The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Listen to After Watching Adventure Time
Adventure Time changes you. This animated series, which begins as a funny story about a boy in a bear hat and his adopted werewolf brother, Jake, hides some of the deepest and darkest secrets in entertainment history. The series tackles existential questions in a funny and sometimes disturbing way, and once you get into its atmosphere, you’ll realize it might be one of the best shows of all time. If you want to prolong that feeling, you’ve probably already watched every similar show you can find , so here are books, movies, video games, and podcasts that can add a little Adventure Time to your day.
Best Books Like Adventure Time
Few animated series boast as much hidden plot as Adventure Time , so books are the perfect way to recreate that feeling. Here are a few books that will remind you of the adventures of Finn the Human and Jake the Dog.
The Complete Works of Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson.
Matching the chaotic dynamics and imaginative energy of Adventure Time is difficult, but Calvin and Hobbes comes as close as possible. This comic book series about a young boy with an incredible imagination and his stuffed tiger (which comes to life just for him) embarking on adventures (both in the real world and in Calvin’s lush, fantasy life) could easily be a prequel to the show. Like Adventure Time , in Calvin and Hobbes, the real world and its dangers often infiltrate the main characters’ whimsical adventures, and you’ll once again feel an emotional connection with the young boy and his real-life companion.
“The Buried Giant” by Kazuo Ishiguro
One of the things that makes Adventure Time so special is the subtle melancholy that permeates it, and one of its key components is the implied backstory of the destruction and loss of the Mushroom War, which left civilization in ruins centuries before Finn and Jake’s story. If that appeals to you, Kazuo Ishiguro’s “The Buried Giant” is a perfect read. Set in Britain sometime after the time of King Arthur, the story follows an elderly man on a quest to discover his past, and it conveys a dreamy, myth-infused atmosphere that fans of the series will appreciate.
“Tales of the Dying Earth” by Jack Vance
The apocalypse that birthed the world of Adventure Time looms large in the background—remnants of what might be recognizable as our own world. The slow decline of civilization and the literal destruction of our planet are powerful themes that the series weaves into many of its stories, making them hauntingly beautiful. There’s an entire “Dying Earth” subgenre of science fiction to delve into, but start with the seminal work, Jack Vance’s “History of the Dying Earth ,” set in a distant future where the sun is fading and magic has reasserted itself after the collapse of technology.
A Psalm for the Wild Ones by Becky Chambers
If you’re interested in learning more about Finn and Jake’s relationship, check out Psalm for the Wild by Becky Chambers . On the moon of Pang, intelligent robots long ago abandoned human society, retreating to their own enclave. Humanity rebuilt society, making it more sustainable and less technocentric, and no human has seen a robot since. Dex, a tea monk, travels, listening to the fears and concerns of humans. One day, Dex ventures into the wilderness and accidentally encounters a robot named Magnificent Spotted Mosskap, and the two begin traveling together. It’s a beautiful, leisurely story, and the relationship between Dex and Mosskap will remind you a lot of Finn and Jake.
Hike , Drew Magary
If you’re drawn to Adventure Time’s incredible weirdness and wacky humor, then Drew Magary’s “The Trek “ is a great choice. Ben arrives at a hotel for a meeting and decides to take a walk. Almost immediately, he finds himself in a surreal situation, pursued by killers and monsters, accompanied by a talking blue crab named, well, Crab. As Ben’s adventures become increasingly bizarre (and menacing), he realizes he must find a powerful entity called the Producer to escape alive. His interactions with Crab and the sinister nature of his new reality will definitely appeal to Adventure Time fans.
Best Movies Like Adventure Time
Adventure Time has its own cinematic quality—the visuals are stunning, and the plot’s scope is almost implicitly epic. If you’re looking for similar films, there’s a huge selection (including, surprisingly, the 1979 comedy Meatballs , as Bill Murray’s performance as Tripper in that film directly inspired the character of Jake in Adventure Time ).
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Adventure Time and Where the Wild Things Are are so similar in theme that countless parodies can be found online. Max, who wears a wolf suit like Finn wears a bearskin cap, goes to bed sulking and without dinner. He finds himself transported to a magical jungle, where the resident monsters—the Wild Things—try to scare him, but then make him their king and take him on adventures. Like the show, the story has a dark core and a touch of melancholy. Watch Where the Wild Things Are on the Roku Channel or rent it on Prime Video .
The Dark Crystal (1982)
The combination of mature themes and a stunningly well-crafted universe makes Adventure Time something special, and the same can be said for The Dark Crystal, a triumph of Frank Oz’s puppetry. The story of two Gelflings, Jen and Kira, who seek to heal a magical crystal and save their world from eternal darkness and tyranny is a visual delight. Like the series, the film is primarily aimed at children, but along the way, it touches on many serious adult themes. You can watch The Dark Crystal online on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
Spirited Away (2001)
Another film often compared to Adventure Time is Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away . While the animation style is quite different, the story of a young girl, Sen, who accidentally enters the spirit world and must find a way to save her parents after a witch turns them into pigs, has a surreal feel and dark melancholy that fans of the series will recognize. It’s a visually dazzling story that explores the transition from childhood to adulthood through the lens of Japanese culture and playful visuals that offer new surprises every time. Spirited Away is available to rent on Prime Video .
Labyrinth (1986)
This 1986 Jim Henson film is a live-action film, but it echoes many of the themes of Adventure Time (which features its own maze that torments Finn and Jake), particularly its underlying melancholy and use of fantasy to solve serious problems. 16-year-old Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) is outraged by her father’s remarriage and the arrival of her little half-brother, Toby, and in a fit of pique, she offers him up to the goblins she’s just read about. When the Goblin King, Jareth (David Bowie), appears, she’s told she must complete his maze in 13 hours or Toby will become a goblin. In a lush fantasy world, Sarah must use her wits and rely on her sense of right and wrong to defeat the Goblin King in a story any Adventure Time fan will love. Watch “Labyrinth” on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
The Iron Giant (1999)
If you enjoy the “I’m not crying, you’re crying” vibe that often permeates Finn and Jake’s interactions on Adventure Time , then The Iron Giant is a must-see. In 1957, a 50-foot-tall robot crash-lands on Earth and is discovered and befriended by nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes. When the government learns of the giant, they react with furious paranoia, forcing Hogarth and the giant to flee while the giant struggles with the destructive power he potentially wields. It’s a brilliant animated film that explores the power of friendship between disparate creatures—what could be more Adventure Time- esque? Rent The Iron Giant on Prime Video .
The best video games like Adventure Time
Adventure Time’s plots often employ video game-like tropes and dynamics, with quest-based stories and incredibly original graphics. If you’re looking for something similar, check out these video games.
Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigates
Since it’s essentially a cartoon-themed game, there are many video games officially based on Adventure Time . Adventure Time: Finn & Jake Investigation isn’t the most challenging game on this list, but it’s one of the most engaging and exciting. Finn and Jake decide to become detectives like their parents and begin collecting treasure by solving puzzles throughout the Land of Ooo. The game lets you roam the world, interact with other inhabitants, and simply have fun. It’s like playing inside an actual episode of the cartoon.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Wii U, 3DS, Steam
Ollie Ollie World
Yes, it’s a skateboarding game, but its visuals and atmosphere are reminiscent of a skateboarding game set in Adventure Time . The characters live in a world called Radland, but they might as well have migrated from the Land of Ooo, and the world’s visuals are also reminiscent of Adventure Time . You play as a candidate for the title of “Master of Skateboarding” and must travel across Radland, impressing everyone with your amazing skateboarding skills, which also sounds like an episode of Adventure Time . Olli Olli World doesn’t have the sadness and sense of loss that permeates the show’s later seasons, but it’s a fun game that will remind you of the early episodes.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Hinterberg Dungeons
If you’re looking for a visually rich game that captures the more melancholic and existential atmosphere of Adventure Time , check out Dungeons of Hinterberg . You play as a tourist named Louise, who has come to Hinterberg to explore dungeons and destroy the monsters that have spawned in the surrounding mountains. As you’d expect, there’s combat and skill leveling, but you’ll also interact with the people in town, which allows you to uncover Louise’s backstory and emotional state, giving this dungeon crawler a unique twist. Ultimately, it’s the visual style and Louise’s character exploration that will remind you of Adventure Time as you play.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Steam
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
With its non-linear gameplay, open-world environment, and exploration-based dynamics, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers a gaming experience that can provide a similar level of comfort and enjoyment, especially if you find clever ways to avoid combat (which is possible and adds an extra element of challenge). Both games are set in beautiful post-apocalyptic worlds, both utilize a blend of science fiction with magic and technology, and Breath of the Wild certainly has an atmosphere of loss and melancholy that will feel familiar to fans of Adventure Time .
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Wii U
Undertale / Deltarune
The role-playing games Undertale and its parallel-story sequel, Deltarune, are distinctly reminiscent of Adventure Time . In Undertale, you play as a child who penetrates a magical barrier between your world and the Underworld, where monsters have been banished after a war with humanity; in Deltarune, you’re in the same universe but exploring the Dark World with different goals and objectives. The games feature quirky, low-budget graphics filled with fantastical monsters and a wide range of tones, from hilariously silly to moments of unexpected emotional upheaval.
Platforms: PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Steam
The best podcasts like Adventure Time
Sometimes you just want to close your eyes and let someone tell you a story or share their opinion on a favorite show (like Adventure Time ). In that case, here are some of the best podcasts for fans of the show.
Neverending Adventure: A Podcast Based on Adventure Time
The dynamic of the “Endless Adventures” podcast is simply brilliant: host Russell has never watched the show and comments on each episode in chronological order. The other host, Ned, is a huge Adventure Time fan and knows way too much about it. Their discussions are reminiscent of those moments when you’re desperately trying to get a friend to love something as much as you do so you can get hooked on it together. It’s a great way to rekindle your interest in the show and learn something new you might have missed on your own journey.
Oh My Globe! A Podcast Based on Adventure Time
If you’re looking for a simple, yet incredibly funny and in-depth breakdown of each episode, listen to Oh My Glob! An Adventure Time Podcast . It’s just two smart people, Matt and Amy, reviewing and analyzing each episode. If you don’t have a group of weirdos who also want to just sit and rewatch episodes, delightedly noting the Easter eggs and clues scattered throughout the show, then this podcast is the best option.
Wolf 359
Like Adventure Time , this fictional podcast begins as a humorous story before gradually evolving into a much more emotional and powerful narrative. Doug Eiffel is part of a small crew aboard the USS Hephaestus, which orbits the star Wolf 359 in search of signs of alien life. As Doug investigates odd occurrences, the crew gradually realizes that their mission and existence are not what they assumed, and the narrative gradually evolves into a gripping drama that fans of the show will appreciate.
All living things
Adventure Time’s depth and subtlety creep in unnoticed, and if that’s one of your favorite aspects of the show, then “Everything Alive” is exactly what you need. Each episode is an interview with an inanimate object—like a towel—and each offers a surprisingly subtle, funny, and often hilarious reflection on existence, the meaning of life, and the hidden world around us. This combination is exactly what Adventure Time fans are looking for.
Adventure Zone: Balance Arc
If you’re looking for a more action-packed story that unfolds gradually, like in Adventure Time , then the “Balance” arc of The Adventure Zone is a great choice. The podcast’s first campaign begins as a simple role-playing game focused on friendship, but gradually evolves into a profound exploration of the power of love, the nature of time, and confronting an existential threat beyond your wildest dreams. For Adventure Time fans, it’s a true treat.