What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved101 Dalmatians
Stephen Herek · Film · 1996
If you loved 101 Dalmatians, start with One Hundred and One Dalmatians (Wolfgang Reitherman, 1961) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to 101 Dalmatians across media.
What hooked you in 101 Dalmatians was the way family bonds are tested against outrageous, larger-than-life villains and chaotic circumstances.
Start with the source
The source
One Hundred and One Dalmatians
Wolfgang Reitherman · Film · 1961
Books on the same thread
Hansel and Gretel
Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm · Book · 1986
Explores: Poverty, Abandonment, Survival.
Like the puppies in 101 Dalmatians, these children face a cruel antagonist and must rely on their wits and sibling bond to escape a life-threatening situation.
Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi · Book · 1996
Explores: Transformation, Redemption, Consequences.
Much like the mischievous escapades in 101 Dalmatians, this story follows a spirited protagonist whose poor choices lead to consequences that demand a redemptive, heartfelt transformation.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling · Book · 1997
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Orphanhood, Friendship.
If you appreciated the fight for survival in 101 Dalmatians, you will find a similar resonance in this tale of an orphan overcoming neglect through courage and friendship.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Roald Dahl · Book · 1998
Explores: Underdog, Resourcefulness, Family Loyalty.
This story mirrors the protective instinct found in 101 Dalmatians as a resourceful father fights to save his family from the greedy, destructive intentions of local enemies.
Series on the same thread
Family Guy
Seth MacFarlane · Series · 1999
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Satire, Political Incorrectness.
For those who enjoyed the chaotic energy of 101 Dalmatians, this show offers a similarly irreverent look at a dysfunctional family navigating increasingly bizarre and high-stakes social situations.
Modern Family
Steven Levitan · Series · 2009
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Multi-Generational Family, Suburban Life.
This show captures the warmth and messiness of the family unit seen in 101 Dalmatians, focusing on how a large, blended group supports each other through daily life.
Malcolm in the Middle
Linwood Boomer · Series · 2000
Explores: Dysfunctional Family, Gifted Child, Middle Class Life.
Just as 101 Dalmatians highlights the struggle to maintain order amidst chaos, this series centers on a gifted teenager trying to survive the madness of his dysfunctional family.
The Addams Family
Charles Addams · Series · 1964
Explores: Macabre Humor, Family Dynamics, Outsider Perspective.
This classic series shares the eccentric charm of 101 Dalmatians, presenting an unconventional family that remains unapologetically themselves despite the judgment of the outside world.
Podcasts on the same thread
Killer Stories with Harvey Guillén
Spotify Studios · Podcast · 2026
Explores: dark human nature, criminal psychology, public fascination.
If the dark motives of the villain in 101 Dalmatians intrigued you, this deep dive into criminal psychology and human nature offers a similarly gripping exploration of malice.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: mental health awareness, female friendship, coping mechanisms.
The blend of dark subject matter and community storytelling mirrors the way 101 Dalmatians balances high-stakes tension with the bonds of friendship and shared human experience.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is 101 Dalmatians from 1996 based on a previous film?
Yes, the 1996 version of 101 Dalmatians is a live-action adaptation of the animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians released in 1961. Both movies center on a fashion designer who attempts to steal Dalmatian puppies to create a fur coat.
What order should I watch 101 Dalmatians and the original version?
You can watch these films in any order because they are separate adaptations of the same story. The 1961 One Hundred and One Dalmatians is an animated feature, while the 1996 101 Dalmatians is a live-action production directed by Stephen Herek.
Is 101 Dalmatians a live-action movie?
The 1996 film 101 Dalmatians directed by Stephen Herek is a live-action movie. It depicts a high-fashion designer plotting to steal Dalmatian puppies for a fur coat, which differs from the 1961 animated version titled One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
Are there multiple versions of 101 Dalmatians?
Yes, there are two primary versions of this story. One Hundred and One Dalmatians is an animated film from 1961, and 101 Dalmatians is a 1996 live-action film. Both tell the story of a designer who creates a mess while trying to steal puppies.