Best movies & TV Shows like History: The Interesting Bits

Thrown to rot in a narrow and gloomy cell of a hideous Soviet prison, a weary new inmate struggles to come to terms with the new reality. Within the grey cage, an unwelcoming fellow convict cautions the newcomer not to touch the intriguingly mysterious red wooden box which rests on the lower bunk, moreover, not even think of opening it. Why is there so much secrecy about the contents of the box? Could there be hiding the means to his escape?

Luther Campbell takes the starring role as himself in this hilarious and star-studded peek into Uncle Luke's Freakfest Weekend that stars such popular celebrities as Doug E. Fresh, Lawrence Taylor, Don "Magic" Juan, and Wu-Tang Clan. Just as Don "Magic" Juan is kicking back to enjoy the freak show, he realizes that three computer-savvy players have hacked his credit card and embarked on a wild spending spree. Meanwhile, back at the Freakfest, three young women are trying to live it up like never before.

Trace the life and career of visionary puppeteer Jim Henson through this fascinating documentary, which profiles the creative genius's early endeavors in college, his incredible contributions to "Sesame Street" and the creation of "The Muppet Show." In addition to interviews with Henson, his wife, Jane, and close collaborator Frank Oz, this in-depth special also offers viewers a peek inside the magical Henson Workshop.

Documentary offering a fresh perspective on the question of how history will judge Donald Trump, by setting his life next to that of a controversial leader from our own past.

HISTORY’s longest-running series moves to H2. Modern Marvels celebrates the ingenuity, invention and imagination found in the world around us. From commonplace items like ink and coffee to architectural masterpieces and engineering disasters, the hit series goes beyond the basics to provide insight and history into things we wonder about and that impact our lives. This series tells fascinating stories of the doers, the dreamers and sometime-schemers that create everyday items, technological breakthroughs and manmade wonders. The hit series goes deep to explore the leading edge of human inspiration and ambition.

Through the prism of Jeff Goldblum's always inquisitive and highly entertaining mind, nothing is as it seems. Each episode is centered around something we all love — like sneakers or ice cream — as Jeff pulls the thread on these deceptively familiar objects and unravels a wonderful world of astonishing connections, fascinating science and history, amazing people, and a whole lot of surprising big ideas and insights.

Battlefield Detectives is a forensic documentary television series that aired on the History Channel from 2003 to 2006. The series explores famous battles focusing on the battlefield itself, and tell its story based on recent scientific research. It uses modern science to examine how the battles were won or lost. According to History Television, "This series approaches the perennially interesting topic of famous battles in a fresh and exhilarating way. Focusing on the battlefield itself, each programme takes an important battle telling its story and posing a puzzling central question about the battle that recent scientific research is helping to illuminate - a contemporary journey of discovery and a compelling story from the past."

A terrifying yet fascinating investigative journey into the lives, crimes and deaths of some of history's most villainous characters.

In an absorbing study, Andrew Graham-Dixon tells the story of a national art that conveys passion, precision, hope and renewal. He juxtaposes escapism with control and a deep affinity with nature against love for the machine. The fascinating story takes us from the towering cathedral of Cologne, the woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer and paintings of Grünewald to the gothic fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle, the Baltic landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich and the industrialisation lent expression of Adolph Menzel and Käthe Kollwitz. As the series progresses, it presents a rare focus on the cultural impact of Hitler's obsession with visual art, reveals how art became an arena for the Cold War and examines the redemptive work of the "visionary" Joseph Beuys – the most influential artist of modern times.

Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas, made internationally famous in HISTORY's hit series Pawn Stars, isn't the only family-run shop in America that's bursting at the seams with one-of-a-kind historical items and fascinating stories. Silver Dollar Pawn & Jewelry Center in Alexandria, Louisiana owned and operated by Jimmie DeRamus and his family, is a colorful place that collects an eclectic array of historical merchandise, with a daily stream of quirky local characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items - including livestock.

From the Legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood to the recent events of the Russian Revolution, history is full of fascinating and evocative unsolved mysteries. They have inspired, intrigued and often confounded us – but how much do we really know about them? And can we separate fact from fiction? In Mystery Files, the dust is blown off the case files of the world’s most famous and iconic mysteries in a dynamic series that asks, what is the truth behind the greatest stories ever told?

The year 2004 saw two hundred years of railways in Great Britain and to celebrate this historic landmark year, dedicated train enthusiast Mark Williams traveled the length and breadth of Britain in an exciting new TV series. Travelling the length and breadth of Britain, Mark tracks down the nation's fascinating railway heritage and gets to grips with locos such as the magnificent 160 ton Duchess of Sutherland. From the earliest designs of Richard Trevithick and George and Robert Stephenson to the advent of Class 31s, and from the development of London's Underground to the evolution of railway coaches, he reveals how our railways have changed over 200 years of history.

The series allows viewers a peek inside the lives of the rich and famous as they show off their current homes and tour more amazing ones on the market.

From ancient times to the Second World War, Europe has been soaked in blood and intrigue. In this fascinating new series, Bloody Tales goes beyond the British Isles to seek out the Europe's most grisly history to discover the mysterious true stories behind some of history’s most infamous tales. From East to West, from the UK to Istanbul, join historian Dr Suzannah Lipscomb and presenter Joe Crowley to investigate subjects that include Rome’s famously cruel emperor Caligula and the notoriously violent Vikings.

Archival footage and interviews with historians mark this fascinating documentary on the 1950s, based on David Halberstam's bestseller. Among the subjects covered: work and the family; the impact of TV; the Cold War; and the beginnings of the civil-rights movement and the sexual revolution.

Since working as an adult film star and escort since his early twenties, Ryan Crosby, aka Rod Driver, has had a pretty easy life when you think about it. But what happens when you hit forty and the clients aren't calling as much as they used to and doing porn has, well... lost its appeal. Suddenly you begin to see things a bit clearer and you begin to ask yourself questions. What am I doing with my life? Is there something else I can do? What am I passionate about? You realize that you need to make a change. But how do you move forward from the life you no longer want? After an awkward meeting with a career counselor, who tries to extract information about his job history, Ryan heads home and the weight of his situation hits him hard.

A fresh look at humankind’s relationship to the planet’s wildest places and most fascinating species. Using advanced filming techniques, this series will provide visuals as stunning as the best natural history programs. Distinguishing itself from nearly all other nature films, however, the series turns the cameras around, showing the world as it really is—with humans in the picture.

China is a land of immense scale and diversity, an ancient civilization with a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. From the monumental engineering feats of the Great Wall, to innovative and unique farming techniques, and a massive water splashing festival, you’ll discover how China has transformed its cities and infrastructure so much in three decades while still retaining its strong traditions, and how these strong traditions have shaped China’s landscape to make it uniquely recognizable and truly magnificent, especially from the air!

Simon Sebag Montefiore embarks on a fascinating journey to unlock 2,000 years of Spain's history.

A behind-the-scenes look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club, this documentary series provides a peek into the lives of players as well as insights from the front-office.

National Enquirer Investigates will make viewers question everything they thought they knew about the most sensational crimes and celebrity scandals in Hollywood history by giving viewers unprecedented access to The National Enquirer’s secret files, featuring never-before-told stories alongside fascinating new evidence, insider interviews and fresh expert analysis.

This documentary series tells the stories that have gripped imaginations for centuries and reveals the fascinating and unexpected history behind them.

Fascinating insights in the day and night life of some of America’s most famed metropolises. Along with showcasing each city’s iconic landmarks and often-surprising history, the series’ 4K cameras capture a bird’s-eye perspective of the frenzy of work and play that make each city so distinctive.

Tony Robinson discovers the fascinating history of Britain's greatest cathedrals.

Liz Bonnin meets the animals using outlandish means to find a mate and raise a family, and reveals the fascinating science that lies behind these animal antics.

Having grown up on an island where no one can play Box Peek, 12-year-old Jordy Defective is on a mission to learn all about the world's most popular game--and maybe get into a match or two.

Delves into the rich history of chocolate - revealing fascinating facts about the world's most famous confectioners, eye-opening behind-the-scenes factory tours, chocolate nostalgia and a look at new innovations.

An unprecedented look at the decade-long odyssey to land a man on the moon. This documentary pulls back the curtain on the familiar narrative of the moonshot, revealing a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama.

The fascinating story of the early life of England’s most iconic Queen, Elizabeth Tudor, an orphaned teenager who became embroiled in the political and sexual politics of the English court on her journey to obtain the crown.

A fascinating documentary series that celebrates and explores great accomplishments through a unique lens: by instantly removing them and speculating on possible alternate realities. Famous and little-known stories come to life – and their importance explored - as they are peeled away and erased from our world’s timeline.

Broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed goes on a remarkable journey to places rarely seen, as she travels through Iran, telling the story of a complex and fascinating people, culture and history.

In The Pale Tourist, Gaffigan boldly goes where no stand-up comedian has gone before: everywhere. The two hour-long specials were filmed as part of Gaffigan's The Pale Tourist worldwide tour, in which he traveled the world--in each country meeting people, eating the food, and learning a bit about the history. He would then transform those experiences into a stand-up set of all-new material and perform it for locals and expatriates, before heading on to another destination and doing it all over again.

A fresh look at the life and legacy of the iconic artist Leonardo da Vinci, positing that he was a gay outsider who used his work as a way of hiding his true self. Each episode will examine one of da Vinci’s artworks for hidden clues about a tortured artist struggling for perfection.

Investigates a wide range of historically compelling topics and the mysteries surrounding each including the Titanic, D.B. Cooper, Roswell, John Wilkes Booth, and more. Fresh, new evidence and perspectives will be showcased, such as never-before-released documents, personal diaries and DNA evidence.

Author and adventurer Sam Sheridan travels the globe in search of the most cursed places on Earth. Entrenching himself in macabre modern day culture, Sam explores the region's haunting history and fascinating folklore, employs cutting-edge science to illuminate the dangers of the curse, and paints a new and revealing portrait of a doomed place and the people who live there in the process.

Building fast cars takes guts, grit, a little bit of crazy, a whole bunch of power and a visionary to sell it. But what happens when they aim for pole position and miss the mark? Uncover the scandals that shocked the automotive industry and the world.

With the 00s now firmly in our rear view mirror, the decade is ripe for re-evaluation. From 9/11 to the financial crisis, the decade shows not only a period of turmoil in the United States but its also a golden age when the Internet hadnt been colonized by corporations, when social media was still young and fresh and when it was easy to make money.

In honor of the sci-fi franchise’s 55th anniversary this year and produced by The Nacelle Company, the project will feature interviews with cast, crew and experts as it explores pivotal moments in the franchise’s history, from its inception at Lucille Ball’s production company Desilu to recent film and television adaptations.

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb wends her way around the country on the trail of history's most fascinating dynasty.

Best mates Tim Warwood and Adam Gendle risk life and limb to uncover the truth about animals in this eye opening and entertaining series. Animal Impossible takes place across the globe, finding out if cats always land on their feet? Could a squid sink a ship? Is spider silk really stronger than steel? Endlessly curious presenters Tim and Gendle want to find out. In a fresh take on natural history filmmaking, the intrepid pair quiz experts and conduct audacious stunts, including a nerve wracking swim with a great white shark, to get answers. But they find more than they expected, discovering a whole host of strange and remarkable truths about the animal kingdom. This is Animal Impossible.

Secrets to Civilisation is a groundbreaking History series which explores the recent explosion in data about our planet's past, offering a completely fresh perspective on the ancient world from the Bronze Age to the fall of Rome.

Four years after the launch of one of the most successful franchises in WE tv history, “Love After Lockup” and “Life After Lockup,” a captivating new series is coming to WE tv in January of 2022. “Love During Lockup” documents the fascinating drama that unfolds when ordinary people first decide to pursue relationships with prison inmates, and an early dating period filled with a very specific set of unique challenges and obstacles. From scouring photos online, admirers who are completely obsessed with the prisoner pursuit, to failed paramours with a first-time prison pen pal, each has a specific reason for wanting love with an inmate.

Caroline Randall Williams, an award-winning writer, cookbook author and restaurateur, travels the United States uncovering the fascinating, essential and often untold black stories behind American food.

In his most personal project to date, Simon Schama looks back at the dramatic history that has played out in his lifetime. Best known for writing history, he has lived a fair bit of it too. Born in 1945, on the night of the bombing of Dresden, Simon grew up as part of a generation determined to rebuild the world from the ashes of war. In this film, he reveals the stories of artists and writers who have been at the forefront of the fight for truth and democracy, often at great personal cost.

Follows Reverend Jack Brooks and her daughter in Chapel Croft, a place for a fresh start that soon reveals its community's dark history and where ancient superstitions and mistrust of outsiders are quite common.

Take a chilling look inside the homes of actual killers and meet their families. Also, get a peek at their prisons to hear from killers themselves, resulting in powerful, unsettling and contentious encounters.

During the course of the series, Barili unites Latino urban music from the U.S. to Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Spain and beyond. The series takes a journey into the Latine diaspora to explore and map the evolution of Urbano music and cultures that ignited the musical revolution of Rap, Reggaeton, Bachata, Latin trap, Cumbia and other sounds that influence music and culture worldwide. From perreo to political issues to the stories of rebellion, Barili engages with musicians, cultural icons and fascinating characters who will reveal the story of Urbano music, its history and its significance today.

A sentimental journey through life in the North East of England over the past three generations: with the help of collectors, cine enthusiasts and historians, Tyne Tees have restored and revived hours of forgotten footage, cine-club archives and private collections to build up this fantastic nostalgia series showing first hand the changing landscapes and lifestyles of our wonderful region and its people. Containing rare colour pre-war film as well as early black-and-white footage of life in various parts of the North East. This gem is a fascinating and evocative recollection of the social history of the North East and North Yorkshire from the 1920s to the 1980s. Industry: Footage includes:-Sea the fishing industry, Oilrigs, farming, when coal was king, women in the workplace, giants of industry-ICI, Consett steel industry, days of steam, the fight to keep the North York Moors railway open, food & drink, Vaux brewery, the life of a Co-op store manager and the golden age of shipbuilding.

This docu-series offers an exclusive backstage pass to AMC’s hit shows, featuring never-before-seen footage, access to your favorite cast and show creators, and sneak peeks of what’s to come.

Host Laverne Cox dives into powerful conversations with today's most influential talent. Laverne helps reveal fresh perspectives, inspiring stories of adversity, and the driving force behind today's most fascinating celebrities.