What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved20th Century Girl
Film · 2022
If you loved 20th Century Girl, start with Twenty Five Twenty One (Jung Jee-hyun, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to 20th Century Girl across media.
If 20th Century Girl captured your heart, you will love these stories that masterfully balance the bittersweet ache of first love and lifelong friendship.
Books on the same thread
A Walk to Remember
Nicholas Sparks · Book · 2000
Shares a thread with 20th Century Girl: First love.
Like 20th Century Girl, this tale explores the transformative power of a star-crossed romance, grounding its emotional weight in the lasting nostalgia of youth and the intensity of first love.
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Explores: Teenage angst, Female friendship, Existential dread.
While 20th Century Girl focuses on the romance of youth, this story mirrors the film's depiction of the complex, evolving bond between best friends as they face the uncertainty of adulthood.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy
Jenny Han · Book
Shares 2 threads with 20th Century Girl: first love, coming-of-age.
Fans of 20th Century Girl will appreciate how these stories center on the intersection of summer nostalgia and the delicate, often complicated dynamics of first love and enduring female friendship.
Norwegian Wood (ノルウェイの森)
Haruki Murakami · Book · 1987
Shares 2 threads with 20th Century Girl: Nostalgia, Coming-of-Age.
If the emotional depth of 20th Century Girl resonated with you, this narrative offers a similar, melancholic exploration of how grief and loss shape our formative years and romantic memories.
Series on the same thread
Twenty Five Twenty One
Jung Jee-hyun · Series · 2022
Shares 2 threads with 20th Century Girl: Youth, First Love.
Much like 20th Century Girl, this drama captures the resilience of youth, showcasing how personal dreams and first love collide within a specific, nostalgic period of time that defines adulthood.
From Me to You: Kimi ni Todoke
Series · 2009
Shares 2 threads with 20th Century Girl: First Love, Coming-of-Age.
Those charmed by 20th Century Girl will find a familiar warmth in this story of self-discovery, where a quiet protagonist breaks out of her shell through the lens of first love.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Lim Sang-choon · Series · 2025
Shares 2 threads with 20th Century Girl: First Love, Melodrama.
This story echoes the themes of 20th Century Girl by presenting a lifelong journey of resilience, proving that the foundation of a first love can endure across the passage of time.
Hidden Love
Series · 2023
Shares a thread with 20th Century Girl: First Love.
If you were moved by the sentimental journey in 20th Century Girl, this narrative provides a similar focus on the sweetness of a long-held crush and the joy of eventual reunion.
Podcasts on the same thread
Just For Girls
Podcast
Explores: Dating, Relationships, Female Friendship.
This podcast mirrors the genuine, unfiltered look at female friendship found in 20th Century Girl, providing a conversational space to reflect on the universal experiences of youth and growing up.
Girl Talk
Podcast
Shares a thread with 20th Century Girl: Friendship.
For viewers who cherished the relatable friendship dynamics in 20th Century Girl, these casual conversations offer a modern, everyday perspective on the same themes of youth culture and shared experiences.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is 20th Century Girl based on a book?
No, 20th Century Girl is not an adaptation of a book or other source material. It is a standalone film released in 2022 that focuses on the story of a teen girl in 1999 who tracks a boy for her best friend.
What is the main plot of 20th Century Girl?
20th Century Girl follows a teen girl in 1999 who monitors a boy at school on behalf of her smitten best friend. During this process, she becomes involved in her own unexpected love story.
When is 20th Century Girl set?
The events of 20th Century Girl take place in 1999. The narrative centers on a high school student navigating friendships and romance during this specific time period.
Does 20th Century Girl have any sequels?
There are no sequels or related adaptations for 20th Century Girl in the current catalog. The film serves as a complete, self-contained story about a girl observing a boy for her friend in 1999.