Movies like Steven Spielberg/John Williams (2018)
The best movies like Steven Spielberg/John Williams (2018) are Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019) and Directed by John Ford (1971). If Steven Spielberg/John Williams hooked you with its documentary, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- NewestA Toxic Love Story (2026)Released 2026
- In GermanMorricone Conducts Morricone (2006)Also in German
Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017)
A documentary about how a dominant cultural and demographic institution both sustains their traditional activities and adapts to the digital revolution.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCapital 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 thisDirected by John Ford (1971)
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe U.S. vs. John Lennon (2006)
A documentary on the life of John Lennon, with a focus on the time in his life when he transformed from a musician into an antiwar activist.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Toxic Love Story (2026)
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCome See Me in the Good Light (2025)
In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHalloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006)
Follow the evolution of the 'Halloween' movies over the past twenty-five years. It examines why the films are so popular and revisits many of the original locations used in the films - seeing the effects on the local community. For the first time, cast, crew, critics and fans join together in the ultimate 'Halloween' retrospective.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAnna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me (2023)
From the heights of her modeling fame to her tragic death, this documentary reveals Anna Nicole Smith through the eyes of the people closest to her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMcQueen (2018)
Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMemories of a Murderer: The Nilsen Tapes (2021)
Serial killer Dennis Nilsen narrates his life and horrific crimes via a series of chilling audiotapes recorded from his jail cell.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDrew: The Man Behind the Poster (2013)
A documentary on legendary movie-poster artist Drew Struzan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTrainwreck: The Real Project X (2025)
A night of drunken chaos rocks a quiet Dutch town in this shocking documentary about a teen's birthday invite that accidentally went viral on Facebook.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
SnoozefestMovies like thisTo Kill a Tiger (2023)
Ranjit, a farmer in India, takes on the fight of his life when he demands justice for his 13-year-old daughter, the victim of a brutal gang rape. His decision to support his daughter is virtually unheard of, and his journey unprecedented.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaqoyqatsi (2002)
A visual montage portrait of our contemporary world dominated by globalized technology and violence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Popcorn FlickMovies like this21 Up (1977)
After another 7 year wait, director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born children from Seven Up! and 7 Plus Seven. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Class of ‘92 (2013)
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like this35 Up (1991)
Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Curious Birth of Benjamin Button (2009)
A documentary about the making of David Fincher's 2008 film THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON. Virtually every element in the evolution of the Fincher's film is documented here, from the project's attachment to numerous other directors during the 1990s, to its shoot in 2006 and 2007 in New Orleans, to its complex, CGI-intensive postproduction process.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like this28 Up (1985)
Just two years away from turning 30, participants in Michael Apted's documentary series are facing serious questions of identity and purpose, wondering whether they've found their place in the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAs I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000)
A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOasis (1997)
1997 saw the release of Oasis, the follow-up of Canyon Dreams, TD's first commercial video featuring the scenery of the Grand Canyon that had been released ten years ago. Also Oasis shows great views of the landscapes of the US south-west, most of them in time-lapse photography, combined with TD's music which sounds mostly rhythmic and sequencer-driven. As Canyon Dreams, this video was a result of a cooperation between TD and the US Camera One company. The pictures of an overwhelming nature were taken by Gray Warriner, who had already been director of Canyon Dreams, and by Ned Sickels in the most famous National Parks in the deserts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, among them Zion National Park, Canyon de Chelly, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Petrified Forest, Cliff Dwellings and Cedar Breaks. The band's name is printed not onto the cover but only on a shiny silver star-shaped sticker on the cardboard sleeve - but this all does not affect the result of this great work.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Alimos: Greek Riviera's Blue Diamond (2020)
Only a breath away from the center of Athens, Alimos is famous for its amazing beaches, as well as its contrasting elements. A film about the quality of life at a small city that lives intensely day and night.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Chocolate Road (2021)
Three renowned chocolatiers - Maribel Lieberman, Susumu Koyama and Mikkel Friis-Holm - take us through the process of craft chocolate-making all the way from the tree to the final chocolate piece. On their journey, each of them finds how important it is to know the roots of their primer material - the cacao bean, and how they can highly impact the lives of the people involved in the chocolate production chain
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Anti-Vax Conspiracy (2021)
Who are the people behind the international anti-Covid-vaccine movement and why are they doing it? This journey inside the astonishing world of the anti-vaxxers finds out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
The Many Faces of Cleopatra (2009)
The Egyptian queen was the most famous woman of antiquity, and she has been portrayed on movie screens by some of the most famous actresses in cinema, such as Theda Bara, Helen Gardner, Florence Lawrence, Claudette Colbert, Sophia Loren, Rhonda Fleming, Elizabeth Taylor and Leonor Varela. But the story of Cleopatra on film also includes those working behind the camera, producers, writers and directors such as Cecil B. DeMille. In this cinema retrospective focusing on the filmmakers and actresses who helped bring Cleopatra's legend to life on the silver screen time and again, fans of history and cinema are treated to lavish visions of ancient Egypt as seen through the lens of Hollywood's finest.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
Railway Station (1980)
Warsaw's Central Railway Station. 'Someone has fallen asleep, someone's waiting for somebody else. Maybe they'll come, maybe they won't. The film is about people looking for something.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary
NieR Music Concert: The Memories of Puppets (2017)
Experience the music and world of NieR in a new way in the "The Memories of Puppets" concert! The acclaimed music of the game series, as well as scenario readings, was performed live in five sold-out concerts held in April and May 2017. This release records the final show of the concert series on May 5, 2017.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Star Wars Suite – The Danish National Symphony Orchestra (2007)
On June 2017, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) hosted three orchestral concerts called Galaxymphony which included some of the soundtrack from various space and sci-fi movies. This is their version of some of the Star Wars soundtrack across all seven movies. The concert was hosted by Jakob Stegelmann and conducted by Antony Hermus. The performance was orchestrated by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra with help from the 'Camerata' and 'Hymnia' choirs. As told in the video, the host, Jakob Stegelmann, is very passionate about the Star Wars films and therefore evidently the main event of the concert. Therefore, I have shared this extra long video (what a horror it was to render) for you to enjoy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Steven Spielberg's Movie (2001)
A young film director named Milo Jacobson legally changes his name to Steven Spielberg in order to persuade his girlfriend's uncle (a sleazy movie producer) to finance his first film.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Morricone Conducts Morricone (2006)
Legendary Italian film composer Ennio Morricone conducts the Munich Radio Orchestra, performing his most famous works, along with some more obscure ones, in a concert held in Munich, Germany, on October 20, 2004.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Steven Spielberg/John Williams?
The closest matches to Steven Spielberg/John Williams are Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017), Capital in the Twenty-First Century (2019) and Directed by John Ford (1971). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Steven Spielberg/John Williams?
Start with Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (2017), the closest match to Steven Spielberg/John Williams.
What is the newest movie like Steven Spielberg/John Williams?
A Toxic Love Story (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there German movies like Steven Spielberg/John Williams?
Yes: Morricone Conducts Morricone (2006).
How are movies similar to Steven Spielberg/John Williams chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Steven Spielberg/John Williams, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.