Movies like I'm a Porn Star: Gay 4 Pay (2016)

Tab Hunter Confidential (2015)

Throughout the 1950s, Tab Hunter reigned as Hollywood’s ultimate male heartthrob. But throughout his years of stardom, Tab had a secret. Tab Hunter was gay, and spent his Hollywood years in a precarious closet that repeatedly threatened to implode and destroy him. Tab Hunter himself shares first hand, for the first time, what it was like to be a studio manufactured movie star during the Golden Age of Hollywood and the consequences of being someone totally different from his studio manufactured image.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures (2016)

Nude men in rubber suits, close-ups of erections, objects shoved in the most intimate of places—these are photographs taken by Robert Mapplethorpe, known by many as the most controversial photographer of the twentieth century. Openly gay, Mapplethorpe took images of male sex, nudity, and fetish to extremes that resulted in his work still being labelled by some as pornography masquerading as art. But less talked about are the more serene, yet striking portraits of flowers, sculptures, and perfectly framed human forms that are equally pioneering and powerful.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Disclosure (2020)

An investigation of how Hollywood's fabled stories have deeply influenced how Americans feel about transgender people, and how transgender people have been taught to feel about themselves.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

X-Rated: The Greatest Adult Movies of All Time (2015)

The evolution of adult cinema through the most influential films in history, a journey that begins in the 1970s and ends nowadays. An in-depth analysis of the success of the most prestigious erotic films, their impact on industry and society, and their influence on cinema and contemporary culture.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

X-Rated 2: The Greatest Adult Stars of All Time (2016)

Documentary sequel that offers a close-up look into the personal lives of the legendary porn stars who've survived the test of time and influenced popular culture. Blends rare interviews with erotic clips and additional appearances by Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Soderbergh and a host of adult stars, directors and trendsetters.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Tongues Untied (1990)

Marlon Riggs, with assistance from other gay Black men, especially poet Essex Hemphill, celebrates Black men loving Black men as a revolutionary act. The film intercuts footage of Hemphill reciting his poetry, Riggs telling the story of his growing up, scenes of men in social intercourse and dance, and various comic riffs, including a visit to the "Institute of Snap!thology," where men take lessons in how to snap their fingers: the sling snap, the point snap, the diva snap.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

The Celluloid Closet (1996)

Exuberant, eye-opening movie that serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians have had on the silver screen. Film contains fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of cinema sexuality, from cruel stereotypes to covert love to the activist triumphs of the 1990s.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars (2012)

In 1997, Louis Theroux made a documentary about the world of male porn performers in Los Angeles. 15 years later, he returns to find a business struggling with the deluge of free porn on the internet. Louis revisits some of the original programme's contributors as well as meeting the latest crop of porn performers dreaming of porn stardom.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood (2018)

A deliciously scandalous portrait of unsung Hollywood legend Scotty Bowers, whose bestselling memoir chronicled his decades spent as sexual procurer to the stars.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Welcome to Chechnya (2020)

This searing investigative work shadows a group of activists risking unimaginable peril to confront the ongoing anti-LGBTQ program raging in the repressive and closed Russian republic. Unfettered access and a remarkable approach to protecting anonymity exposes this under-reported atrocity–and an extraordinary group of people confronting evil.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Pray Away (2021)

In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the "homosexual lifestyle." They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, PRAY AWAY chronicles the “ex gay" movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

This Changes Everything (2019)

An investigative look and analysis of gender disparity in Hollywood, featuring accounts from well-known actors, executives and artists in the Industry.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

The Eyes of Orson Welles (2018)

A poetic journey into the visual world of the legendary filmmaker and actor Orson Welles (1915-85) that reveals a new portrait of a unique genius, both of his life and of his monumental work: through his own eyes, drawn by his own hand, painted with his own brush.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Hot Girls Wanted (2015)

A first-ever look at the realities of the professional “amateur” porn world and the steady stream of 18-to-19-year old girls entering into it.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Aroused (2013)

Get up close and personal with 16 of the most successful women in the adult film industry as they shed their clothes for an intimate photo shoot with director Deborah Anderson. As questions are asked, personal stories about their lives are revealed, from why they chose the business of sex to how they got into it in the first place. These porn stars have always been discreet about their private lives in the past, yet Anderson has a way of opening up a dialog allowing them to share more than just their naked skin on screen. Their true inner vulnerability is touching, yet the characters they have created are confident and intoxicating. Once you hear their stories, you'll never look at them in the same way again.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

The Last Repair Shop (2024)

In a warehouse in the heart of Los Angeles, a dwindling handful of devoted craftspeople maintain more than 80,000 student musical instruments, the largest remaining workshop in America of its kind. Meet four unforgettable characters whose broken-and-repaired lives have been dedicated to bringing so much more than music to the schoolchildren of this city.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Circus of Books (2019)

For decades, a nice Jewish couple ran Circus of Books, a porn shop and epicenter for gay LA. Their director daughter documents their life and times.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

How to Survive a Plague (2012)

A story of two coalitions – ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) – whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. Despite having no scientific training, these self-made activists infiltrated the pharmaceutical industry and helped identify promising new drugs, moving them from experimental trials to patients in record time.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

They'll Love Me When I'm Dead (2018)

As his life comes to its end, famous Hollywood director Orson Welles puts it all on the line at the chance for renewed success with the film The Other Side of the Wind.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Love, Antosha (2019)

From a prolific career in film and television, Anton Yelchin left an indelible legacy as an actor. Through his journals and other writings, his photography, the original music he wrote, and interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues, this film looks not just at Anton's impressive career, but at a broader portrait of the man.

Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

Secret Santa Sex Party (2017)

A group of older gay men get together every month for companionship, camaraderie, and sex.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

The Polymath, or The Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman (2007)

A portrait of Samuel R. Delany, an award-winning African-American gay author whose credits include everything from science fiction to several issues of the Wonder Woman comic book. Using a range of experimental techniques and borrowed footage from Delany's home movies, Taylor captures his subject's thoughts on racism, violence, and his struggles with sexual identity.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Things We Dare Not Do (2020)

In the small Mexican coastal village of El Roblito, 16-year-old Ñoño lives what seems to be an idyllic existence with his loving family. But he holds a secret. Defying gender norms, Ñoño works up the courage to tell his family he wants to live his life as a woman, a fraught decision in a country shrouded in machismo and transphobia.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Our Gay Wedding: The Musical (2014)

On 29 March 2014 same-sex marriage became legal in England and Wales. Take a front row seat at one of the first gay weddings which will be an extraordinary ceremony in more ways than one - it's a musical.Grooms Benjamin Till and Nathan Taylor have written and staged their entire wedding as a musical – with sung vows, sung readings, a singing registrar and show-stopping ensembles featuring the whole congregation of family, friends and special guests. Even the grooms’ mums sing a heartfelt duet.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Legendary (2020)

An inside look into the effort to preserve Philadelphia's ballroom scene, a black LGBTQ safe-space that has endured for 30 years.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Et il voulut être une femme (1977)

A look on transvestites and transsexuals in early 80's Paris. The documentary focuses on Elisa, a Brazilian transvestite and ends with a filming of a surgical operation male to female.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

A Motherf*cking Life (2026)

Through two years of passion, provocation and porn, young artist Frida Retz’s alternative lifestyle collides with the oldest convention of all: becoming a mother. Frida Retz is a young artist who lives her life unapologetically. In this intimate artist portrait, Frida invites us into a limitless world of porn, creativity and courage. Her art and life becomes a manifesto for breaking free from conventions – from open relationships and producing porn to marrying her platonic partner. Frida herself is a celebration of living freely and authentically. But her values and artistic projects are put to the test when she is faced with one of the most traditional milestones of all: motherhood. This debut is a tender and fearless portrait. Capturing Frida’s world of sex, love and art.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

The Truth About Webcam Girls (2014)

A documentary that follows three women who perform via webcam to paying customers.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Maruxak: Vente con nosotras (TBA)

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

Where Memory Dwells (2024)

Donde habite la memoria is a documentary that explores the testimonies of Julieta González and Fabiana Gutiérrez, two trans women who survived the last civil-military dictatorship in Argentina. They were illegally detained in the former clandestine detention and torture center "Pozo de Banfield" between 1976 and 1977.

Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary