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Movies like Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story (2007)

The best movies like Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story (2007) are Chasing Happiness (2019), The Sparks Brothers (2021) and Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022). If Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story hooked you with its documentary and music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. Chasing Happiness (2019)

    From humble roots as pastor's sons in New Jersey, through their meteoric rise to fame, the Jonas Brothers' bond was unshakeable-until a surprising and painful breakup led Joe, Kevin and Nick down very different paths. With deeply personal interviews, previously unreleased footage and exclusive music, this is the Jonas Brothers as never seen before.

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

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  2. The Sparks Brothers (2021)

    Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  3. Selena 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 this
  4. The 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 this
  5. Supersonic (2016)

    Supersonic charts the meteoric rise of Oasis from the council estates of Manchester to some of the biggest concerts of all time in just three short years. This palpable, raw and moving film shines a light on one of the most genre and generation-defining British bands that has ever existed and features candid new interviews with Noel and Liam Gallagher, their mother, and members of the band and road crew.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  6. The Last Waltz (1978)

    Martin Scorsese's documentary intertwines footage from The Band's incredible farewell tour with probing backstage interviews and featured performances by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, and other rock legends.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  7. Halftime (2022)

    Global superstar Jennifer Lopez reflects on her multifaceted career and the pressure of life in the spotlight in this intimate documentary.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  8. Selena y Los Dinos: A Family's Legacy (2025)

    Never-before-seen footage and intimate interviews celebrate the life and legacy of iconic Mexican American singer Selena Quintanilla and her family band.

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  9. Milli 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 this
  10. Oasis: 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 & music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  11. Coldplay: A Head Full of Dreams (2018)

    An in-depth and intimate portrait of Coldplay's spectacular rise from the backrooms of Camden pubs to selling out stadiums across the planet. At the heart of the story is the band's unshakeable brotherhood which has endured through many highs and lows.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  12. Matangi / 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 this
  13. The Velvet Underground (2021)

    Experience the iconic rock band's legacy in the first major documentary to tell their story. Directed with the era’s avant-garde spirit by Todd Haynes, this kaleidoscopic oral history combines exclusive interviews with dazzling archival footage.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  14. The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009)

    The troubled fraternal relationship between songwriters Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, the Oscar and Grammy-winning Sherman Brothers, famous for the iconic hits they wrote for Disney.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  15. Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012)

    Giving fans unprecedented access to the real life of the music sensation, Katy Perry: Part of Me exposes the hard work, dedication and phenomenal talent of a girl who remained true to herself and her vision in order to achieve her dreams. Featuring rare behind-the-scenes interviews, personal moments between Katy and her friends, and all-access footage of rehearsals, choreography, Katy’s signature style and more, Katy Perry: Part of Me reveals the singer’s unwavering belief that if you can be yourself, then you can be anything.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition (2026)

    With unprecedented access to the official archives and intimate recollections from the band, both current and past, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition invites fans to experience one of the most iconic journeys in music history. Spanning five decades, this electrifying documentary charts the band’s rise from the pubs of East London to the world’s biggest stadiums. Featuring exclusive interviews with band members and contributors such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Chuck D, as well as all-new animated sequences of the band's legendary mascot, Eddie, the film offers a rare and intimate look at Iron Maiden’s uncompromising vision and unwavering connection with their truly global army of fans.

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  17. The Stone Roses: Made of Stone (2013)

    A documentary about the English alternative rock band, The Stone Roses. Meadows interweaves archive film, intimate behind-the-scenes footage and never-before-seen material, delivering the definitive account of the band and their music. He was also granted unprecedented access to their rehearsals for the summer 2012 Manchester concerts. A momentous occasion in modern music, these were the first gigs performed by The Stone Roses in 16 years.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. One Direction: This Is Us (2013)

    "One Direction: This Is Us" is a captivating and intimate all-access look at life on the road for the global music phenomenon. Weaved with stunning live concert footage, this inspiring feature film tells the remarkable story of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis' meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on the X-Factor, to conquering the world and performing at London’s famed O2 Arena. Hear it from the boys themselves and see through their own eyes what it's really like to be One Direction.

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  19. ZZ Top: That Little Ol' Band from Texas (2019)

    The story of how three oddball teenage bluesmen became one of the biggest, most beloved bands on the planet.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  20. Justin 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 & music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  21. High Fidelity (2000)

    After his long-time girlfriend dumps him, a thirty-year-old record store owner seeks to understand why he is unlucky in love while recounting his "top five breakups of all time".

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  22. NDDJ (Notre-Dame-du-Jambon) (2022)

    Karan and Rohan, two biracial brothers raised in a marginal environment, are finding ways to get stimulated on a normal summer day. They embark on a trip to buy candies to avoid boredom. This film plays with the sense of boundaries between what is real and what is fiction. It is a film about the love of two brothers and their singular reality in the countryside of Quebec.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  23. Dolphin Reef (2018)

    Echo is a youngster who can't quite decide if it's time to grow up and take on new responsibilities-or give in to her silly side and just have fun. Dolphin society is tricky, and the coral reef that Echo and his family call home depends on all of its inhabitants to keep it healthy. But Echo has a tough time resisting the many adventures the ocean has to offer.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  24. Beyond Silence (1996)

    Beyond Silence is about a family and a young girl’s coming of age story. This German film looks into the lives of the deaf and at a story about the love for music. A girl who has always had to translate speech into sign language for her deaf parents yet when her love for playing music grows strong she must decide to continue doing something she cannot share with her parents.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  25. Still Dream of the Sea (2026)

    Amidst memories, dreams, and sensations, the youngest member of a family affected by cancer recounts stories about the love and longing left behind by his father, his sister, and Cajueiro beach.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  26. The Russians Machine (2013)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  27. Ghosts: Long Way Home (2019)

    After a spell cast by Grandma Faraway, the oldest son of a small family encounters the ghost of his late Grandma Maria still living in her old house, and they chat as they used to.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  28. Bollywood/Hollywood (2002)

    Rahul Seth is a dashing young millionaire who believes he is "western" enough to rebel against his mother and grandmother. They are not too keen about his Caucasian girlfriend Kimberly who, to make matters worse, is a pop star. Before you can say "karmic intervention," Kimberly dies in a freak accident and Rahul is devastated. Instead of allowing him to mourn in peace, Rahul's mother sees the opportunity she's been waiting for. She threatens to call off his sister's wedding unless he finds himself a "nice Indian girl." Rahul enlists the services of Sue, a fiercely independent escort whom he believes to be Hispanic, and therefore not "married" to the conventions taught to young Indian women. With a wink in her eye, Sue accepts the deal to pose as his Indian bride-to-be. She needs the money and having never been a fan of the typical Indian male, she feels her heart is safe. The charade begins....

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music

  29. Stories Are in Our Bones (2020)

    In this layered short film, filmmaker Janine Windolph takes her young sons fishing with their kokum (grandmother), a residential school survivor who retains a deep knowledge and memory of the land. The act of reconnecting with their homeland is a cultural and familial healing journey for the boys, who are growing up in the city. It’s also a powerful form of resistance for the women.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  30. Capturing the Friedmans (2003)

    An Oscar nominated documentary about a middle-class American family who is torn apart when the father Arnold and son Jesse are accused of sexually abusing numerous children. Director Jarecki interviews people from different sides of this tragic story and raises the question of whether they were rightfully tried when they claim they were innocent and there was never any evidence against them.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story?

The closest matches to Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story are Chasing Happiness (2019), The Sparks Brothers (2021) and Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story?

Start with Chasing Happiness (2019), the closest match to Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story.

What is the highest-rated movie like Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story?

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022), rated 8.4/10 by 623 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story?

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (2026) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there English movies like Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story?

Yes: Chasing Happiness (2019), The Sparks Brothers (2021) and Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022).

How are movies similar to Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

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