews and archival footage, this documentary traces an intimate portrait of seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVilleneuve Pironi (2022)
Villeneuve Pironi tells the astonishing story of Canadian Formula 1 legend Gilles Villeneuve and French star Didier Pironi, two fearless Ferrari Formula 1 racing drivers, forever torn apart by a historic and hugely controversial moment in time.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Lotus Story Part 1 - The Creation of the Chapman Legend (2012)
The Lotus Story Volume One takes viewers from the birth of the company to the rise to Grand Prix racing in the late fifties. The programme features nostalgic archive footage, interviews with Chapman’s friends and family, and drivers such as Hill, Clark, Ireland and Allison plus a look at the early careers of Keith Duckworth and Mike Costin of Cosworth. A rare interview with Chapman’s wife Hazel illustrates her immense contribution and sheds light on a man whose genius covered over three decades of GP success.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Lotus Story Part 2 - Time of Change (2012)
A decade on from its auspicious start the company had run into problems and by 1960 company founder Colin Chapman was increasingly aware that a reversal of fortune depended on a change of course. The result? The Lotus 18 followed by a race version designed and built in collaboration with Keith Duckworth. Not only was this the start of an association with Cosworth but also the debut of Scottish driver Jim Clark. The company was to enjoy new success in the Formula Junior Class; the Elite a role in GT racing; and a new GP car debuted at Argentina with Innes Ireland. Neville Hay recounts the events of these three intensive years in the Lotus story. All the major races and personalities of the era are featured, including Moss and Surtees at the 1960 GP de Monaco, 1960 Le Mans 24 hour, Dutch GP debut of the Lotus 25, 1962 Goodwood Easter meeting, British, German and South African GP. You also hear from major players of the era - Duckworth, Ireland, Wagstaff, Surtees, Moss, Taylor and Lovely.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Lotus Story Part 3 - The Golden Years (2014)
The years from 1963 to 1968 were perhaps the truly golden years for Colin Chapman and Lotus, for this was a period when the skill and ability of the late, great, Jim Clark brought the team some of the most prized awards in motorsport. In 1963 and 1965 Lotus triumphed over BRM and Ferrari, with Clark winning the championship despite a strong challenge from Graham Hill, John Surtees, Jackie Stewart and Lorenzo Bandini, as well as Brabham and Gurney. Across the Atlantic a similar revolution was underway in Indy Car racing. Ford made its entrance at Indianapolis, where the Americans claimed a disputed win and Clark took the honours for Lotus at Milwaukee. In this compelling programme, the third volume in this exciting Lotus Story, we continue the full and fascinating history of one of Britain’s best-loved motor racing teams. We feature Clark’s battle against the surprising Brabham resurgence and the strengthening of the link between Lotus and Ford with the Mark 1 Lotus Cortina.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Like Whatever It Takes and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Whatever It Takes?
The closest matches to Whatever It Takes are Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017), The Seat (2025) and Lionel Messi: Destiny (2023). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Whatever It Takes?
Start with Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017), the closest match to Whatever It Takes.
What is the highest-rated movie like Whatever It Takes?
Senna (2010), rated 8.1/10 by 1,263 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Whatever It Takes?
A Toxic Love Story (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Whatever It Takes?
Yes: Ferrari: Race to Immortality (2017), The Seat (2025) and Lionel Messi: Destiny (2023).
How are movies similar to Whatever It Takes chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Whatever It Takes, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.