Movies like The Crimson Idol (2018)
The best movies like The Crimson Idol (2018) are 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020) and Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018). If The Crimson Idol hooked you with its documentary and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSelena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)8.4/10 from 623 votes
- NewestRite Here Rite Now (2024)Released 2024
20,000 Days on Earth (2014)
A semi-fictionalized documentary about a day in the life of Australian musician Nick Cave's persona.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisShawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020)
A portrait of singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes' life, chronicling the past few years of his rise and journey.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMatangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018)
Drawn from a never before seen cache of personal footage spanning decades, this is an intimate portrait of the Sri Lankan artist and musician who continues to shatter conventions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUntil the Light Takes Us (2008)
Chronicles the history, ideology and aesthetic of Norwegian black metal, a musical subculture infamous as much for a series of murders and church arsons as it is for its unique musical and visual aesthetics. This is the first film to truly shed light on a movement that has heretofore been shrouded by rumor and obscured by inaccurate and shallow depictions. Featuring exclusive interviews with the musicians themselves, Until the Light Takes Us explores every aspect of the controversial movement that has captured the attention of the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisariana grande: excuse me, i love you (2020)
Ariana Grande takes the stage in London for her Sweetener World Tour and shares a behind-the-scenes look at her life in rehearsal and on the road.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRoger Waters: Us + Them (2019)
Filmed in Amsterdam on the European leg of his 2017 – 2018 Us + Them tour which saw Waters perform to over two million people worldwide, the film features songs from his legendary Pink Floyd albums (The Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, Wish You Were Here) and from his last album, Is This The Life We Really Want?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWhitney: Can I Be Me (2017)
The life and tragic death of Whitney Houston.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSelena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)
After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGaga: Five Foot Two (2017)
Follow pop provocateur Lady Gaga as she releases a new album, preps for her Super Bowl halftime show, and confronts physical and emotional struggles.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIron Maiden: Rock In Rio (2002)
Rock In Rio Festival 2001 - Iron Maiden headlines one of the biggest shows on Earth to a massive sell-out 250,000 crowd and a global TV audience of millions. The explosive two hour set, shot using 18 cameras and edited by Steve Harris, is Maiden at its best, performing their biggest show ever on the final date of their Brave New World Tour.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Beach Boys (2024)
A celebration of the legendary band that revolutionized pop music, and the iconic, harmonious sound they created that personified the California dream, captivating fans for generations and generations to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBiggie & Tupac (2002)
In 1997, rap superstars Tupac Shakur and Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls, The Notorious B.I.G.) were gunned down in separate incidents, the apparent victims of hip hop's infamous east-west rivalry. Nick Broomfield's film introduces Russell Poole, an ex-cop with damning evidence that suggests the LAPD deliberately fumbled the case to conceal connections between the police, LA gangs and Death Row Records, the label run by feared rap mogul Marion "Suge" Knight.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGorillaz: Reject False Icons (2019)
Focused on the life of the band and their collaborators over the 3 vital years in which they developed critically acclaimed albums, 'Humanz' and 'The Now Now', and undertook their most ambitious world tour to date.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJustin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids (2016)
In January 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the final nights of the "20/20 Experience World Tour", director Jonathan Demme captures what makes the show soar: gifted musicians, deft dancers and a magnetic star.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (1988)
An exploration of the heavy metal scene in Los Angeles, with particular emphasis on glam metal. It features concert footage and interviews of legendary heavy metal and hard rock bands and artists such as Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Kiss, Megadeth, Motörhead, Ozzy Osbourne and W.A.S.P..
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJoe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten (2007)
As the front man of the Clash from 1977 onwards, Joe Strummer changed people's lives forever. Four years after his death, his influence reaches out around the world, more strongly now than ever before. In "The Future Is Unwritten", from British film director Julien Temple, Joe Strummer is revealed not just as a legend or musician, but as a true communicator of our times. Drawing on both a shared punk history and the close personal friendship which developed over the last years of Joe's life, Julien Temple's film is a celebration of Joe Strummer - before, during and after the Clash.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisI Called Him Morgan (2016)
Part jazz history, part true-crime tale, Kasper Collin’s new documentary employs extensive archival footage and new interviews to tell the tragic story of the magnificently talented trumpeter Lee Morgan and his common-law wife Helen, who murdered him in a New York bar in 1972.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLet It Be (1970)
A documentary chronicling the Beatles' rehearsal sessions in January 1969 for their proposed "back to basics" album, "Get Back," later re-envisioned and released as "Let It Be."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRite Here Rite Now (2024)
Whether you’re a devoted disciple looking to relive treasured memories of the GHOST live spectacle or among the curious uninitiated, RITE HERE RITE NOW will put you right there: putting your phones down and living in the moment—as a shadow of uncertainty looms—completely spellbound and in the thrall of this bombastic yet intimate cinematic portrait of GHOST.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMilli Vanilli (2023)
The story of Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, who became fast friends during their youth in Germany. With Rob coming from a broken home and Fabrice having left an abusive household, they shared a similar upbringing, as well as a future goal: to become famous superstars. In a few short years, their dreams came true. Rob and Fab, better known as Milli Vanilli, became the world's most popular pop duo in 1990 and won the GRAMMY for Best New Artist. However, their ascension to success came with a devastating price that ultimately led to their infamous undoing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCradle Of Filth: PanDaemonAeon (1998)
Undisputed masters of black metal Cradle of Filth bring their extreme vision to the screen on this home-video release. Cradle of Filth: PanDaemonAeon features the group's first music video, for the song "From the Cradle to Enslave" presented in its original uncut version as well as a documentary on the making of the clip and the chaos that is Cradle of Filth's existence.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
nine: The Making of All Hope Is Gone (2008)
A look behind the scenes of the infamous metal band Slipknot's fourth Album, "All Hope Is Gone". Included on a bonus DVD that comes with the Special Edition of the album.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
Romeo & Julia (2006)
Romeo & Julia is a landmark Estonian rock musical that first captured the nation's heart at its 2006 premiere. Based on William Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, this modern reimagining transports the "star-crossed lovers" to a contemporary setting, replacing ancient swords with a clash of modern values and social classes. The story follows Romeo (a working-class youth) and Julia (the daughter of a wealthy banker) as they navigate a forbidden romance amidst a decades-long feud between their families. It is a powerful exploration of the struggle between true emotion and a material world, where a tragic end brings reconciliation only after it is too late to save the young lovers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & music
The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (1992)
A live concert in tribute to Freddie Mercury, former lead singer of Queen. Mercury died of AIDS and so some of the proceeds of this concert went to AIDS research. Features performers such as Metallica, Def Leppard, Elton John, Axl Rose, Extreme, George Michael, and many others. Performers alternate between doing their own hits, covering Queen songs, or jamming with the surviving members of Queen.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisof the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams (2009)
A retrospective about the chaotic period of time surrounding Slipknot's self-titled debut album. Included as bonus material on its 10th anniversary re-release.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
Ozzy Osbourne - Live at Budokan (2002)
This 2 hour video was recorded live at Budakan Hall in Tokyo, Japan on February 15, 2002. It features 14 classic tracks spanning Ozzy's career and also behind-the-scenes footage of The Osbournes In Japan. Known for biting the head off of a bat, bickering with his vulgarity-happy family on MTV, and being one of the icons of heavy metal music, Ozzy Osbourne is nothing less than a cultural treasure. 01) I Don't Know 02) That I Never Had 03) Believer 04) Junkie 05) Mr. Crowley 06) Gets Me Through 07) Suicide Solution 08) No More Tears 09) I Don't Want to Change The World 10) Road to Nowhere 11) Crazy Train 12) Mama, I'm Coming Home 13) Bark at the Moon 14) Paranoid
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & documentary
Black Sabbath: The Last Supper (1999)
Filmed live during Black Sabbath's 1999 "Reunion" tour, this historic concert features the original lineup of the legendary metal band.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
Satan’s Top Forty (2001)
Documentary on Heavy Metal music featuring Adam Sandler, Ozzy Osbourne, Gene Simmons and Ronnie Dio. Produced for the "Little Nicky" Special Edition DVD.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
BABYMETAL LIVE～LEGEND D APOCALYPSE～ (2012)
I、D、Z ～LEGEND "D" SU-METAL Birthday Festival (I、D、Z ～LEGEND "D" SU-METAL 聖誕祭; I、D、Z LEGEND "D" SU-METAL Seitansai) was a concert held on December 20, 2012, at Akasaka BLITZ in Tokyo, Japan. This show celebrated SU-METAL's 15th birthday.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
BABYMETAL LIVE～LEGEND Z APOCALYPSE～ (2013)
I、D、Z ～LEGEND "Z" was a concert held on February 1, 2013, at Zepp Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan. The show concluded with the announcement of their next concert, LEGEND "1999", confirming the continuance of their group activities. SU-METAL had recently graduated from Sakura Gakuin, and there was much anticipation regarding her future endeavors with BABYMETAL.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Like The Crimson Idol and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Crimson Idol?
The closest matches to The Crimson Idol are 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020) and Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Crimson Idol?
Start with 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), the closest match to The Crimson Idol.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Crimson Idol?
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022), rated 8.4/10 by 623 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Crimson Idol?
Rite Here Rite Now (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Crimson Idol?
Yes: 20,000 Days on Earth (2014), Shawn Mendes: In Wonder (2020) and Matangi / Maya / M.I.A. (2018).
How are movies similar to The Crimson Idol chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Crimson Idol, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.