Movies Like Illuminated Lives: A Brief History of Women's Work in the Middle Ages
If you liked Illuminated Lives: A Brief History of Women's Work in the Middle Ages (1989), a history and animation movie directed by Ellen Besen, 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 historyAn unprecedented and intimate look at the life, work and enduring legacy of British actress Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993).
- 2
Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound (2019)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary and historyThe history of cinematic sound, told by legendary sound designers and visionary filmmakers.
- 3
Muscle Shoals (2013)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and historyIn a tiny Alabama town with the curious name of Muscle Shoals, something miraculous sprang from the mud of the Tennessee River. A group of unassuming, yet incredibly talented, locals came together and spawned some of…
- 4
Who Are You, Charlie Brown? (2021)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary and animationLupita Nyong'o narrates a documentary about Peanuts and its creator, Charles M. Schulz. Famous fans—including Drew Barrymore, Kevin Smith, and Al Roker—share its influence on them, and a new animated story finds…
- 5
Capitalism: A Love Story (2009)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and historyMichael Moore comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world).
- 6
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary and historyExamines the evolution of the Black Power Movement in US society from 1967 to 1975. It features footage of the movement shot by Swedish journalists in the United States during that period and includes the appearances…
- 7
Red Army (2015)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary and historyA documentary highlighting the Soviet Union's legendary and enigmatic hockey training culture and world-dominating team through the eyes of the team's Captain Slava Fetisov, following his shift from hockey star and…
- 8
Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (2018)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and historyThe epic life story of Alice Guy-Blaché (1873–1968), a French screenwriter, director and producer, true pioneer of cinema, the first person who made a narrative fiction film; author of hundreds of movies, but banished…
- 9
Ronaldo (2015)
★ 7/10Also documentary and historyFilmed over 14 months with unprecedented access into the inner circle of the man and the sport, this is the first official and fully authorised film of one of the most celebrated figures in football. For the first time…
- 10
My Generation (2017)
★ 7/10Also documentary and historyThe vivid and inspiring story of British film icon Michael Caine's personal journey through 1960s swinging London.
- 11
Piece by Piece (2024)
★ 7.1/10Also animation and documentaryA unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and…
- 12
Good Ol' Freda (2013)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and historyThe story of Freda Kelly, a shy Liverpudlian teenager asked to work for a young local band hoping to make it big: The Beatles. Their loyal secretary from beginning to end, Freda tells her tales for the first time in 50…
- 13
Apollo: Missions to the Moon (2019)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and historyNational Geographic's riveting effort recounts all 12 crewed missions using only archival footage, photos and audio.
- 14
Pavarotti (2019)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and historyFeaturing never-before-seen footage, concert performances and intimate interviews, filmmaker Ron Howard examines the life and career of famed opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
- 15
The Untold History Of The United States (2012)
★ 8.2/10Also documentary and historyOliver Stone charts the history of the United States from the Second World War to the present.
- 16
Titanic: 20 Years Later with James Cameron (2017)
★ 6.6/10Also documentary and historyFor the 20th anniversary of "Titanic," James Cameron reopens the file on the disaster.
- 17
Nail Bomber: Manhunt (2021)
★ 6.5/10Also documentary and historyThis documentary examines the 1999 London bombings that targeted Black, Bangladeshi and gay communities, and the race to find the far-right perpetrator. He terrorized a city, seeking to ignite a race war but justice…
- 18
MARS: Inside SpaceX (2018)
★ 7.5/10Also history and documentaryThe inside story of SpaceX's plan to get humanity to Mars, providing an unprecedented glimpse into one of the world's most revolutionary companies. A behind-the-scenes journey with Elon Musk and his engineers as they…
- 19
How to Survive a Plague (2012)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and historyA story of two coalitions – ACT UP and TAG (Treatment Action Group) – whose activism and innovation turned AIDS from a death sentence into a manageable condition. Despite having no scientific training, these self-made…
- 20
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
★ 7/10Also documentary and historyFeaturing never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass…