Movies Like The Five Obstructions (2003)

The Five Obstructions is a 2003 documentary film from Lars von Trier with a MovieMagicScore of 6.9/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Hitchcock/Truffaut and All the Colors of Giallo.

Documentary

Hitchcock/Truffaut

2015

Filmmakers discuss the legacy of Alfred Hitchcock and the book “Hitchcock/Truffaut” (“Le cinéma selon Hitchcock”), written by François Truffaut and published in 1966.

7.3

MagicScore

All the Colors of Giallo

2019

'Giallo' is Italian for 'yellow', the color of the lurid pulp novels that inspired one of the most intense, extreme and influential genres in movie history. In this unprecedented collection, experience the full chronological evolution of giallo with more than 100 rare and classic trailers from such masters as Mario Bava, Dario Argento, Lucio Fulci, Sergio Martino, Antonio Margheriti, Umberto Lenzi and many more. Then slip on black leather gloves and set the mood with a Bonus CD of legendary soundtrack music from composers that include Ennio Morricone, Riz Ortolani, Bruno Nicolai, Stelvio Cipriani and others, along with all-new featurettes that thrust even deeper into the genre. "But be warned," says Gizmodo.com, "Once you start going down the blood- slicked giallo rabbit hole, you may become dangerously obsessed."

6.9

MagicScore

Dogville Confessions

2004

A documentary on the creation of Lars von Trier's fascinating drama Dogville starring amongst others Nicole Kidman, Paul Bettany, Stellan Skarsgård, Ben Gazzara, Lauren Bacall and James Caan. Showcasing behind-the-scenes footage and providing a much deeper look inside the world of filmmaking including some moments of insight that are hard to believe.

6.8

MagicScore

Life After Flash

2017

A look at the roller coaster life of Sam J. Jones since his role as Flash Gordon, his struggles and successes, and the aftermath of when he went up against one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood.

5.7

MagicScore

Forgotten Silver

1997

The life story of Colin McKenzie, a forgotten pioneer of international cinema who was born in rural New Zealand in 1888.

7.2

MagicScore

Malcolm & Marie

2021

As a filmmaker and his girlfriend return home from his movie premiere, smoldering tensions and painful revelations push them toward a romantic reckoning.

7.0

MagicScore

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

2018

Toby, a cynical film director finds himself trapped in the outrageous delusions of an old Spanish shoe-maker who believes himself to be Don Quixote. In the course of their comic and increasingly surreal adventures, Toby is forced to confront the tragic repercussions of a film he made in his idealistic youth.

6.7

MagicScore

The Other Side of the Wind

2018

Surrounded by fans and sceptics, grizzled director J.J. "Jake" Hannaford returns from years abroad in Europe to a changed Hollywood, where he attempts to make his innovative comeback film. This film was started in 1970 by Orson Welles but never completed during his lifetime.

6.7

MagicScore

Cobweb

2023

In the 1970s, Director Kim is obsessed by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film Cobweb, but chaos and turmoil grip the set with interference from the censorship authorities, and the complaints of actors and producers who can't understand the re-written ending. Will Kim be able to find a way through this chaos to fulfill his artistic ambitions and complete his masterpiece?

6.6

MagicScore

#10

We Feed the World

2005

A documentary that exposes the shocking truths behind industrial food production and food wastage, focusing on fishing, livestock and crop farming. A must-see for anyone interested in the true cost of the food on their plate.

7.3

MagicScore

#11

The Yes Men

2003

A comic, biting and revelatory documentary following a small group of prankster activists as they gain worldwide notoriety for impersonating the World Trade Organization (WTO) on television and at business conferences around the world.

6.9

MagicScore

#12

The Age of the Earth

1980

Drawing inspiration from a poem penned by Castro Alves, this film vividly captures the political, cultural, and intellectual climate of Brazil during the late 1970s. At its core, the story revolves around four distinctive embodiments of Christ's image: a black man, a soldier, an Indian, and a guerrilla fighter. These courageous individuals, hailed as the harbingers of doom in the tupiniquim lands, valiantly combat the insatiable avarice and oppressive "civilizing" brutality propagated by the formidable John Brahms—a foreign exploiter devoid of morals.

6.2

MagicScore

#13

Land of Smiles

2017

A young backpacker is lured through the third world paradise of Thailand searching for her kidnapped best friend and unknowingly she becomes the object of a sociopath's obsession.

4.0

MagicScore

#14

21 Years: Richard Linklater

2014

A journey through the professional life of innovative film director Richard Linklater: 21 years creating films, carving his signature in pop culture; an analysis of his style and motivations, through the funny and moving testimonies of close friends and collaborators, actors and other filmmakers.

6.3

MagicScore

#15

GOAT

2026

A small goat with big dreams gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play roarball, a high-intensity, co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fastest, fiercest animals in the world.

8.1

MagicScore

#16

3 Idiots

2009

Rascal. Joker. Dreamer. Genius... You've never met a college student quite like "Rancho." From the moment he arrives at India's most prestigious university, Rancho's outlandish schemes turn the campus upside down—along with the lives of his two newfound best friends. Together, they make life miserable for "Virus," the school’s uptight and heartless dean. But when Rancho catches the eye of the dean's daughter, Virus sets his sights on flunking out the "3 idiots" once and for all.

8.0

MagicScore

#17

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India

2001

In 1890s India, an arrogant British commander challenges the harshly taxed residents of Champaner to a high-stakes cricket match.

7.3

MagicScore

#18

Samurai III: Duel at Ganryu Island

1956

A humble and simple Takezo abandons his life as a knight errant. He's sought as a teacher and vassal by Shogun, Japan's most powerful clan leader. He's also challenged to fight by the supremely confident and skillful Sasaki Kojiro. Takezo agrees to fight Kojiro in a year's time but rejects Shogun's patronage, choosing instead to live on the edge of a village, raising vegetables. He's followed there by Otsu and later by Akemi, both in love with him. The year ends as Takezo assists the villagers against a band of brigands. He seeks Otsu's forgiveness and accepts her love, then sets off across the water to Ganryu Island for his final contest.

7.2

MagicScore

#19

Charlie Chan at Treasure Island

1939

Charlie Chan's investigation of a blackmail-induced suicide as a case of murder leads him into a world of magick and mysticism peopled with a stage magician, a phoney spiritualist, and a for-real mind reader.

6.6

MagicScore

#20

Zathura: A Space Adventure

2005

After their father is called into work, two young boys, Walter and Danny, are left in the care of their teenage sister, Lisa, and told they must stay inside. Walter and Danny, who anticipate a boring day, are shocked when they begin playing Zathura, a space-themed board game, which they realize has mystical powers when their house is shot into space. With the help of an astronaut, the boys attempt to return home.

6.4

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Five Obstructions?

The top films similar to The Five Obstructions by MovieMagicScore are Hitchcock/Truffaut (7.3), All the Colors of Giallo (6.9), Dogville Confessions (6.8). Each shares documentary themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Five Obstructions worth watching?

The Five Obstructions holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.9/10 from 163 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Five Obstructions?

The Five Obstructions (2003) is a documentary film directed by Lars von Trier, starring Jørgen Leth, Lars von Trier, Claus Nissen.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Five Obstructions?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more documentary recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Hitchcock/Truffaut Movies like All the Colors of Giallo Movies like Dogville Confessions Movies like Life After Flash Movies like Forgotten Silver Movies like Malcolm & Marie

About movies like The Five Obstructions

This ranked list pairs The Five Obstructions (2003), a documentary film from Lars von Trier, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Jørgen Leth take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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