Movies like The 21st Century Race For Space (2017)
The best movies like The 21st Century Race For Space (2017) are Return to Space (2022), National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008) and Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo (2017). If The 21st Century Race For Space hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedReturn to Space (2022)6.6/10 from 676 votes
- NewestLa Station spatiale internationale - Missions à haut risque (2026)Released 2026
Return to Space (2022)
The inspirational rise of SpaceX as well as Elon Musk's two-decade effort to resurrect America’s space travel ambitions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNational Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008)
In one single, epic camera move we journey from Earth's surface to the outermost reaches of the universe on a grand tour of the cosmos, to explore newborn stars, distant planets, black holes and beyond.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo (2017)
At the heart of the Apollo program was the special team in Mission Control who put a man on the moon and helped create the future.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInterstellar: Nolan's Odyssey (2014)
A look behind the lens of Christopher Nolan's space epic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMARS: Inside SpaceX (2018)
The inside story of SpaceX's plan to get humanity to Mars, providing an unprecedented glimpse into one of the world's most revolutionary companies. A behind-the-scenes journey with Elon Musk and his engineers as they persevere amidst both disheartening setbacks and huge triumphs to advance the space industry faster than we ever thought possible.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGood Night Oppy (2022)
The inspirational true story of Opportunity, a rover that was sent to Mars for a 90-day mission but ended up surviving for 15 years. Follow Opportunity’s groundbreaking journey on Mars and the remarkable bond forged between a robot and her humans millions of miles away.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisElstree 1976 (2015)
A documentary about ten very different lives connected by having appeared onscreen wearing masks or helmets in Star Wars.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mars Generation (2017)
Aspiring teenage astronauts reveal that a journey to Mars is closer than you think.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHarmontown (2014)
A comedic, brutally honest documentary following self-destructive TV writer Dan Harmon as he takes his live podcast on a national tour.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAvatar: Creating the World of Pandora (2010)
The Making-of James Cameron's Avatar. It shows interesting parts of the work on the set.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAvatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022)
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Captains (2011)
The Captains is a feature-length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors who have portrayed starship captains in the Star Trek franchise.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJourney to Space (2015)
A sweeping overview of humanity’s accomplishments in space, as well as our ongoing activities and future plans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChaos on the Bridge (2014)
Canadian acting legend William Shatner takes viewers inside the creation of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the bold attempt in 1986 to recreate the success of the original television series, in which Shatner played Captain James T. Kirk.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnder the Helmet: The Legacy of Boba Fett (2021)
A special celebrating the origins and legacy of Star Wars' legendary bounty hunter, Boba Fett.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King (2020)
A tribute to Chadwick Boseman, celebrating his life and legacy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSecrets of the Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey (2016)
An inside look at the making of the movie Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015), featuring footage and exclusive interviews with the actors and filmmakers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHouston, We Have a Problem! (2016)
The cold war, the space race, and NASA’s moon landing are landmark events that defined an era. But they are also fodder for conspiracy theories. In Houston, We Have a Problem! filmmaker Žiga Virc adds new material to the discussion on both fronts. This intriguing docu-fiction explores the myth of the secret multi-billion-dollar deal behind America’s purchase of Yugoslavia’s clandestine space program in the early 1960s.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSherman's March (1986)
Documentarian Ross McElwee originally set out to make a travelogue of sorts tracing General William T. Sherman's infamous scorched-earth march through the Confederacy in the latter stages of the Civil War. Instead, haunted by a recent breakup with a girlfriend, McElwee ends up documenting his progress -- or lack thereof -- in starting a new relationship. His journey then becomes one of self-reflection and self-discovery rather than a historical/sociological exploration.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBukowski: Born Into This (2003)
Director John Dullaghan’s biographical documentary about infamous poet Charles Bukowski, Bukowski: Born Into This, is as much a touching portrait of the author as it is an exposé of his sordid lifestyle. Interspersed between ample vintage footage of Bukowski’s poetry readings are interviews with the poet’s fans including such legendary figures such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Joyce Fante (wife of John), Bono, and Harry Dean Stanton. Filmed in grainy black and white by Bukowski’s friend, Taylor Hackford, due to lack of funding, the old films edited into this movie paint Bukowski’s life of boozing and brawling romantically, securing Bukowski’s legendary status.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLa Station spatiale internationale - Missions à haut risque (2026)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Artemis 1: Going Back to the Moon (2022)
Follow the extraordinary inside story of NASA engineers as they race to build and launch Artemis I, the world's biggest rocket, as it prepares for missions that will transport humans to the moon, then launch an amazing journey to Mars and beyond.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Destiny in Space (1994)
Travel alongside the astronauts as they deploy and repair the Hubble Space Telescope, soar above Venus and Mars, and find proof of new planets and the possibility of other life forming around distant stars.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Comet Collision (2006)
Comets pose one of the greatest threats to life on Earth - a threat that can only be countered if we find out more about them. In 2005, in an audacious bid to do just that, NASA scientists launched a space probe to collide with a comet in the emptiness of deep space. This film follows the amazing story of mission Deep Impact, from its inception through to the final nail-biting moments when the probe and comet Tempel 1 met head-on.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Rosetta Comet Chaser: A Journey To The Origins Of Life (2015)
On 12th November 2014 Philae lander achieved the 1st ever landing on a comet and became a Space celebrity overnight! This film takes viewers on this unique space odyssey, into deep space and behind the scene in the control room with scientists.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Blue Planet (1990)
From the unique vantage point of 200 miles above Earth's surface, we see how natural forces - volcanoes, earthquakes and hurricanes - affect our world, and how a powerful new force - humankind - has begun to alter the face of the planet. From Amazon rain forests to Serengeti grasslands, Blue Planet inspires a new appreciation of life on Earth, our only home.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Mission to Mir (1997)
This film shows how far we have come since the cold-war days of the 50s and 60s. Back then the Russians were our "enemies". And to them the Americans were their "enemies" who couldn't be trusted. Somewhere in all this a young girl in Oklahoma named Shannon set her sights on becoming one of those space explorers, even though she was told "girls can't do that." But she did.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The First Scientific Science-Fiction Film (1993)
A short documentary about Fritz Lang's film 'Frau im Mond', and its relation to the science and history of real space travel.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
James May on the Moon (2009)
Top Gear presenter James May presents this informative program that examines the historic moon missions. Traveling to America, May meets three of the men who walked on the surface of the moon, learning how it felt and how the now antiquated technology was used to achieve such an historic feat.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Touching the Asteroid (2020)
Spacecraft OSIRIS-REx attempts to grab a piece of an asteroid to bring back to Earth so scientists can study it to learn about the planet's origins.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The 21st Century Race For Space?
The closest matches to The 21st Century Race For Space are Return to Space (2022), National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008) and Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The 21st Century Race For Space?
Start with Return to Space (2022), the closest match to The 21st Century Race For Space.
What is the highest-rated movie like The 21st Century Race For Space?
Return to Space (2022), rated 6.6/10 by 676 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The 21st Century Race For Space?
La Station spatiale internationale - Missions à haut risque (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The 21st Century Race For Space?
Yes: Return to Space (2022), National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe (2008) and Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo (2017).
How are movies similar to The 21st Century Race For Space chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The 21st Century Race For Space, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.