Movies like Shim: American Opens a Cafe at the DMZ (2024)

Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie (1995)

"Trinity and Beyond" is an unsettling yet visually fascinating documentary presenting the history of nuclear weapons development and testing between 1945-1963. Narrated by William Shatner and featuring an original score performed by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, this award-winning documentary reveals previously unreleased and classified government footage from several countries.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Why We Fight: Prelude to War (1942)

Prelude to War was the first film of Frank Capra's Why We Fight propaganda film series, commissioned by the Pentagon and George C. Marshall. It was made to convince American troops of the necessity of combating the Axis Powers during World War II. This film examines the differences between democratic and fascist states.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & war

Last Days in Vietnam (2014)

During the chaotic final weeks of the Vietnam War, the North Vietnamese Army closes in on Saigon as the panicked South Vietnamese people desperately attempt to escape. On the ground, American soldiers and diplomats confront a moral quandary: whether to obey White House orders to evacuate only U.S. citizens.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & documentary

Hôtel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie (1988)

Marcel Ophuls' riveting film details the heinous legacy of the Gestapo head dubbed "The Butcher of Lyon." Responsible for over 4,000 deaths in occupied France during World War II, Barbie would escape—with U.S. help—to South America in 1951, where he lived until a global manhunt led to his 1983 arrest and subsequent trial.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & documentary

Five Came Back (2017)

The extraordinary story of how Hollywood changed World War II – and how World War II changed Hollywood, through the interwoven experiences of five legendary filmmakers who went to war to serve their country and bring the truth to the American people: John Ford, William Wyler, John Huston, Frank Capra, and George Stevens. Based on Mark Harris’ best-selling book, “Five Came Back: A Story of Hollywood and the Second World War.”

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & war

The Untold History Of The United States (2012)

Oliver Stone charts the history of the United States from the Second World War to the present.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018)

The epic life story of Alice Guy-Blaché (1873–1968), a French screenwriter, director and producer, true pioneer of cinema, the first person who made a narrative fiction film; author of hundreds of movies, but banished from history books. Ignored and forgotten. At last remembered.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)

The history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)

Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)

Michael Moore comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world).

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Five Broken Cameras (2011)

Five broken cameras – and each one has a powerful tale to tell. Embedded in the bullet-ridden remains of digital technology is the story of Emad Burnat, a farmer from the Palestinian village of Bil’in, which famously chose nonviolent resistance when the Israeli army encroached upon its land to make room for Jewish colonists. Emad buys his first camera in 2005 to document the birth of his fourth son, Gibreel. Over the course of the film, he becomes the peaceful archivist of an escalating struggle as olive trees are bulldozed, lives are lost, and a wall is built to segregate burgeoning Israeli settlements.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & documentary

Red Army (2015)

A documentary highlighting the Soviet Union's legendary and enigmatic hockey training culture and world-dominating team through the eyes of the team's Captain Slava Fetisov, following his shift from hockey star and celebrated national hero to political enemy.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

O.J.: Made in America (2016)

A chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

The Memphis Belle (1944)

This WW2 documentary centers on the crew of the American B-17 Flying Fortress Memphis Belle as it prepares to execute a strategic bombing raid on Nazi submarine pens in Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & war

Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey (2000)

Documentary on the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee, with a focus on the production of his unfinished film Game of Death. Using interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, Lee aficionado John Little paints a portrait of the world's most famous action hero, concluding with a new cut of Game of Death's action finale, reconstructed from Lee's notes and recently-recovered footage.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & action

Titanic: 20 Years Later with James Cameron (2017)

For the 20th anniversary of "Titanic," James Cameron reopens the file on the disaster.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Alone in the Wilderness (2004)

Dick Proenneke retired at age 50 in 1967 and decided to build his own cabin in the wilderness at the base of the Aleutian Peninsula, in what is now Lake Clark National Park. Using color footage he shot himself, Proenneke traces how he came to this remote area, selected a homestead site and built his log cabin completely by himself. The documentary covers his first year in-country, showing his day-to-day activities and the passing of the seasons as he sought to scratch out a living alone in the wilderness.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Apollo: Missions to the Moon (2019)

National Geographic's riveting effort recounts all 12 crewed missions using only archival footage, photos and audio.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Ronaldo (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 & history

The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)

Examines the evolution of the Black Power Movement in US society from 1967 to 1975. It features footage of the movement shot by Swedish journalists in the United States during that period and includes the appearances of Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, and other activists, artists, and leaders central to the movement.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & history

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)

When two brothers are forced to fight in the Korean War, the elder decides to take the riskiest missions if it will help shield the younger from battle.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & history

The Origin of Miracles (2023)

A nation's architect battles war and chaos to forge a country from the ashes—can he secure its future before freedom slips away?

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & history

Devotion (2022)

The harrowing true story of two elite US Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. Their heroic sacrifices would ultimately make them the Navy's most celebrated wingmen.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war & history

Svenskarna i Koreakriget (2019)

With the largest humanitarian undertaking ever made by Sweden, in 1950 volunteers rushed to help setting up the Swedish Red Cross Field Hospital in Busan. This was 69 years ago. Today the aging Swedish samaritans can testify how the Korean war became the start of new relations, new friendships, and lasting, strong bonds between Sweden and Korea.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

BTS: THE RETURN (2026)

They're back! BTS gathers in LA to record their album "Arirang" in this documentary offering unprecedented access to the band as they enter a new era.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

M*A*S*H (1970)

One of the world's most acclaimed comedies, M*A*S*H focuses on three Korean War Army surgeons brilliantly brought to life by Donald Sutherland, Tom Skerritt and Elliott Gould. Though highly skilled and deeply dedicated, they adopt a hilarious, lunatic lifestyle as an antidote to the tragedies of their Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, and in the process infuriate Army bureaucrats. Robert Duvall, Gary Burghoff and Sally Kellerman co-star as a sanctimonious Major, an other-worldly Corporal, and a self-righteous yet lusty nurse.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both war

Lee Chanwon Concert Changa: Dear My Chance (2025)

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

NCT DREAM THE MOVIE : In A DREAM (2022)

The brand-new film features high-energy performances with the seven members captured during their second solo concert, NCT DREAM TOUR "THE DREAM SHOW 2 : In A DREAM", at the iconic Olympic Stadium, the largest stadium in South Korea and the dream venue for music artists. This unmissable event also includes behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive backstage interviews, and a look at the future the members envision away from the stage!

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Ableism in São Paulo (2024)

Through intimate stories and day-to-day routines we get a naturalistic glimpse into the lives of individuals with disabilities in the bustling urban landscape of São Paulo. The film captures personal moments and how modern societies confront (or fail to confront) ableism and inclusion.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Proof of Life (2000)

When Peter Bowman, an American engineer working in a South American country, is captured by anti-government forces, the rebels learn his identity and demand $5 million for his safe return. However, his US employer is on the verge of insolvency and will not provide the ransom. Peter's wife Alice is forced to deal with the matter on her own and she retains the services of freelance professional hostage negotiator Terry Thorne.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action