Shows like Hard Knocks (2001)
Loved Hard Knocks? Here are 23 shows with a similar feel, picked from what fans of Hard Knocks watch next and from titles with the same mix of documentary and reality. Hard Knocks was created by Marty Callner.
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1
Welcome to Wrexham (2022)
Documentary series tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class town in North Wales, UK, as two Hollywood stars (Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds) take ownership of the town’s historic yet struggling football club.
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2
Be Eternal: Champions of America (2022)
This series takes an unprecedented closeup look at Lionel Messi and the Argentine team's battle to break a 28-year title drought in 2021's Copa América.
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3
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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4
Last Chance U: Basketball (2021)
Hit the hardwood in East Los Angeles as a coach with strong convictions leads young men who hope to fulfill major college potential.
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5
Dark Side of the Ring (2019)
Finding truth at the intersection of fantasy and reality in the veiled world of professional wrestling.
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6
Last Chance U (2016)
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.
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7
Quarterback (2023)
Follow the bruised bodies, soul-crushing fumbles, agonizing losses, and pure joy of three NFL quarterbacks during one season.
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8
30 for 30 (2009)
30 for 30 is the title for a series of documentary films airing on ESPN, its sister networks, and online highlighting interesting people and events in sports history. This currently includes four "volumes" of 30 episodes each, a 13-episode…
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9
Death of the Pastor's Wife (2026)
What happened to Mica Miller? This documentary series retraces her promising life, toxic marriage and the mysterious circumstances of her death.
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10
100 Humans: Life's Questions. Answered. (2020)
One hundred hardy souls from diverse backgrounds participate in playful experiments exploring age, sex, happiness and other aspects of being human.
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11
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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12
Live PD (2016)
Dash cams capture footage from urban and rural police forces while on the job. A live look inside the everyday calls of police officers across the nation.
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13
Hulk Hogan: Real American (2026)
Before he was Hulk Hogan, he was Terry Bollea. Uncover the man behind the legend in this unfiltered documentary featuring his very last interview.
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14
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (2024)
The scandalous world of a group of Mormon mom influencers implodes when they get caught in the midst of a swinging sex scandal that makes international headlines. Now, their sisterhood is shook to its core. Faith, friendship and reputations…
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15
Shaq (2022)
Featuring a series of revealing interviews with Shaquille O'Neal, this four-part documentary tells the story of a basketball legend unlike any other, whose larger-than-life personality transcended the sport and transformed him into a…
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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
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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18
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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19
Ride with Norman Reedus (2016)
The Walking Dead star and motorcycle enthusiast Norman Reedus hits the open road to explore local biker culture and celebrate the best and brightest collectors, mechanics and craftsmen around the country. Each episode features Reedus and a…
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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
Visible: Out on Television (2020)
Explore the history of the American LGBTQ movement through the lens of TV in this five-part docuseries. Combining archival footage with new interviews, the series looks at homophobia, the evolution of LGBTQ characters, and coming out in the…
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22
All or Nothing (2016)
For the first time in history, Amazon and NFL Films present an unprecedented inside look at the lives of players, coaches and owners of a franchise over the course of an entire NFL season. Witness the real life, behind the scenes journey on…
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23
The F Word (2005)
The F Word is a British food magazine and cookery programme featuring chef Gordon Ramsay. The programme covers a wide range of topics, from recipes to food preparation and celebrity food fads. The programme is made by Optomen Television and…