Movies Like The Essential Church

If you liked The Essential Church (2023), a documentary and drama movie directed by Shannon Halliday, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
Audrey (2020)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and history
An unprecedented and intimate look at the life, work and enduring legacy of British actress Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993).
2
Collapse (2009)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and drama
From the acclaimed director of American Movie, the documentary follows former Los Angeles police officer turned independent reporter Michael Ruppert. He recounts his career as a radical thinker and spells out his…
3
Beyond Utopia (2023)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary and history
A courageous pastor uses his underground network to rescue and aid North Korean families as they risk their lives to embrace freedom.
4
Cover-Up (2025)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and history
He's devoted his career to uncovering stories the powerful want buried. From My Lai to Abu Ghraib, dig into the life's work of journalist Seymour Hersh.
5
All That Breathes (2022)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary and drama
Against the darkening backdrop of New Delhi's apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote their lives to protecting one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the black kite.
6
After Death (2023)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and drama
Based on real near-death experiences, the afterlife is explored with the guidance of New York Times bestselling authors, medical experts, scientists and survivors who shed a light on what awaits us.
7
Einstein and the Bomb (2024)
★ 6.2/10Also documentary and drama
What happened after Einstein fled Nazi Germany? Using archival footage and his own words, this docudrama dives into the mind of a tortured genius.
8
We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks (2013)
★ 6.5/10Also documentary and drama
Julian Assange. Bradley Manning. Collateral murder. Cablegate. WikiLeaks. These people and terms have exploded into public consciousness by fundamentally changing the way democratic societies deal with privacy…
9
Inside Deep Throat (2005)
★ 6.4/10Also documentary and history
In 1972, a seemingly typical shoestring budget pornographic film was made in a Florida hotel: "Deep Throat," starring Linda Lovelace. This film would surpass the wildest expectation of everyone involved to become one…
10
The Age of Stupid (2009)
★ 6.6/10Also documentary and history
Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated future world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?
11
Bridegroom (2013)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and drama
A documentary that tells the emotional journey of Shane and Tom, two young men in a loving and committed relationship — a relationship that was cut tragically short by a misstep off the side of a roof.
12
Nanking (2007)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and drama
The story of the rape of Nanking, one of the most tragic events in history. In 1937, the invading Japanese army murdered over 200,000 and raped tens of thousands of Chinese. In the midst of this horror, a small group…
13
20,000 Days on Earth (2014)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and drama
A semi-fictionalized documentary about a day in the life of Australian musician Nick Cave's persona.
14
One Day in September (1999)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and history
The full story of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and the Israeli revenge operation 'Wrath of God.' The 1972 Munich Olympics were interrupted by Palestinian terrorists taking Israeli athletes hostage. Besides footage…
15
Tyson (2008)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and drama
Director James Toback takes an unflinching, uncompromising look at the life of Mike Tyson--almost solely from the perspective of the man himself. TYSON alternates between the controversial boxer addressing the camera…
16
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
★ 7.8/10Also documentary and history
A documentary about World War I with never-before-seen footage to commemorate the centennial of Armistice Day, and the end of the war.
17
Banking on Bitcoin (2016)
★ 6.3/10Also documentary and history
Not since the invention of the Internet has there been such a disruptive technology as Bitcoin. Bitcoin's early pioneers sought to blur the lines of sovereignty and the financial status quo. After years of underground…
18
The Celluloid Closet (1996)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and history
Exuberant, eye-opening movie that serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians have had on the silver screen. Film contains fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of…
19
Circus of Books (2019)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and history
For decades, a nice Jewish couple ran Circus of Books, a porn shop and epicenter for gay LA. Their director daughter documents their life and times.
20
Framing John DeLorean (2019)
★ 6.1/10Also documentary and drama
A documentary interspersed with acted scenes, this portrait of John DeLorean covers the brilliant but tragically flawed automaker's rise to stardom and shocking down fall.