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Movies Like 21 Up

If you loved 21 Up's Documentary storytelling, these films deliver a similar experience — carefully selected for tone, themes, and emotional depth. Each pick includes where to watch it right now.

Top Picks

35 Up
7.6

35 Up

1991

Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.

56 Up
7.2

56 Up

2012

When a cross-section of seven-year-olds were interviewed for 7 Up in 1964 it was immediately evident that their social backgrounds influenced their attitudes towards life. While the upper class children were confident and self-assured, those from middle and working class backgrounds were resigned to a challenging life of hard work. This premise was put to the test every seven years when the same group were interviewed about the progression of their lives. 49 years in the making, the changes that occurred to the original 14 make for fascinating television and are in many ways the stories of all our lives. From success and disappointment, marriage and childbirth, to poverty and illness, nearly every facet of life has been captured on film. Now, at the age of 56, the group are once more brought together and, with the benefit of hindsight, assess whether their lives have been ruled by circumstance or self-determination.

7 Plus Seven
7.3

7 Plus Seven

1970

After a 7 year wait, director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born children from Seven Up! The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.

28 Up
7.5

28 Up

1984

Just two years away from turning 30, participants in Michael Apted's documentary series are facing serious questions of identity and purpose, wondering whether they've found their place in the world.

42 Up
7.6

42 Up

1999

Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.

The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends
7.1

The Summers of It - Chapter Two: It Ends

2019

This documentary focuses on the actors and their journey over two summers to create the remake to the original IT, by Stephen King. The documentary originally released as bonus material, bundled with IT: Chapter Two.

One Direction: This Is Us
8.2

One Direction: This Is Us

2013

"One Direction: This Is Us" is a captivating and intimate all-access look at life on the road for the global music phenomenon. Weaved with stunning live concert footage, this inspiring feature film tells the remarkable story of Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis' meteoric rise to fame, from their humble hometown beginnings and competing on the X-Factor, to conquering the world and performing at London’s famed O2 Arena. Hear it from the boys themselves and see through their own eyes what it's really like to be One Direction.

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
7.2

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20

2022

An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.

More Movies Like 21 Up

Birth of the Living Dead
6.7

Birth of the Living Dead

2013

A behind the scenes look into George Romero's groundbreaking horror classic Night of the Living Dead.

Halloween: 25 Years of Terror
6.8

Halloween: 25 Years of Terror

2006

Follow the evolution of the 'Halloween' movies over the past twenty-five years. It examines why the films are so popular and revisits many of the original locations used in the films - seeing the effects on the local community. For the first time, cast, crew, critics and fans join together in the ultimate 'Halloween' retrospective.

American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince
6.6

American Boy: A Profile of Steven Prince

1978

Martin Scorsese spends an evening with larger-than-life raconteur Steven Prince—a former drug addict, road manager for Neil Diamond, and actor—as he recounts stories from his colorful life.

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me
8.5

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me

2022

After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light.

Fuck
6.4

Fuck

2006

A documentary on the expletive's origin, why it offends some people so deeply, and what can be gained from its use.

Wormwood
6.9

Wormwood

2017

In this genre-bending tale, Errol Morris explores the mysterious death of a U.S. scientist entangled in a secret Cold War program known as MK-Ultra.

A Decade Under the Influence
7.9

A Decade Under the Influence

2003

A documentary examining the decade of the 1970s as a turning point in American cinema. Some of today's best filmmakers interview the influential directors of that time.

My Mom Jayne
8.0

My Mom Jayne

2025

Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.

McQueen
7.5

McQueen

2018

Alexander McQueen's rags-to-riches story is a modern-day fairy tale, laced with the gothic. Mirroring the savage beauty, boldness and vivacity of his design, this documentary is an intimate revelation of McQueen's own world, both tortured and inspired, which celebrates a radical and mesmerizing genius of profound influence.

6 Days to Air: The Making of South Park
7.6

6 Days to Air: The Making of South Park

2011

Viewers will get a look at Parker and Stone's thought process as they approach a new episode and the 24/7 grind they subject themselves to each time the show is in production. The documentary also includes in-depth interviews with Parker and Stone about their working partnership and reflections on highlights from their careers.

The Velvet Underground
6.8

The Velvet Underground

2021

Experience the iconic rock band's legacy in the first major documentary to tell their story. Directed with the era’s avant-garde spirit by Todd Haynes, this kaleidoscopic oral history combines exclusive interviews with dazzling archival footage.

Shawn Mendes: In Wonder
8.2

Shawn Mendes: In Wonder

2020

A portrait of singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes' life, chronicling the past few years of his rise and journey.

Why These Movies Are Similar

These recommendations share core qualities with 21 Up (1977): Documentary themes, similar narrative structure, and comparable emotional depth. NoBadPicks uses a combination of TMDB collaborative filtering, genre matching, and AI analysis to surface films most likely to resonate with fans of 21 Up.

See full details for 21 Up (1977)

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