If you love Joe Exotic and Crew as much as I do, here are 6 documentaries and docuseries most similar to Tiger King.
I rank them in order.
Enjoy the animal-related craziness!
1) Chimp Crazy
It’s no surprise that the documentary I rank most similar to “Tiger King” is “Chimp Crazy (it’s created by the creator of Tiger King (Eric Goode).
“Chimp Crazy” is like “Tiger King” in the best of ways.
For starters, the lead role in the story is an exotic pet owner.
Tonia could be Joe Exotic’s sister!
She is the self-proclaimed “Dolly Parton of Chimps”.
Secondly, “Chimp Crazy” has the true crime angle! I don’t want to give away too much but the crime is more than just illegal chimp trading!
‘Spanning four hours, this series is a disturbing exploration of a bizarre subculture.
Tonia cares for seven captive chimps at the Missouri Primate Foundation.
Her favorite is Tonka, a 32-year-old Hollywood veteran.
You’ve probably seen Tonka in the movies (he starred in George of the Jungle, Babe: Pig in the City), Buddy).
There’s big money in renting out chimps (not just selling them).
Tonia’s unsettling bond with Tonka, who she claims to love more than her own children, raises serious ethical questions.
The series also introduces other “chimp moms,” including one who breastfed a premature chimp. Missouri’s lax laws allow almost anything regarding exotic animal ownership, leading to shocking revelations, like how Connie Casey, Tonia’s predecessor, bred nearly three-quarters of all captive chimps in the U.S.
The story takes a darker turn as PETA investigates Tonka’s mysterious disappearance. The ensuing legal battle rivals any courtroom drama, revealing the dangers of keeping chimps as pets. The tension peaks when Tonia, seemingly victorious, hints that Tonka is hidden in her basement.
Stay tuned for the next episodes: “Head Shot” (September 1, 2024) and “Fantasy Island” (September 8, 2024).
Watch “Chimp Crazy” on HBO Max at https://play.max.com/show/026bb0da-933f-4111-9a30-234d5b0f392d (it’s an HBO Original so I’m not sure we’ll see it playing anywhere else (though Amazon Prime does offer Max in a bundle).
2) Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
Release date: December 18, 2019
If you think the internet is just cat videos, think again.
“Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer” is a wild ride. Directed by Mark Lewis, this three-part docu-series dives deep into the twisted saga of Luka Magnotta. He’s a guy who starts with sick videos of cats but quickly escalates to something much worse.
But this isn’t just about some psycho—it’s about the group of online sleuths who decide they’re not going to let him get away with it. What begins as a Facebook manhunt quickly spirals into a global chase. These sleuths are obsessive, pouring over every tiny clue to track this guy down. Their dedication is both inspiring and a little terrifying.
You’ll find yourself glued to the screen as they analyze everything from doorknobs to streetlights, all to pinpoint where Magnotta is hiding. It’s like “CSI” but with regular people, which somehow makes it even crazier.
At 187 minutes, the doc keeps you on edge, making you question just how far you’d go if you were in their shoes.
It’s a jaw-dropping look at the internet’s dark side and how ordinary folks can turn into digital vigilantes.
By the end, you’ll be left wondering: who’s really hunting whom?
Watch “Don’t F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer” on Netflix at https://www.netflix.com/title/81031373
3) Grizzly Man
Here’s another tale of a unique animal lover with a crime twist.
“Grizzly Man” doesn’t have the bling-bling of “Tiger King” but it does have an animal lover intertwined with murder.
Directed by Werner Herzog, “Grizzly Man” tells the cray story of Timothy Treadwell, a man who spent 13 summers living with grizzly bears in Alaska.
Treadwell believes he has a unique bond with these massive creatures. But that belief costs him everything.
Herzog doesn’t just show you nature’s beauty; he throws you right into its brutality. The footage Treadwell shot is stunning but also deeply unsettling.
Treadwell gets closer and closer to the bears.
He’s convinced he’s one of them.
But here’s the kicker—Treadwell’s story ends in tragedy. In 2003, he and his girlfriend were killed by one of the bears he loved so much.
Herzog’s narration ties this doc together. He’s fascinated by Treadwell but also critical of his delusions.
At 103 minutes, “Grizzly Man” is a haunting look at the fine line between man and nature.
It’s gripping, disturbing, and unforgettable. By the end, you’ll be left wondering: Was Treadwell brave, crazy, or just doomed from the start?
You can watch Grizzly Man for free on Kanopy (with library card) at https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/grizzly-man.
But if Kanopy isn’t a good fit for you, I list 10 other places to watch it over here: “Grizzly Man” .
4) The Elephant in the Living Room
Ever think having a lion as a pet sounds cool? Think again.
“The Elephant in the Living Room,” directed by Michael Webber, dives into the bizarre and often dangerous world of exotic pet ownership in the United States.
The doc focuses on two men: Tim Harrison, a public safety officer, and Terry Brumfield, a man who keeps two African lions as pets in his backyard.
Harrison spends his days rescuing exotic animals that have no business living in suburban neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, Brumfield struggles with depression and finds comfort in his lions, even as they grow more dangerous by the day.
The tension builds as Harrison tries to convince Brumfield that these animals belong in the wild, not in a cage next to his trailer.
But Brumfield loves his lions like family, making the situation both heartbreaking and terrifying.
At 96 minutes, the doc is a gripping exploration of the consequences of keeping wild animals as pets.
It raises tough questions about human-animal relationships and the ethics of ownership.
By the end, you’ll be left wondering why anyone would bring a predator into their home—and what happens when they can’t control it anymore.
Last I checked, you can stream “The Elephant in the Living Room” on Kanopy (for free), Prime Video, Freevee, Vudu and Pluto.
Here are all the streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-elephant-in-the-living-room
5) The Conservation Game
The trailer for “The Conservation Game” mentions “Tiger King” in the first 20 seconds.
Ever wonder what happens to big cats after their TV appearances?
“The Conservation Game,” directed by Michael Webber, shows the dark side of the exotic animal trade.
The Tiger King villains Carole Baskin and Harold Baskin are even profiled in this one.
But instead of focusing on wild characters, it zooms in on the celebrity conservationists we all thought we could trust.
The doc follows Tim Harrison, a former cop turned animal advocate,
Tim digs into what really happens to the tigers, lions, and leopards that pop up on shows like “Good Morning America.”
Spoiler: it’s not pretty.
Just like in “Tiger King,” you see these animals getting shuffled off to sketchy roadside zoos or private owners once the spotlight fades.
Harrison doesn’t just sit back—he confronts big names like Jack Hanna, the guy who’s been showing us cuddly cubs on TV for years.
The deeper Harrison goes, the more you start to wonder how much of this “conservation” is really about the animals.
At 106 minutes, “The Conservation Game” is a tough, eye-opening watch.
By the end, you’ll be questioning the motives of the people who claim they’re saving these animals.
And whether they’re really any better than the folks we saw in “Tiger King.”
Watch “The Elephant in the Living Room” on Peacock (with subscription) and Apple TV ($3.99 last I checked. )
Other streaming options are here: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-conservation-game
6) Fatal Attractions
Ever think owning a tiger or a deadly snake could go wrong? It does—big time.
“Fatal Attractions” is a documentary series that aired on Animal Planet from 2010 to 2013.
It’s yet another series on the world of people who keep dangerous animals as pets.
We’re talking tigers, venomous snakes, and even chimpanzees.
One guy lived with seven massive Nile monitor lizards in his tiny apartment.
Another woman filled her home with more than 20 venomous snakes and lizards. Sounds crazy? It is.
Narrated by Jana Sheldon, the series doesn’t just show you the risks; it explores the psychological dynamics between humans and their exotic pets.
My favorite episode is “A Tiger Loose in Harlem,” where a tiger escapes and prowls the streets of the city!
The episode “Chimps” looks at people who think these strong, unpredictable animals are just like five-year-olds.
Spoiler: they’re not.
But if you like chimps, remember that “Chimp Crazy” is the series most like “Tiger King”!
But, still, “Fatal Attractions” pulls you into the danger and obsession.
By the end, you’ll be shaking your head, asking,
“What were they thinking?”
Watch “Fatal Attractions” on Discovery+ and Apple TV. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/fatal-attractions
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly
Chief Maniac, Daily Doc