Movies Like Islands in the City

If you liked Islands in the City (2021), a documentary and drama movie directed by Marian Freistühler, 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
A Complete History of My Sexual Failures (2008)
★ 6.2/10Also documentary and romance
The egocentric documentary-maker Chris Waitt traces his romantic ineptitude and sexual impotence through awkward interviews with irate ex-girlfriends and stunts involving S&M parlours, Harley Street doctors and…
2
Trainwreck: Poop Cruise (2025)
★ 5.9/10Also documentary and drama
An engine fire leaves 4,000 passengers stranded at sea without power and plumbing in this wild documentary about the infamous "poop cruise" of 2013.
3
Life in a Day (2011)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary and drama
A documentary shot by filmmakers all over the world that serves as a time capsule to show future generations what it was like to be alive on the 24th of July, 2010.
4
Crazy Love (2007)
★ 6.5/10Also documentary and romance
Filmmaker Dan Klores examines the strange love affair of Burt Pugach and Linda Riss. Pugach is a successful attorney in 1950s New York when he meets much-younger Riss. The pair date, but Riss breaks off contact with…
5
American Pie: Revealed (2004)
★ 6/10Also documentary and comedy
Documentary about the making of American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001) and American Wedding (2003).
6
The Wild Blue Yonder (2005)
★ 6/10Also documentary and drama
An alien narrates the story of his dying planet, his and his people's visitations to Earth and Earth's self-made demise, while human astronauts in space are attempting to find an alternate planet for surviving humans…
7
Aziz Ansari: Right Now (2019)
★ 7.1/10Also comedy and documentary
In a comedy special directed by Spike Jonze, Aziz Ansari shares deep personal insights and hilarious takes on wokeness, family and the social climate.
8
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton (2017)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary and drama
Through the lens of his stunningly immersive performance as Andy Kaufman, Jim Carrey ponders the meaning of life, reality, identity and career.
9
Jim Carrey: Unnatural Act (1991)
★ 7.5/10Also comedy and documentary
Jim explores multiple aspects of life including religion, marriage and his own sanity. This stand-up special was taped at Theatre Passe Muraille, Toronto, Canada, in front of a live audience.
10
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.
11
Carrie Fisher: Wishful Drinking (2010)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and comedy
"Wishful Drinking" is based on Fisher's memoirs of the same title. The stage adaptation had its world premiere in 2006 at the Geffen Playhouse in L.A. It later played at Berkeley Repertory before opening on Broadway in…
12
Ryan (2004)
★ 6.8/10Also documentary and drama
Centres on Canadian animator Ryan Larkin, who in later years lived on skid row in Montreal following a history of drug and alcohol abuse.
13
Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010)
★ 7.3/10Also drama and documentary
A drama-documentary presented by Alan Yentob, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. Every word spoken by the actors in this film is sourced from the letters that Van Gogh sent to his younger brother Theo, and of…
14
American Movie (1999)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary and comedy
American Movie documents the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and spiritual crisis, American Movie…
15
Ashes and Snow (2005)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and drama
Ashes and Snow, a film by Gregory Colbert, uses both still and movie cameras to explore extraordinary interactions between humans and animals. The 60-minute feature is a poetic narrative rather than a documentary. It…
16
Death to 2021 (2021)
★ 6/10Also comedy and documentary
This comedic retrospective mixes archival footage and scripted sketches as it revisits all the dread — and occasional delight — that 2021 had to offer.
17
An Evening with Robin Williams (1983)
★ 7.3/10Also comedy and documentary
Declared to be the funniest Robin Williams video made, this is a don't-miss comedy.
18
An Evening with Kevin Smith (2002)
★ 7.4/10Also comedy and documentary
Kevin Smith interacts in Q&A sessions throughout various college stops in the USA.
19
Trevor Noah: Where Was I (2023)
★ 6.5/10Also comedy and documentary
Trevor Noah riffs on national anthems, derailing a German sightseeing tour and getting roasted in Paris in this comedy special about his world travels.
20
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…