10 Movies & Shows Like Some Kind of Heaven

Description: A stark, observational look at the struggles of everyday people, capturing the quiet desperation and resilience of individuals trying to make a living in a challenging world.

Fact: One of the first documentaries to use direct cinema techniques, it follows Bible salesmen in a way that feels almost like a narrative film. It was added to the National Film Registry in

Description: A deeply personal and unsettling exploration of creativity and family dynamics, blending dark humor with an unflinching look at eccentricity and dysfunction.

Fact: The film's subject, Robert Crumb, initially refused to participate but eventually agreed after meeting the director. It took six years to complete due to funding challenges.

Description: This film chronicles the highs and lows of chasing dreams, offering an intimate, often heartbreaking look at the intersection of ambition, race, and socioeconomic barriers.

Fact: Originally intended to be a 30-minute short, it grew into a nearly three-hour epic. It was shot over five years, following two young basketball players in Chicago.

Description: It delves into the eccentric and often absurd pursuit of dreams, blending documentary realism with a deeply human, sometimes tragicomic portrayal of ambition and creativity.

Fact: The film began as a short documentary about an aspiring filmmaker but evolved into a feature-length project. It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Description: A gripping and unsettling examination of family secrets and the blurred lines between truth and perception, using home videos and interviews to unravel a complex narrative.

Fact: The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It began as a project about birthday clowns but shifted focus when the director uncovered the Friedmans' story.

Description: This documentary explores themes of excess, ambition, and the American Dream, juxtaposing grand aspirations with the harsh realities of financial and personal downfall.

Fact: The film was initially intended to document the construction of the largest house in America but shifted focus when the subjects faced financial collapse during the 2008 recession.

Description: This documentary confronts the surreal and disturbing nature of memory and guilt, using unconventional storytelling to explore the psychological impact of violence.

Fact: The film's subjects reenacted their crimes in various cinematic genres, from gangster films to musicals. It was executive produced by Werner Herzog and Errol Morris.

Description: This documentary explores isolation, creativity, and the power of imagination, offering a surreal and intimate look at a family living on the fringes of society.

Fact: The Angulo brothers, the film's subjects, spent most of their childhood confined to their apartment, where they recreated films like 'Pulp Fiction' and 'The Dark Knight' shot-for-shot.

Description: A mesmerizing tale of obsession and daring, blending archival footage and reenactments to capture the thrill and absurdity of an impossible dream.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. It chronicles Philippe Petit's unauthorized high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in

Description: This film shares a focus on marginalized communities and the pursuit of happiness in unconventional settings, capturing raw, unfiltered human experiences with a mix of humor and poignancy.

Fact: The film was shot on location near Walt Disney World, using real motels and local residents to enhance authenticity. The child actors were largely non-professionals, adding to the film's naturalistic feel.