Movies like Islands in the Stream (2004)
The best movies like Islands in the Stream (2004) are Come See Me in the Good Light (2025), The Endless Summer (1966) and Fuck (2006). If Islands in the Stream hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedZeitgeist: Moving Forward (2011)7.0/10 from 246 votes
- NewestA Toxic Love Story (2026)Released 2026
Come 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 thisThe Endless Summer (1966)
Documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown, himself a competition-level surfer, follows surfers Michael Hynson and Robert August on an around-the-world surfing adventure. With Brown's wry, sardonic narration and a twangy, guitar-driven instrumental soundtrack by The Sandals playing over the silent footage, Mike and Rob leave their California home to visit Hawaii, Australia, South Africa and other secluded surfing spots in a search for the surfer's holy grail that Brown dubs "The Perfect Wave.”
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFuck (2006)
A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStruggle: The Life and Lost Art of Szukalski (2018)
Artists in LA discover the work of forgotten Polish sculptor Stanislav Szukalski, a mad genius whose true story unfolds chapter by astounding chapter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMarvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye (2022)
Join the likes of Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Florence Pugh, and Vincent D’Onofrio as they reveal how Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” was conceived and created. Witness firsthand what it took to pull off the show’s pulse-pounding action set pieces, and discover how iconic characters from the pages of Marvel Comics such as Kate Bishop were adapted and brought to life for the six-episode series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRiding Giants (2004)
Riding Giants is story about big wave surfers who have become heroes and legends in their sport. Directed by the skateboard guru Stacy Peralta.
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 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 thisNaqoyqatsi (2002)
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGirl Rising (2013)
Nine filmmakers each profile a young girl from a different part of the world to weave a global tapestry of youth in the 21st century.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVoyeur (2017)
Legendary journalist Gay Talese unmasks a motel owner who spied on his guests for decades. But his bombshell story soon becomes a scandal of its own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
SnoozefestMovies 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 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 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 thisZeitgeist: Moving Forward (2011)
A presentation of a case for a needed transition out of the current socioeconomic monetary paradigm which governs the entire world society. This subject matter will transcend the issues of cultural relativism and traditional ideology and move to relate the core, empirical 'life ground' attributes of human and social survival, extrapolating those immutable natural laws into a new sustainable social paradigm called a 'Resource-Based Economy'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Art of Flight (2011)
Iconic snowboarder Travis Rice and friends redefine what is possible in the mountains. Experience the highs, as new tricks are landed and new zones opened, alongside the lows, where avalanches, accidents, and wrong-turns strike.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMarvel's Behind the Mask (2021)
A documentary special that explores the power of identity behind the iconic superheroes we know and love today. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world outside our window – they have become a reflection of our own identities and who we truly are.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLooking for Richard (1996)
Al Pacino's deeply-felt rumination on Shakespeare's significance and relevance to the modern world through interviews and an in-depth analysis of "Richard III."
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 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 thisWhite Rhino (2019)
A professional surf photographer chases down the largest surf ever seen in hopes of capturing a once in a lifetime image. What he receives is much more than that.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Children of the Sun (1968)
Children of the Sun will stir memories of the happiest days in any surfers life... those uncomplicated hot sunny days... no crowds... never to be forgotten fun filled days. Filmed around the virgin coastline of New Zealand and the classic points of Northern Queensland Australia, this film is an amazing chronicle of a time now looked on as the golden years of surfing... the styles and beach scenes... the cars, people and fashions... surfing during the mid to late 60s... the New Era!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Beach Boys - California Surfin (2004)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Endless Summer II (1994)
Bruce Brown, king of surfing documentaries, returns after nearly thirty years to trace the steps of two young surfers to top surfing spots around the world. Along the way we see many of the people and locales Bruce visited during the filming of Endless Summer (1966).
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Billabong Odyssey (2003)
Action sports documentary that follows the industry's best big wave surfers as they travel the world searching for the largest waves that nature has to offer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Waveriders (2008)
Previously untold story of the unlikely Irish roots of the worldwide surfing phenomenom
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Single Fin Yellow (2005)
Journey the world as one yellow surfboard is shared by a group of friends. Starring Tyler Hatzikian, Beau Young, David Kinoshita, Daize Shayne, Devon Howard, Bonga Perkins & Co-Starring Dylan Jones, Jimmy Gamboa and Josh Farberow. Shot on location in California, Australia, Mexico, Hawaii and Japan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Dear & Yonder (2009)
Dear & Yonder is a surf movie created by Tiffany Campbell and Andria Lessler. It features a dynamic cast of ladies, each of their stories is unique, but a spirit of adventure and love they have for the ocean connects them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Snakes and Surf Breaks (2026)
In search of waves and one of Indonesia’s most elusive reptiles, this film blends risky field research, road trip filmmaking and faux documentary into a moving story of friendship and obsession that explores our complicated relationships with each other and the natural world. An amateur team’s journey across the Indonesian archipelago in search of a cobra, takes them through some of the thickest tropical jungles, flooded caves, remote coastlines and dense urban sprawls of one of the world's fastest-growing countries. Capturing all the moments of tension, chaos and absurdity that comes with a wild and mostly unplanned chase.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Sea Fever (2009)
Filmed over the course of two years to capture the mood of Irish surfing throughout the seasons. "Sea Fever" is an insight film into the surf culture developed in Ireland over the last 40 years. With dramatic footage from Ireland's giant wave Aileen's (Aill na Searrach) at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher and close-up interviews with the troubadour surfers that brave these 40-50-foot waves to Kevin Cavey and the early pioneers of the 1960s and 1970s with their rudimentary equipment and spirit of adventure, "Sea Fever" sets out to capture the character and craic of Irish surfing. "Sea Fever" features John McCarthy, Mickey Smith, Sam Lamiroy, Mole Joel, Easkey Britton, Kevin Cavey, and Rod "dolphin man" Bennett.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Islands in the Stream?
The closest matches to Islands in the Stream are Come See Me in the Good Light (2025), The Endless Summer (1966) and Fuck (2006). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Islands in the Stream?
Start with Come See Me in the Good Light (2025), the closest match to Islands in the Stream.
What is the highest-rated movie like Islands in the Stream?
Zeitgeist: Moving Forward (2011), rated 7.0/10 by 246 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Islands in the Stream?
A Toxic Love Story (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Islands in the Stream?
Yes: Come See Me in the Good Light (2025), The Endless Summer (1966) and Fuck (2006).
How are movies similar to Islands in the Stream chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Islands in the Stream, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.