Shows Like Abstract: The Art of Design

If you liked Abstract: The Art of Design (2017), a documentary series, here are 20 shows with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
History 101 (2020)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary
Infographics and archival footage deliver bite-size history lessons on scientific breakthroughs, social movements and world-changing discoveries.
2
Pee-wee as Himself (2025)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary
A kaleidoscopic portrait told in two parts tracing the life of the imaginative artist.
3
The Andy Warhol Diaries (2022)
★ 6.7/10Also documentary
After he's shot in 1968, Andy Warhol begins documenting his life and feelings. Those diaries, and this series, reveal the secrets behind his persona.
4
The New York Times Presents (2020)
★ 7/10Also documentary
A series of standalone documentaries powered by the unparalleled journalism and insight of The New York Times, bringing viewers close to the essential stories of our time.
5
Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (2022)
★ 7.8/10Also documentary
Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer confesses to his gruesome crimes in unguarded interviews, offering an unsettling view into a disturbed mind.
6
World War II with Tom Hanks (2026)
★ 8.3/10Also documentary
Explores WWII from Germany's invasion of Poland through the atomic age, examining pivotal battles, wartime leaders like Churchill and Roosevelt, and the human cost of total war.
7
Mind Field (2017)
★ 8.2/10Also documentary
Explore the surprising things we know (and don’t know) about why people are the way they are through expert interviews, rare footage from historical experiments, and brand-new, ground-breaking demonstrations of human…
8
Hulk Hogan: Real American (2026)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary
Before he was Hulk Hogan, he was Terry Bollea. Uncover the man behind the legend in this unfiltered documentary featuring his very last interview.
9
Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019)
★ 8.2/10Also documentary
Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane — both on and off the track — during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
10
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything (2021)
★ 7.6/10Also documentary
In a tumultuous era, 1971 was a year of musical innovation and rebirth fueled by the political and cultural upheaval of the time. Stars reached new heights, fresh talent exploded onto the scene, and boundaries expanded…
11
Eli Roth's History of Horror (2018)
★ 6.4/10Also documentary
An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.
12
Last Chance U (2016)
★ 7.2/10Also documentary
In a docuseries set at one of NCAA football's most fertile recruiting grounds, guys with red flags seek to prove their worth on the field and in class.
13
Kylie (2026)
★ 8.7/10Also documentary
A look at the life of Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, who opens her personal archives and reflects on a career in which she has sold 80 million records and reinvented herself, and by extension pop, several times…
14
How to Become a Mob Boss (2023)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary
This darkly satirical how-to guide explores the rise and fall of history's most notorious mob bosses and their tactics for success.
15
Trust Me: The False Prophet (2026)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary
In this true-crime documentary, a cult expert and filmmaker infiltrate a polygamist sect to expose a self-proclaimed prophet and bring him to justice.
16
The Last Movie Stars (2022)
★ 7/10Also documentary
A celebration of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward’s iconic careers and decades-long partnership. Director Ethan Hawke brings life and color to this definitive history of their love, lives, and philanthropy.
17
George Carlin's American Dream (2022)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary
A look at the life and work of legendary comedian George Carlin.
18
Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On (2017)
★ 6.3/10Also documentary
Porn has gone mainstream; the question is, can we handle it? This exploration of the intersection of sex and technology is told through the stories of the people whose lives are defined by the current explosion of…
19
Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos (2024)
★ 8.3/10Also documentary
A portrait of celebrated filmmaker David Chase: his life, his career and his groundbreaking work on the HBO original series The Sopranos.
20
Arnold (2023)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary
This intimate docuseries follows Arnold Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life and career, from bodybuilding champ to Hollywood icon to politician.