Movies Like Tony Rayns, the Not-So-Distant Observer
If you liked Tony Rayns, the Not-So-Distant Observer (2012), a documentary movie directed by Seo Won-tae, 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

Being James Bond (2021)
★ 7.8/10Also documentaryDaniel Craig candidly reflects on his 15 year adventure as James Bond. Including never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to the upcoming 25th film No Time To Die, Craig shares his personal memories in…
- 2

Sidney (2022)
★ 6.9/10Also documentaryThis 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.
- 3

Seduced and Abandoned (2013)
★ 6.2/10Also documentarySEDUCED 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…
- 4

Love, Antosha (2019)
★ 7.4/10Also documentaryFrom a prolific career in film and television, Anton Yelchin left an indelible legacy as an actor. Through his journals and other writings, his photography, the original music he wrote, and interviews with his family…
- 5

Come See Me in the Good Light (2025)
★ 7.1/10Also documentaryIn 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.
- 6

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me (2023)
★ 6.1/10Also documentaryFrom 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.
- 7

35 Up (1991)
★ 7.6/10Also documentaryDirector 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.
- 8

As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000)
★ 7.8/10Also documentaryA 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.
- 9

42 Up (1999)
★ 7.6/10Also documentaryDirector 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.
- 10

The Curse of the Dragon (1993)
★ 7.2/10Also documentaryA 1993 documentary film about Bruce Lee. The film includes interviews from some of his fellow students and opponents who worked alongside him in his movies.
- 11

I Am Heath Ledger (2017)
★ 7.4/10Also documentaryThe life and career of an actor, artist, and icon. His own journey through his own camera.
- 12

John Candy: I Like Me (2025)
★ 7.9/10Also documentaryThose who knew iconic funnyman John Candy best share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews.
- 13

Cameraperson (2016)
★ 6.7/10Also documentaryAs a visually radical memoir, CAMERAPERSON draws on the remarkable footage that filmmaker Kirsten Johnson has shot and reframes it in ways that illuminate moments and situations that have personally affected her. What…
- 14

21 Up (1977)
★ 7.4/10Also documentaryAfter 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…
- 15

My Mom Jayne (2025)
★ 8/10Also documentaryThrough deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and…
- 16

Directed by John Ford (1971)
★ 7/10Also documentaryA documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
- 17

Sherman's March (1986)
★ 6.3/10Also documentaryDocumentarian Ross McElwee originally set out to make a travelogue of sorts tracing General William T. Sherman's infamous scorched-earth march through the Confederacy in the latter stages of the Civil War. Instead…
- 18

Squid Game: Making Season 2 (2025)
★ 8.3/10Also documentaryFrom set designs to character arcs, get exclusive cast and director interviews on how Season 2 of the globally most-watched series was brought to life.
- 19

A Decade Under the Influence (2003)
★ 7.9/10Also documentaryA documentary examining the decade of the 1970s as a turning point in American cinema. Some of today's best filmmakers interview the influential directors of that time.
- 20

Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction (2013)
★ 6.9/10Also documentaryAn impressionistic portrait of the iconic actor Harry Dean Stanton comprised of intimate moments, film clips from some of his 250 films and his renditions of American folk songs.