Movies like Ideal and reality (2023)
The best movies like Ideal and reality (2023) are Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022), Come See Me in the Good Light (2025) and Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017). If Ideal and reality hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSquid Game: Making Season 2 (2025)8.3/10 from 462 votes
- NewestA Toxic Love Story (2026)Released 2026
- In KoreanSquid Game: Making Season 2 (2025)Also in Korean
Avatar: 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 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 thisEx Libris: The New York Public Library (2017)
A documentary about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 Curse of the Dragon (1993)
A 1993 documentary film about Bruce Lee. The film includes interviews from some of his fellow students and opponents who worked alongside him in his movies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisMy Mom Jayne (2025)
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisCapital in the Twenty-First Century (2019)
Film adaptation of French economist Thomas Piketty's ground-breaking global bestseller of the same name: an eye-opening journey through wealth and power.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAvatar: Creating the World of Pandora (2010)
The Making-of James Cameron's Avatar. It shows interesting parts of the work on the set.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSquid Game: Making Season 2 (2025)
From set designs to character arcs, get exclusive cast and director interviews on how Season 2 of the globally most-watched series was brought to life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisI Am Heath Ledger (2017)
The life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDownloaded (2013)
A documentary that explores the downloading revolution; the kids that created it, the bands and the businesses that were affected by it, and its impact on the world at large.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFor the Love of Spock (2016)
The life of Mr. Spock, as well as that of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played him for almost fifty years, written and directed by his son: Adam.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTo Kill a Tiger (2023)
Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPublic Speaking (2011)
Martin Scorsese’s portrait of writer and social commentator Fran Lebowitz, celebrated for her sharp wit and observations on modern life. Filmed at New York’s Waverly Inn and intercut with archival footage and interviews, the documentary captures Lebowitz’s distinctive worldview through her spontaneous monologues and public appearances.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCharlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003)
Brilliant, long in-the-works story of the life and art of the world's greatest comedian and the cinema's first genius, Charlie Chaplin. Produced, written and directed by renowned film critic Richard Schickel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisExtremis (2016)
A purely observational non-fiction film that takes viewers into the ethically murky world of end-of-life decision making in a public hospital.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Journey (2017)
A cinematic journey through the world. Non-verbal.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Journey to the East (2021)
Could our mounting modern problems have ancient solutions? Travel to the depths of China to find out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Balance of the Five Elements (2020)
The Chinese philosophy of the Five Elements postulates that everything in our universe is based on wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. While traveling through China’s stunning landscapes and witnessing the seasons, this documentary seeks not only the roots of this ancient theory but also the continuing impacts on modern China.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
in the name of tradition (2013)
The destiny of women is irrevocably linked to blood. Between tradition and modernity, the female body has been marketed, honored, and mutilated.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Tao of Physics (1986)
An interview with Fritjof Capra, the author of “The Tao of Physics” published 1975. Capra based his work on the Danish theoretical physicist Niels Bohr, who included the Chinese t’ai chi symbol in his coat of arms.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Show Must Go On (2019)
The Show Must Go On is a personal journey behind the scenes that confronts the epidemic of mental health issues in the Australian entertainment industry.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Rule of Burning Sun I (2020)
Sun Wukong appeared as a fighting Buddha. What kind of peak duel will there be between a superhero who lives in modern times and confronts alien civilizations with the scorching sun civilization and Dilena?
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Eight Immortals (1969)
Fantasy adventure depicting the famous Eight Immortals of Taoist mythology.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Story Of The Night Watcher (2022)
In the thirteenth year of the Republic of China, there was a watchman in Yancheng named Hu Fan. The watchman is a mysterious and ancient profession. In addition to the job of keeping watch at night, he is also responsible for dealing with evil spirits that appear late at night. Recently, murders and disappearances have occurred frequently in Yancheng. The police department was helpless, so it went to Hu Fan, a folk who knew magic, to help. Hu Fan and others followed the clues and found that someone was killing people and offering sacrifices in broad daylight. To achieve the purpose of extending life...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Young Taoism Fighter (1986)
The Progenitor, Cheng Yang, Cheng Jen and his brother, Chung Yin-Chiu tried all means to acquaint with the “Yin Yang Separate Body Style”, which was the most powerful Taoism Kung-fu of Yin Yang Tang. One day, Student, Ko Sheng practiced the style secretly. Since his basic Kung-fu training was not well-established, he made his soul separated from the body. At the most critical moment, he was saved by Yin-Chiu. The leader of Tien Wu Men, Master Fu Luen wanted to rule over the community by force, bitterly practiced the “Tzu Yin Wicked Style” kung fu. He controlled Kuan Shih-Chung by using poison and ordered him to get the urea of children and women's placenta for him to practice...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Ideal and reality?
The closest matches to Ideal and reality are Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022), Come See Me in the Good Light (2025) and Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Ideal and reality?
Start with Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022), the closest match to Ideal and reality.
What is the highest-rated movie like Ideal and reality?
Squid Game: Making Season 2 (2025), rated 8.3/10 by 462 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Ideal and reality?
A Toxic Love Story (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Korean movies like Ideal and reality?
Yes: Squid Game: Making Season 2 (2025).
How are movies similar to Ideal and reality chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ideal and reality, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.