The Best Books, Movies, Video Games, and Podcasts to Listen to After Watching Mad Men
Mad Men is a series that transcends its brief. At first glance, it seems a bit dull and slightly ridiculous—a show about Madison Avenue ad men in the prudish early 1960s?—but Matthew Weiner and his cast have created one of the best television series of all time, a deep dive into the changing mores of America in the 1960s, when the era of consumerism became dominant.
If you’re missing a detailed reconstruction of the era, the chic fashion, and the captivating aura of Don Draper’s antihero—and you’ve already checked out our recommendations for similar TV shows —there are plenty of other films, books, podcasts, and even video games that can satisfy that need.
The Best Books Like Mad Men
Mad Men is a series based on literature. Beyond the obvious references to books and visual references to actual books throughout the show, the scripts created the feeling that this was not just a TV series, but a collection of short stories. If you’re looking for an even more authentic feel, here are some excellent books worth reading.
“The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit” by Sloan Wilson.
The book “The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,” an obvious influence on the series, became a bestseller in 1955, its title becoming synonymous with a certain type of middle-class American. It’s the story of Tom Rath, a World War II veteran and family man who struggles to rise through the ranks while simultaneously struggling with what we would now call post-traumatic stress disorder, not to mention the new pressures of wealth. Like Don Draper, Tom maintains the appearance of a detached, confident businessman, while his inner monologue is a riot of conflicting emotions and stress.
“The Best of Everything” by Ron Jaffe.
Jaffe was only 26 when she wrote this, her debut novel , and it offers a perfect alternative take on the Mad Men era (Don Draper, incidentally, reads it in the first season). The story follows five young women working in a large Manhattan office, detailing their experiences as people with dreams, as sex objects regularly subjected to harassment at work, and as willing participants in extramarital affairs and other scandalous behavior. It’s a snapshot of a bygone era with the same depth and attention to detail as the show.
Confessions of an Advertising Man, David Ogilvy
Sure, you can (and should, because it’s so funny) buy a copy of Sterling Gold , the fictional memoir of Roger Sterling from Mad Men. But you should also read the book that made Sterling so envious : Confessions of an Advertising Man by advertising legend David Ogilvy. Essentially a how-to book, Ogilvy shares the lessons he learned over decades in the industry, which made him something of an advertising guru in the 1960s. If you want to understand how the real Mad Men thought, this is the book for you.
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Mad Men often played with the theme of affluent ennui and suburban melancholy—no matter how successful or wealthy Don and everyone around him become, they remain desperately bored and unhappy. One of the show’s most powerful moments comes near the end: Don, at the pinnacle of professional success, is sitting in a boring meeting when he spots a plane in the sky outside the window —and simply gets up and sets off on an adventure. Such is the energy of Yates’s classic tragic novel : Frank and April Wheeler plan to escape the trap of 1950s American routine by saving up for a life in France and a bohemian lifestyle, but their empty lives can’t support their grandiose dreams.
Seconds , David Ely
This 1963 novel deserves to be better known (as does the 1966 film adaptation , which is arguably Rock Hudson’s best work), and it’s perfect for Mad Men fans because it tells the story of a successful man who can’t seem to resist the urge to escape his happy life and reinvent himself. In this case, quite literally: “Wilson,” as the 50-year-old bank executive calls himself in the book, takes a job with a company that fakes his death, transforms him into a physically younger man, and provides him with a dream career in a completely new life, with disastrous consequences. There’s no doubt Don Draper would have done the same if he had the chance.
The best movies like Mad Men
The Mad Men series may be a work of literature, but it’s also incredibly beautiful. If you’re looking for a feature-length film set in the same historical period and exploring similar themes, these films are ideal.
The Bachelor (2009)
Based on Christopher Isherwood’s 1964 novel, this film tells the story of middle-aged professor George Falconer (Colin Firth) on the day he decides to commit suicide out of overwhelming grief after the loss of his longtime partner, Jim (Matthew Goode). At first, he watches the events with renewed interest, believing it will be his last, but the day’s events impact him in unexpected ways. It’s a beautiful look at the early 1960s and the story of a man living—and being destroyed—a double life. Watch A Single Man on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
A 1960s-set series about a brilliant man who can’t overcome his own obstacles? It’s a perfect match for Mad Men . In 1961 New York City, Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac) is an aspiring folk singer living just before Bob Dylan’s breakthrough. Broke and embittered, he feels his life unraveling from bad decisions, heartbreak, and sheer bad luck, leading him to consider giving up on his dreams. It’s far funnier than it sounds and a brilliant exploration of a narcissist with looks and talent but lacking the moral fortitude to succeed. Beyond its perfect evocation of time and place, fans of the series will appreciate it as a profound character study. Watch Inside Llewyn Davis on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
Apartment (1960)
If you’ve ever thought the rampant sexism and drunken intrigue in your average Mad Men episode was a bit much, “The Apartment” will put your doubts to rest. In 1960s Manhattan, C.C. Baxter (Jack Lemmon), an ambitious clerk at a huge insurance company, allows his department heads to use his bachelor pad for intimate encounters. It’s both funny and heartbreaking, and the film captures what office life was like during the time Mad Men’s first season took place. Watch “The Apartment” on Kanopy or rent it on Prime Video .
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
If you were surprised to see the ghost of Bert Cooper (Robert Morse) singing and dancing for Don Draper in the seventh season of Mad Men , you’ve never seen How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying . This 1967 film (based on the hit Broadway musical) follows J. Pierpont Finch (Morse), who, following the ethically questionable advice of a self-help book, steadily rises from the mailroom to the boardroom of a huge company. It’s a funny, optimistic look at the business world of the 1960s that’s somehow both more joyful and more cynical than Mad Men . You can watch How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying on Hoopla or rent it on Prime Video .
Templates (1956)
Matthew Weiner himself cited the film “Patterns,” written by “Twilight Zone” creator Rod Serling, as a key inspiration for “Mad Men,” saying he used the film to “get a feel for real offices and see how virtue and ambition can collide.” The story centers on an idealistic young executive who is pushed by his company owner to replace an older, respected leader who has lost his touch. It’s a story of manipulation, ambition, and greed, and echoes of the office scenes from “Mad Men” are clearly evident in every frame. “Patterns” is available to watch on Kanopy and rent on Prime Video .
The Best Video Games Like Mad Men
If, like Don Draper, you prefer to take action, control your own destiny, and avoid contracts, video games can at least capture a bit of the atmosphere of Mad Men . (In 2012, a sort of comic visual novel game based on Mad Men was even released, but it’s no longer playable, so you’ll have to make do with these alternatives.)
LA Noire
The obvious choice is LA Noire , for two main reasons. First, the game features a large cast of Mad Men actors, from Aaron Staton (Ken Cosgrove) as protagonist Cole Phelps to Julie McNiven (Hildy), Ryan Cutrona (Betty Draper’s father, Eugene), Michael Gladis (Paul Kinsley), and Rich Sommer (Harry Crane), to name just a few. Second, the game is set in 1947, recreating the atmosphere of the same period, from the fashion to the dark, noir-infused tone.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam
Disco Elysium
If you loved the TV series Mad Men , you’ll love the atmosphere of Disco Elysium . Set in a fairytale universe with visuals reminiscent of oil paintings, the game casts you as a burnt-out detective with amnesia and drug addiction issues, so the connection to Mad Men isn’t immediately obvious. You’ll find it not only in the antihero protagonist and his struggle with self-identity and sobriety, but also in the rich, literary approach to the plot and characters—it’s almost like taking Don Draper, erasing his memory, and placing him in an alternate detective universe.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Steam
BioShock
On the one hand, BioShock is a frantic first-person shooter set in an underwater city (and the sequel, a floating city in the sky) where deranged people have overdosed on objectivism and “plasmids” that grant them superpowers—a far cry from Mad Men . On the other hand, the visual design perfectly evokes the atmosphere of the 1960s, the plot explores how narcissism and consumerism destroy societies, and the questions of identity and free will that the game explores fit perfectly with the Draper-esque narrative, questioning whether any of us truly know who we are.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Steam
Late at night
A recurring theme in Mad Men is the borderline weirdness of working late at the office. Whether it’s Don seeing Anna Draper’s ghost after her death, Harry living in the office after an affair, or Paul Kinsley, completely drunk, experiencing a creative epiphany late at night, the offices in Mad Men are characters in their own right. One Late Night is a free indie horror game, but it captures this eerie atmosphere as you wander through an empty office, following clues that lead to ghosts (and likely getting scared out of your wits a few times). Imagine playing as Don, hungover and depressed, experiencing a long, dark night of the soul.
Platforms: Steam
What Remains of Edith Finch
If you enjoy the deep character development and exploration of generational trauma inherent in Don Draper’s story, play What Remains of Edith Finch. You take on the role of Edith, a 17-year-old girl, the last survivor of her family. She returns to the estate where she grew up to discover the true reasons why her family descended into chaos and tragedy. This thoughtful, immersive walking simulator and detective story creates an atmosphere similar to Draper’s story, as Edith struggles with the idea that her family is cursed and that the curse will stay with her.
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Steam
The Best Podcasts Like Mad Men
If you want to endlessly discuss and quote Mad Men or find an audio drama with a similarly gripping plot, podcasts are your answer.
They came up with this word.
Although the podcast abruptly ended before covering the final episode (due to the hosts’ health issues), They Coined It remains one of the best Mad Men podcasts. Whether you’re watching the show for the first time or rewatching it for the tenth time, Roberta and Dan offer detailed and insightful analysis of every episode except the finale, making it ideal if you want to really dig into the subject and catch every cultural reference, literary allusion, and subtle character detail.
In anger
Mad Men is a captivating exploration of postwar America, mid-century corporate culture, and existential discontent—from the perspective of a white, cisgender, male viewer. The podcast “In a Snit” offers a female and feminist perspective on the show, delving into fashion and sexual politics. It’s a refreshing change from many Mad Men podcasts, which focus almost entirely on Don Draper.
Diary
If you’re looking for a gripping audio drama in the vein of Mad Men , check out The Notebook . Set in a 1950s New York advertising agency (check), the story follows Andrea Davis, a young secretary who begins an affair with her handsome and charming boss (check) and finds herself caught in a dark web of lies and betrayal. The setting and characters feel right at home in the show’s early episodes, and the tone perfectly matches some of the darkest and most intense episodes.
Bronzeville
Looking for a period film that offers a unique experience, yet is also distinguished by complex character development and literary mastery of storytelling? Then check out Bronzeville . Starring Larenz Tate and Laurence Fishburne, the film is set in 1940s Chicago, in the African-American neighborhood known as Bronzeville. Its depiction of the era accurately captures the spirit of the time, and the plot, which involves an unofficial lottery, murder, and the racial tensions of the era, is as gripping as any episode of Mad Men .
Deconstructing Mad Men
If you’re looking for deeper historical context and a more in-depth psychological exploration of the series, check out the podcast “Mad Men Deconstructed.” While the podcast only covers most of the first two seasons, the episodes are full of useful information that will help you better understand the entire series. The goal is to view everything from the perspective of the 1960s, rather than from our modern perspective, which often reveals important nuances in the actions of various characters and unexpected plot twists.