Movies like Merle Haggard: The Real Deal (2008)
The best movies like Merle Haggard: The Real Deal (2008) are Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006), The Up in Smoke Tour (2000) and Lemmy (2010). If Merle Haggard: The Real Deal hooked you with its music and documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAvicii: True Stories (2017)8.0/10 from 365 votes
- NewestOasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (2026)Released 2026
Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)
In March 2005, Neil Young was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Four days before he was scheduled for a lifesaving operation, he headed to Nashville, where he wrote and recorded the country folk album Prairie Wind with old friends and family members. After the successful operation and recovery period, he returned to Nashville that August to play at the famed Ryman Auditorium, once again gathering together friends and family for this special performance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Up in Smoke Tour (2000)
The Up in Smoke Tour is a West Coast hip hop tour in 2000 featuring artists Ice Cube, Eminem, Proof, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, D12, MC Ren, Westside Connection, Mel-Man, Tha Eastsidaz, Doggy's Angels, Devin The Dude, Warren G, TQ, Truth Hurts and Xzibit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLemmy (2010)
Over four decades, Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has registered an immeasurable impact on music history. Nearly 65, he remains the living embodiment of the rock and roll lifestyle, and this feature-length documentary tells his story, one of a hard-living rock icon who continues to enjoy the life of a man half his age.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWestern Stars (2019)
The incomparable Bruce Springsteen performs his critically acclaimed latest album and muses on life, rock, and the American dream, in this intimate and personal concert film co-directed by Thom Zimny and Springsteen himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOasis: 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 thisAvicii: True Stories (2017)
Documentary about the arena-packing Swedish DJ, chronicling his explosive rise to fame and surprising decision to retire from live performances in 2016.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLive Aid (1985)
Live Aid was held on 13 July 1985, simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, United States. It was one of the largest scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time: watched live by an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion, across 150 nations. "It's twelve noon in London, seven AM in Philadelphia, and around the world it's time for Live Aid...!"
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisReincarnated (2012)
Evolution as an artist is often times what separates legends from the more mundane. After being heavily influenced by his experience in Jamaica – and his subsequent name change from Snoop Dogg to Snoop Lion – the LBC showman prepares his latest reggae-infused album Reincarnated. As part of the process, VICE followed Snoop to the island nation as he recorded various songs with backing from Diplo, Ariel Reichtshaid and Dre Skull of Major Lazer. Having grown tired of what rap provided him, the documentary reveals the rebirth and inspiration for his latest project.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEnd of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)
A years-in-the-making documentary on the legendary punk band the Ramones. Through a mixture of archival footage, archival and new interviews with all members of the band's various lineups, and new interviews with a number of their contemporaries, the film traces the peaks and valleys the band experienced over the course of its 20-plus year career before disbanding in 1995.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDavid Byrne's American Utopia (2020)
A filmed version of David Byrne's Broadway show, a unifying musical celebration that inspires audiences to connect to each other and to the global community.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film) (2022)
Grammy® winner singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo takes a familiar road trip from Salt Lake City, where she began writing her debut album “SOUR,” to Los Angeles. Along the way, Rodrigo recounts the memories of writing and creating her record-breaking debut album and shares her feelings as a young woman navigating a specific time in her life. Through new live arrangements of her songs, intimate interviews and never-before-seen footage from the making of the album, audiences will follow Olivia along on a cinematic journey exploring the story of “SOUR.”
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 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 thisAdele One Night Only (2021)
A primetime special with performances from the superstar including Adele’s first new material in six years plus her chart-topping hits. The special will also feature an exclusive interview with Adele by Oprah Winfrey from her rose garden, in Adele’s first televised wide-ranging conversation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 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 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 & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKurt Cobain: About a Son (2007)
An intimate and moving meditation on the late musician and artist Kurt Cobain, based on more than 25 hours of previously unheard audiotaped interviews conducted with Cobain by noted music journalist Michael Azerrad for his book "Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana." In the film, Kurt Cobain recounts his own life - from his childhood and adolescence to his days of musical discovery and later dealings with explosive fame - and offers often piercing insights into his life, music, and times. The conversations heard in the film have never before been made public, and they reveal a highly personal portrait of an artist much discussed but not particularly well understood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special (2020)
The cast of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” delivers an abundance of feel-good holiday cheer as they perform their favorite Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s songs and share their fondest holiday memories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJustin 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 thisFreddie Mercury: The Great Pretender (2012)
Archive footage of interviews, concerts and personal material bring to light the solo performance work of Mercury, the lead singer of Queen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (2020)
The story of the triumphs and hurdles of brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees. The iconic trio, who found early fame in the 1960s, went on to write over 1,000 songs and have 20 No. 1 hits throughout their career, transcending more than five decades of changing tastes and styles.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJohnny Cash: Live On Air (2008)
Selection of live tracks by the late, great country singer. Includes full-length performances from The Johnny Cash Show, Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert, Farm Aid, and the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. Tracks include: 'Oh! Pretty Woman', 'Matchbox', 'Folsom Prison Blues', 'Ring of Fire', and many more.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & documentary
Heartworn Highways (1976)
The music speaks for itself in this performance documentary that highlights some of the biggest names within the country-folk scene in Texas and Tennessee during the last weeks of 1975 and the first weeks of 1976, eschewing narration and staged interviews.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
Merle Haggard: Salute to a Country Legend (2020)
Captures the most iconic moments from a one-night-only concert event honoring Merle Haggard and his music on what would have been his 80th birthday. Packed with captivating live performances, never-before-seen interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage with some of music’s biggest superstars.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies (2025)
A true story about the unreal life of an unsung country music hero. Ben Dorcy, aka Lovey, the first and oldest roadie, is recognized by the cultural icons who depend on him just as he’s losing his independence. Having outlived all his relatives, Ben learns he can rely on his music family. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Knoxville, Kinky Friedman, Jamey Johnson, Ann-Margret, and more come together to honor this legend among legends who, unbeknownst to many, shaped Texas and American music history. “King of the Roadies” celebrates all who work to keep the wheels turning behind-the-scenes; and reminds us that with spirit, passion and perseverance, our best days may still be ahead of us if we continue doing what we love. “It’s one thing to have a bunch of good ideas, but to make them work and to put them into action, you need someone like Ben to do it, and he never failed.” – Willie Nelson
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & documentary
Heartworn Highways Revisited (2015)
On the 38th anniversary of the seminal music documentary, Heartworn Highways - a film that explored and captured the nascent roots of the Outlaw Country movement in the mid-70s - this followup documentary celebrates the authenticity and expresses the feelings of the legendary original, via a community of contemporary "outlaws" living and creating music in Nashville, Tennessee.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End (2016)
An oral history of the Mount Rushmore of Country Music: Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Interviews with the men who make the music and the story of their friendships.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & documentary
The Gift: The Journey of Johnny Cash (2019)
Johnny Cash stands among the giants of 20th century American life. But his story remains tangled in mystery and myth. This documentary brings Cash the man out from behind the legend.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary & music
The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws (2016)
The Highwaymen - Live: American Outlaws is a box set of concert performances from country music's legendary first "supergroup" featuring Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson. The Highwaymen - Live American Outlaws contains a previously unreleased full-length concert film recorded live at Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, March 14, 1990 and transferred from the original film reels especially for this collection.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (1984)
Waylon Jennings joins a crew of cowboys from the Old 06 Ranch on a roundup.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Never Say Die: The Final Concert Film (2007)
Waylon Jennings played his last major concert at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium in January 2000. Never Say Die: The Final Concert Film features that moving performance revisiting his greatest hits—done, as always, on his terms. Recorded on January 5-6, 2000.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Merle Haggard: The Real Deal?
The closest matches to Merle Haggard: The Real Deal are Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006), The Up in Smoke Tour (2000) and Lemmy (2010). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Merle Haggard: The Real Deal?
Start with Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006), the closest match to Merle Haggard: The Real Deal.
What is the highest-rated movie like Merle Haggard: The Real Deal?
Avicii: True Stories (2017), rated 8.0/10 by 365 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Merle Haggard: The Real Deal?
Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Merle Haggard: The Real Deal?
Yes: Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006), The Up in Smoke Tour (2000) and Lemmy (2010).
How are movies similar to Merle Haggard: The Real Deal chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Merle Haggard: The Real Deal, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.