Movies like The Direct Route (2021)
The best movies like The Direct Route (2021) are Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019) and Above Majestic (2018). If The Direct Route hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Direct Route
Quick picks
- Highest ratedI Am Heath Ledger (2017)7.4/10 from 233 votes
- NewestOasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (2026)Released 2026
Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006)
Follow the evolution of the 'Halloween' movies over the past twenty-five years. It examines why the films are so popular and revisits many of the original locations used in the films - seeing the effects on the local community. For the first time, cast, crew, critics and fans join together in the ultimate 'Halloween' retrospective.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisAbove Majestic (2018)
A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisThe Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends (2019)
This documentary focuses on the actors and their journey over two summers to create the remake to the original IT, by Stephen King. The documentary originally released as bonus material, bundled with IT: Chapter Two.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)
A documentary on the life of John Lennon, with a focus on the time in his life when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhat We Left Behind: Looking Back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (2018)
A documentary exploring the legacy of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the reasons it went from the black sheep of Star Trek to a beloved mainstay of the franchise, and a brainstorm with the original writers on what a theoretical eighth season of the show could look like.
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 this180° South (2010)
The film follows adventurer Jeff Johnson as he retraces the epic 1968 journey of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Mole: Undercover in North Korea (2020)
A real-life undercover thriller about two ordinary men who embark on an outrageously dangerous ten-year mission to penetrate the world's most secretive and brutal dictatorship: North Korea.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAmerican Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince (1978)
Martin Scorsese spends an evening with larger-than-life raconteur Steven Prince—a former drug addict, road manager for Neil Diamond, and actor—as he recounts stories from his colorful life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film) (2022)
Grammy® winner singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo takes a familiar road trip from Salt Lake City, where she began writing her debut album “SOUR,” to Los Angeles. Along the way, Rodrigo recounts the memories of writing and creating her record-breaking debut album and shares her feelings as a young woman navigating a specific time in her life. Through new live arrangements of her songs, intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage from the making of the album, audiences will follow Olivia along on a cinematic journey exploring the story of “SOUR.”
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 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 thisOasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (2026)
Experience the meteoric rise of Oasis through rare footage and untold stories as the band reunites for Oasis Live '25, chronicling their journey from Manchester streets to global rock stardom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHarry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction (2013)
An impressionistic portrait of the iconic actor Harry Dean Stanton comprised of intimate moments, film clips from some of his 250 films and his renditions of American folk songs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Love Song for Latasha (2019)
A dreamlike conversation with the past and the present, reimagining Latasha Harlins' story by excavating intimate memories shared by those who loved her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMaking 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJustin Bieber's Believe (2013)
A backstage and on-stage look at Justin Bieber during his rise to super stardom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScotch Mist in Sussex (2013)
Cast and crew look back at the making of Terror of the Zygons.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Podshock (2010)
The cast and crew of The Seeds of Doom look back on the making of this story.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Tin Men and the Witch (2010)
The making of Revenge of the Cybermen, with director Michael E Briant, incoming producer Philip Hinchcliffe and outgoing producer Barry Letts.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Are Friends Electric? (2007)
This documentary examines Tom Baker's introduction as the Doctor and the making of his first story, Robot.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Foe from the Future (2010)
A look at the unmade story, The Foe from the Future, which formed the basis of The Talons of Weng-Chiang.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Cybermen (2009)
A history of the Cybermen, presented by writer and broadcaster Matthew Sweet.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
A New Beginning (2004)
A look at the radical changes made to Doctor Who by John Nathan-Turner for his first story as producer, which opened the programme's eighteenth year on BBC1.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Ties That Bind Us (2008)
A look at the subtle (and not so subtle!) links to the show's past and future contained within the story of The Five Doctors.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Perfect Scenario: Lost Frontiers (2009)
In the far future, the remaining population of an oxygen-depleted planet Earth lies in enforced stasis in The Field of Dreams. Looking for ideas to help him re-connect to his captive audience, Zed, a young scenariosmith, turns to the world of Doctor Who for inspiration...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Perfect Scenario: The End of Dreams (2009)
Continuing his search for inspiration, Zed resumes his studies of twentieth-century television's Doctor Who. What he finds will have a profound effect...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Direct Route?
The closest matches to The Direct Route are Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019) and Above Majestic (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Direct Route?
Start with Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006), the closest match to The Direct Route.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Direct Route?
I Am Heath Ledger (2017), rated 7.4/10 by 233 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Direct Route?
Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Direct Route?
Yes: Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019) and Above Majestic (2018).
How are movies similar to The Direct Route chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Direct Route, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.