Movies like 38/79: Sentimental Punk (1979)
The best movies like 38/79: Sentimental Punk (1979) are The Decline of Western Civilization (1981), Daft Punk Unchained (2015) and Scorpio Rising (1964). If 38/79: Sentimental Punk hooked you with its music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedStop Making Sense (1984)8.4/10 from 406 votes
- NewestTaylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (2025)Released 2025
- In GermanAntilopen Gang - Der große Punkrock Schwindel (2025)Also in German
The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)
The Los Angeles punk music scene circa 1980 is the focus of this film. With Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Discipline, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, and X.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDaft Punk Unchained (2015)
Daft Punk Unchained is the first film about the pop culture phenomenon that is Daft Punk, the duo with 12 million albums sold worldwide and seven Grammy Awards. Throughout their career Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo have always resisted compromise and the established codes of show business. They have remained determined to maintain control of every link in the chain of their creative process. In the era of globalisation and social networks, they rarely speak in public and neither do they show their faces on TV. This documentary explores this unprecedented cultural revolution revealing a duo of artists on a permanent quest for creativity, independence and freedom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisScorpio Rising (1964)
A gang of bikers prepares for a race as sexual, sadistic, and occult images are cut together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSuburbia (1984)
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throw-away society. The runaways hold on to each other like a family until a tragedy tears them apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Filth and the Fury (2000)
Julien Temple's second documentary profiling punk rock pioneers the Sex Pistols is an enlightening, entertaining trip back to a time when the punk movement was just discovering itself. Featuring archival footage, never-before-seen performances, rehearsals, and recording sessions as well as interviews with group members who lived to tell the tale--including the one and only John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980)
A rather incoherent post-breakup Sex Pistols "documentary", told from the point of view of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, whose (arguable) position is that the Sex Pistols in particular and punk rock in general were an elaborate scam perpetrated by him in order to make "a million pounds."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDua Lipa: Studio 2054 (2020)
Dua Lipa's kaleidoscopic rocket fuelled journey through time, space, mirrorballs, roller discos, bucket hats, belting beats, throbbing basslines and an absolute slam dunk of the best of times in global club culture throughout the decades.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTaylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (2025)
Filmed at the end of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour in Vancouver, B.C., this complete, in-depth 45-song concert includes the complete 'The Tortured Poets Department' set and special mashups.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisA Band Called Death (2013)
Before Bad Brains, the Sex Pistols or even the Ramones, there was Death. Formed in the early '70s by three teenage brothers from Detroit, Death is credited as being the first black punk band, and the Hackney brothers, David, Bobby, and Dannis, are now considered pioneers in their field. But it wasn’t until recently — when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of Bobby’s attic nearly 30 years after Death’s heyday — that anyone outside a small group of punk enthusiasts had even heard of them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStop Making Sense (1984)
A concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning and cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Weeknd: Live at SoFi Stadium (2023)
Filmed at LA's SoFi Stadium, The Weeknd brings down the house – and your living room – in this epic concert event.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSmithereens (1982)
A narcissistic runaway engages in a number of parasitic relationships amongst members of New York's waning punk scene.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRoger Waters: The Wall (2014)
A concert film that the former Pink Floyd singer-songwriter made on various tour dates between 2010 and 2013, when he was playing his former group's 1980 double-album in its entirety.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisCobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
Hailed as one of the most innovative and intimate documentaries of all time, experience Kurt Cobain like never before in the only ever fully authorized portrait of the famed music icon. Academy Award nominated filmmaker Brett Morgen expertly blends Cobain's personal archive of art, music, never seen before movies, animation and revelatory interviews from his family and closest friends.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHIStory on Film, Volume II (1997)
Nearly 2 hours of the short films that made HIStory... Including never before released short films.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGimme Danger (2016)
No other band in rock'n'roll history has rivaled The Stooges' combination of heavy primal throb, spiked psychedelia, blues-a-billy grind, complete with succinct angst-ridden lyrics, and a snarling, preening leopard of a frontman who somehow embodies Nijinsky, Bruce Lee, Harpo Marx, and Arthur Rimbaud all rolled into one. There is no precedent for The Stooges, while those inspired by them are now legion. The film will present the context of their emergence musically, culturally, politically, historically, and relate their adventures and misadventures while charting their inspirations and the reasons behind their initial commercial challenges, as well as their long-lasting legacy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTaylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour - Live (2015)
Filmed in front of 76,000 fans at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia, "The 1989 World Tour Live" captures Taylor Swift's entire performance while also mixing in behind-the-scene, rehearsal, and special guest footage from her 1989 Tour.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTaylor Swift: Reputation Stadium Tour (2018)
Taylor Swift takes the stage in Dallas for the Reputation Stadium Tour and celebrates a monumental night of music, memories and visual magic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBad Reputation (2018)
The life and career of rock n' roll icon Joan Jett from her early years ripping it up onstage as the founder and backbone of hard-rock legends The Runaways, to her long time collaboration with Kenny Laguna as Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and her enduring presence in pop culture as a rock pioneer and mentor. With her inimitable singles "I Love Rock n Roll," and "Bad Reputation" Joan Jett inspired a generation of young women to rock.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTupac: Resurrection (2003)
Home movies, photographs, and recited poetry illustrate the life of Tupac Shakur, one of the most beloved, revolutionary, and volatile hip-hop MCs of all time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPoly Styrene: I Am a Cliché (2021)
The death of punk icon and X-Ray Spex front-woman Poly Styrene sends her daughter on a journey through her mother's archives in this intimate documentary.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story (1987)
The final 17 years of American singer and musician Karen Carpenter, performed almost entirely by modified Barbie dolls.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Pretenders - With Friends (2006)
Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum selling band The Pretenders performs with special guests including Iggy Pop, Shirley Manson of Garbage, Kings of Leon and Incubus, recorded live at the Decades Rock Arena in Atlantic City, NJ.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Back On Crack | The Cracked Tiles Documentary (2024)
In the mid 1990's Mr. Ball managed a band called The Cracked Tiles. Thanks to his Certificate III in Business (Administration) and his superior intuitive powers, Mr. Ball acquired the rights to their album 'Hi-Vis Factory'. Due to various circumstances, which Mr. Ball would rather not comment on, the album was never released. As a last ditch attempt to make some money he is now releasing it after 25-30 years, no one seems to be sure on the maths for some reason. Probably because we don't know when it will actually come out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Moonwalker (1988)
This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCleveland's Screaming! (2007)
Cleveland's Screaming is a documentary movie about the Akron and Cleveland, Ohio hardcore punk scene of the early 1980s. Documentaries about punk rock always focus on what was happening in London, New York or L.A. But Brad Warner and his friends didn't live in "happening" places like that. Like thousands of other kids all over the country in those days, they made their own scene in their own town out of nothing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
The Rise & Decline of Punk Rock (TBA)
A group of young punk rockers get swept up into the surge of third wave emo. Spiraling through the fame, fun, & ultimately extreme fallout as the scene gives way to changing times when larger genres taint the shine of a well loved scene.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Hiding Under a Copy of the Strokes' Single 'Under Cover of Darkness' (2017)
Hiding inside&out, writhing about, taken out&in.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Antilopen Gang - Der große Punkrock Schwindel (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Please Kill Me (2011)
Going backstage and behind closed doors to chronicle the music of sex, drugs, and power struggles that were the fabric of the punk community. Adapted for stage by Mathieu Bauer. The punk era of Television, Richard Hell, Ramones, Iggy Pop...flirting with death, drowning in art, design and a new way of communicating.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like 38/79: Sentimental Punk?
The closest matches to 38/79: Sentimental Punk are The Decline of Western Civilization (1981), Daft Punk Unchained (2015) and Scorpio Rising (1964). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after 38/79: Sentimental Punk?
Start with The Decline of Western Civilization (1981), the closest match to 38/79: Sentimental Punk.
What is the highest-rated movie like 38/79: Sentimental Punk?
Stop Making Sense (1984), rated 8.4/10 by 406 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like 38/79: Sentimental Punk?
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there German movies like 38/79: Sentimental Punk?
Yes: Antilopen Gang - Der große Punkrock Schwindel (2025).
How are movies similar to 38/79: Sentimental Punk chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside 38/79: Sentimental Punk, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.