Shows like Explained (2018)
Loved Explained? Here are 22 shows with a similar feel, picked from what fans of Explained watch next and from titles with the same mix of documentary. Explained was created by Ezra Klein.
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1
Sex, Explained (2020)
From the biology of attraction to the history of birth control, explore the ins and outs of sex in this entertaining and enlightening series.
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2
Man vs. Wild (2006)
Bear strands himself in popular wilderness destinations where tourists often find themselves lost or in danger.
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3
Dirty Money (2018)
From crippling payday loans to cars that cheat emissions tests, this investigative series exposes brazen acts of corporate greed and corruption.
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4
History 101 (2020)
Infographics and archival footage deliver bite-size history lessons on scientific breakthroughs, social movements and world-changing discoveries.
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5
American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden (2025)
Featuring rare footage and interviews with CIA insiders, this edge-of-your-seat documentary series traces the epic hunt for Osama bin Laden.
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6
Mind Field (2017)
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 nature at work.
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7
Evil Lives Here (2016)
The true stories of people who lived with a killer. How well do you really know your family? Would you recognize the warning signs? Or would you become entangled in evil?
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8
Walking with Monsters (2005)
A three-part British documentary film series about life in the Paleozoic, bringing to life extinct arthropods, fish, amphibians, synapsids, and reptiles. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh and using state-of-the-art visual effects, this prequel to…
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9
Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends (1998)
Louis Theroux which delves into the weirder fringes of American society.
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10
World War II with Tom Hanks (2026)
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.
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11
Eli Roth's History of Horror (2018)
An in-depth look at the history and pop cultural significance of horror films.
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12
Cursed Films (2020)
A documentary series exploring the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously “cursed” horror film productions. From plane accidents and bombings during the making of The Omen, to the rumored use of real human skeletons on the…
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13
Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On (2017)
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 internet porn-whether…
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14
Trust Me: The False Prophet (2026)
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.
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15
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders (2024)
An investigative journalist pursuing a political conspiracy known as the Octopus is found dead in his hotel room. Decades later, new details emerge.
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16
1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything (2021)
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 like never before.
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17
MOURINHO (2026)
This trophy-packed, insider-fuelled documentary charts José Mourinho's iconic rise as one of the world's top footballing managers of the most elite clubs.
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18
TYSON (2026)
This gripping four-part documentary series explores the explosive life of Mike Tyson — one of the most feared and fascinating figures in sports history.
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19
The New York Times Presents (2020)
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.
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20
The Witcher: A Look Inside the Episodes (2020)
With series creator Lauren S. Hissrich as your guide, take an in-depth journey into the stories and themes powering the first season of The Witcher.
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21
The Real History of Science Fiction (2014)
The series heads to the very frontiers of space and science to produce the definitive television history of science fiction, told through its impact on cinema, television and literature, with the help of filmmakers, writers, actors, and…
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22
The UnBelievable with Dan Aykroyd (2023)
Each episode opens up a cabinet of curiosities to reveal the strangest-but-true stories in human history, brought to life through dynamic recreation, compelling graphics, and arresting archival. From Boston’s Great Molasses Flood to a man…