What to read, watch, and listen to if you loved22 Jump Street
Phil Lord · Film · 2014
If you loved 22 Jump Street, start with 21 Jump Street (Phil Lord, 2012) — a film from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to 22 Jump Street across media.
If you loved 22 Jump Street, you crave the chaotic friction of mismatched partners forced to navigate absurd undercover assignments together.
Start with the source
The source
21 Jump Street
Phil Lord · Film · 2012
Books on the same thread
Catch-22
Joseph Heller · Book · 1961
Explores: Bureaucratic absurdity, Existential dread, The insanity of war.
Much like the bureaucratic madness of 22 Jump Street, this satire captures the existential dread of being trapped in a system that makes absolutely no sense.
Dog Man: Fetch-22: From the Creator of Captain Underpants (Dog Man #8)
Dav Pilkey · Book · 2019
Explores: Good vs. Evil, Friendship, Justice.
Fans of 22 Jump Street will appreciate this graphic novel's focus on the evolving dynamics of friendship and the humor found in navigating complex, high-stakes family drama.
Joyland (Hard Case Crime)
Stephen King · Book · 2013
Explores: Carnivals, First Love, Grief.
This coming-of-age story mirrors the collegiate fish-out-of-water experience from 22 Jump Street, grounding its mystery in the transition between youth and the responsibilities of adult life.
Heat 2
Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner · Book
Explores: professional obsession, criminal underworld, cat and mouse.
If the professional obsession between Schmidt and Jenko defined 22 Jump Street for you, this continuation of the Heat saga offers a grittier look at complex criminal partnerships.
Series on the same thread
19-2
Réal Bossé · Series · 2014
Explores: Partnership, Urban Policing, Moral Ambiguity.
This series explores the genuine tension and evolving bonds of partners in the field, echoing the core relationship struggles that anchored the humor of 22 Jump Street.
A Man on the Inside
Michael Schur · Series · 2024
Shares a thread with 22 Jump Street: Fish Out of Water.
This show captures the undercover fish-out-of-water premise that made 22 Jump Street a hit, focusing on the comedic friction of an unlikely duo solving a case together.
Chicago P.D.
Dick Wolf · Series · 2014
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Justice, Corruption.
Viewers who enjoyed the high-stakes police work in 22 Jump Street will appreciate this drama's intense focus on the moral ambiguity and urban policing of dedicated officers.
Miami Vice
Anthony Yerkovich · Series · 1984
Explores: Undercover operations, Drug trafficking, Partnership.
This classic series defines the buddy cop dynamic that 22 Jump Street parodies, showcasing the intense partnership and undercover operations required to infiltrate dangerous criminal organizations.
Podcasts on the same thread
Crime in Sports
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: athlete misconduct, legal absurdity, scandalous behavior.
If you enjoyed the investigative humor in 22 Jump Street, this podcast delivers the same blend of research and comedy while analyzing the absurdity of athletic scandals.
Small Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: provincial life, tragic irony, forensic breakdown.
This podcast mirrors the comedic spin applied to crime found in 22 Jump Street, using deep research to find dark humor within the context of real-world tragedies.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Should I watch 21 Jump Street before 22 Jump Street?
Yes, watching 21 Jump Street first provides the necessary background for the characters before they transition from high school to college in 22 Jump Street. The films follow the chronological progression of officers Schmidt and Jenko as they move from their first assignment to the undercover operation at a local college.
Is 22 Jump Street a direct sequel to 21 Jump Street?
Yes, 22 Jump Street is the direct sequel to the 2012 movie 21 Jump Street. It continues the story of the same two officers as they face new challenges while investigating a case at a college, testing the strength of their partnership after their previous work in high school.
What is the primary plot of 22 Jump Street?
In 22 Jump Street, officers Schmidt and Jenko go deep undercover at a local college. While Jenko joins the football team and Schmidt infiltrates the bohemian art major scene, the partners must solve their case while navigating the personal friction that develops as they pursue different interests during their investigation.
Are the same characters featured in 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street?
Yes, both 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street feature the characters Schmidt and Jenko. The films track the evolution of their partnership as they move from their initial high school undercover assignment to their subsequent college mission, eventually questioning the stability of their relationship throughout the series.