Movies Like AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains

If you liked AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains (2003), a documentary movie directed by Gary Smith, 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
Sidney (2022)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary
This revealing documentary honors the legendary Sidney Poitier—iconic actor, filmmaker, and civil rights activist. Featuring interviews with Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Halle Berry, and more.
2
And the Oscar Goes To... (2014)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary
The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy itself, which began in 1927 when Louis B. Mayer, then head of MGM…
3
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary
The history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.
4
As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000)
★ 7.8/10Also documentary
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.
5
The Skywalker Legacy (2020)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary
The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
6
Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary
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…
7
Wick Is Pain (2025)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary
Witness the never-before-seen footage and true story behind the John Wick phenomenon – from independent film to billion-dollar franchise.
8
Los Angeles Plays Itself (2004)
★ 7.6/10Also documentary
From its distinctive neighborhoods to its architectural homes, Los Angeles has been the backdrop to countless movies. In this dazzling work, Andersen takes viewers on a whirlwind tour through the metropolis' real and…
9
Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003)
★ 7/10Also documentary
Brilliant, long in-the-works story of the life and art of the world's greatest comedian and the cinema's first genius, Charlie Chaplin. Produced, written and directed by renowned film critic Richard Schickel.
10
I Know That Voice (2014)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary
Filmmaker Lawrence Shapiro discusses voice-over acting with the talented people behind the characters.
11
A Toxic Love Story (2026)
★ 6.4/10Also documentary
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
12
I Am Heath Ledger (2017)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary
The life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.
13
Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman's The Fantastic Four (2015)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary
A history of the ill-fated 1994 production of “The Fantastic Four” that was executive produced by Roger Corman.
14
Spielberg (2017)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary
A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.
15
Marvel's Behind the Mask (2021)
★ 7/10Also documentary
A documentary special that explores the power of identity behind the iconic superheroes we know and love today. These legendary Marvel creations and stories have not only reflected the world outside our window – they…
16
Directed by John Ford (1971)
★ 7/10Also documentary
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
17
Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics (2013)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary
A documentary detailing the epic Rogues' Gallery of DC Comics from The Joker and Lex Luthor, Sinestro, Darkseid and more, this documentary will explore the Super Villains of DC Comics.
18
The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing (2004)
★ 7/10Also documentary
Documentary about the art of film editing. Clips are shown from many groundbreaking films with innovative editing styles.
19
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye (2022)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary
Join the likes of Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Florence Pugh, and Vincent D’Onofrio as they reveal how Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” was conceived and created. Witness firsthand what it took to pull off the show’s…
20
QT8: The First Eight (2019)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary
A detailed account of the life and artistic career of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, from his early days as a video club manager to the scandalous fall in disgrace of producer Harvey Weinstein. A story about…