Shows Like In An Instant

If you liked In An Instant (2015), a drama and 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
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.
2
The Vow (2020)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary and drama
The docuseries follows people deeply involved in the group NXIVM — which is faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy — over the course of several years.
3
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.
4
Real Detective (2016)
★ 7.6/10Also drama and documentary
With narrative driven exclusively by the detectives themselves, each episode ventures deep into the mind of a homicide detective as they describe in vivid detail the one case forever ingrained in their memory.
5
The Test (2020)
★ 7.7/10Also drama and documentary
A docuseries following the Australian Men’s Cricket Team, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the world’s best cricket teams fell from grace and was forced to reclaim their title and integrity.
6
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.
7
Medal of Honor (2018)
★ 6.5/10Also documentary
Honoring service members whose courage merited the awarding of a Medal of Honor, this docudrama series re-creates their inspiring true stories.
8
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.
9
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.
10
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.
11
Haunted (2018)
★ 6.9/10Also documentary
Real people sit down with friends and family to share terrifying true stories from their past, re-created through chilling re-enactments.
12
WWE Evil (2022)
★ 7.8/10Also documentary and drama
A “psychological exposé” into the minds of the most diabolical antagonists in WWE history and their impact on mainstream culture.
13
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.
14
The Walking Dead: Origins (2021)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary
The Walking Dead: Origins is a series of specials exploring the journeys of the series' most celebrated characters. Each episode charts the story of the zombie apocalypse from the point of view of a single character…
15
Alexander: The Making of a God (2024)
★ 6.3/10Also documentary and drama
Expert interviews and gripping reenactments combine to reveal the extraordinary life of Alexander the Great and his burning desire to conquer the world.
16
Dirty Money (2018)
★ 7.1/10Also documentary
From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed and corruption.
17
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.
18
Inside the World's Toughest Prisons (2016)
★ 7/10Also documentary
Crime journalist Raphael Rowe goes behind the bars of some of the world’s most notorious and toughest prisons. Immersing himself in maximum security facilities around the world to live as a prisoner, he encounters the…
19
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.
20
George Carlin's American Dream (2022)
★ 7.9/10Also documentary
A look at the life and work of legendary comedian George Carlin.