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Topic guide · May 24, 2026

The films & shows about sleep recommended on podcasts

The films, shows and documentaries that actually got recommended on episodes about sleep, with the quote and the timestamp for each one.

This is one of the smaller lists on the site, just 51 total mentions, but Painkiller leads it at 9, with Alien at 8 and When Stand Up Stood Out at 6.

Small numbers still mean real endorsements. Every title here was named by a guest talking about sleep, quoted from the transcript and linked to the moment it aired.

#1 · Painkiller

Peter Berg (inferred) · Film / show · 9 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2492 - Ari Shaffir in 2026. That episode features Ari Shaffir, Stand-up comedian, host of the podcasts Skeptic Tank and You Be Tripping, and co-host of Legion of Skanks. Creator of the storytelling show This Is Not Happening, his Netflix special Jew, and his new self-financed show The End. It has been genuinely recommended 9 times on the show.

“Painkiller, that's what it was called. It was so good. That's Peter Berg's. Yeah, we talked about that the other day. It's an amazing series. Amazing series.” — Joe Rogan 01:13:30

Every mention & where to get it

#2 · Alien

Ridley Scott (inferred) · Film / show · 8 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2452 - Roger Avary. That episode features Roger Avary, Oscar-winning screenwriter who co-wrote Pulp Fiction with Quentin Tarantino, and wrote/directed films like Silent Hill and the 2007 Beowulf. Now building an AI-filmmaking company. It has been genuinely recommended 8 times on the show.

“It's one of the best movies ever made. And it's a 1979 movie” — Joe Rogan 00:57:21

Every mention & where to get it

#3 · When Stand Up Stood Out

Fran Solomita · Film / show · 6 endorsements

Greg Fitzsimmons brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2446 - Greg Fitzsimmons (2026-01-31). Greg is Veteran stand-up comedian, writer, and longtime Rogan friend (this is his 25th appearance). Hosts the Sunday Papers and Fitzdog Radio podcasts and came up in the 1980s-90s Boston/New York comedy scene. It has been genuinely recommended 6 times on the show.

“That France Alamita documentary when standup stood out is great for anybody's interested. It was a very unusual time.” — Greg Fitzsimmons 02:06:27

Every mention & where to get it

#4 · The Northman

Robert Eggers (inferred) · Film / show · 4 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2329 - Ehsan Ahmad in 2025. That episode features Ehsan Ahmad, Austin-based stand-up comedian who came up through the Comedy Store and now works the Mothership scene. Co-hosts 'The Solid Show' podcast with his friend Derek. It has been genuinely recommended 4 times on the show.

“If you want to watch a great Viking movie, The Northmen. Oh my god. It's another one of those movies that's kind of like fantastical almost” — Joe Rogan 01:34:55

Every mention & where to get it

#5 · Trip of Compassion

Film / show · 4 endorsements

Recommended by Tim Ferriss on 2024 New Year’s Resolutions, AI Upheavel, & Much More! | The Random Show (4K). That episode features Kevin Rose, Kevin Rose with Tim Ferriss. It has been genuinely recommended 4 times on the show.

“there is also a doc called Trip of Compassion, which is worth seeing, which has a lot of session footage as well.” — Tim Ferriss 02:12:28

Every mention & where to get it

#6 · Basquiat

Julian Schnabel (inferred) · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Andrew Huberman brought this up on How to Increase Your Speed, Mobility & Longevity with Plyometrics & Sprinting | (2025-03-17). That episode features Stuart McMillan, One of the world's most sought-after speed and performance coaches, having coached over 70 Olympians across nine Olympic Games. A former DJ and artist, he runs ALTIS and works with elite sprinters across many sports. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan).

“one of my favorite movies is the movie bia by about joh Michelle bka not the documentary I mean the cast is like Gary Oldman David Bowie” — Andrew Huberman 01:59:11

Every mention & where to get it

#7 · Black Skinhead

Kanye West · Film / show · 3 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #1907 - Protect Our Parks 6 in 2024. That episode features Ari Shaffir, Mark Norman & Shane Gillis, Stand-up comedians on Joe Rogan's recurring 'Protect Our Parks' panel, joined by producer Jamie Vernon. It has been genuinely recommended 3 times on the show.

“people don't take into a crazy food Black Skinhead was one of the greatest songs of all time yeah the beat that comes on at the beginning” — Joe Rogan 00:17:46

Every mention & where to get it

#8 · Chimp Nation

Netflix · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Recommended by Joe Rogan on Joe Rogan Experience #2464 - Priyanka Chopra Jonas. That episode features Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Indian-born global actress, former Miss World, and Bollywood superstar who crossed into Hollywood (Quantico, Citadel). Here promoting her violent pirate film 'The Bluff.'. It has been genuinely recommended 3 times on the show.

“chimp nation on Netflix? No, I haven't. It's fantastic. It's just it's spectacular because it is a rare very rare situation” — Joe Rogan 00:57:07

Every mention & where to get it

#9 · Dealt

Film / show · 3 endorsements

Simon Coronel brought this up on Simon Coronel, World Champion of Magic, Quitting the Day Job and More! | The Tim (2023-06-30). Simon is World champion of magic (2022 FISM Grand Prix in close-up/micro magic), regular Magic Castle performer, two-time Penn & Teller: Fool Us guest, and jigsaw puzzle designer for the Magic Puzzle Company. Legally classified by the U.S. as an alien of extraordinary ability. It has been genuinely recommended 3 times on the show.

“I really enjoyed delt which is a fantastic documentary about Richard Turner who lives near Austin and San Antonio who lost his eyesight” — Simon Coronel 02:13:16

Every mention & where to get it

#10 · Free Solo

Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (inferred) · Film / show · 3 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Michelle Khare, on Daredevil Michelle Khare — How to Become a YouTube Superstar in 2026. Michelle is YouTube creator and host of Challenge Accepted, where she attempts the world's toughest stunts and professions. 6M+ followers, 1B+ views, Time 100 honoree, and the first creator to petition onto the prime-time Emmy ballot. Former BuzzFeed producer, Dartmouth grad. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Tim Ferriss).

“My favorite one is Free Solo. Free Solo is so good. So good. Alex Honnold, what you doing?” — Michelle Khare 02:54:06

Every mention & where to get it

#11 · Man on Wire

Film / show · 3 endorsements

Recommended by Kevin Kelly on Derek Sivers and Kevin Kelly — The Tim Ferriss Show. That episode features Derek Sivers and Kevin Kelly, Derek Sivers is a former musician and circus MC who founded and sold CD Baby for $22M (donating the proceeds to charity) and authored books including 'Hell Yeah or No' and 'Useful Not True'; Kevin Kelly is the founding executive editor of Wired Magazine, former editor of the Whole Earth Review, and author of 'What Technology Wants,' 'Cool Tools,' and 'Vanishing Asia.'. It has been genuinely recommended 3 times on the show.

“the one documentary that I think everybody that I know have seen has loved it is man on wire such a good movie” — Kevin Kelly 01:59:41

Every mention & where to get it

#12 · Waking Life

Richard Linklater · Film / show · 3 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2486 - Luis J Gomez (2026-04-21). That episode features Luis J Gomez, Stand-up comedian, host of the Legion of Skanks podcast, and founder of the uncensored Gas Digital network and the Skankfest comedy festival. A self-described former heavy pothead and ex-New Yorker who built his own platforms to avoid being deplatformed. In total it earned 3 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Andrew Huberman, Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“When was the movie back in the day, Waking Life, that Alex Jones was in? I saw that on Acid by myself and I was blown away by this movie.” — Joe Rogan 02:24:00

Every mention & where to get it

#13 · Miracle

Derren Brown (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Unlocking Your Creativity and Persuasion: A Master Ad Man on Tricks of the Trade in 2024. That episode features Chris Beresford-Hill, Award-winning advertising creative; worldwide chief creative officer at Ogilvy, formerly chief creative officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day and an eight-year run at BBDO under David Lubars. Known for Super Bowl ads (Emerald Nuts' Robert Goulet, Mountain Dew's Bryan Cranston Shining spot) and the Adidas Billie Jean King sneaker stunt. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Diary of a CEO, Tim Ferriss).

“He has many more. Miracle, I think, is another one, which is very well done.” — Tim Ferriss 02:06:59

Every mention & where to get it

#14 · Huberman Lab

Andrew Huberman · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Recommended by Lex Fridman on Rana el Kaliouby: Emotion AI, Social Robots, and Self-Driving Cars | Lex Fridman. That episode features Rana el Kaliouby, Egyptian-American computer scientist who pioneered emotion-recognition AI. Founder of Affectiva (acquired by Smart Eye, where she is now deputy CEO) and author of the memoir Girl Decoded. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“he has an amazing podcast Andrew humor is a neuroscientists from Stanford a good friend of mine” — Lex Fridman 01:52:07

Every mention & where to get it

#15 · Vision Quest

Harold Becker (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Dana White brought this up on Dana White: UFC, Fighting, Khabib, Conor, Tyson, Ali, Rogan, Elon & Zuck | Lex F (2024-03-25). Dana is President of the UFC, the mixed martial arts organization he and the Fertitta brothers bought for $2 million in 2001 and turned into a global combat sports empire. He is widely regarded as the mastermind behind the UFC's rise. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 3 different shows (Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, Tim Ferriss).

“the movie that changed the whole trajectory of my life was Vision Quest ... I fucking love that movie” — Dana White 01:22:46

Every mention & where to get it

#16 · A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs

Andrew Hickey · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Rick Rubin, on Protocols to Access Creative Energy and Process | Rick Rubin in 2023. Rick is World-renowned music producer who has worked with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Adele, Eminem, Slayer and more. Author of 'The Creative Act: A Way of Being' and host of the Tetragrammaton podcast. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“I've started listening to more episodes of the podcasts that you introduced me to which was history of rock music and 500 songs Andrew Hickey great podcast real indepth information about music” — Rick Rubin 00:10:56

Every mention & where to get it

#17 · Kumare

Vikram Gandhi (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Recommended by Tim Ferriss on Q&A with Tim — The Upcoming AI Tsunami and Building Offline Advantage. Tim is Author, podcaster, and early-stage investor; solo Q&A host answering pre-submitted and live audience questions about AI, careers, creativity, and life. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“Kumare, great documentary, Fred recommended. Everybody should watch Kumare. It's a great great film” — Tim Ferriss 00:48:18

Every mention & where to get it

#18 · Louder Than Hell

Sam Kinison · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2042 - Joe List (2024-06-27). That episode features Joe List, Stand-up comedian, host of the Tuesdays with Stories and Mindful Metal Jacket podcasts, and a fixture of the Boston/New York comedy scenes. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“his first thing which is louder than hell which is a cassette and it's really good it's hard to get” — Joe Rogan 00:25:32

Every mention & where to get it

#19 · Scent of a Woman

Martin Brest (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

The endorsement here comes from Steve Keen, on Steve Keen: Marxism, Capitalism, and Economics | Lex Fridman Podcast #303 in 2022. Steve is An Australian heterodox economist and longtime critic of mainstream neoclassical economics, known for predicting the 2008 crisis. He is a scholar of Karl Marx, author of 'Debunking Economics' and 'The New Economics: A Manifesto,' and creator of the open-source system-dynamics modeling software Minsky. It has been genuinely recommended 2 times on the show.

“it's like that Scent of a Woman one of my favorite films where alucino gives advice to a cat” — Steve Keen 03:28:00

Every mention & where to get it

#20 · Schitt's Creek

Dan Levy (inferred) · Film / show · 2 endorsements

Recommended by Eleanor Kerrigan on Joe Rogan Experience #2127 - Eleanor Kerrigan. Eleanor is Philadelphia-raised stand-up comedian, former Comedy Store waitress turned headliner, longtime opener for Andrew Dice Clay, with the special No Country For Old Women. In total it earned 2 separate on-air endorsements across 2 different shows (Joe Rogan, Tim Ferriss).

“shits Creek is hilarious you ever watch that show... my mom loves that such a good show” — Eleanor Kerrigan 01:22:33

Every mention & where to get it

#21 · The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss · Film / show · 1 endorsement

Tim Ferriss brought this up on How to Quiet the Ruminative Mind and Avoid The Traps of Self-Help — Tim Ferriss (2026-02-24). Tim is Author of The 4-Hour Workweek and The 4-Hour Body, angel investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, appearing solo to discuss mental health, optimization, and his in-progress book on saying no.

“for people who are interested, I really recommend the conversation I did with Nolan Williams” — Tim Ferriss 00:08:49

Every mention & where to get it

#22 · Quake

id Software (inferred) · Film / show · 1 endorsement

The endorsement here comes from Joe Rogan, on Joe Rogan Experience #2033 - Matt Rife in 2024. That episode features Matt Rife, Stand-up comedian who blew up via viral crowd-work clips; relentlessly touring theaters and prepping his next special.

“Quake is uh an amazing 3D online uh Death Match Game where you're running around with like rocket launchers and rail guns” — Joe Rogan 01:46:11

Every mention & where to get it

#23 · An Honest Liar

Film / show · 1 endorsement

Recommended by Tim Ferriss on Richard Wiseman on Lessons from Dale Carnegie, Mentalism, The Psychology of the . That episode features Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, former professional magician, and author of bestselling books (The Luck Factor, 59 Seconds, Paranormality) with psychology YouTube videos (Quirkology) exceeding 500 million views.

“i was showing a friend of mine a trailer for one of my favorite documentaries which is an honest liar about the amazing randy” — Tim Ferriss 00:03:37

Every mention & where to get it

#24 · Black Bird

Film / show · 1 endorsement

Joe Rogan brought this up on Joe Rogan Experience #2033 - Matt Rife (2024-06-27). That episode features Matt Rife, Stand-up comedian who blew up via viral crowd-work clips; relentlessly touring theaters and prepping his next special.

“he's watch on Apple TV seen it no what is that very good it's about based on true story” — Joe Rogan 02:01:30

Every mention & where to get it

#25 · Dan Gable: Competitor Supreme

Film / show · 1 endorsement

The endorsement here comes from Tim Ferriss, on Q&A with Tim — Tools for Better Sleep, Parenting, Fear, How to Boost Your Mood, in 2021. Tim is Author of The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, and Tools of Titans, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show. This is a solo Q&A episode where he both asks and answers, fielding live-chat and pre-submitted listener questions.

“My favorite wrestling movie is a documentary called Dan Gable: Competitor Supreme... It's intense and it's great. I really really really enjoyed it” — Tim Ferriss 01:29:49

Every mention & where to get it

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