Shows Like The Century of the Self

If you liked The Century of the Self (2002), a documentary and war & politics series created by Adam Curtis, 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
WWII in HD (2009)
★ 7.6/10Also documentary and war & politics
WWII in HD is a 10-part American documentary television miniseries that originally aired from November 15 to November 19, 2009 on the History Channel. The program focuses on the firsthand experiences of twelve American…
2
Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States (2012)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary and war & politics
Oliver Stone's re-examination of under-reported events in American history.
3
World War II: From the Frontlines (2023)
★ 8/10Also documentary and war & politics
Through vividly enhanced archival footage and voices from all sides of the conflict, this docuseries brings WWII to life like never before.
4
The War (2007)
★ 8.2/10Also documentary and war & politics
The story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four American towns. The war touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America and…
5
How to Become a Tyrant (2021)
★ 7.3/10Also documentary and war & politics
The documentary series explores different political figures throughout history.
6
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.
7
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.
8
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.
9
Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers (2025)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary
Insider accounts and never-seen-before footage tell the story of the 7/7 bombings on London's transport network in 2005 — and its explosive aftermath.
10
The World at War (1973)
★ 8.3/10Also documentary and war & politics
A documentary series that gives a historical account of the events of World War II, from its roots in the 1920s to the aftermath and the lives it profoundly influenced.
11
The Civil War (1990)
★ 8/10Also documentary and war & politics
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
12
Nazi Megastructures (2013)
★ 7.7/10Also documentary and war & politics
In a quest for world domination, the Nazis built some of the biggest and deadliest pieces of military hardware and malevolent technology in history. This is the stories of the engineers who designed them and how these…
13
Marvel Studios Legends (2021)
★ 7.4/10Also documentary
Revisit the epic heroes, villains and moments from across the MCU in preparation for the stories still to come. Each dynamic segment feeds directly into the upcoming series — setting the stage for future events. This…
14
The World Wars (2014)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary and war & politics
The story of three decades of war told through the eyes of various men who were its key players: Roosevelt, Hitler, Patton, Mussolini, Churchill, Tojo, DeGaulle and MacArthur. The series examines the two wars as one…
15
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.
16
Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial (2024)
★ 7.5/10Also documentary
This gripping docuseries examines Adolf Hitler and the Nazis' rise, rule and reckoning from pre-WWII to the Holocaust to the Nuremberg trials.
17
WWII in Color: Road to Victory (2021)
★ 7.6/10Also documentary and war & politics
Gripping historical footage and expert commentary give detailed insights into the leading figures and decisive turning points of World War II.
18
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.
19
Greatest Events of World War II in Colour (2019)
★ 8.1/10Also documentary and war & politics
Using highly advanced colourisation techniques, critical moments from World War II, from Stalingrad to The Battle of Britain, are shown in a whole new light.
20
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.