Movies like Initiation (2016)
The best movies like Initiation (2016) are Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019), Dahomey (2024) and Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King (2020). If Initiation hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Initiation
Quick picks
- Highest ratedHuman (2015)8.4/10 from 317 votes
- NewestThe Award Ceremony of the 31st Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Blossom (2026)Released 2026
- In FrenchDahomey (2024)Also in French
Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019)
Film adaptation of French economist Thomas Piketty's ground-breaking global bestseller of the same name: an eye-opening journey through wealth and power.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDahomey (2024)
Thousands of royal artifacts of Dahomey, a West African kingdom, were taken by French colonists in the 19th century for collection and display in Paris. Centuries later, a fraction returned to their home in modern-day Benin. This dramatized documentary follows the journey of 26 of the treasures as told by cultural art historians, embattled university students, and one of the repatriated statues himself.
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 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 thisBaraka (1992)
A paralysingly beautiful documentary with a global vision—an odyssey through landscape and time—that attempts to capture the essence of life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSans Soleil (1983)
A woman narrates the thoughts of a world traveler, meditations on time and memory expressed in words and images from places as far-flung as Japan, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, and San Francisco.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 Godfather Family: A Look Inside (1990)
A documentary on the making of the three Godfather films, with interviews and recollections from the film makers and cast. This feature also includes the original screen tests of some of the actors for "The Godfather" film, and some candid moments on the set of "The Godfather: Part III."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Skywalker Legacy (2020)
The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBambi: A Tale of Life in the Woods (2024)
The life of Bambi, a male roe deer, from his birth through childhood, the loss of his mother, the finding of a mate, the lessons he learns from his father, and the experience he gains about the dangers posed by human hunters in the forest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUncle Yanco (1967)
While in San Francisco for the promotion of her last film in October 1967, Agnès Varda, tipped by her friend Tom Luddy, gets to know a relative she had never heard of before, Jean Varda, nicknamed "Yanco". This hitherto unknown uncle lives on a boat in Sausalito, is a painter, has adopted a hippie lifestyle and loves life. The meeting is a very happy one.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHuman (2015)
A collection of stories about and images of our world, offering an immersion to the core of what it means to be human. Through these stories full of love and happiness, as well as hatred and violence, it brings us face to face with the Other, making us reflect on our lives. From stories of everyday experiences to accounts of the most unbelievable lives, these poignant encounters share a rare sincerity and underline who we are – our darker side, but also what is most noble in us, and what is universal. Our Earth is shown at its most sublime through never-before-seen aerial images accompanied by soaring music, resulting in an ode to the beauty of the world, providing a moment to draw breath and for introspection. This film is a politically engaged work which allows us to embrace the human condition and to reflect on the meaning of our existence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisStar Wars Biomes (2021)
Take a virtual vacation to some of the Star Wars films' most iconic and beloved locations like Hoth, Tatooine, and Sorgan, as this charming series whisks you off for fly-through tours of the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGirl Rising (2013)
Nine filmmakers each profile a young girl from a different part of the world to weave a global tapestry of youth in the 21st century.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisStar Wars: The Legacy Revealed (2007)
The special focuses on how Star Wars is relevant today and the history that inspired it, and also makes various connections to Greek mythology. It consists of several interviews with well-known politicians, journalists, and critics, along with historical content and clips from all six of the Star Wars movies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisSeduced and Abandoned (2013)
SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lost Coast of Gabon: Sea Kayaking West Africa (2006)
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and stretching 40 miles into the jungled interior, we kayaked and portaged more than 200 miles around the park's perimeter, seeing this wild country from a new and different perspective. Along the way we encountered river-swimming elephants, manatees, tarpon, surfing hippos, gorillas and more. By trip's end it was hard to decide which were the most beautiful, and the most difficult, parts of the expedition, but it was eye opening, for us all.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Ceremony Rohnert Park: Live From Hollywood (2024)
Because we're only doing this once, and because we know not everyone could get tickets, we are proud to announce the livestream of our sold out 'Rohnert Park' show at The Hollywood Palladium, directed by our old friend Lance Bangs.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
An immersion into the Divine Feminine (2017)
By drawing a parallel between the Indian Durga Puja festival and other forms of celebrating the divine feminine, Santa Shakti reveals the Sacred Power beyond languages and religions.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Cave Crocs of Gabon (2018)
A caving expedition recently discovered a community of dwarf crocodiles living in the Abanda Caves, Gabon. The crocs are living in pitch darkness, hunt bats and some have bright-orange skin. Part of the original team returns to find out more about this bizarre phenomenon. It's mission impossible to access the crocs world and there's no way of knowing what they might find.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Award Ceremony of the 31st Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Blossom (2026)
The 31st Shanghai Television Festival "Magnolia Awards" Ceremony took place on June 26, 2026, at the Lingang Center in Shanghai. As one of the most prestigious and authoritative television honors in Asia, the Magnolia Awards celebrate exceptional achievements in TV broadcasting, acting, directing, and screenwriting.The 2026 edition evaluated outstanding Chinese dramas, variety shows, and international programs. The jury panel was highly globalized, featuring 15 industry professionals from seven countries, including Ireland, Germany, France, Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, and China.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Smudge (2005)
This short documentary follows three Indigenous women as they practice ancestral forms of worship: drumming, singing, and using sweetgrass. These ancient spiritual traditions may at first seem at odds with urban life, but to Indigenous people in Canada who are used to praying in natural settings, the whole world is sacred space.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Gorilla (2024)
Gabon’s Loango National Park is home to a group of western lowland gorillas that have become accustomed to biologists who have studied them for almost 20 years. This documentary presents an intimate look at a silverback and his family featuring a newborn baby gorilla. Forest elephants and buffaloes enter the story along with brave researchers hoping to preserve one of the last remaining wild coasts in the African tropics.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Omo Child: The River and the Bush (2015)
For many generations people in the Omo Valley (tribal southwest Ethiopia) believed some children are cursed and that these 'cursed' children bring disease, drought and death to the tribe. The curse is called 'mingi' and mingi children are killed. Lale Labuko, a young educated man from the Kara tribe was 15 years old when he saw a child in his village killed and also learned that he had 2 older sisters he never knew who had been killed. He decided one day he would stop this horrific practice. Filmed over a five year period we follow Lale's journey along with the people of his tribe as they attempt to change an ancient practice.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
NBC's Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony in IMAX (2024)
For the first time ever, experience the world's biggest event on the world's biggest screens! It's NBC’s broadcast of the Opening Ceremony of the Paris Olympics, live in IMAX theatres. Witness a ceremony with classic Parisian splendor and style, a star-studded cast of performers, and a spectacular parade of athletes in boats down the River Seine, past the city's most majestic landmarks.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Shamans of the Amazon (2001)
SHAMANS OF THE AMAZON is a personal account of filmmaker Dean Jefferys as he returns to the Amazon with his partner and one year old daughter. They journey deep into the Ecuadorian rainforest to learn about and experience the ancient ayahuasca healing ceremony. The film brings to the viewer an intimate and fascinating look at the shamans of the Amazon, and the life that is threatened by ecological destruction.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Initiation?
The closest matches to Initiation are Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019), Dahomey (2024) and Chadwick Boseman: A Tribute for a King (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Initiation?
Start with Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019), the closest match to Initiation.
What is the highest-rated movie like Initiation?
Human (2015), rated 8.4/10 by 317 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Initiation?
The Award Ceremony of the 31st Shanghai TV Festival Magnolia Blossom (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there French movies like Initiation?
Yes: Dahomey (2024), Sans Soleil (1983) and Bambi: A Tale of Life in the Woods (2024).
How are movies similar to Initiation chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Initiation, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.